Segmented fuel distributor

Abstract

There is provided a segmented fuel distributor for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber. The segmented fuel distributor comprises segments serially interconnected in to provide an annular structure. The segments include a main conduit defining a first axis along which a main fuel flow path extends. The segments having two or more secondary conduits extending from the main conduit and being in fluid flow communication therewith, and fuel injectors fluidly connected to the secondary conduits at remote ends thereof.

1 . A segmented fuel distributor for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine, the segmented fuel distributor comprising a plurality of segments configured to be serially interconnected in fuel flow communication to provide an annular structure, the segmented fuel distributor configured for mounting to an external casing of the gas turbine engine, the segments including a main conduit defining a first axis along which a main fuel flow path extends, the segments having two or more secondary conduits extending from the main conduit and being in fluid flow communication therewith, and fuel injectors fluidly connected to the secondary conduits at remote ends thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The segmented fuel distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the main conduit of each of the segments is fluidly connected to main conduits of circumferentially adjacent segments via transfer tubes, a connection between the transfer tubes and the main conduits being flexible. 
     
     
         3 . The segmented fuel distributor of  claim 1 , wherein each of the secondary conduits defines a second axis disposed at an angle relative to the first axis of the main conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The segmented fuel distributor of  claim 3 , wherein the angle between the second axis and the main conduit is from 15° to 90°. 
     
     
         5 . The segmented fuel distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the main conduit and the secondary conduits are integrally formed. 
     
     
         6 . The segmented fuel distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the segments have three of the secondary conduits. 
     
     
         7 . The segmented fuel distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary conduits extend away from each other from the first axis toward the remote ends. 
     
     
         8 . The segmented fuel distributor of  claim 1 , further comprising fuel injector receiving members each affixed to a respective one of the remote ends of the secondary conduits, the fuel injectors fluidly connected to the secondary conduits via the fuel injector receiving members. 
     
     
         9 . The segmented fuel distributor of  claim 8 , wherein the fuel injectors are slidingly received within cavities of the fuel injector receiving members. 
     
     
         10 . The segmented fuel distributor of  claim 8 , wherein the fuel injector receiving members define cooling cavities fluidly connected to an environment of the segmented fuel distributor. 
     
     
         11 . The segmented fuel distributor of  claim 8 , wherein fuel cavities are defined between the fuel injectors and the fuel injector receiving members, the fuel cavities fluidly connected to the secondary conduits. 
     
     
         12 . A combustor for a gas turbine engine, comprising a casing and a segmented fuel distributor affixed to the casing and configured for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of the combustor, the segmented fuel distributor comprising a plurality of segments serially interconnected in fuel flow communication, the segments including a main conduit defining a first axis along which a main fuel flow path extends, the segments having two or more secondary conduits extending from the main conduit and being in fluid flow communication therewith, and fuel injectors fluidly connected to the secondary conduits at remote ends thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The combustor of  claim 12 , wherein the main conduit of each of the segments is fluidly connected to main conduits of circumferentially adjacent segments via transfer tubes, a connection between the transfer tubes and the main conduits being flexible. 
     
     
         14 . The combustor of  claim 12 , wherein each of the secondary conduits defines a second axis disposed at an angle relative to the first axis of the main conduit. 
     
     
         15 . The combustor of  claim 14 , wherein the angle between the second axis and the main conduit is from 15° to 90°. 
     
     
         16 . The combustor of  claim 12 , wherein the secondary conduits extend away from each other from the first axis toward the remote ends thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The combustor of  claim 12 , further comprising fuel injector receiving members each affixed to a respective one of the remote ends of the secondary conduits, the fuel injectors fluidly connected the secondary conduits via the fuel injector receiving members. 
     
     
         18 . The combustor of  claim 12 , wherein the casing defines apertures for receiving the fuel injectors therethrough, and wherein the casing defines cylindrical protrusions each disposed around a respective one of the apertures, fuel injector receiving members affixed to the remote ends of the secondary conduits being each received within a respective one of the cylindrical protrusions. 
     
     
         19 . A method of assembling a combustor of a gas turbine engine, comprising:
 disposing fuel distribution segments circumferentially around a central axis of the combustor, the fuel distribution segments having two or more fuel injectors;   fluidly connecting the fuel distribution segments with two respectively adjacent ones of the fuel distribution segments to form a segmented fuel distributor; and   securing the segmented fuel distributor to a casing of the combustor.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein fluidly connecting the fuel distribution segments comprises fluidly connecting the fuel distribution segments with the two respectively adjacent ones of the fuel distribution segments with transfer tubes, a connection between the transfer tubes and the fuel distribution segments being flexible.