Tapered helical fuel distributor

Abstract

A fuel distributor system for a turbomachine fuel injector can include a plurality of helical fuel flow channels defined between a fuel distributor and a shroud that surrounds the fuel distributor. A wind axis of the helical flow channels is an axial axis of the fuel injector and each of the helical fuel flow channels include an upstream opening configured to be in fluid communication with a liquid fuel source and a downstream opening configured to effuse fuel therefrom. Each of the plurality of helical fuel flow channels can reduce in flow area from the upstream opening to the downstream opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fuel distributor system for a turbomachine fuel injector, comprising:
 a plurality of helical fuel flow channels defined between a fuel distributor and a shroud that surrounds the fuel distributor,   wherein a wind axis of the helical flow channels is an axial axis of the fuel injector,   wherein each of the helical fuel flow channels include an upstream opening configured to be in fluid communication with a liquid fuel source and a downstream opening configured to effuse fuel therefrom, and   wherein each of the plurality of helical fuel flow channels reduce in flow area from the upstream opening to the downstream opening.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of helical fuel flow channels are defined on an outer diameter of the fuel distributor and are configured to be fluidly isolated from one another by the shroud. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein a radial trough of each of the helical fuel flow channels is reduced in depth from the upstream opening to the downstream opening. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein a radial peak height of each helical fuel flow channel is constant from the upstream opening to the downstream opening. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the upstream opening includes a transition area to widen the upstream openings to reduce pressure loss of fuel entering into the helical fuel flow channels. 
     
     
         6 . A fuel distributor for a turbomachine fuel injector, comprising:
 a plurality of helical fuel flow channels defined on an outer diameter thereof and configured to be fluidly isolated from one another by a shroud that surrounds the fuel distributor,   wherein a wind axis of the helical flow channels is an axial axis of the fuel injector,   wherein each of the helical fuel flow channels include an upstream opening configured to be in fluid communication with a liquid fuel source and a downstream opening configured to effuse fuel therefrom, and   wherein each of the plurality of helical fuel flow channels reduce in flow area from the upstream opening to the downstream opening.   
     
     
         7 . The distributor of  claim 6 , wherein a radial trough of each of the helical fuel flow channels is reduced in depth from the upstream opening to the downstream opening. 
     
     
         8 . The distributor of  claim 7 , wherein a radial peak height of each helical fuel flow channel is constant from the upstream opening to the downstream opening. 
     
     
         9 . The distributor of  claim 8 , wherein the upstream opening includes a transition area to widen the upstream openings to reduce pressure loss of fuel entering into the helical fuel flow channels. 
     
     
         10 . The distributor of  claim 9 , wherein the fuel distributor is a primary fuel distributor or a secondary for distributor. 
     
     
         11 . A fuel injector for a turbomachine, comprising:
 a fuel distributor system for a turbomachine fuel injector, comprising:
 a plurality of helical fuel flow channels defined between a fuel distributor and a shroud that surrounds the fuel distributor, 
 wherein a wind axis of the helical flow channels is an axial axis of the fuel injector, 
 wherein each of the helical fuel flow channels include an upstream opening configured to be in fluid communication with a liquid fuel source and a downstream opening configured to effuse fuel therefrom, and 
 wherein each of the plurality of helical fuel flow channels reduce in flow area from the upstream opening to the downstream opening. 
   
     
     
         12 . The injector of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of helical fuel flow channels are defined on an outer diameter of the fuel distributor and are configured to be fluidly isolated from one another by the shroud. 
     
     
         13 . The injector of  claim 12 , wherein a radial trough of each of the helical fuel flow channels is reduced in depth from the upstream opening to the downstream opening. 
     
     
         14 . The injector of  claim 13 , wherein a radial peak height of each helical fuel flow channel is constant from the upstream opening to the downstream opening. 
     
     
         15 . The injector of  claim 14 , wherein the upstream opening includes a transition area to widen the upstream openings to reduce pressure loss of fuel entering into the helical fuel flow channels. 
     
     
         16 . A fuel distributor system for a turbomachine fuel injector, comprising:
 a plurality of helical fuel flow channels defined between a fuel distributor and a shroud that surrounds the fuel distributor,   wherein a wind axis of the helical flow channels is an axial axis of the fuel injector,   wherein each of the helical fuel flow channels include an upstream opening configured to be in fluid communication with a liquid fuel source and a downstream opening configured to effuse fuel therefrom, and   wherein each of the plurality of helical fuel flow channels change in flow area from the upstream opening to the downstream opening.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the change in flow area includes a change in a flow area shape.