Stackable air swirlers

Abstract

A swirler includes an inner body defining a swirl axis. A plurality of swirl vanes extend outward from the inner body. The swirl vanes define respective swirl slots therebetween for imparting swirl on a fluid passing through the swirl slots. A method of making swirlers includes additively manufacturing a stack of swirlers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A swirler comprising:
 an inner body defining a swirl axis; and   a plurality of swirl vanes extending outward from the inner body, wherein the swirl vanes define respective swirl slots therebetween for imparting swirl on a fluid passing through the swirl slots.   
     
     
         2 . The swirler as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the inner body follows a first cone angle that diverges in a downstream direction along the swirl axis, wherein the swirl vanes define a frustoconical volume that follows a second cone angle that converges in the downstream direction. 
     
     
         3 . The swirler as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the swirl slots and swirl vanes are oriented tangential to the swirl axis. 
     
     
         4 . The swirler as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an outer ring connected to the swirl vanes and providing an outward boundary to the swirl slots. 
     
     
         5 . The swirler as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the inner body has a constant wall thickness. 
     
     
         6 . The swirler as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the inner body defines a plurality of cooling holes therethrough inboard of the swirl slots.