Fuel Nozzle Mounting Arms for Gas Turbine Alignment Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of fuel nozzle assemblies in gas turbine engines can result in misalignment, shifting, or rotation relative to the combustor case, leading to damage, wear, and degradation of components, complicating the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

The use of mounting arms extending from the dome assembly to engage the mounting base of the fuel nozzle assembly, restricting its movement and aligning it with the case aperture, thereby reducing damage and wear during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the fuel nozzle assembly is assembled without mounting arms, then the assembly process is simpler, but misalignment and shifting occur leading to damage and wear of components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidcomponent integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting arm serves as an intermediary component between the fuel nozzle assembly and the combustor case. It provides a controlled interface that guides the fuel nozzle into proper alignment while distributing assembly forces, preventing direct contact and potential damage between the fuel nozzle and case components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting arm is pre-positioned on the combustor case before the fuel nozzle assembly is installed. This preliminary positioning establishes the correct alignment and reception features in advance, ensuring that when the fuel nozzle is inserted, it automatically aligns with the mounting arm's guidance features, preventing misalignment and shifting during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If mounting arms are added to restrict fuel nozzle movement, then alignment and component protection are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidassembly structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting arm is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and installed on the combustor case. This segmentation allows the alignment and restriction function to be added without redesigning the entire fuel nozzle assembly or combustor case, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting arm performs multiple functions: it provides alignment guidance, restricts fuel nozzle movement, and distributes assembly forces. By consolidating these functions into a single component rather than requiring multiple separate mechanisms, the increase in device complexity is minimized while achieving the desired reliability improvements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12480657B1Gas turbine engine and fuel nozzle therefor

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 GE MARMARA TECHNOLOGY CENTER MUHENDISLIK HIZMETLERI LTD

AI summary

A gas turbine engine comprising a combustion section having a case and a combustor, the combustor disposed at least partially in the case. The combustor comprises a dome assembly, a liner at least partially defining a combustion chamber, a plurality of mounting arms extending forward from the dome assembly, and a fuel nozzle assembly coupled with the dome assembly and including a mounting base. The mounting base couples with the case and engages with a first mounting arm of the plurality of mounting arms and a second mounting arm of the plurality of mounting arms.