Nozzle Tip Assembly Secondary Retention Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel injector nozzle assemblies for gas turbine engines require complete replacement upon damage, lacking a secondary retention feature to prevent separation and facilitate repair without replacing the entire assembly.
Innovation Solution
A retention device with at least one tab cooperating with a ledge is used to couple a nozzle shroud to a nozzle adaptor, providing a secondary retention feature that allows for repair and replacement of the nozzle tip assembly without replacing the entire assembly, utilizing deformable tabs and ledges for secure attachment and airflow compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If conventional fuel injector nozzle assemblies are used, then the assembly can be manufactured and installed, but the entire assembly must be replaced upon damage which increases maintenance costs and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly is divided into separable components: the nozzle body and the tip. The tip can be independently removed and replaced from the nozzle body through a access hole, allowing repair of only the damaged tip portion rather than the entire assembly. This segmentation enables selective replacement of worn or damaged components.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the nozzle body. A removal tool can be inserted through an access hole to engage and extract the tip from the nozzle body, allowing the tip to be taken out for replacement or repair without removing the entire nozzle assembly from the fuel injector.
2Reliability
If conventional nozzle assemblies are used, then the structure can be simple, but there is no secondary retention feature to prevent separation which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The retention features (protrusions and recesses) are pre-formed during manufacturing of the nozzle body and tip components. These preliminary formed features automatically engage when the tip is installed on the nozzle body, providing secondary retention without requiring additional assembly steps or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention features are self-engaging structures that automatically secure the tip to the nozzle body upon installation. The protrusions on one component fit into corresponding recesses on the other component, creating self-retaining connections that prevent separation without requiring external retention mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the fuel injector nozzle assembly to be repaired or overhauled without replacing the entire assembly, ensuring continued engine operation and reducing maintenance costs by providing a secure secondary retention mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the tab, and in particular the one or more fingers, may be deformable radially outwardly or inwardly, for example by swaging, to form the catch or catches after the shroud has been assembled into the adaptor
Implementation Method 2
The tab, and in particular the one or more fingers, may be resiliently flexible for insertion and/or removal of the shroud with respect to the adaptor
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle tip assembly and method characterized by the use of a retention device including at least one tab that cooperates with a ledge for coupling a nozzle shroud to a nozzle adaptor. The retention device can be used as a secondary retention feature to prevent nozzle separation and/or to enable the fuel injector to be repaired without having to replace the entire assembly. The latter advantage is of particular benefit when there is damage during assembly or when the nozzle tip assembly is being overhauled.