Walter Byron Houchens

US Patent:

20040045301, Mar 11, 2004

Filed:

Sep 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/238542

Inventors:

Gilbert Farmer - Cincinnati OH, US
Steven Vise - Loveland OH, US
Walter Houchens - Cincinnati OH, US
Craig Young - Maineville OH, US

International Classification:

F23R003/42

US Classification:

060/804000, 060/746000

Abstract:

A fabricated cowl for a double annular combustor of a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, including an outer annular portion, an inner annular portion, and a middle annular portion. A plurality of circumferentially spaced radial slots are formed in at least one of the annular portions. The outer annular portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced windows of desired size formed therein, wherein a plurality of outer radial members connecting the outer annular portion and the middle annular portion are provided between adjacent windows therein. Similarly, the inner annular portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced windows of desired size formed therein, wherein a plurality of inner radial members connecting the inner annular portion and the middle annular portion are provided between adjacent windows therein. The cowl further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced stiffening ribs, where each stiffening rib includes: a middle portion including a rear edge configured to substantially conform to a forward surface of the middle annular portion so that an area extending between the forward and rear edges is upstream of the middle annular portion; an outer portion including a forward edge configured to conform to a rear surface of the outer annular portion; and, an inner portion including a forward edge configured to conform to a rear surface of inner annular portion. The middle rib portion further includes a forward edge configured to extend through the radial slots when positioned in the middle annular portion, whereas the inner and outer rib portions further include a rear edge configured to extend through the radial slots when positioned in the inner and outer annular portions. Each stiffening rib is then connected to the inner, outer and middle annular portions.