Nested channel ducts for nozzle construction and the like

Abstract

A multiple conduit system for a gas turbine engine, the multiple conduit system extending between a plurality of conduit inlet and outlets. A channel, adapted for conveying fuel flow, is formed in a surface of a gas turbine engine component. The channel includes at least a first discrete conduit and a second discrete conduit. The first and second discrete conduits are each adapted to direct an independent fluid flow from respective inlets to respective outlets.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A fuel manifold for a gas turbine engine, the fuel manifold comprising an annular body defining at least one fuel conduit therein, the fuel conduit having a fuel inlet defined in the body in communication with a fuel source and a fuel outlet defined in the body in communication with at least one fuel nozzle, a coolant conduit being defined within the body in heat transfer communication with the fuel conduit, the coolant conduit having at least one coolant inlet and at least one coolant outlet defined in the body, the fuel and coolant conduits being fed independently from each other such as to respectively direct fluid flow therethrough independently of each other.  
   
   
       22 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the body includes a channel formed therein, the channel defining at least one shoulder along a length thereof corresponding to a change in width of the channel, at least a first inner sealing member being disposed within the channel and mounted to the shoulder substantially along the length of the channel, the fuel and coolant conduits being defined in nested relationship in the channel and sealingly separated from one another by the first inner sealing member, and an outer sealing member enclosing the channel substantially along its length to define an outer one of the fuel and coolant conduits.  
   
   
       23 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the first inner sealing member abuts the shoulder.  
   
   
       24 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the outer sealing member is engaged to an outer surface of the body.  
   
   
       25 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the coolant conduit has a larger cross-sectional area than the fuel conduit.  
   
   
       26 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the body includes an additional fuel conduit defined therein, the additional fuel conduit having an additional fuel inlet and an additional fuel outlet defined in the body, the coolant conduit being in heat transfer communication with the additional fuel conduit, the additional fuel conduit being fed independently from the fuel and coolant conduits such as to direct fluid flow independently of the fuel and coolant conduits.  
   
   
       27 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 22 , wherein a second inner sealing member is disposed within the channel along the length thereof and separates the fuel conduit from an additional fuel conduit also defined in the channel, the additional fuel conduit being fed independently from the fuel and coolant conduits.  
   
   
       28 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the fuel manifold is provided in a single solid piece of material.  
   
   
       29 . A fuel manifold for a gas turbine engine, the fuel manifold comprising: 
 an annular body defining at least one fuel conduit and at least one coolant conduit therein, the fuel conduit circulating fuel from a fuel inlet to at least one fuel nozzle, and the coolant conduit circulating coolant therein from a coolant inlet to a coolant outlet to absorb heat from the fuel manifold;    means for controlling a flow of the fuel in the fuel conduit; and    means for controlling a flow of the coolant in the coolant conduit;    wherein the fuel flow control means and the coolant flow control means are independent from one another.    
   
   
       30 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the fuel flow control means includes a first inlet feed line feeding the fuel inlet and the coolant flow control means includes a second inlet feed line feeding the coolant inlet.  
   
   
       31 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the body includes a channel formed therein, the channel defining at least one shoulder along a length thereof corresponding to a change in width of the channel, at least a first inner sealing member being disposed within the channel and mounted to the shoulder substantially along the length of the channel, the fuel and coolant conduits being defined in nested relationship in the channel and sealingly separated from one another by the first inner sealing member, and an outer sealing member enclosing the channel substantially along its length to define an outer one of the fuel and coolant conduits.  
   
   
       32 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the coolant conduit has a larger cross-sectional area than the fuel conduit.  
   
   
       33 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the body includes an additional fuel conduit defined therein, the fuel additional conduit circulating fuel from an additional fuel inlet to at least one additional fuel outlet, and the manifold further includes means for controlling a flow of the fuel in the additional fuel conduit, and wherein the additional fuel flow control means are independent from the fuel flow control means and the coolant flow control means.  
   
   
       34 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the additional fuel flow control means includes a third inlet feed line feeding the additional fuel inlet, the third inlet feed line being independent from the first and second inlet feed lines.  
   
   
       35 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 33 , wherein the body includes a channel formed therein, first and second inner sealing members being mounted within the channel along a length thereof in spaced apart relationship, the fuel, additional fuel and coolant conduits being defined in the channel and sealingly separated from one another by the first and second sealing members, and an outer sealing member enclosing the channel substantially along its length to define an outer one of the conduits.  
   
   
       36 . The fuel manifold as defined in  claim 29 , wherein the fuel manifold is provided in a single solid piece of material.  
   
   
       37 . A method of drawing heat from a manifold ring in a gas turbine engine, the method comprising: 
 providing the manifold ring having a body with at least one fuel conduit and at least one coolant conduit defined therein, the fuel conduit being in fluid communication with at least one fuel nozzle;    circulating a coolant through the cooling conduit from an inlet to an outlet thereof to absorb heat from the manifold ring; and    controlling a flow of the coolant within the cooling conduit independently of a fuel flow to the fuel nozzle through the fuel conduit.    
   
   
       38 . The method as defined in  claim 37 , wherein controlling the flow of the coolant includes feeding the coolant through the inlet independently from a fuel feed to the fuel conduit.  
   
   
       39 . The method as defined in  claim 37 , wherein circulating the coolant through the cooling conduit includes circulating fuel through the cooling conduit.