Nozzle assembly

Abstract

A nozzle assembly ( 10 ) comprising a first inlet tube ( 14 ), a second inlet tube ( 15 ), and a nozzle ( 16 ). The nozzle ( 16 ) is formed from a stack of plates ( 20 - 38 ) which are joined together in face-to-face contact. The plates ( 20 - 38 ) collectively have openings which define a nozzle outlet, a first inlet, a second inlet, a first circuit from the first inlet to the nozzle outlet, a second circuit from the second inlet to the nozzle outlet, and a fluid-outlet chamber through which both the first circuit and the second circuit pass. The nozzle assembly ( 10 ) can be used as a fuel injector for a gas turbine engine, with jet fuel being supplied to the first circuit during start-up and low power conditions and jet fuel being supplied to both the first circuit and the second circuit during high power conditions.

1 . A nozzle comprising a stack of plates in face-to-face contact and joined together in a fluid tight manner; 
 wherein the plates have openings which define a nozzle outlet, a first inlet, a second inlet, a first circuit from the first inlet to the nozzle outlet, a second circuit from the second inlet to the nozzle outlet, and a fluid-outlet chamber, upstream of the nozzle outlet, through which both the first circuit and the second circuit pass;    wherein at least one plate is positioned between the plate having the opening defining the first inlet and the plate having the opening defining the second inlet.    
   
   
       2 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first inlet is positioned downstream from the second inlet.  
   
   
       3 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the stack of plates includes at least five plates and wherein in at least some of the plates are less than about 0.25 inch thick.  
   
   
       4 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the plates have plan dimensions less than about 3 inches.  
   
   
       5 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one plate positioned between the first-inlet-defining plate and the second-inlet-defining plate has openings forming distribution channels aligned radially outward from the first-inlet opening.  
   
   
       6 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of plates are positioned between the first-inlet-defining plate and the second-inlet-defining plate.  
   
   
       7 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of plates positioned between the first-inlet-defining plate and the second-inlet-defining plate have openings forming distribution channels aligned radially outward from the first-inlet opening.  
   
   
       8 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of plates has an opening and/or a groove which form at least one swirl chamber through which the first circuit and/or the second circuit pass upstream of the fluid-outlet chamber.  
   
   
       9 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein some of the plurality of plates have openings and/or grooves which form a first swirl chamber in the first circuit and a second separate swirl chamber in the second circuit.  
   
   
       10 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the swirl chamber in the first circuit is positioned upstream of the swirl chamber in the second circuit.  
   
   
       11 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the first inlet is positioned downstream from the second inlet.  
   
   
       12 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the plate(s) positioned between the plate having the second-inlet-defining opening and the plate having the openings/grooves defining the second swirl chamber, have openings defining channels from the second inlet to the second swirl chamber, these openings being aligned radially outward from the first swirl chamber.  
   
   
       13 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of plates has an opening and/or a groove which forms a common swirl chamber through which both the first circuit and the second circuit pass upstream of the fluid-outlet chamber.  
   
   
       14 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the plates also have openings which define a third inlet and a third circuit extending from the third inlet to the nozzle outlet; 
 wherein the third circuit extends through the fluid-outlet chamber; and    wherein the third circuit does not intersect with the first circuit and/or the second circuit upstream of the fluid-outlet chamber.    
   
   
       15 . A nozzle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the plates also have openings which define a plurality of third inlets and a plurality of third circuits extending from the third inlets to the nozzle outlet; 
 wherein the third circuits do not intersect with the first circuit and/or the second circuit upstream of the fluid-outlet chamber.    
   
   
       16 . A nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle as set forth in  claim 1 , a first inlet tube for supplying a first fluid to the first inlet, and a second inlet tube for supplying a second fluid to the second inlet; 
 wherein the first inlet tube is positioned within the second inlet tube and wherein a downstream portion of the first inlet tube protrudes beyond the downstream edge of the second inlet tube; and    wherein each of the plates upstream of the second-inlet-defining plate has an opening for receipt of the second inlet tube and wherein each of the plates between the first-inlet-defining plate and the second-inlet-defining plate has an opening for receipt of the protruding portion of the first inlet tube.    
   
   
       17 . A method of using the nozzle as set forth in  claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of supplying fluid to the first inlet and supplying fluid to the second outlet; 
 wherein the same fluid supplied to the first inlet and the second inlet; and    wherein the fluid is fuel.    
   
   
       18 . In combination, a gas turbine engine and a plurality of the nozzle assemblies set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the gas turbine engine comprises a combustion chamber and wherein the nozzles assemblies are mounted to inject fuel into the combustion chamber.  
   
   
       19 . A stack of sheets for making a plurality of the nozzles set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the stack includes a sheet for each of the plurality of plates in the nozzle; 
 wherein each sheet has a plurality of plate areas and wherein each plate area has the openings of the corresponding plate;    wherein the sheets are stacked in an order corresponding to the order of the plates in the nozzle and in an orientation whereat their plate areas are aligned; and    wherein the sheets are joined together.    
   
   
       20 . A method of making a plurality of the nozzles set forth in  claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing the stack of sheets as set forth in  claim 19;  and.    separating each of the plate areas from the rest of the stack of sheets.