Venturi

Abstract

A venturi is disclosed, the venturi comprising a mixing cavity surrounded circumferentially by an annular venturi wall, and a swirler having a plurality of vanes arranged circumferentially around a swirler axis, wherein the swirler and the annular venturi wall have a unitary construction. In another exemplary embodiment the venturi comprises an annular venturi wall, a swirler located at an axially forward portion of the venturi, the swirler having a plurality of vanes arranged circumferentially around a swirler axis, and a heat shield located axially aft from the swirler, wherein the annular venturi wall, the swirler and the heat shield have a unitary construction.

1 . A venturi comprising:
 an annular venturi wall;   a mixing cavity surrounded circumferentially by the annular wall; and   a swirler having a plurality of vanes arranged circumferentially around a swirler axis, wherein the swirler and the annular venturi wall have a unitary construction.   
     
     
         2 . A venturi according to  claim 1  wherein the swirler is located at an axially forward end of the venturi. 
     
     
         3 . A venturi according to  claim 1  further comprising an annular splitter located radially inward from the annular venturi wall. 
     
     
         4 . A venturi according to  claim 3  wherein the plurality of vanes extend between the venturi wall and the annular splitter. 
     
     
         5 . A venturi according to  claim 3  wherein the splitter comprises an annular splitter wall coaxially located around the swirler axis. 
     
     
         6 . A venturi according to  claim 3  further comprising an annular swirled-air passage between an outer surface of the splitter and an inner surface of the venturi. 
     
     
         7 . A venturi according to  claim 1  wherein each vane has a leading edge and a trailing edge located axially forward from the leading edge, and has an orientation that facilitates producing a swirling motion to an airflow flowing through the swirler. 
     
     
         8 . A venturi according to  claim 1  wherein each vane has substantially the same geometry. 
     
     
         9 . A venturi according to  claim 1  wherein at least one vane has a geometry that is different from another vane. 
     
     
         10 . A venturi according to  claim 1  further comprising a fillet between a root portion of a vane and the splitter. 
     
     
         11 . A venturi according to  claim 10  wherein the fillet has a contour that facilitates a smooth flow of air in the swirler. 
     
     
         12 . A venturi according to  claim 5  wherein the splitter wall has a recess that facilitates interfacing the venturi with an adjacent component during assembly. 
     
     
         13 . A venturi according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one groove located on the venturi wall capable of receiving a brazing material. 
     
     
         14 . A venturi according to  claim 1  further comprising a lip located at an axially aft end of the venturi. 
     
     
         15 . A venturi comprising:
 an annular venturi wall;   a swirler located at an axially forward portion of the venturi, the swirler having a plurality of vanes arranged circumferentially around a swirler axis; and   a heat shield located axially aft from the swirler, wherein the annular venturi wall, the swirler and the heat shield have a unitary construction.   
     
     
         16 . A venturi according to  claim 15  wherein the heat shield is annular. 
     
     
         17 . A venturi according to  claim 15  wherein the heat shield is located at an axially aft end of the venturi. 
     
     
         18 . A venturi according to  claim 16  further comprising at least one slot extending between the venturi wall and the heat shield. 
     
     
         19 . A venturi according to  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of slots extending between the venturi wall and the heat shield, the slots being arranged circumferentially around the swirler axis. 
     
     
         20 . A venturi according to  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of bumps located on the heat shield and arranged circumferentially around the swirler axis. 
     
     
         21 . A venturi according to  claim 16 , further comprising a lip located at the axially aft end of the venturi wall.