Integral Liner and Venturi for Eliminating Air Leakage

Abstract

A combustion liner assembly for a gas turbine combustor includes a plurality of fuel nozzles disposed circumferentially about a central axis of the combustor, and a venturi section disposed downstream of the fuel nozzles and connected to a head end of the liner assembly. The venturi section defines an annular throat area downstream of the fuel nozzles. A liner sleeve is connected to and commences at a downstream end of the venturi section. At least a portion of the venturi section serves as a liner upstream of the liner sleeve.

1 . A combustion liner assembly for a gas turbine combustor, the combustion liner assembly comprising:
 a plurality of fuel nozzles disposed circumferentially about a central axis of the combustor;   a venturi section disposed downstream of the fuel nozzles and connected to a head end of the liner assembly, the venturi section defining an annular throat area downstream of the fuel nozzles; and   a liner sleeve connected to and commencing at a downstream end of the venturi section,   wherein at least a portion of the venturi section serves as a liner upstream of the liner sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . A combustion liner assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner sleeve is connected to the downstream end of the venturi section via an annular weld. 
     
     
         3 . A combustion liner assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the venturi section is connected to the head end via an annular weld. 
     
     
         4 . A combustion liner assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a connector part that connects the venturi section to the head end. 
     
     
         5 . A combustion liner assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the venturi section comprises a double wall structure including an inner wall and an outer wall, and wherein the connector part is Y-shaped including an end post and a split end, the split end being welded to the inner wall and the outer wall of the venturi section, and the end post being welded to the head end. 
     
     
         6 . A combustion liner assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the end post of the connector part is thicker than the split end. 
     
     
         7 . A combustion liner assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein an upstream end of the venturi section terminates in a flange that is bent to extend axially in a downstream direction, wherein the flange is secured to the head end via a plurality of rivets, and wherein the flange is sealed via an annular weld. 
     
     
         8 . A combustion liner assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein all gaps and leak paths between the venturi section and the head end and between the venturi section and the liner sleeve are sealed via an annular seal. 
     
     
         9 . A combustion liner assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the annular seal is brazed. 
     
     
         10 . In a gas turbine, a method of reducing air flow losses between a venturi section and a liner sleeve of a combustion liner assembly, the method comprising:
 utilizing at least a portion of the venturi section as a liner upstream of the liner sleeve; and   providing an annular weld at a joint between the venturi section and the liner sleeve and at a joint between the venturi section and a head end of the combustion liner assembly.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising utilizing additional air flow by virtue of the reduced air flow losses to allow more consistent air flow in a fuel-air mixture in the head end. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the additional air flow is utilized to tune turbine emissions. 
     
     
         13 . A combustion liner assembly for a gas turbine combustor, the combustion liner assembly comprising:
 a venturi section connected to a head end of the liner assembly via an annular weld, the venturi section defining an annular throat area within the liner assembly; and   a liner sleeve connected to and commencing at a downstream end of the venturi section, wherein the liner sleeve is connected to the downstream end of the venturi section via an annular weld,   wherein at least a portion of the venturi section serves as a liner upstream of the liner sleeve.