Removable swirler assembly for a combustion liner

Abstract

A novel and improved swirler assembly for use in a combustion liner of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The swirler assembly is removable and sized to provide an improved assembly, repairability, and fit-up in the combustion liner. The swirler assembly includes a premix tube, premix swirler and a plurality of axially spaced mounting blocks for receiving removable fasteners for securing the swirler assembly to the combustor.

1 . A swirler assembly for a gas turbine combustor comprising:
 a premix tube having an inlet end, an opposing outlet end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough;   a premix swirler positioned within the premix tube, the swirler having a plurality of turning vanes for imparting a swirl to a passing flow;   a first mounting block positioned along an outer wall of the premix tube proximate the inlet end and having a plurality of first holes oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and,   a second mounting block positioned along the outer wall of the premix tube a distance from the first mounting block, the second mounting block has one or more second holes extending through the second mounting block in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of first holes.   
     
     
         2 . The swirler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the premix tube is generally conical. 
     
     
         3 . The swirler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first mounting block and second mounting block are secured to the premix tube. 
     
     
         4 . The swirler assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second mounting blocks are secured to the premix tube by a weld or braze joint. 
     
     
         5 . The swirler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes in the first mounting block comprise at least two holes. 
     
     
         6 . The swirler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more second holes is threaded. 
     
     
         7 . The swirler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second mounting block has a second forward face and opposing second aft face, where the second aft face is finish machined to a predetermined axial dimension. 
     
     
         8 . A multi-point, multi-directional fastening assembly for use in a gas turbine combustor comprising:
 a first mounting block secured to a body, the first mounting block having a first forward face, an opposing first aft face, a pair of side faces, an outer face, and a plurality of holes located in the outer face; and,   a second mounting block secured to the body, the second mounting block having one or more holes located therein;   wherein the second mounting block is spaced an axial distance from the first mounting block.   
     
     
         9 . The fastening assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the outer face is arc-shaped at least at regions surrounding the plurality of holes. 
     
     
         10 . The fastening assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first mounting block is secured to the body by a weld or braze joint. 
     
     
         11 . The fastening assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the second mounting block is secured to the body by a weld or braze joint. 
     
     
         12 . The fastening assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second mounting blocks are integral to the body. 
     
     
         13 . The fastening assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of holes in the first mounting block are generally perpendicular to the one or more mounting holes in the second mounting block. 
     
     
         14 . A removable swirler assembly in a combustor comprising:
 a generally cylindrical body;   a center core positioned within the cylindrical body proximate an inlet of the generally cylindrical body;   a plurality of vanes extending between the center core and the generally cylindrical body;   a first mounting block secured to the generally cylindrical body, the first mounting block having a first forward face, an opposing aft face, a pair of side faces, and an outer face having a plurality of holes located therein; and,   a second mounting block secured to the generally cylindrical body, the second mounting block having one or more holes located therein;   wherein the removable swirler is fastened to the combustor at both the first mounting block and second mounting block through a plurality of removable fasteners.   
     
     
         15 . The removable swirler of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of vanes are oriented so as to impart swirl to a passing flow of air and fuel. 
     
     
         16 . The removable swirler of  claim 14 , wherein the first mounting block extends in a circumferential distance greater than the second mounting block. 
     
     
         17 . The removable swirler of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of holes in the first mounting block are generally perpendicular to the single hole in the second mounting block. 
     
     
         18 . The removable swirler of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of fasteners placed into the plurality of openings of the first mounting block for securing the swirler to the combustor. 
     
     
         19 . The removable swirler of  claim 14 , wherein the outer face of the first mounting block is arc-shaped at least at regions proximate the plurality of holes.