Fuel nozzle

Abstract

A fuel nozzle includes a center body and a shroud circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the center body to define an annular passage between the center body and the shroud. A plurality of vanes extend radially between the center body and the shroud in the annular passage. A first ceramic extension extends downstream from the shroud to define at least a portion of the annular passage downstream from the shroud.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fuel nozzle, comprising:
 a. a center body;   b. a shroud circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the center body to define an annular passage between the center body and the shroud;   c. a plurality of vanes that extend radially between the center body and the shroud in the annular passage; and   d. a second ceramic extension extending downstream from and connected to the center body.   
     
     
         2 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 1 , further comprising a brazed connection between the second ceramic extension and the center body, wherein the brazed connection is shielded from the annular passage. 
     
     
         3 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 2 , further comprising a substantially flat surface formed by the center body, the second ceramic extension and the brazed connection inside the annular passage. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 1 , further comprising a first ceramic extension extending downstream from the shroud, wherein the first ceramic extension and the second ceramic extension further define the annular passage downstream from the shroud and the center body, wherein a connector extends between and connects the shroud and the first ceramic extension. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 4 , wherein the connector includes a radius between the shroud and the first ceramic extension. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 4 , further comprising a substantially flat surface formed by the shroud, the first ceramic extension and the connector inside the annular passage. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 4 , further comprising a substantially flat surface formed by the shroud, the first ceramic extension and the connector outside of the annular passage. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 4 , further comprising a braze material between the first ceramic extension and the connector, wherein the braze material is shielded from the annular passage. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 4 , further comprising a braze material between the shroud and the connector, wherein the braze material is shielded from the annular passage. 
     
     
         10 . A fuel nozzle, comprising:
 a. a center body;   b. a shroud circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the center body to define an annular passage between the center body and the shroud;   c. a plurality of vanes that extend radially between the center body and the shroud in the annular passage;   d. a first ceramic extension extending downstream from the shroud to define at least a portion of the annular passage downstream from the shroud;   e. a brazed connection between the first ceramic extension and the shroud; and   f. a second ceramic extension extending downstream from the center body,   wherein the second ceramic extension is connected to the center body, wherein the first ceramic extension and the second ceramic extension further define the annular passage downstream from the shroud and the center body.   
     
     
         11 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 10 , further comprising a substantially flat surface formed by the shroud, the first ceramic extension and the brazed connection inside the annular passage. 
     
     
         12 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 10 , further comprising a brazed connection between the first ceramic extension and the shroud, wherein the brazed connection is shielded from the annular passage. 
     
     
         13 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 10 , wherein a connector extends between and connects the shroud and the first ceramic extension. 
     
     
         14 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 13 , wherein the connector includes a radius between the shroud and the first ceramic extension. 
     
     
         15 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 13 , further comprising a braze material between the first ceramic extension and the connector, wherein the braze material is shielded from the annular passage. 
     
     
         16 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 10 , further comprising a substantially flat surface formed by the center body, the second ceramic extension and the brazed connection inside the annular passage. 
     
     
         17 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 10 , further comprising a brazed connection between the second ceramic extension and the center body, wherein the brazed connection is shielded from the annular passage. 
     
     
         18 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 10 , wherein a connector extends between and connects the center body and the second ceramic extension. 
     
     
         19 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 18 , wherein the connector includes a radius between the center body and the second ceramic extension. 
     
     
         20 . The fuel nozzle as in  claim 18 , further comprising a braze material between the center body and the connector, wherein the braze material is shielded from the annular passage.