US 11,686,252 B2
Fuel injectors with torch ignitors
Jason A. Ryon, Carlisle, IA (US); Lev A. Prociw, Johnston, IA (US); and Brandon Phillip Williams, Johnston, IA (US)
Assigned to Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc., Des Moines, IA (US)
Filed by Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc., Des Moines, IA (US)
Filed on Aug. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/897,650.
Application 17/897,650 is a continuation of application No. 17/499,484, filed on Oct. 12, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0112356 A1, Apr. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. F02C 7/264 (2006.01); F23Q 7/06 (2006.01); F23R 3/28 (2006.01); F23Q 7/26 (2006.01)
CPC F02C 7/264 (2013.01) [F23Q 7/06 (2013.01); F23Q 7/26 (2013.01); F23R 3/286 (2013.01); F05D 2220/32 (2013.01); F05D 2260/85 (2013.01); F05D 2260/99 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine, the fuel injector comprising:
a fuel nozzle configured to issue a spray of fuel from a fuel outlet in a downstream direction along an injection axis, the fuel nozzle defining a main flow passage therethrough;
an injection fuel line extending radially inward, relative to the injection axis, to an annular wall of the fuel nozzle and in fluid communication with the fuel nozzle to supply fuel to the fuel nozzle, wherein a centerline axis of the annular wall of the fuel nozzle is the injection axis; and
a torch ignitor including a combustion chamber, the torch ignitor configured to combust fuel to produce a flame, the torch ignitor further including a flame outlet opening into the main flow passage of the fuel nozzle for issuing the flame into the main flow passage, wherein the injection fuel line and the torch ignitor define a feed arm extending along a flame axis that is angled more than zero degrees and less than one-hundred-eighty degrees relative to the injection axis.
 
10. A fuel injector comprising:
a fuel nozzle configured to issue a spray of fuel from a fuel outlet in a downstream direction along an injection axis, the fuel nozzle defining a main flow passage therethrough;
an injection fuel line in fluid communication with the fuel nozzle to supply fuel to the fuel nozzle; and
a torch ignitor with a flame outlet opening into the main flow passage of the fuel nozzle for issuing flame into the main flow passage, wherein the fuel nozzle includes a fuel distributor and a prefilmer outboard of the fuel distributor, wherein the prefilmer includes a prefilming surface, wherein the fuel outlet is defined between the fuel distributor and the prefilming surface,
wherein the fuel nozzle includes an outer heat shield outboard of the prefilmer, with an insulation gap defined between the prefilmer and the outer heat shield, and
wherein the injection fuel line passes through the outer heat shield, the insulation gap, and the prefilmer into a fuel circuit defined between the fuel distributor and the prefilmer.