US 12,241,419 B2
Fuel injectors assemblies with tangential flow component
Jason A. Ryon, Carlisle, IA (US); Lev A. Prociw, Chatham (CA); and Brandon P. 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. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/895,941.
Prior Publication US 2024/0068402 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. F23R 3/28 (2006.01); F02C 7/232 (2006.01)
CPC F02C 7/232 (2013.01) [F23R 3/28 (2013.01); F05D 2220/32 (2013.01); F05D 2240/36 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fuel injector assembly, comprising:
a housing structure defining a circular shape about a central axis, and comprising:
a first radial zone defining a radially innermost portion of the housing structure;
a second radial zone adjacent to and extending radially outward from the first radial zone; and
a third radial zone adjacent to and extending radially outward of the second radial zone; and
a plurality of fuel injectors circumferentially arranged about the central axis and operatively associated with the housing structure, wherein the housing structure is configured to angle each of the plurality of fuel injectors in a direction disposed to effuse flow in a vector having a tangential flow component,
wherein the plurality of fuel injectors is distributed among the first, second, and third radial zones such that:
all fuel injectors located within the first radial zone are evenly circumferentially distributed about the central axis in an inner circumferential row, and oriented to effuse flow in a first swirl direction relative to the housing structure;
all fuel injectors located within the second radial zone are evenly circumferentially distributed about the central axis in a medial circumferential row surrounding the inner circumferential row, and oriented to effuse in an axial direction without any tangential component relative to the central axis; and
all fuel injectors located within the third radial zone are evenly circumferentially distributed about the central axis in an outer circumferential row surrounding the medial circumferential row, and oriented to effuse flow in a second swirl direction relative to the housing structure, the second swirl direction opposite from the first swirl direction,
wherein the first radial zone, second radial zone, and third radial zone have an equal number of fuel injectors, and the fuel injectors of the second radial zone are equally circumferentially spaced between the fuel injectors of the first radial zone, and the fuel injectors of the third radial zone are equally circumferentially spaced between the fuel injectors of the second radial zone.