US 12,011,734 B2
Fuel nozzle air swirler
Andrew W. Justice, Tolland, CT (US); Nicholas A. Bunce, Glastonbury, CT (US); and Baris A. Sen, Glastonbury, CT (US)
Assigned to RTX CORPORATION, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed by RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed on Sep. 15, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/021,199.
Prior Publication US 2022/0082258 A1, Mar. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. B05B 7/10 (2006.01); F23D 11/38 (2006.01)
CPC B05B 7/10 (2013.01) [F23D 11/383 (2013.01); F23D 2900/14241 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A guide plate for a swirler assembly, comprising:
a forward surface;
an aft surface;
a guide plate flange configured for engagement with a swirler body having a plurality of primary swirler inlets, wherein the swirler body at least partially defines a forward swirler body portion located axially opposite an aft swirler body portion, between which a swirler opening extends, the forward swirler body portion defining an annular wall portion, a radially inner swirler surface extending from the plurality of primary swirler inlets to the aft swirler body portion and at least partially defining the swirler opening, a retainer body comprising a forward swirler body face wherein the annular wall portion circumferentially surrounds the forward swirler body face, and a swirler body recession that extends circumferentially around the forward swirler body face at least partially receiving an aft surface of the guide plate flange,
wherein the plurality of primary swirler inlets are disposed axially aft of the retainer body and the forward swirler body portion, and
wherein the guide plate is configured to interface with the forward swirler body portion, the guide plate contacting the forward swirler body face when engaged with the swirler body;
a guide plate collar including a forward protrusion located on the forward surface and extending axially away from the forward surface and an aft protrusion located on the aft surface and extending axially away from the aft surface, the guide plate collar configured for engagement with a fuel nozzle; and
a first plurality of purge holes extending through the guide plate flange from the forward surface to the aft surface and configured to introduce a first vectored purge flow into the swirler body.