阅读说明：本技术 用于热发动机的流动控制壁组件 (Flow control wall assembly for a heat engine ) 是由 安德鲁·斯科特·比尔斯 克雷格·艾伦·刚尤 赖安·克里斯托弗·琼斯 于 2019-08-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：大体提供包括壁组件的热发动机。壁组件包括经由连接构件联接在一起的多个径向壁。径向壁限定通过其中的流动开口。在多个径向壁和连接构件之间限定流动腔。(A heat engine is generally provided that includes a wall assembly. The wall assembly includes a plurality of radial walls coupled together via a connecting member. The radial wall defines a flow opening therethrough. A flow chamber is defined between the plurality of radial walls and the connecting member.)

1. A heat engine defining a heat flow path and a cold flow path, the heat engine comprising:

a wall assembly comprising a plurality of radial walls coupled together via a connecting member, wherein the radial walls define a flow opening therethrough, and wherein a flow cavity is defined between the plurality of radial walls and the connecting member.

2. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein the wall assembly further comprises:

a mounting wall extending substantially co-directionally with the connecting member, wherein the mounting wall is coupled to an outer wall of the heat engine.

3. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein the radial wall defines a thickness, and wherein the flow cavity defines a cross-sectional area, and wherein a ratio of the thickness to the cross-sectional area is between 0.1: 1 and 10: 1.

4. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radial walls includes more than two radial walls, and wherein the more than two radial walls include a hot side radial wall adjacent a hot flow path and one or more cold side radial walls adjacent a cold flow path that defines a fluid temperature less than the hot flow path.

5. The heat engine of claim 4, wherein a gap is defined between the hot side radial wall and one or more of an inner wall or an outer wall surrounding the hot side radial wall.

6. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein the connecting member of the wall assembly is defined between 70 degrees and 110 degrees relative to the radial wall.

7. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein the connecting member defines the flow opening.

8. A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine, the combustor assembly comprising:

a liner defining a combustion chamber;

a deflector assembly comprising a plurality of radial walls coupled together via a connecting member, wherein the radial walls define a flow opening therethrough, and wherein a flow cavity is defined between the plurality of radial walls and the connecting member, and further comprising a mounting wall coupled to the liner and the radial walls.

9. The combustor assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of radial walls comprises two or more radial walls, and wherein the two or more radial walls comprise a hot side radial wall adjacent the combustion chamber, and further wherein the radial walls comprise one or more cold side radial walls disposed forward of the hot side radial wall.

10. The combustor assembly of claim 8, wherein the radial wall defines a thickness, and wherein the flow cavity defines a cross-sectional area, and wherein a ratio of the thickness to the cross-sectional area is between 0.1: 1 and 10: 1.

Technical Field

The present subject matter generally relates to wall assemblies for hot engines. The present subject matter more particularly relates to a wall assembly between a cold flow path and a hot flow path of a hot engine.

Background

Hot engines, such as turbines, often require control of leakage and flow variation between the cold and hot flow paths through the wall. Certain seals, such as spline seals, may be incorporated to reduce or control leakage. However, while structures for leakage or flow control are known, a relatively large amount of leakage or flow variation is permitted at the expense of engine performance. More specifically, such relatively large leakage or flow variations may adversely affect, for example, engine operability or performance at the combustion section. Accordingly, there is a need for a wall assembly that can reduce leakage, control overall pressure drop, control or regulate cooling, or improve engine durability.

Disclosure of Invention

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a heat engine defining a hot flow path and a cold flow path. The heat engine includes a wall assembly including a plurality of radial walls coupled together via a connecting member. The radial wall defines a flow opening therethrough. A flow chamber is defined between the plurality of radial walls and the connecting member.

In one embodiment, the wall assembly further comprises a mounting wall extending substantially co-directionally with the connecting member. The mounting wall is coupled to an outer wall of the heat engine.

In another embodiment, the radial wall defines a thickness and the flow chamber defines a cross-sectional area. The ratio of thickness to cross-sectional area is between 0.1: 1 and 10: 1.

In yet another embodiment, the plurality of radial walls includes more than two radial walls, the radial walls including a hot side radial wall adjacent the hot flow path and one or more cold side radial walls adjacent the cold flow path, the cold flow path defining a fluid temperature less than the hot flow path. In one embodiment, a gap is defined between the hot side radial wall and one or more of the inner or outer wall surrounding the hot side radial wall.

In yet another embodiment, the connecting member of the wall assembly is defined between 70 and 110 degrees relative to the radial wall.

In another embodiment, the connecting member defines a flow opening.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine. The combustor assembly includes a liner defining a combustion chamber and a deflector assembly including a plurality of radial walls coupled together via a connecting member. The radial wall defines a flow opening therethrough. A flow chamber is defined between the plurality of radial walls and the connecting member. The mounting wall is coupled to the liner and the radial wall.

In one embodiment, the plurality of radial walls includes more than two radial walls, including a hot side radial wall adjacent the combustion chamber. The radial walls include one or more cold-side radial walls disposed forward of a hot-side radial wall.

In another embodiment, the radial wall defines a thickness and the flow chamber defines a cross-sectional area. The ratio of thickness to cross-sectional area is between 0.1: 1 and 10: 1.

In various embodiments, the combustor assembly further includes a deflector aperture coupled to the radial wall; and a baffle assembly coupled to the liner wall forward of the deflector assembly. A cold flow path is defined between the baffle assembly, the deflector assembly and the deflector eye.

In further embodiments, the combustor assembly defines a first gap between the radial wall and the liner. In one embodiment, the first gap is substantially circumferentially defined.

In another embodiment, the flow opening defines a volume that provides between 0% and 50% pressure loss from the cold flow path to the combustion chamber.

In various embodiments, the hot-side radial wall defines a first flow opening that defines a first volume in fluid communication between the flow cavity and the combustion chamber. The cold-side radial wall defines a second flow opening that defines a second volume different from the first volume. The second flow opening defines a second volume in fluid communication between the cold flow path and the flow chamber.

In one embodiment, the first volume of the first flow opening corresponds to a pressure loss from the flow chamber to the combustion chamber of between 0.1% and 25%. In another embodiment, the second volume of the second flow opening corresponds to a pressure loss from the cold flow path to the flow chamber of between 0.1% and 25%. In yet another embodiment, the combustor assembly defines a second gap between the hot side radial wall and the deflector bore.

In one embodiment, the radial wall of the deflector assembly is defined from the combustor centerline substantially along the radial direction.

In another embodiment, the connecting member of the deflector assembly is defined between 70 and 110 degrees relative to the radial wall.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Drawings

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an exemplary heat engine according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an exemplary combustion section of the engine depicted in FIG. 1;

fig. 3-6 are exemplary embodiments of wall assemblies of the engine of fig. 1-2.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

Detailed Description

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms "first," "second," and "third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one element from another, and are not intended to denote the position or importance of the various elements.

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to relative directions with respect to fluid flow in a fluid path. For example, "upstream" refers to the direction from which the fluid flows, and "downstream" refers to the direction to which the fluid flows.

The approximations described herein may include a margin based on one or more measurement devices used in the art, such as, but not limited to, a percentage of the full-scale measurement range of a measurement device or sensor. Alternatively, the approximations described herein may include a margin that is greater than 10% of the upper value or less than 10% of the lower value.

Embodiments of wall assemblies that may reduce leakage and control overall pressure drop, control or regulate cooling, or improve durability of a hot engine or portion thereof are generally provided herein. Various embodiments of the wall assembly include a series arrangement of two or more radial walls coupled together via one or more connecting members. A plurality of flow openings are defined through the radial wall to effect and control a pressure drop or leakage through the wall. The wall assembly may control the total pressure loss or drop between the cold side flow path and the hot side flow path. The improved cooling structure and reduced leakage through the wall assembly may further improve the durability of surrounding structures, such as combustor assemblies at the combustion section, or between a cooler secondary flow path and a hotter primary or core flow path at the engine (e.g., at the compressor section, turbine section, or exhaust section, or heat exchanger, etc.). The embodiments of the wall assembly shown and described herein may improve the overall performance or operability of the engine or modules or components thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of an exemplary high-bypass turbofan engine 10, the exemplary high-bypass turbofan engine 10 being referred to herein as "engine 10," which may incorporate various embodiments of the present disclosure. Although further described below with reference to turbofan engines, the present disclosure is also generally applicable to turbomachines, including turbojet engines, turboprop engines, and turboshaft gas turbine engines, including marine and industrial turbine engines and auxiliary power units. As shown in FIG. 1, the engine 10 has a longitudinal or axial engine centerline axis 12 extending therethrough for reference purposes. The engine 10 defines a longitudinal direction L and upstream and downstream ends 99, 98 along the longitudinal direction L. The upstream end 99 generally corresponds to an end of the engine 10 in the longitudinal direction L from which air enters the engine 10, and the downstream end 98 generally corresponds to an end at which air exits the engine 10, generally opposite the upstream end 99 in the longitudinal direction L. Generally, engine 10 may include a fan assembly 14 and a core engine 16 disposed downstream of fan assembly 14.

Core engine 16 may generally include a substantially tubular housing 18, with housing 18 defining an annular inlet 20. The casing 18 surrounds or at least partially forms, in serial flow relationship, a compressor section having a booster or Low Pressure (LP) compressor 22, a High Pressure (HP) compressor 24, a turbine section including a High Pressure (HP) turbine 28, a Low Pressure (LP) turbine 30, and an injection exhaust nozzle section 32. A High Pressure (HP) spool shaft 34 drivingly connects the HP turbine 28 to the HP compressor 24. A Low Pressure (LP) rotor shaft 36 drivingly connects the LP turbine 30 to the LP compressor 22. LP rotor shaft 36 may also be connected to a fan shaft 38 of fan assembly 14. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, LP rotor shaft 36 may be coupled to fan shaft 38 via reduction gear 40, for example, in an indirect drive or geared configuration. In other embodiments, engine 10 may also include an intermediate pressure compressor and a turbine, which may rotate with an intermediate pressure shaft, collectively defining a three-shaft gas turbine engine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fan assembly 14 includes a plurality of fan blades 42, the plurality of fan blades 42 coupled to the fan shaft 38 and extending radially outward from the fan shaft 38. An annular fan casing or nacelle 44 circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of fan assembly 14 and/or core engine 16. In one embodiment, the nacelle 44 may be supported relative to the core engine 16 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced outlet guide vanes or struts 46. Further, at least a portion of nacelle 44 may extend over an outer portion of core engine 16 to define a bypass airflow passage 48 therebetween.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary combustion section 26 of core engine 16, as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the combustion section 26 may generally include an annular combustor 50, the annular combustor 50 having an annular inner liner 52, an annular outer liner 54, and a diaphragm 56, the diaphragm 56 extending radially between upstream ends of the inner and outer liners 52,54, respectively. In other embodiments of the combustion section 26, the combustion assembly 50 may be of the can-annular type. Combustor 50 also includes a deflector assembly 57 extending radially between inner liner 52 and outer liner 54 downstream of diaphragm 56. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner liner 52 is radially spaced from the outer liner 54 relative to the engine centerline 12 (FIG. 1) and defines a generally annular combustion chamber 62 therebetween. In particular embodiments, the inner liner 52, the outer liner 54, and/or the deflector assembly 57 may be at least partially or completely formed of a metal alloy or Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) material.

It should be appreciated that although the exemplary embodiment of combustor assembly 50 of FIG. 2 depicts an annular combustor, various embodiments of engine 10 and combustion section 26 may define a can-annular or can-combustor configuration.

As shown in fig. 2, inner liner 52 and outer liner 54 may be encased within outer shell 64. The outer flow passage 66 of the diffuser cavity or pressure plenum 84 may be defined around the inner liner 52 and/or the outer liner 54. Inner and outer liners 52,54 may extend from diaphragm 56 to HP turbine 28 (FIG. 1) toward a turbine nozzle or inlet, thus at least partially defining a hot gas path between combustor assembly 50 and HP turbine 28. The fuel nozzles 70 may extend at least partially through the membrane 56 to provide for mixing of the fuel 72 with the air 82(a) and combustion at the combustion chamber 62. In various embodiments, the baffle 56 includes a fuel-air mixing structure (e.g., a swirler assembly) attached thereto.

During operation of engine 10, as shown collectively in fig. 1 and 2, a quantity of air, indicated schematically by arrow 74, enters engine 10 through nacelle 44 and/or an associated inlet 76 of fan assembly 14. As air 74 passes through fan blades 42, a portion of the air, as schematically indicated by arrow 78, is channeled or directed into bypass airflow passage 48, and another portion of the air, as schematically indicated by arrow 80, is channeled or directed into LP compressor 22. As air 80 flows through LP and HP compressors 22,24 toward combustion section 26, air 80 is progressively compressed. As shown in FIG. 2, the now compressed air, schematically shown by arrows 82, flows into a diffuser cavity or pressure plenum 84 of the combustion section 26. Pressure plenum 84 generally surrounds inner liner 52 and outer liner 54, and is generally upstream of combustion chamber 62.

Compressed air 82 pressurizes a pressure plenum 84. A first portion of the compressed air 82, schematically indicated by arrow 82(a), flows from the pressure plenum 84 into the combustion chamber 62 where it is mixed with the fuel 72 and combusted, thereby generating combustion gases within the combustor 50, schematically indicated by arrow 86. Generally, the LP and HP compressors 22,24 provide more compressed air to the pressure plenum 84 than is required for combustion. Thus, the second portion of the compressed air 82, as schematically shown by arrow 82(b), may be used for various purposes other than combustion. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, compressed air 82(b) may be directed into outer flow passage 66 to provide cooling to inner liner 52 and outer liner 54.

Referring now to fig. 3-6, an embodiment of a wall assembly 100 is generally provided. The wall assembly 100 is disposed between a hot flow path 101 and a cold flow path 102. For example, the wall assembly 100 generally separates or separates the hot flow path 101 from the cold flow path 102. The hot flow path 101 defines a channel, chamber or circuit through which hot fluid flows, wherein the hot fluid defines a temperature that is higher than the temperature of cold fluid flowing in the channel, chamber or circuit defined by the cold flow path 102. For example, the thermal flow path 101 may include the combustion chamber 62 (fig. 2) or the core flow path 70 (fig. 1) at the turbine section 31 or the exhaust section 32. As another example, the cold flow path 102 may include the diffuser cavity 84 or the outer flow passage 66 (FIG. 2) surrounding the liners 52,54 defining the combustion chamber 62. As yet another example, the cold flow path 102 may include one or more secondary flow paths (not shown) surrounding the core flow path 70, the core flow path 70 surrounding the compressor section 21, the combustion section 26, the turbine section 31, or the exhaust section 32. In other embodiments, the hot flow path 101 and the cold flow path 102 may be defined relative to a heat exchanger.

Still referring to fig. 3-6, the wall assembly 100 includes a plurality of radial walls 110 coupled together via connecting members 120. In one embodiment, the wall assembly 100 includes two or more radial walls 110 coupled together via a connecting member 120. The radial wall 110 defines a flow opening 105 through the radial wall 110. In various embodiments, the flow opening 105 is further defined by a connecting member 120. A flow chamber 115 is defined between the plurality of radial walls 110 and the connecting member 120. For example, a flow cavity 115 is defined between the pair of radial walls 110 and the connecting member 120. As another example, the flow cavity 115 is defined between two or more radial walls 110 and the connecting member 120. In various embodiments, the plurality (e.g., two or more) of radial walls 110 includes a hot side radial wall 111 adjacent the heat flow path 101 and one or more cold side radial walls 112 disposed between the hot side radial wall 111 and the cold flow path 102. In one embodiment, the cold-side radial wall 112 is disposed adjacent to the cold flow path 102. In other various embodiments, the hot side radial wall 111 is closer to the heat flow path 101 than the cold side radial wall 112. In other embodiments, each cold-side radial wall 112 is closer to the cold flow path 102 than the hot-side radial wall 111.

In various embodiments, the radial wall 110 may extend in a first direction 91, and the connection member 120 may extend in a second direction 92 different from the first direction 91. For example, the first direction 91 may be along the radial direction R (fig. 1-2) and the second direction 92 may be along the longitudinal direction L (fig. 1-2). However, it should be understood that the first direction 91 may be along the longitudinal direction L and the second direction 92 may be along the radial direction R. In various embodiments, the connecting member 120 is defined or extends between 70 degrees and 110 degrees relative to the radial wall 110. In other embodiments, the connecting member 120 is defined substantially perpendicular or at 90 degrees relative to the radial wall 110.

Various embodiments of the wall assembly 100 may include a plurality of radial walls 110 arranged adjacent along the first direction 91 that are coupled together via a plurality of connecting members 120 extending along the second direction 92 between pairs of radial walls 110. For example, the wall assembly 100 includes two or more radial walls 110 coupled together by one or more connecting members 120. As another example, fig. 3 generally depicts a pair of radial walls 110 coupled together via a connecting member 120. As yet another example, fig. 4-6 generally depict a plurality of radial walls 110 coupled together via a plurality of connecting members 120.

In other various embodiments, the radial wall 110 defines a thickness 113. The flow chamber 115 defines a cross-sectional area 114. For example, the cross-sectional area 114 is coplanar with the thickness 113 of the radial wall 110. In one embodiment, the ratio of the thickness 113 of the radial wall 110 to the cross-sectional area 114 of the flow chamber 115 is between 0.1: 1 and 10: 1. For example, in one embodiment, the thickness 113 of the radial wall 110 may be approximately equal to the cross-sectional area 114 of the flow chamber 115. In another embodiment, the thickness 113 of the radial wall 110 may be about ten times (10x) the cross-sectional area 114 of the flow chamber 115. In yet another embodiment, the thickness 113 of the radial wall 110 may be about five times (5x) the cross-sectional area 114 of the flow chamber 115. In yet another embodiment, the thickness 113 of the radial wall 110 may be about one-tenth (0.1x) of the cross-sectional area of the flow chamber 115. In various embodiments, the thickness 113 is between one tenth (0.1x) of the cross-sectional area 114 of the flow chamber 115 and ten times (10x) the cross-sectional area 114. In other various embodiments, the thickness 113 is between one tenth (0.1x) of the cross-sectional area 114 and five times (5x) the cross-sectional area 114 of the flow chamber 115.

Still referring to fig. 3-6, the wall assembly 100 may further include an outer wall 140 surrounding the radial wall 110 and the connecting member 120. For example, the outer wall 140 may be disposed substantially along the second direction 92 and surround the radial wall 110 along the first direction 91. In various embodiments, the wall assembly 100 can further include an inner wall 150 surrounding the radial wall 110 and the connecting member 120. For example, the inner wall 150 may be disposed substantially along the second direction 92 and disposed inboard of the radial wall 110 and the outer wall 140 along the first direction 91. In various embodiments, the inner wall 150 is coupled to one or more of the radial walls 110. In one embodiment, such as shown with respect to fig. 3 and 5-6, the inner wall 150 is coupled to one or more of the cold-side radial walls 110.

In one embodiment, the mounting wall 130 extends substantially co-directionally with the connecting member 120. The mounting wall 130 may be coupled to an outer wall 140. In various embodiments, the mounting wall 130 is further coupled to one or more of the radial walls 110. For example, the mounting wall 130 may be coupled to the cold-side radial wall 112 of a plurality (e.g., more than two) of the radial walls 110. As another example, the mounting wall 130 may be further coupled to the cold-side radial wall 112 and the connection member 120.

In other various embodiments, a wall assembly 100 comprising a plurality of radial walls 110 comprises at least two radial walls 110 and less than one hundred radial walls 110. In another embodiment, the wall assembly 100 includes at least two radial walls 110 and less than fifty radial walls 110. In yet another embodiment, the wall assembly 100 includes at least two radial walls 110 and less than twenty radial walls 110. It should be understood that the wall assembly 100 may generally include at least two radial walls 110, and that the maximum number of radial walls 110 may be based at least on a desired pressure drop, total pressure drop, or both between each pair of radial walls 110, such as described further below. Additionally or alternatively, the maximum number of radial walls 110 may be based at least on one or more ratios of the thickness 113 to the cross-sectional area 114, e.g., as described above.

In various embodiments, such as depicted with respect to fig. 3-4 and 6, a first gap 116 is defined between the hot-side radial wall 111 and the outer wall 140. In another embodiment, such as shown with respect to fig. 3-6, a second gap 117 is defined between the inner wall 150 and one or more of the radial walls 110 or the connecting members 120.

Still referring to fig. 3-6, in various embodiments, the plurality of flow openings 105 each define a volume that provides a pressure loss from the cold flow path 102 to the hot flow path 101. For example, the pressure loss across the combustion chamber 62 may be in a range between 0% and 50%.

The wall assembly 100 defines a total pressure loss or pressure drop, defined by the following equation:

the total pressure loss or pressure drop is defined by at least the difference of the first pressure P1 at the cold flow path 102 near the cold side radial wall 112 and the second pressure P2 at the hot flow path 101 near the hot side radial wall 111, divided by the first pressure P1. In one embodiment, the wall assembly defines a pressure loss between 0.1% and 50%.

In another embodiment, the wall assembly 100 defines a hot side radial wall pressure loss from the flow cavity 115 to the hot side flow path 101, defined by:

the hot side radial wall pressure loss or drop is defined by at least the difference of the third pressure P3 at the flow cavity 115 adjacent the hot side radial wall 111 and the second pressure P2 at the thermal flow path 101 divided by the third pressure P3. In one embodiment, the wall assembly defines a hot side radial wall pressure loss between 0.1% and 25%.

In yet another embodiment, the wall assembly 100 defines a cold side radial wall pressure loss from the cold flow path 102 to the flow chamber 115, defined by:

the cold side radial wall pressure loss or pressure drop is defined by at least the difference of the first pressure P1 at the cold flow path 102 adjacent the cold side radial wall 112 and the third pressure P3 at the flow cavity 115 divided by the first pressure P1. In one embodiment, the wall assembly defines a cold side radial wall pressure loss between 0.1% and 25%.

In other various embodiments, the wall assembly 100 may define a flow chamber pressure loss between adjacent flow chambers 115 between 0.1% and 25%.

Still referring to fig. 3-6, in still other embodiments, the plurality of flow openings 105 at the hot side radial wall 111 can define a first flow opening 106, the first flow opening 106 defining a first volume in fluid communication between the flow cavity 115 and the thermal flow path 101. In another embodiment, the plurality of flow openings 105 at the cold-side radial wall 112 may define a second flow opening 107, the second flow opening 107 defining a second volume different from the first volume. The second flow opening 107 defines a second volume in fluid communication between the cold flow path 102 and the flow chamber 115.

In one embodiment, such as shown with respect to fig. 4, the plurality of flow openings 105 may also include a third flow opening 108, the third flow opening 108 being defined through one or more radial walls 110 between a hot side radial wall 111 and a cold side radial wall 112 adjacent the cold flow path 102. The third flow opening 108 may define a third volume that is different from the first volume of the first flow opening 106 and the second volume of the second flow opening 107. The third flow openings 108 are defined in fluid communication between adjacent flow cavities 115, the adjacent flow cavities 115 being defined between a hot side radial wall 111 and a cold side radial wall 112 adjacent the cold flow path 102.

Various embodiments of flow openings 105, including, for example, first flow openings 106, second flow openings 107, or third flow openings 108, may define the total pressure loss through wall assembly 100 as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the flow openings 106,107,108 may define a pressure loss through each radial wall 110 different from the other radial wall 110, for example as described above.

Referring now to fig. 1-6, various embodiments of the wall assembly 100 shown and described herein may be disposed at a combustor assembly 50 of an engine 10. In one embodiment, the outer liner 54 and/or the inner liner 52 comprise the outer wall 140 of the wall assembly 100. In another embodiment, the partition 56 includes a mounting wall 130 of the wall assembly 100. In yet another embodiment, the deflector assembly 57 includes the radial wall 110 of the wall assembly 100 and the connecting member 120.

In various embodiments, combustor assembly 50, including liners 52,54, and radial wall 110 together define hot side flow path 101 as combustion chamber 62. More specifically, in one embodiment, the hot side radial wall 111 and the liners 52,54 together define the hot side flow path 101 as the combustion chamber 62. In yet another embodiment, the combustor assembly 50 including the wall assembly 100 may define a cold-side flow path 102 between the separator 56 and the cold-side radial wall 112.

Still referring to fig. 1-6, the wall assembly 100 may define a first gap 116 substantially circumferentially about the engine centerline 12. In one embodiment, combustor assembly 50, including wall assembly 100, defines a first gap 116 substantially circumferentially about engine centerline 12 between liners 52,54 and radial wall 110. In another embodiment, the wall assembly 100 may further define a first gap 116 substantially circumferentially about the engine centerline 12 between the liners 52,54, the liners 52,54 including an outer wall 130 and a hot side radial wall 111. However, it should be understood that in embodiments of engine 10 and combustion section 26 defining a can-shaped or can-annular combustor assembly, first gap 116 may be defined circumferentially about a combustor centerline disposed generally through the fuel nozzles.

Still referring to fig. 1-6, in still other various embodiments, the combustor assembly 50 including the wall assembly 100 may define the inner wall 140 as a deflector eye 58, the deflector eye 58 coupled to the radial wall 110 defining the deflector wall. In one embodiment, combustor assembly 50, including wall assembly 100, defines a second gap 117 substantially circumferentially about engine centerline 12 between deflector eye 58, including inner wall 140, and the deflector wall, including radial wall 110. In another embodiment, the wall assembly 100 may further define a second gap 117 substantially circumferentially about the engine centerline 12 between the deflector bore 58 including the inner wall 140 and the deflector wall including the hot side radial wall 111. However, it should be understood that in embodiments of engine 10 and combustion section 26 defining a can-shaped or can-annular combustor assembly, second gap 117 may be defined circumferentially about a combustor centerline disposed generally through the fuel nozzles.

Embodiments of the wall assembly 100 generally provided herein may reduce leakage and control overall pressure drop, control or regulate cooling, and improve durability. For example, a series arrangement of multiple radial walls 110 may control the total pressure drop between the cold side flow path 102 and the hot side flow path 101. The improved cooling structure and reduced leakage through wall assembly 100 may further improve the durability of surrounding structures, such as combustor assembly 50 and other portions of engine 10. Additionally, the wall assembly 100 may improve the overall performance or operability of the engine 10 or modules or components thereof.

Although various embodiments of the wall assembly 100 shown and described herein may be included in the combustor assembly 50, various other embodiments may additionally or alternatively include the wall assembly 100 in the compressor section 21, the turbine section 31, or the exhaust section 32.

The embodiments of the wall assembly 100 generally illustrated and described herein may be produced using one or more manufacturing methods known in the art, such as, but not limited to, via one or more processes known as additive manufacturing or 3D printing, machining processes, forging, casting, etc., or combinations thereof, the wall assembly 100 comprising a unitary component or multiple components joined together via a joining process (e.g., welding, brazing, adhesives, bonding, etc.) or mechanical fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts, screws, rivets, tie rods, etc.) or other joining processes. Alternatively or additionally, various components of the wall assembly 100 may be formed via material removal processes, such as, but not limited to, machining processes (e.g., cutting, milling, grinding, drilling, etc.). Further, the wall assembly 100, or portions thereof, may be constructed of one or more materials suitable for use in a heat engine or turbine, such as, but not limited to, a gas or steam turbine engine. These materials include, but are not limited to, steel and steel alloys, nickel and nickel-based alloys, aluminum and aluminum alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, ferrous based materials, composite materials (e.g., CMC, MMC, PMC materials, etc.), or combinations thereof.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Further aspects of the invention are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses:

1. a heat engine defining a hot flow path and a cold flow path, the heat engine comprising: a wall assembly comprising a plurality of radial walls coupled together via a connecting member, wherein the radial walls define a flow opening therethrough, and wherein a flow cavity is defined between the plurality of radial walls and the connecting member.

2. A heat engine according to any preceding claim, wherein the wall assembly further comprises: a mounting wall extending substantially co-directionally with the connecting member, wherein the mounting wall is coupled to an outer wall of the heat engine.

3. A heat engine according to any preceding item, wherein the radial wall defines a thickness, and wherein the flow cavity defines a cross-sectional area, and wherein a ratio of the thickness to the cross-sectional area is between 0.1: 1 and 10: 1.

4. A heat engine according to any preceding item, wherein the plurality of radial walls includes two or more radial walls, and wherein the two or more radial walls include a hot side radial wall adjacent a hot flow path and one or more cold side radial walls adjacent a cold flow path that defines a fluid temperature that is less than the hot flow path.

5. A heat engine according to any preceding claim, wherein a gap is defined between the hot side radial wall and one or more of an inner or outer wall surrounding the hot side radial wall.

6. A heat engine according to any preceding item, wherein the connecting member of the wall assembly is defined between 70 degrees and 110 degrees relative to the radial wall.

7. A heat engine according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting member defines the flow opening.

8. A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine, the combustor assembly comprising: a liner defining a combustion chamber; a deflector assembly comprising a plurality of radial walls coupled together via a connecting member, wherein the radial walls define a flow opening therethrough, and wherein a flow cavity is defined between the plurality of radial walls and the connecting member, and further comprising a mounting wall coupled to the liner and the radial walls.

9. A combustor assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of radial walls comprises two or more radial walls, and wherein the two or more radial walls comprise a hot side radial wall adjacent the combustion chamber, and further wherein the radial walls comprise one or more cold side radial walls disposed forward of the hot side radial wall.

10. The burner assembly according to any preceding item, wherein the radial wall defines a thickness, and wherein the flow cavity defines a cross-sectional area, and wherein a ratio of the thickness to the cross-sectional area is between 0.1: 1 and 10: 1.

11. The burner assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising: a deflector aperture coupled to the radial wall; and a diaphragm assembly coupled to the liner wall forward of the deflector assembly, wherein a cold flow path is defined between the diaphragm assembly, the deflector assembly, and the deflector eye.

12. The combustor assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the combustor assembly defines a first gap between the radial wall and the liner.

13. The burner assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first gap is substantially circumferentially defined.

14. The burner assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the flow opening defines a volume that provides between 0% and 50% pressure loss from the cold flow path to the combustion chamber.

15. The burner assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the hot side radial wall defines a first flow opening defining a first volume in fluid communication between the flow cavity and the combustion chamber, and further wherein the cold side radial wall defines a second flow opening defining a second volume different from the first volume, wherein the second flow opening defines the second volume in fluid communication between the cold flow path and the flow cavity.

16. A burner assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first volume of the first flow opening corresponds to a pressure loss from the flow cavity to the combustion chamber of between 0.1% and 25%.

17. The burner assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second volume of the second flow opening corresponds to a pressure loss from the cold flow path to the flow cavity of between 0.1% and 25%.

18. The burner assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the burner assembly defines a second gap between the hot side radial wall and the deflector bore.

19. The burner assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the radial wall of the deflector assembly is defined from a burner centerline substantially along a radial direction.

20. A burner assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting member of said deflector assembly is defined between 70 degrees and 110 degrees relative to said radial wall.