초록 ▼

A deflector at the downstream end of a fuel tube deflects incoming fuel into an annular fuel channel in a fuel swirler of an injector. The deflector prevents direct impact of the cooler fuel on the exposed walls of the swirler body. The deflector can be formed by a tab or other integral portion of

A deflector at the downstream end of a fuel tube deflects incoming fuel into an annular fuel channel in a fuel swirler of an injector. The deflector prevents direct impact of the cooler fuel on the exposed walls of the swirler body. The deflector can be formed by a tab or other integral portion of the heatshield, or as a separate piece fixed to the heatshield or swirler body. The deflector minimizes disruption of flow through any flow slots that are covered by the deflector, and may have i) a relatively small circumferential extent, such that the deflector covers only a few flow slots, ii) flow openings or slots that allow a portion of the fuel to flow inwardly of the deflector into the otherwise covered flow slot(s), or iii) a space or gap between the side(s) of the deflector and the inner walls of the annular channel.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A fuel injector, comprising: a stem supporting: i) a nozzle assembly having an annular swirler body with an annular fuel channel formed in an outer surface thereof and having an open side; ii) a fuel tube directing fuel to the annular fuel channel of the swirler body at a spe

What is claimed is: 1. A fuel injector, comprising: a stem supporting: i) a nozzle assembly having an annular swirler body with an annular fuel channel formed in an outer surface thereof and having an open side; ii) a fuel tube directing fuel to the annular fuel channel of the swirler body at a specific location along the channel; iii) a heat shield having a pair of spaced-apart side walls interconnected by an end wall, and an open side, the heat shield located in the annular fuel channel of the swirler body to enclose the fuel channel; and iv) a deflector positioned along the heat shield in opposing relation to a discharge end of the fuel tube, so as to divert incoming fuel from the fuel tube into the annular fuel channel. 2. The fuel injector as in claim 1, wherein the deflector is formed unitary with the heat shield. 3. The fuel injector as in claim 1, wherein the deflector is formed as a separate piece from the heat shield and permanently fixed thereto. 4. The fuel injector as in claim 1, wherein the deflector is formed as a separate piece from the heatshield and is permanently fixed to the swirler body. 5. The fuel injector as in claim 1, wherein the deflector extends along a predetermined circumferential extent of the fuel channel, and has a width extending from one side to the other of the channel. 6. The fuel injector as in claim 1, wherein the deflector extends along a predetermined circumferential extent of the fuel channel, and has a width defining a gap between a side edge of the deflector, and a sidewall of the fuel channel. 7. The fuel injector as in claim 1, wherein the deflector has one or more slots along its length to allow fuel to pass through the deflector. 8. The deflector as in claim 7, wherein the slots are located along the deflector at a location spaced from the discharge end of the fuel tube. 9. The fuel injector as in claim 1, wherein the heatshield has an annular C-or U-shape, with the open end of the heat shield facing the inner wall surface of the fuel channel. 10. The fuel injector as in claim 1, wherein the deflector is outwardly spaced from an inner end wall surface of the fuel channel, so that fuel can flow around the deflector and then between the deflector and the end wall surface of the fuel channel. 11. A fuel injector, comprising: a stem including a mounting flange, a nozzle assembly, and a fuel passage internal to the stem providing a fuel path through the stem to the nozzle assembly, said nozzle assembly having a central body with a fuel channel circumscribing an outer surface thereof and having an open side; ii) a fuel tube in the fuel passage with a discharge end directing fuel to the fuel channel of the swirler body at a specific location along the channel; iii) a C or U-shaped heat shield having a pair of spaced-apart side walls interconnected by an end wall, the heat shield located in the annular fuel channel of the central body with the sidewalls of the heat shield adjacent opposing sidewalls of the channel and the end wall of the heat shield opposite and spaced-apart from an inner end wall of the channel, and enclosing the open side of the channel; and iv) a deflector positioned between the end wall of the heat shield and the opposite end wall of the channel, in opposing relation to the discharge end of the fuel tube and in spaced-apart relation from the opposite end wall of the channel to allow fuel flow between the deflector and the opposite end wall, wherein the deflector diverts incoming fuel from the fuel tube into the fuel channel and prevents a localized cold spot from being formed in the body directly across the channel from the discharge end of the fuel tube by cooler fuel received through the tube being applied directly against the fuel channel of a warmer body. 12. The fuel injector as in claim 11, wherein the deflector is formed unitary with the heat shield. 13. The fuel injector as in claim 11, wherein the deflector is formed as a separate piece from the heat shield and permanently fixed thereto. 14. The fuel injector as in claim 11, wherein the deflector is formed as a separate piece from the heatshield and is permanently fixed to the central body. 15. The fuel injector as in claim 11, wherein the deflector extends along a predetermined circumferential extent of the fuel channel, and has a width extending from one side to the other of the channel. 16. The fuel injector as in claim 11, wherein the deflector extends along a predetermined circumferential extent of the fuel channel, and has a width defining a gap between a side edge of the deflector, and one of the sidewalls of the fuel channel. 17. The fuel injector as in claim 11, wherein the deflector has one or more slots along its length to allow fuel to pass through the deflector and between the deflector and the opposite wall of the fuel channel, and wherein the slots are located along the deflector at a location spaced from the discharge end of the fuel tube. 18. A fuel injector, comprising: a stem including a nozzle assembly, and a fuel passage internal to the stem providing a fuel path through the stem to the nozzle assembly, said nozzle assembly including a swirler body with an annular fuel channel; ii) the fuel path directing fuel to the fuel channel of the swirler body at a specific location along the channel; and iii) a heat shield assembly providing thermal protection for the fuel channel, the heat shield assembly including a deflector positioned opposite from an end wall of the channel, in opposing relation to the fuel passage and in spaced-apart relation from the opposite end wall of the channel to allow fuel flow between the deflector and the opposite end wall, wherein the deflector diverts incoming fuel into the fuel channel and prevents a localized cold spot from being formed in the body directly across the channel from the fuel passage by cooler fuel received through the passage being applied directly against the fuel channel of a warmer body. 19. The fuel injector as in claim 18, wherein the deflector is formed unitary with the heat shield. 20. The fuel injector as in claim 18, wherein the deflector is formed as a separate piece from the heat shield and permanently fixed thereto. 21. The fuel injector as in claim 18, wherein the deflector is formed as a separate piece from the heatshield and is permanently fixed to the swirler body. 22. The fuel injector as in claim 18, wherein the deflector extends along a predetermined circumferential extent of the fuel channel to cause all the fuel received through the passage to be diverted, and has a width extending from one side to the other of the channel. 23. The fuel injector as in claim 18, wherein the deflector extends along a predetermined circumferential extent of the fuel channel to cause all the fuel received though the passage to be diverted, and has a width defining a gap between a side edge of the deflector, and one of the sidewalls of the fuel channel. 24. The fuel injector as in claim 18, wherein the deflector has one or more slots along its length to allow fuel to pass through the deflector, and between the deflector and the opposite wall of the swirler body, wherein the slots are located along the deflector at a location spaced from the discharge end of the fuel tube.