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Aspects of the invention relate to a system for attaching a fuel swirler assembly in a turbine engine combustor. According to embodiments of the invention, at least an axial upstream end of the fuel swirler assembly can be attached to a combustor support frame using one or more fasteners, such as bo

Aspects of the invention relate to a system for attaching a fuel swirler assembly in a turbine engine combustor. According to embodiments of the invention, at least an axial upstream end of the fuel swirler assembly can be attached to a combustor support frame using one or more fasteners, such as bolts. The fuel swirler assembly can include a radial bracket provided on the swirler body to facilitate attachment. The axial downstream end of the fuel swirler assembly can be positioned within an opening defined in a swirler base plate or within an opening in a swirler support plate. Aspects of the invention can reduce the time and cost associated with installation and replacement of fuel swirlers in a combustor while avoiding concerns associated with known welded pin attachment systems.

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What is claimed is: 1. A fuel swirler assembly for a turbine engine combustor comprising: an elongated swirler body having an inlet end and an outlet end, the swirler body defining a longitudinal axis, the swirler body having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface; a plurality

What is claimed is: 1. A fuel swirler assembly for a turbine engine combustor comprising: an elongated swirler body having an inlet end and an outlet end, the swirler body defining a longitudinal axis, the swirler body having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface; a plurality of swirler vanes extending radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the swirler body, the vanes being arrayed about the inner peripheral surface of the swirler proximate the inlet end; and a bracket secured to the outer peripheral surface of the swirler body and projecting outward from the swirler body in a direction that is substantially radial to the longitudinal axis, the bracket having a radially distal end, the bracket including a hole adapted for removably receiving a fastener, such that the fastener is attached within the hole the hole extending inward from the radially distal end of the bracket in a direction that is substantially radial to the longitudinal axis, the hole opening to the radially distal end of the bracket, wherein the bracket is located on the swirler body in a region defined between the inlet end and an axially central region of the swirler body. 2. The fuel swirler assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket and the swirler body are unitary. 3. The fuel swirler assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket is secured to the swirler body by welding. 4. The fuel swirler assembly of claim 3 wherein the bracket further includes a radially proximal end, and wherein the radially proximal end of the bracket substantially matingly engages the outer peripheral surface of the swirler body. 5. The fuel swirler assembly of claim 1 further including a second bracket secured to the outer peripheral surface of the swirler body, wherein the second bracket is located in a region defined between the inlet end and an axially central region of the swirler body. 6. The fuel swirler assembly of claim 1 further including a second bracket and a swirler extension sleeve, wherein the swirler extension sleeve is secured to the swirler body, wherein the outlet end of the swirler body is received within the swirler extension sleeve, and wherein the second bracket is secured to the swirler extension sleeve. 7. The fuel swirler assembly of claim 1 wherein the hole is threaded, whereby the hole can receive and be in threaded engagement with a threaded fastener. 8. A swirler attachment system comprising: a combustor support frame having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, a radial hole extending through the combustor support frame from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface; a fuel swirler assembly having an elongated swirler body having an inlet end and an outlet end, the swirler body defining a longitudinal axis, the swirler body having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface; the fuel swirler assembly further including a bracket secured to the outer peripheral surface of the swirler body and projecting outward from the swirler body in a direction that is substantially radial to the longitudinal axis, the bracket having a radially distal end, the bracket including a hole adapted for removably receiving a fastener, the hole extending inward from the radially distal end of the bracket in a direction that is substantially radial to the longitudinal axis, the hole opening to the radially distal end of the bracket, wherein the bracket is located on the swirler body in a region defined between the inlet end and an axially central region of the swirler body; and a fastener extending through the radial hole in the combustor support frame and attached within the hole in the bracket so as to secure the fuel swirler assembly to the combustor support frame, wherein the radially distal end of the bracket substantially engages the inner peripheral surface of the combustor support frame. 9. The system of claim 8 further including a seating surface on the inner peripheral surface of the combustor support frame, wherein the seating surface is adapted for substantially mating engagement with the radially distal end of the bracket. 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the seating surface is defined by a recess in the inner peripheral surface of the combustor support frame, wherein the recess does not extend through the entire thickness of the combustor support frame. 11. The system of claim 8 further including a swirler base plate secured to the combustor support frame, the swirler base plate including an opening, wherein an axial downstream end of the fuel swirler assembly is positioned substantially adjacent to the opening, whereby the fuel swirler assembly and the opening are in fluid communication. 12. The system of claim 8 further including a swirler base plate secured to the combustor support frame, the swirler base plate including an opening, wherein an axial downstream end of the fuel swirler assembly is received within the opening. 13. The system of claim 8 further including: a swirler support plate, wherein the swirler support plate includes an opening for receiving an axial downstream end of the fuel swirler assembly; and a swirler base plate including an opening, wherein the opening in the swirler support plate is disposed axially upstream of and in substantial alignment with the opening in the swirler base plate, wherein a portion of the fuel swirler assembly is received within the opening in the swirler support plate, wherein the swirler base plate is attached to the combustor support frame and the swirler support plate is attached to the swirler base plate. 14. The system of claim 13 wherein a portion of the fuel swirler assembly extends through the opening in the swirler support plate such that the axial downstream end of the fuel swirler assembly is positioned substantially proximate to the opening in the swirler base plate, wherein a peripheral gap is formed between the axial downstream end of the fuel swirler assembly and the swirler base plate, whereby air can pass through the gap so as to minimize flashback potential. 15. The system of claim 8 wherein the radial hole is adapted to provide a substantially dowel fit with the fastener, whereby movement of the fastener within the hole is substantially minimized. 16. The system of claim 8 further including a lock washer operatively positioned between the fastener and the outer peripheral surface of the combustor support frame, whereby the lock washer impedes unwanted travel of the fastener. 17. The system of claim 8 wherein at least one of the fastener and the hole in the bracket includes a special thread form, whereby unwanted travel of the fastener is impeded. 18. The system of claim 8 wherein the hole in the bracket is threaded and the fastener is a threaded bolt, wherein the hole threadably engages the bolt. 19. The system of claim 9 wherein the seating surface is defined by a protrusion extending radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the combustor support frame. 20. The system of claim 13 further including a swirler extension sleeve attached to the swirler body, wherein the outlet end of the swirler body is received within the swirler extension sleeve, and wherein the axial downstream end of the fuel swirler assembly is defined by the swirler extension sleeve.