초록 ▼

A fuel distribution manifold comprises an outer shell having an inner surface. The outer shell defines an inlet for receiving fuel from a parent supply line, a base opposite the inlet, a central manifold axis that intersects the inlet, and a plurality of outlets for delivering fuel to offspring fuel

A fuel distribution manifold comprises an outer shell having an inner surface. The outer shell defines an inlet for receiving fuel from a parent supply line, a base opposite the inlet, a central manifold axis that intersects the inlet, and a plurality of outlets for delivering fuel to offspring fuel lines, each outlet defining a respective outlet axis. In one exemplary embodiment, a fuel distribution manifold also comprises a center-body having an outer surface and being positioned within the outer shell wherein the outer surface of the center-body and the inner surface of the outer shell define a flow-path through which fluid flows from the inlet to the plurality of outlets. In another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the outlets is positioned adjacent to the base and oriented so that its respective outlet axis is rotated relatively to a radial direction that intersects the central manifold axis.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fuel distribution manifold comprising: an outer shell having an inner surface and being configured for containing a flow of pressurized fuel, the outer shell defining: an inlet for receiving a supply of fuel from a parent supply line, the inlet being formed to define a locally narrow-most porti

1. A fuel distribution manifold comprising: an outer shell having an inner surface and being configured for containing a flow of pressurized fuel, the outer shell defining: an inlet for receiving a supply of fuel from a parent supply line, the inlet being formed to define a locally narrow-most portion;a base opposite the inlet;a plurality of outlets for delivering fuel to offspring fuel lines, each outlet defining a respective outlet axis; anda central manifold axis that intersects the inlet;the fuel distribution manifold further comprising:a center-body having a frusto-conical outer surface leading to a convex end and being positioned within the outer shell; andan inlet screen retained in and extending across a plane of the inlet,the center body extending axially such that a distal-most portion of the convex end of the center body is aligned with the locally narrow-most portion of the inlet to support the inlet screen, and an outer surface of the center-body and the inner surface of the outer shell defining a flow-path through which fluid flows from the inlet to the plurality of outlets. 2. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of outlets is positioned adjacent to the base and oriented so that its respective outlet axis is rotated relatively to a radial direction that intersects the central manifold axis. 3. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein the center-body is positioned within the outer shell so as to divide the fluid entering the fuel distribution manifold through the inlet. 4. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein the center-body is aligned with the central manifold axis. 5. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein the center-body is fixed to the base and extends axially from the base. 6. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the center-body is symmetric about the central manifold axis. 7. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the center-body and the inner surface of the outer shell define a flow-path that decreases in cross-sectional area with increasing distance along the flow-path. 8. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the center-body is configured to cause fluid to accelerate as it flows through the fuel distribution manifold. 9. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein the flow-path is characterized by a cross-sectional area that decreases with distance along the central manifold axis. 10. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein the flow-path is characterized by a cross-sectional area that decreases at least linearly with distance along the central manifold axis. 11. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein an area of the flow-path at the inlet is at least about four times as great as an area of the flow-path at the plurality of outlets. 12. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein an area of the flow-path at the inlet is less than about eight times as great as an area of the flow-path at the plurality of outlets. 13. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of outlets is positioned adjacent to the base and oriented so that its respective outlet axis is rotated relatively to a radial direction that intersects the central manifold axis. 14. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the center-body is coated with a material that repels fuel. 15. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the outer shell is coated with a material that repels fuel. 16. A fuel distribution manifold comprising: an outer shell having an inner surface that defines a flow-path through which fluid flows from an inlet to a plurality of outlets;the outer shell also defining: an inlet for receiving a supply of fuel from a parent supply line, the inlet being formed to define a locally narrow-most portion;a base opposite the inlet;a plurality of outlets for delivering fuel to offspring fuel lines, each outlet defining a respective outlet axis; anda central manifold axis that intersects the inlet;the outer shell being configured for containing a flow of pressurized fuel;an inlet screen retained in and extending across a plane of the inlet; anda center-body having a frusto-conical outer surface, which is entirely smooth, leading to a convex end and being positioned within the outer shell, the center body extending axially such that a distal-most portion of the convex end of the center body is aligned with the locally narrow-most portion of the inlet to support the inlet screen, andat least one of the plurality of outlets being positioned adjacent to the base and oriented so that its respective outlet axis is rotated relatively to a radial direction that intersects the central manifold axis. 17. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 16, wherein the at least one of the plurality of outlets is oriented so that its respective outlet axis is rotated between about 5 degrees and about 85 degrees relatively to a radial direction that intersects the central manifold axis. 18. A fuel distribution manifold as in claim 16, wherein the outlets have openings and extend longitudinally along and in parallel with a plane of the base, a straight portion of the frusto-conical outer surface of the center-body traversing the openings. 19. An engine, comprising: a combustor configured about a combustor axis;a fuel distribution manifold disposed on the combustor axis between a fuel source and the combustor, the manifold comprising a body defining an inlet receptive of fuel from the fuel source and a plurality of outlets through which the fuel is output, the body comprising:a base having a plane;an inlet screen retained in and extending across a plane of the inlet; anda center-body extending axially toward the inlet from the base to support the inlet screen at a locally narrow-most portion of the inlet,the plurality of outlets having openings traversed by a straight portion of an outer surface of the center-body and extending radially outwardly from the center-body along and in parallel with the plane of the base; andoffspring fuel lines receptive of the fuel from the outlets, the fuel lines extending radially outwardly from the outlets relative to the combustor axis, axially along the combustor axis and radially inwardly toward the combustor relative to the combustor axis.