Integrated fuel nozzle connection

A gas turbine, comprising:

• a compressor;
• a turbine;
• a combustor disposed downstream from the compressor and upstream from the turbine, the combustor comprising:
• an outer casing;
• an end cover comprising an external face outside of the outer casing, an internal face opposite the external face, a bore extending from the external face of the end cover to the internal face of the end cover, and a seal groove in the internal face of the end cover surrounding the bore of the end cover;
• a flange extending between a first side and a second side opposing the first side, the flange comprising an internal fluid passage defined within the flange, the flange coupled to the internal face of the end cover with the first side of the flange abutting the internal face of the end cover whereby the first side of the flange is sealingly engaged with the internal face of the end cover via a sealing member in the seal groove in the internal face of the end cover, wherein the first side of the flange includes a bore portion that extends beyond the internal face of the end cover and into the bore;
• a fuel port welded to the flange within the bore such that a weld seam is defined between the fuel port and the flange, the fuel port extending through the bore of the end cover between the flange and an inlet positioned outside of the end cover, the inlet of the fuel port in fluid communication with the internal fluid passage of the flange, the fuel port having an external diameter smaller than an interior diameter of the bore of the end cover, whereby an annular passage is defined between the fuel port and the bore of the end cover, wherein the annular passage includes an annular open end at the external face of the end cover in direct fluid communication with an ambient environment, wherein the weld seam is disposed within the annular passage, and wherein the bore portion of the first side of the flange is spaced apart from the bore and partially defines the annular passage;
• an orifice fitting coupled to an inlet of the internal fluid passage of the flange such that the inlet of the fuel port is in fluid communication with the internal fluid passage of the flange via the orifice fitting, wherein the orifice fitting defines external threads and the bore portion of the flange defines internal threads, and wherein the external threads of the orifice fitting engage the internal threads of the bore portion of the flange;
• and
• a filter extending between an upstream end and a downstream end integrally joined with the orifice fitting, the filter positioned within the fuel port such that the inlet of the fuel port is in fluid communication with the internal fluid passage of the flange via the filter and the orifice fitting.