Fuel nozzle structure for air assist injection

A fuel nozzle apparatus comprising:

• an annular outer body, the annular outer body extending parallel to a centerline axis, the annular outer body having a cylindrical exterior surface extending between a forward end and an aft end, and having a plurality of openings passing through the cylindrical exterior surface,
• wherein each of the plurality of openings communicates with a respective conical well inlet defined by an inner surface of the annular outer body,
• the annular outer body including
• a plurality of first portions having a first thickness, each of the first portions of the plurality of first portions circumscribing a respective one of the plurality of openings about an axis of the respective conical well inlet extending radially from the centerline axis, and
• a plurality of second portions, each located further from the respective conical well inlet than a respective one of the plurality of first portions, the plurality of second portions having a second thickness less than the first thickness of the plurality of first portions and each of the plurality of second portions circumscribing the respective one of the plurality of first portions and the respective conical well inlet about the axis of the respective conical well inlet extending radially from the centerline axis;
• an annular inner body disposed inside the annular outer body, cooperating with the annular outer body to define an annular space;
• an annular main injection ring disposed inside the annular space, the annular main injection ring including an annular array of fuel posts extending radially outward from a radial outer surface of the annular main injection ring;
• each fuel post of the annular array of fuel posts being aligned with the respective one of the plurality of openings in the annular outer body and separated from the respective one of the plurality of openings by a respective perimeter gap which communicates with the annular space,
• wherein each fuel post of the annular array of fuel posts is frustoconical in shape and includes a conical lateral surface and a planar, radially-facing outer surface, wherein each perimeter gap is defined between the respective conical well inlet and the respective conical lateral surface;
• a main fuel gallery extending within the annular main injection ring in a circumferential direction;
• and
• a plurality of main fuel orifices, each of the plurality of main fuel orifices communicating with the main fuel gallery and extending through a respective one of the fuel posts of the annular array of fuel posts.