Apparatus and method for mitigating airflow separation around engine combustor

A combustor for use in a gas turbine engine, the combustor enclosing a combustion chamber having a combustion area, wherein the combustor comprises:

• a combustion liner having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the combustion liner including a primary aperture extending from the outer surface to the inner surface through the combustion liner, wherein the outer surface of the combustion liner is oriented relative to a first airflow path such that airflow in the first airflow path separates from the outer surface of the combustion liner;
• a first fairing secured to the combustor, the first fairing being configured to redirect airflow in the first airflow path such that airflow exits the first fairing oriented parallel with the outer surface of the combustion liner;
• a heat shield panel interposed between the inner surface of the combustion liner and the combustion area, the heat shield panel having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface is oriented towards the inner surface, and wherein the heat shield panel is separated from the liner by an impingement cavity;
• a lateral flow injection feature formed in the combustion liner, the lateral flow injection feature fluidly connecting airflow exiting the first fairing to the impingement cavity, the lateral flow injection feature extending radially from the outer surface of the combustion liner and being configured to direct airflow from the first airflow path through a passageway and into the impingement cavity in a lateral direction parallel to the second surface of the heat shield panel such that a cross flow is generated in the impingement cavity;
• and
• a second fairing secured to the first fairing, the second fairing being configured to redirect airflow in a second airflow path such that the airflow exits the second fairing oriented parallel with the outer surface of the combustion liner, wherein the first fairing is interposed between the second fairing and the combustor.

A gas turbine engine component assembly, comprising:

• a first component having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first component including a cooling hole extending from the second surface to the first surface through the first component, wherein the second surface of the first component is oriented relative to a first airflow path such that airflow in the first airflow path separates from the second surface of the first component;
• a first fairing secured to the first component proximate the second surface of the first component, the first fairing being configured to redirect airflow in the first airflow path such that airflow exits the first fairing oriented parallel with the second surface of the first component;
• a second component having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the first component and the second surface of the second component defining a cooling channel therebetween in fluid communication with the cooling hole for cooling the second surface of the second component;
• a lateral flow injection feature formed in the first component, the lateral flow injection feature fluidly connecting airflow exiting the first fairing to the cooling channel, the lateral flow injection feature being configured to direct airflow from the first airflow path through a passageway and into the cooling channel in a lateral direction parallel to the second surface of the second component such that a cross flow is generated in the cooling channel;
• and
• a second fairing secured to the first fairing, the second fairing being configured to redirect airflow in a second airflow path such that the airflow exits the second fairing oriented parallel with the second surface of the first component, wherein the first fairing is interposed between the second fairing and the first component.