Combustor Panels Having Recessed Rail

A gas turbine engine comprising:

• a combustor including a combustor shell having an interior surface and defining a combustion chamber having an axial length;
• a first panel mounted to the interior surface at a first position, the first panel having:
• a first end;
• a first combustion chamber surface extending axially from the first end of the panel within the combustion chamber, the first combustion chamber surface being parallel with the interior surface;
• a first rail extending from the first combustion chamber surface toward the interior surface of the combustor shell;
• and
• a first extension extending axially from the first rail to the first end of the first panel;
• a second panel mounted to the interior surface at a second position and axially adjacent to the first panel, the second panel having a second end, a second combustion chamber surface, and a second rail extending from the second combustion chamber surface toward the interior surface of the combustor shell,
• wherein the first end and the second end are proximal to each other and define a circumferentially extending gap there between.

A method of manufacturing a combustor of a gas turbine engine comprising:

• mounting a first panel mounted to an interior surface of a combustion chamber shell at a first position, the first panel comprising
• a first end;
• a first combustion chamber surface extending axially from the first end of the first panel within the combustion chamber, the first combustion chamber surface being parallel with the interior surface;
• a first rail extending from the first combustion chamber surface toward the interior surface of the combustor shell;
• and
• a first extension extending axially from the first rail to the first end of the first panel;
• mounting a second panel mounted to the interior surface at a second position and axially adjacent to the first panel, the second panel having a second end, a second combustion chamber surface, and a second rail extending from the second combustion chamber surface toward the interior surface of the combustor shell,
• wherein the first end and the second end are proximal to each other and define a circumferentially extending gap there between.