Igniter Port Retention System

A method of installing a combustor igniter port retention ring, the method including:

• installing a combustor igniter port assembly, the combustor igniter port assembly including
• a combustor tower positionable to projecting radially outward from a combustor outer wall, the combustor tower positionable on the combustor outer wall to encircle an aperture included in the combustor wall, the combustor tower including a keeper on an inner wall of the combustor tower and a horizontal flange, the horizontal flange axially spaced from the keeper, and
• a ferrule disposed radially outward from at least a portion of the combustor tower, the ferrule including a flange,
• compressing the combustor igniter port retention ring to a diameter smaller than a diameter of an inner wall of the combustor tower;
• inserting the compressed combustor igniter port retention ring in to the keeper of the combustor tower where the flange of the ferrule is disposed radially outward of at least a portion of the combustor tower and radially inward of the retention ring;
• releasing the compressed combustor igniter port retention ring;
• and
• expanding the combustor igniter port retention ring to fit into the keeper of the combustor tower, the flange of the ferrule disposed between the horizontal flange and the combustor igniter port retention ring, a gap disposed between the combustor igniter port retention ring and the flange of the ferrule to allow axial movement of the ferrule.

A combustor igniter port assembly comprising:

• a combustor tower projecting radially outward from a combustor outer wall of a combustor section of a gas turbine engine, the combustor outer wall forming a radially outer surface of the combustor section and the combustor tower positioned on the combustor outer wall to encircle an aperture included in the combustor wall, the combustor tower including a keeper on an inner wall of the combustor tower and a horizontal flange, the horizontal flange axially spaced from the keeper;
• a ferrule disposed radially outward from at least a portion of the combustor tower, the ferrule including a flange;
• and
• a retention ring disposed within the keeper of the combustor tower, the flange of the ferrule disposed radially outward of at least a portion of the combustor tower and radially inward of the retention ring, the flange of the ferrule disposed between the horizontal flange and the retention ring, a gap disposed between at least one of the retention ring and the flange of the ferrule or the flange of the ferrule and the horizontal flange to allow axial movement of the ferrule,
• wherein the retention ring has elasticity to vary a diameter of the retention ring.