One-piece sheet metal cowl for combustor of a gas turbine engine and method of configuring same

Abstract

A one-piece cowl for use in assembled relationship with a combustor of a gas turbine engine, the cowl being of a generally annular configuration defining a central cowl axis and being axially elongated and aerodynamically contoured relative to the central cowl axis. The one-piece cowl includes an inner annular portion, an outer annular portion, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ligaments connecting the inner and outer annular portions so as to form a corresponding number of openings through a middle portion of the cowl. Each radial ligament has a designated area which enables the radial ligaments to sustain the stress levels imposed on the cowl to prevent high cycle fatigue. Each opening also has a designated area which enables insertion of fuel nozzles therein without adversely affecting air flow therethrough. The designated area for the radial ligaments is a function of the designated area for the openings and a ratio of such areas falls within a specified range.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.