Fuel injector for use in a gas turbine engine

A fuel injection system for use in a combustor apparatus of a gas turbine engine, the fuel injection system for delivering fuel into an inner volume of a liner at a location downstream from a main combustion zone defined in the inner volume of the liner, the fuel injection system comprising:

• a fuel manifold that receives fuel to be distributed into the inner volume of the liner;
• a plurality of fuel injectors in fluid communication with said fuel manifold, said fuel injectors extending radially inward from said fuel manifold through corresponding openings formed in the liner, wherein said fuel injectors distribute said fuel from said fuel manifold into the inner volume of the liner downstream from the main combustion zone, each said fuel injector comprising:
• an outer wall defining an interior volume therein and including at least one opening formed therein, at least a portion of said outer wall located in the inner volume of the liner;
• an intermediate wall disposed in said outer wall interior volume and spaced from said outer wall such that a first gap is formed between said outer wall and said intermediate wall, said intermediate wall defining an internal volume and including at least one aperture formed therein;
• an inner wall disposed in said intermediate wall internal volume and spaced from said intermediate wall such that a second gap is formed between said intermediate wall and said inner wall, said second gap receiving cooling fluid that cools said fuel injector, said inner wall defining a passageway therein that receives said fuel from said fuel manifold and delivers said fuel to the inner volume of the liner downstream from the main combustion zone;
• and
• wherein said cooling fluid in said second gap:
• provides convective cooling to said intermediate wall as said cooling fluid flows within said second gap;
• flows through said at least one aperture in said intermediate wall into said first gap where said cooling fluid provides convective cooling to said outer wall as said cooling fluid flows within said first gap;
• and
• passes into the inner volume of the liner via said at least one opening in said outer wall.

A combustor apparatus for use in a gas turbine engine comprising:

• a liner comprising an inner volume, wherein a portion of said inner volume defines a main combustion zone;
• a flow sleeve for receiving compressed air, said flow sleeve positioned radially outward from said liner;
• a first fuel injection system associated with said flow sleeve;
• a first fuel supply structure in fluid communication with a source of fuel for delivering fuel from said source of fuel to said first fuel injection system;
• a second fuel injection system associated with Said liner downstream from said main combustion zone;
• a second fuel supply structure in fluid communication with said source of fuel for delivering fuel from said source of fuel to said second fuel injection system;
• said second fuel injection system providing fuel into said inner volume of said liner at a location downstream from said main combustion zone, said second fuel injection system comprising;
• a fuel manifold that receives fuel from said second fuel supply structure;
• a plurality of fuel injectors in fluid communication with said fuel manifold, said fuel injectors extending through corresponding openings in said liner into said inner volume of said liner, wherein said fuel injectors distribute said fuel from said fuel manifold into said inner volume of said liner downstream from said main combustion zone, each said fuel injector comprising:
• an outer wall defining an interior volume therein and including at least one opening formed therein, at least a portion of said outer wall located in said inner volume of said liner;
• an intermediate wall disposed in said outer wall interior volume and spaced from said outer wall such that a first gap is formed between said outer wall and said intermediate wall, said intermediate wall defining an internal volume and including at least one aperture formed therein;
• an inner wall disposed in said intermediate wall internal volume and spaced from said intermediate wall such that a second gap is formed between said intermediate wall and said inner wall, said second gap receiving cooling fluid that cools said fuel injector, said inner wall defining a passageway therein that receives said fuel from said fuel manifold and delivers said fuel to said inner volume of said liner downstream from said main combustion zone;
• and
• wherein said cooling fluid in said second gap:
• provides convective cooling to said intermediate wall as said cooling fluid flows within said second gap;
• flows through said at least one aperture in said intermediate wall into said first gap where said cooling fluid provides convective cooling to said outer wall as said cooling fluid flows within said first gap;
• and
• passes into the inner volume of the liner via said at least one opening in said outer wall.