# US 8,769,954 B2 · Frequency-tunable bracketless fluid manifold

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- Number: US 8,769,954 B2
- Document ID: US8769954B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/650,972
- Filed: 2009-12-31
- Published: 2011-06-30
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2009-12-31
- Assignees: General Electric Company
- Applicants: Kevin Michael Fiebig; Joshua Brown; Joseph Nath
- Inventors: Kevin Michael Fiebig; Joshua Brown; Joseph Nath
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8769954B2

## CPC

- F01N 13/18: Construction facilitating manufacture, assembly, or disassembly
- F02C 7/222: {Fuel flow conduits, e.g. manifolds}
- F05D 2220/32: in gas turbines
- F05D 2230/51: in a modular way, e.g. using several identical or complementary parts or features
- F05D 2250/71: curved
- F05D 2250/75: given by its similarity to a letter, e.g. T-shaped
- F05D 2260/96: Preventing, counteracting or reducing vibration or noise
- Y10T 29/49398: Muffler, manifold or exhaust pipe making
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- F01N: GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with gas exhaust of propulsion units in vehicles B60K13/00; combustion-air intake silencers specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines F02M35/00; protecting against, or damping, noise in general G10K11/16)
- F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00)
- F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A fluid manifold apparatus includes: (a) an array of spaced-apart manifold fittings, each manifold fitting aligned in a predetermined angular orientation. Each manifold fitting includes: (i) a tubular neck; (ii) a pair of spaced-apart tubular arms extending away from a first end of the neck; and (iii) a coupling connected to a second end of the neck; and (b) a plurality of curved tubes, each tube being coupled to one arm of each of two adjacent manifold fittings.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fluid manifold apparatus, comprising:
(a) an array of spaced-apart manifold fittings, where each manifold fitting comprises:
(i) a generally tubular neck;
(ii) a pair of spaced-apart generally tubular arms extending away from a first end of the neck such that the arms and neck collectively define a Y-shape; and
(iii) a coupling connected to a second end of the neck, wherein the neck and the arms are rotatable as a unit relative to the coupling, wherein each of the couplings is connected to a fuel nozzle inlet stem of a fuel nozzle that is mounted to a combustor of a gas turbine engine; and
(b) a plurality of curved tubes, each tube being coupled to one arm of each of two adjacent manifold fittings.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the coupling comprises an inner member and a collar surrounding the inner member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the collar is threaded and includes an annular flange which bears against a shoulder of the inner member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each inlet stem includes an inlet fitting which includes:
(a) a ball-nose having a shape complementary to a seat defined by the inner member of the coupling; and
(b) a resilient sealing element disposed in a groove in an outer surface of the inlet fitting.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each tube has a constant radius of curvature.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ends of the tubes are rigidly coupled to the arms of the manifold fittings.