Retention feature for fuel injector nozzle

A method of constructing a nozzle for a fuel injector, the method comprising:

• inserting a prefilmer with at least one detent finger into an outer air swirler with a groove on an inner surface;
• engaging the groove in the outer air swirler with the at least one detent finger;
• inserting a fuel swirler into the prefilmer, the fuel swirler having at least one tab at an aft end that extends in an axial direction;
• engaging the at least one tab of the fuel swirler with a cylindrical forward end of an inner air swirler;
• and
• contacting an aft facing edge of the outer air swirler with a forward facing edge of an aft support of the inner air swirler.

A fuel injector with a nozzle with the nozzle, the nozzle comprising:

• an outer air swirler having an outer surface and an inner surface and a forward end and an aft end, the outer air swirler having a groove on the inner surface;
• a prefilmer located concentrically within the outer air swirler, the prefilmer having at least one detent finger to engage the groove on the inner surface of the outer air swirler;
• a fuel swirler located concentrically within the prefilmer and configured to convey fuel to a forward end of the nozzle, the fuel swirler having at least one tab extending axially at an aft end;
• and
• an inner air swirler having a cylindrical forward end located concentrically within the fuel swirler and an aft support extending rearward to not be concentrically within the outer air swirler, the cylindrical forward end contacting the at least one tab of the fuel swirler to hold the fuel swirler in place and the aft support extending radially outward to contact an aft facing edge of the aft end of the outer air swirler.