Microfabrication of a metal fuel injector nozzle array

Tracy Ettel Morris; Michael C. Murphy; Sumanta Acharya

doi:10.1117/12.396453

25 August 2000 Microfabrication of a metal fuel injector nozzle array

Tracy Ettel Morris, Michael C. Murphy, Sumanta Acharya

Proceedings Volume 4174, Micromachining and Microfabrication Process Technology VI; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.396453
Event: Micromachining and Microfabrication, 2000, Santa Clara, CA, United States

Abstract

Furl injector nozzles fabricate with micrometer-scale swirler channels are being fabricated using a combination of micro-fabrication and precision machining. Arrays of fuel injector nozzles are an integral component of the Trapped- Vortex (TV) gas turbine combustor for use in advanced aircraft engines. The principle of TV is to improve flame stabilization through interaction between the main and secondary combustion processes. The fabrication of an array of fuel injectors requires nickel microstructures to be electro deposited on both sides of a nickel substrate in order to segregate the inlet air and fuel flows. The microstructures assist in the atomization of the fuel and induce swirl in the fluids. For each injector, a micrometer- scale cone drilled through the plate facilitates mixing of swirling fuel and air. The mixture is then injected into the secondary combustion chamber with a low-pressure air supply, which is required in order to obtain stoichiometric conditions. The prototype fuel injectors are composed of four individual plates. Two plates seal the air and fuel channels. Another plate contains the micro fabricated swirlers. The fourth plate is used to define the low- pressure air reservoir. The plates were mechanically fastened together using alignment pins for accurate plate positioning. Precision machining was used to position and drill the holes required for alignment, fluid flow, and connectors.

Citation Download Citation

Tracy Ettel Morris, Michael C. Murphy, and Sumanta Acharya "Microfabrication of a metal fuel injector nozzle array", Proc. SPIE 4174, Micromachining and Microfabrication Process Technology VI, (25 August 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.396453

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