Patent ID: 8042752
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: B23P,F01D,F02C,F05D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of repairing a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine engine to reduce fretting, the method comprising: providing a fuel nozzle including a stem member having an inlet end for connection to a fuel supply, an outlet end for connection to a spray tip assembly and at least one fuel conduit defined therethrough in communication with the inlet and outlet ends, the stem member having a central portion extending between the inlet and outlet ends; determining a running frequency range of the gas turbine engine; and modifying a first natural frequency of the fuel nozzle such that it is outside the running frequency range of the gas turbine engine by attaching at least one stiffening element to an outer surface of the central portion of the stem member, the at least one stiffening element covering only part of a perimeter of the central portion and extending along only part of the length of the central portion, the at least one stiffening element being disposed adjacent the inlet end, including selecting a thickness for each said stiffening element such that the stem member with the at least one stiffening element attached thereto remains contained inside an envelope defined by a heat shield received around the stem member prior to attachment of the at least one stiffening element.