Patent Publication Number: US-11384937-B1

Title: Swirler with integrated damper

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a swirler for an engine. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an integrated damper for a swirler. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A combustor of an engine may include a swirler for introducing air to the combustion section for mixing with a fuel flow. The swirler may be a radial swirler or an axial swirler. The swirler may include a primary swirler vane and a secondary swirler vane. The primary swirler vane may include a primary air passage and the secondary swirler vane may include a secondary swirler passage. Air may flow through each of the primary swirler passage and the secondary swirler passage. The air flows may mix with a fuel flow through a fuel nozzle. The fuel:air mixture may be provided to a combustor. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a swirler with integrated damper may include a swirler vane having a first sidewall and a second sidewall; an air passage defined between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and a damper within the swirler vane, the damper comprising a series of cavities formed in the first sidewall, the second sidewall, or both the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the damper is configured to absorb one or more frequencies present in an air flow through the air passage. 
     According to an embodiment, a swirler with integrated damper may include a primary swirler vane having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall defining a primary air passage; and a damper within the primary swirler vane, the damper comprising: a first series of cavities extending along a length of the first sidewall; and a second series of cavities extending along a length of the second sidewall, wherein each cavity of the first series of cavities and the second series of cavities is in fluid communication with the primary air passage, and wherein the damper is configured to absorb one or more frequencies present in an air flow through the primary air passage. 
     Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth or apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description, drawings and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of various exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of a swirler, taken along a centerline of the swirler, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of a swirler, taken along a centerline of the swirler, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a schematic, enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the swirler of  FIG. 2A , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic, partial cross-sectional view of a swirler, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic, partial view of a swirler, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5A  shows a schematic, partial view of a swirler, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5B  shows a schematic, partial cross-sectional view of the swirler of  FIG. 5A , taken along a centerline of the swirler, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of a swirler, taken along a centerline of the swirler, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic, partial view of a swirler, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments are discussed in detail below. While specific embodiments are discussed, this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     The swirlers with integrated damper of the present disclosure may provide a radial swirler or an axial swirler with a damper integrated therein. The damper may absorb or dampen acoustic waves present in the air flow through the swirler. The absorption or dampening of the acoustic waves may result in a smooth air flow with little to no fluctuations therein. The damper may be presented as a series of openings or cavities in a sidewall of the swirler vane, such as, for example, in the sidewall of the primary swirler vane. Each cavity may be sized, shaped, or dimensioned to absorb at least one frequency of acoustic wave present in the air flow. In this manner, multiple frequencies may be absorbed as the air flows through the damper resulting in a flow that exits the damper with fewer acoustic waves than when entering the damper. The cavities may progressively increase or decrease along the length of the damper. 
       FIG. 1  shows a partial cross-sectional view of a swirler  10 . The swirler  10  may be provided in a combustor, such as, for example, a gas turbine combustor. The swirler  10  may include a primary swirler vane  12  and a secondary swirler vane  14 . The primary swirler vane  12  may include a primary air passage  16 . The secondary swirler vane  14  may include a secondary air passage  17 . A fuel nozzle  20  may be centered along the centerline  22 . The fuel nozzle  20  may be centered with respect to the swirler  10 . The swirler  10  may be centered by a ferrule  18  about the fuel nozzle  20 . 
     The swirler  10  of  FIG. 1  may be referred to as a radial swirler due to the radially extending primary swirler vane  12  and radially extending secondary swirler vane  14 . A recirculation zone  21  may be present within the swirler  10 . The recirculation zone  21  may oscillate due to hydrodynamic instability or due to thermoacoustic oscillations within the combustor. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a swirler  100 . The swirler  100  may be provided in a combustor, such as, for example, a gas turbine combustor. The swirler  100  may be a radial swirler. Only a portion of the swirler  100  is visible in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , however, the swirler  100  may be rotated circumferentially around the centerline  22  (such as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Thus, a symmetrical, mirror image of the swirler  100  shown in  FIG. 2A  may also be present on the opposing side of the centerline  22 . As in  FIG. 1 , the swirler  100  may be centered by a ferrule  18  around the fuel nozzle (not visible). The swirler  100  may include a primary swirler vane  112  and a secondary swirler vane  114 . The primary swirler vane  112  may include a primary air passage  116 . The secondary swirler vane  114  may include a secondary air passage  117 . The primary swirler vane  112  and the secondary swirler vane  114  may be separated by a component  119  ( FIG. 2A ). Alternatively, the component  119  may be a part of (e.g., integral with) the primary swirler vane  112  ( FIG. 2B ). 
     The primary swirler vane  112  may include a first sidewall  124  and a second sidewall  126 . The first sidewall  124  may include a first end  124   a  and a second end  124   b . The first end  124   a  may be the radially outermost end surface of the first sidewall  124  and/or the primary swirler vane  112 . The second end  124   b  may be the radially innermost end surface of the first sidewall  124  and/or the primary swirler vane  112 . The second sidewall  126  may include a first end  126   a  and a second end  126   b . The first end  126   a  may be the radially outermost end surface of the second sidewall  126  and/or the primary swirler vane  112 . The second end  126   b  may be the radially innermost end surface of the second sidewall  126  and/or the primary swirler vane  112 . 
     The secondary swirler vane  114  may include a first sidewall  127  and a second sidewall  129 . The first sidewall  127  may include a first end  127   a  and a second end  127   b . The first end  127   a  may be the radially outermost end surface of the first sidewall  127  and/or the secondary swirler vane  114 . The second end  127   b  may be the radially innermost end surface of the first sidewall  127  and/or the secondary swirler vane  114 . The second sidewall  129  may include a first end  129   a  and a second end  129   b . The first end  129   a  may be the radially outermost end surface of the second sidewall  129  and/or the secondary swirler vane  114 . The second end  129   b  may be the radially innermost end surface of the second sidewall  129  and/or the secondary swirler vane  114 . 
     The swirler  100  may include a damper  130 . Although shown on the primary swirler vane  112 , the damper  130  may be placed on the secondary swirler vane  114  instead of, or in addition to, the primary swirler vane  112 . The damper  130  may be quasi-periodic air columns on the sidewalls that present as air columns (e.g., openings  132 ,  134 ) between structures (e.g., portions  136 ). For example, the damper  130  may include a series of openings on the first sidewall  124 , the second sidewall  126 , or both the first sidewall  124  and the second sidewall  126  separated by portions  136  of the respective sidewall. The openings may be cavities, slots, indents, pockets, apertures, or other forms of openings formed in a body. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the damper  130  includes a series of openings  132  on the first sidewall  124  and a series of openings  134  on the second sidewall  126 . The series of openings  132  may be referred to as a series of cavities  132  and the series of opening  134  may be referred to as a series of cavities  134 . Each opening of the series of openings  132  and  134  may be separated from adjacent openings by the portion  136  of the respective sidewall. The openings  132  may be formed on an inner face  124   c  of the first sidewall  124 . The inner face  124   c  may be a surface that defines at least a portion of the primary air passage  116 . The openings  134  may be formed on an inner face  126   c  of the second sidewall  126 . The inner face  126   c  may be a surface that defines at least a portion of the secondary air passage  117 . The openings  132  and  134  may be discrete openings that are not fluidly coupled to adjacent openings. The openings  132  and  134  may be openings that extend a finite distance into and that do not extend the full width of the first sidewall  124  and second sidewall  126 , respectively. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2B , a close up view of the damper  130  shows the series of openings  132  and the series of openings  134 . The series of openings  132  on the first sidewall  124  may extend from a first opening  132   1  to a final opening  132   N . The series of openings  134  on the second sidewall  126  may extend from a first opening  134   1  to a final opening  134   N . “N” may be representative of the number of openings  132  and  134  provided in the damper  130 .  FIG. 2B  depicts seven openings  132  and seven openings  134 , however more or fewer may be provided. The number of openings  132  may be the same as, fewer than, or more than, the number of openings  134 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the series of openings  132  may gradually increase in height (e.g., H in  FIG. 3 ) from the first end  124   a  to the second end  124   b . That is, the first opening  132   1  may have a greater height than the final opening  132   N . The series of openings  132  may gradually decrease in width (e.g., W in  FIG. 3 ) from the first end  124   a  to the second end  124   b . That is, the first opening  132   1  may have a lesser width than the final opening  132   N . In some examples, the height of the openings may increase as the width of the openings decreases. Although the openings are shown as gradually increasing in height and decreasing in width from the first end  124   a  to the second end  124   b , the damper  130  may be reversed such that the openings gradually decrease in height and increase in width from the first end  124   a  to the second end  124   b.    
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the series of openings  134  may gradually increase in height (e.g., H in  FIG. 3 ) from the first end  126   a  to the second end  126   b . That is, the first opening  134   1  may have a greater height than the final opening  134   N . The series of openings  132  may gradually decrease in width (e.g., W in  FIG. 3 ) from the first end  126   a  to the second end  126   b . That is, the first opening  134   1  may have a lesser width than the final opening  134   N . The series of openings  132  and the series of openings  134  may have openings that increase or decrease in height with a linear profile from the first opening  132   1 ,  134   1  to the final openings  132   N ,  134   N . 
     In some examples, the height of the openings may increase as the width of the openings decreases. Although the openings are shown as gradually increasing in height and decreasing in width from the first end  126   a  to the second end  126   b , the damper  130  may be reversed such that the openings gradually decrease in height and increase in width from the first end  126   a  to the second end  126   b.    
     Although  FIGS. 2A and 2B  show the openings  132  and  134  changing in the same direction (e.g., increasing in height/decreasing in width from the first end to the second end), the openings  132  and  134  may change in opposing directions and/or in different patterns. For example, the openings  132  may increase in height while the openings  134  decrease in height, or vice versa. Any alterations or patterns may be provided to the openings  132  and  134 , either in the same or different manners, to achieve the desired dampening of the damper  130 . 
     During operation, an air flow A may flow through the primary air passage  116  and the secondary air passage  117 . Acoustic fluctuations and/or sound waves may be present in the air flow A. As the air flow A passes the openings  132  and the openings  134 , the acoustic fluctuations may be absorbed by the opening. As the air flow A continues to flow through the primary air passage  116  and the secondary air passage  117 , acoustic fluctuations continue to be absorbed by each opening of the series of openings. When the air flow A passes the final opening of the series of openings and exits the primary air passage  116  and secondary air passage  117 , all, or substantially all, of the acoustic fluctuations may be absorbed or dampened such that the air flow A exiting the swirler vane passages may be smooth (e.g., an air flow with little or no acoustic fluctuations). That is, as the air flow A flows through the damper  130 , the acoustic waves within the air flow are dissipated by the cavities or openings  132  and  134 . The air flow A may thus be stabilized with the amplitude of the acoustic waves dampened as flow proceeds though the swirler vane passages. 
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic of a damper having a variety of parameters. For example, the damper may include a series of openings or cavities, as previously described. Each opening of the series may include a width W and a height H. The first opening may have a width W 1  and a height H 1 . The last opening may have a width W N  and a height H N . One or more, or all, of the dimensions (e.g., width and/or height) of the first opening may be the same or different as the last opening. In some examples, the dimensions may change gradually from the first opening to the last opening. That is, the dimensions may gradually increase and/or gradually decrease from the first opening to the last opening. In some examples, the dimensions may alternate in a pattern such that every other (or every two, every three, etc.) opening as the same dimension. In some examples, the openings on the first sidewall and the second sidewall may change in the same manner or in different manners. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the first opening may be located a distance a from the radially innermost end surface (e.g., second end  124   b  of  FIG. 2A ) of the swirler. The last opening may be located a distance b from the radially outermost end surface (e.g., first end  124   a  of  FIG. 2A ) of the swirler. The distance between the openings may be occupied by a portion of the sidewall. This portion of the sidewall may have a thickness t. The thickness t may be a minimum metal thickness. The damper may extend along a length L of the swirler vanes. The distance a may be greater than or equal to 1/10 of the length L. The distance b may be equal to or about equal to 1/10 of the length L. In some examples, the thickness t may be greater than or equal to 20 mils. In some examples, the width may increase in a manner to satisfy Equation 1, where N represents the number of openings present in the damper and G represents a multiplier. In some examples, the multiplier G may be 1.1.
 
 W   N   =W   1   *G   N-1    Equation 1
 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a swirler  200  may include a damper  230 . The swirler  200  may be the same as, or similar to, the swirlers  10  and/or  100 . The swirler  200  may include a primary swirler vane  212  having a first sidewall  224  and a second sidewall  226 . The swirler  200  may include a secondary swirler vane  214 . As described with respect to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3 , the damper  230  may include a series of openings  232  and a series of openings  234 . The series of openings  232  may extend from a first opening  232   1  to a final opening  232   N . The series of openings  234  may extend from a first opening  234   1  to a final opening  234   N . The series of openings  232  and the series of openings  234  may have openings that decrease in height (e.g., H in  FIG. 3 ) with a non-linear profile (e.g., according to a power law) from the first opening  232   1 ,  234   1  to the final openings  232   N ,  234   N . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a swirler  300  may include a damper  330 . The swirler  300  may be the same as, or similar to, the swirlers  10 ,  100 , and/or  200 . The swirler  300  may include a primary swirler vane  312  having a first sidewall  324  and a second sidewall  326 . The swirler  300  may include a secondary swirler vane  314 . As described with respect to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3 , the damper  330  may include a series of openings  332  and a series of openings  334 . The series of openings  332  may extend from a first opening  332   1  to a final opening  332   N . The series of openings  334  may extend from a first opening  334   1  to a final opening  334   N . The series of openings  332  and the series of openings  334  may have openings that increase in height (e.g., H in  FIG. 3 ) with a linear profile from the first opening  132   1 ,  134   1  to the final openings  132   N ,  134   N . Although as shown having an increase with a linear profile, the increase may be a non-linear increase. 
       FIG. 6  shows a partial cross-sectional view of a swirler  400 . The swirler  400  may be provided in a combustor, such as, for example, a gas turbine combustor. The swirler  400  may include a primary swirler vane  412  and a secondary swirler vane  414 . The primary swirler vane  412  may include a primary air passage  416 . The secondary swirler vane  414  may include a secondary air passage  417 . A fuel nozzle (not visible) may be centered along the centerline  22 . The fuel nozzle may be centered with respect to the swirler  400 . The primary swirler vane  412  may include a first sidewall  424  and a second sidewall  426 . 
     The swirler  400  of  FIG. 6  may be referred to as an axial swirler due to the axially extending primary swirler vane  412  and axially extending secondary swirler vane  414 . As in the radial swirler of the prior figures, acoustic fluctuations may be present within the primary air passage  416  and the secondary air passage  417 . Only a portion of the swirler  400  is visible in  FIG. 6 , however, the swirler  400  may be rotated circumferentially around the centerline  22  (such as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Thus, a symmetrical, mirror image of the swirler  400  shown in  FIG. 6  may also be present on the opposing side of the centerline  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an axial swirler  500  may include a primary swirler vane  512  and a secondary swirler vane  514 . The primary swirler vane  512  may include a first sidewall  524  and a second sidewall  526 . The first sidewall  524  may include a first end  524   a  and a second end  524   b . The first end  524   a  may be the axially aft end surface of the first sidewall  524  and/or the primary swirler vane  512 . The second end  524   b  may be the axially forward end surface of the first sidewall  524  and/or the primary swirler vane  512 . The second sidewall  526  may include a first end  526   a  and a second end  526   b . The first end  526   a  may be the axially aft end surface of the second sidewall  526  and/or the primary swirler vane  512  and/or the secondary swirler vane  514 . The second end  526   b  may be the axially forward end surface of the second sidewall  526  and/or the primary swirler vane  512  and/or the secondary swirler vane  514 . The secondary swirler vane  514  may include the second sidewall  526  and a third sidewall  527 . The third sidewall  527  may include a first end  527   a  and a second end  527   b . The first end  527   a  may be the axially aft end surface of the third sidewall  527  and/or the secondary swirler vane  514 . The second end  527   b  may be the axially forward end surface of the third sidewall  527  and/or the secondary swirler vane  514 . 
     The axial swirler  500  may include a damper  530 . Although shown on the primary swirler vane  512 , the damper  530  may be placed on the secondary swirler vane  514  instead of, or in addition to, the primary swirler vane  512 . The damper  530  may be quasi-periodic air columns on the sidewalls that present as air columns (e.g., openings  532 ,  534 ) between structures (e.g., portions  536 ). For example, the damper  530  may include a series of openings on the first sidewall  524 , the second sidewall  526 , or both the first sidewall  524  and the second sidewall  526  separated by portions  536  of the respective sidewall. The openings may be cavities, slots, indents, pockets, apertures, or other forms of openings formed in a body. The damper  530  includes a series of openings  532  on the first sidewall  524  and a series of openings  534  on the second sidewall  526 . The openings  532  may be formed on an inner face  524   c  of the first sidewall  524 . The inner face  524   c  may be a surface that defines at least a portion of the primary air passage  516 . The openings  534  may be formed on an inner face  526   c  of the second sidewall  526 . The inner face  526   c  may be a surface that defines at least a portion of the secondary air passage  517 . The openings  532  and  534  may be discrete openings that are not fluidly coupled to adjacent openings. 
     The series of openings  532  on the first sidewall  524  may extend from a first opening  532   1  to a final opening  532   N . The series of openings  534  on the second sidewall  526  may extend from a first opening  534   1  to a final opening  534   N . “N” may be representative of the number of openings  532  and  534  provided in the damper  530 .  FIG. 7  depicts eight openings  532  and eight openings  534 , however more or fewer may be provided. The number of openings  532  may be the same as, fewer than, or more than, the number of openings  534 . 
     Any of the variations of the dampers and/or openings described with respect to  FIG. 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5A , or  5 B may be applied to the damper  530  and/or the axial swirler  500 . In the case of  FIG. 7 , the increase and decrease may extend in the axial direction (as opposed to the radial direction as described with respect to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5A, and 5B ). The particular profile and variations in dimensions may be selected to achieve a desired dampening of the damper  530 . 
     During operation, an air flow A may flow through the primary air passage  516  and the secondary air passage  517 . Acoustic fluctuations and/or sound waves may be present in the air flow A. As the air flow A passes the openings  532  and the openings  534 , the acoustic fluctuations may be absorbed by the opening. As the air flow A continues to flow through the primary air passage  516  and the secondary air passage  517 , acoustic fluctuations continue to be absorbed by each opening of the series of openings. When the air flow A passes the final opening of the series of openings and exits the primary air passage  516  and secondary air passage  517 , all, or substantially all, of the acoustic fluctuations may be absorbed or dampened such that the air flow A exiting the swirler vane passages may be smooth (e.g., an air flow with little or no acoustic fluctuations). That is, as the air flow A flows through the damper  530 , the acoustic waves within the air flow are dissipated by the cavities or openings  532  and  534 . The air flow A may thus be stabilized with the amplitude of the acoustic waves dampened as flow proceeds though the swirler vane passages. 
     The swirlers with integrated damper of the present disclosure may be employed in any of aircraft or aviation engines, marine engines, and industrial engines. The cavities of the damper of the present disclosure may vary according to any pattern to achieve the desired dampening of the air flow. Some exemplary patterns of variation may include, for example, but not limited to, varying linearly, nonlinearly, by power law, quadratically, quasi-periodic, by geometric progression, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the openings may be constant across the damper and may not vary in dimension. In some examples, the openings may include both varying and constant dimensions. For example, the overall profile of the openings may increase or decrease (e.g., non-linearly) with two adjacent openings having constant dimensions (e.g., first two openings have the same dimensions, next two openings are the same, but are increased or decreased in dimension as compared to the first two openings, etc.). Any pattern, size alteration, or variance between openings may be provided based on the frequency to be dampened. 
     The damper of the present disclosure may be provided in a radial swirler (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) or an axial swirler (e.g.,  FIG. 6 ). The damper of the present disclosure may be formed with additive manufacturing. The dampers of the present disclosure may include openings or cavities having a predetermined width and height, both of which may or may not vary. The damper may include a predetermined profile. The number of openings in the damper may vary. The shape of the openings in the damper may be any shape. The aforementioned parameters may be selected for a damper or swirler based on the frequencies to be dampened in the flow and/or based on the desired flow and operation characteristics. Any of the variations, applications, or alterations described herein may be provided to any of the disclosed dampers. Any of the dampers may be combined with other dampers, or features of various dampers may be combined with other dampers. Any of the dampers of the present disclosure may be provided on the primary vane, the secondary vane, or both the primary vane and the secondary vane. 
     The swirlers with integrated damper of the present disclosure address detrimental dynamics associated with a swirl stabilized combustor. The dynamics may affect combustor durability if the frequencies of vibration within the swirler match the modes of the combustor. The integrated damper of the swirler of the present disclosure mitigates swirler dynamics and may help stabilize the flame in a combustor. 
     The swirlers with integrated damper of the present disclosure allow the air flow through the primary swirler vane passage to be smoothed along the flow direction as the air flow enters the central passageway. That is, the acoustic wave due to the recirculation zone that is present in the air flow may be dampened by the openings to provide a smoother, more uniform flow. The velocity of the acoustic wave present in the air flow decreases smoothly along the damper (e.g., due to the admittance changing smoothly through the vanes) and after a predetermined length of the damper, near compete absorption of the acoustic wave in the flow may be achieved. 
     The swirlers with integrated damper of the present disclosure may provide mitigation of combustion dynamics that may lead to reduced durability issues and may assist in optimal operation of the combustor and thus the engine. The swirlers with integrated damper of the present disclosure allow for oscillations within the combustor flow to be isolated from affecting the compressor operation. The swirlers provide a damper having a geometry that may absorb or dampen acoustic waves within the air flow of the swirler. 
     The dampers of the present disclosure may absorb or dampen one or more frequencies present within the swirler. Multiple different frequencies may be dampened with a single damper due to the variations in openings present within the damper. The profile, height, width, or other parameters of the openings may be tuned for a particular frequency experienced in the air flow. The parameters may be selected to target a particular frequency. The parameters may be adjusted to target a particular frequency. 
     Further aspects of the present disclosure are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses. 
     A swirler with integrated damper comprising: a swirler vane having a first sidewall and a second sidewall; an air passage defined between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and a damper within the swirler vane, the damper comprising a series of cavities formed in the first sidewall, the second sidewall, or both the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the damper is configured to absorb one or more frequencies present in an air flow through the air passage. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, further comprising a primary swirler vane and a secondary swirler vane, and wherein the swirler vane is the primary swirler vane and the air passage is a primary air passage. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, further comprising a primary swirler vane and a secondary swirler vane, and wherein the swirler vane is the secondary swirler vane and the air passage is a secondary air passage. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the series of cavities extends from a radially outermost end of the swirler vane to a radially innermost end of the swirler vane. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein each cavity of the series of cavities includes a height and a width. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the height of each cavity of the series of cavities increases or decreases linearly from the radially outermost end to the radially innermost end. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the height of each cavity of the series of cavities increases or decreases non-linearly from the radially outermost end to the radially innermost end. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the height of each cavity of the series of cavities is constant from the radially outermost end to the radially innermost end. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the series of cavities extends from an axially aft end to an axially forward end. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein each cavity of the series of cavities includes a height and a width. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the height of each cavity of the series of cavities increases or decreases linearly from the axially aft end to the axially forward end. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the height of each cavity of the series of cavities increases or decreases non-linearly from the axially aft end to the axially forward end. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the height of each cavity of the series of cavities is constant from the axially aft end to the axial forward end. 
     A swirler with integrated damper comprising: a primary swirler vane having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall defining a primary air passage; and a damper within the primary swirler vane, the damper comprising: a first series of cavities extending along a length of the first sidewall; and a second series of cavities extending along a length of the second sidewall, wherein each cavity of the first series of cavities and the second series of cavities is in fluid communication with the primary air passage, and wherein the damper is configured to absorb one or more frequencies present in an air flow through the primary air passage. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the first series of cavities comprises a first profile and the second series of cavities comprises a second profile. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the first profile and the second profile are the same and wherein the first profile and the second profile both increase linearly, decrease linearly, increase non-linearly, decrease non-linearly, or are constant from a radially outermost end to a radially innermost end of the primary swirler vane. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the first profile and the second profile are different. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the first profile increases in height linearly from a radially outermost end of the first sidewall to a radially innermost end of the first sidewall and wherein the second profile increases in height linearly from a radially outermost end of the second sidewall to a radially innermost end of the second sidewall. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the first series of cavities extends from a radially outermost end to a radially innermost end of the primary swirler vane, and wherein the second series of cavities extends from the radially outermost end to the radially innermost end. 
     The swirler of any preceding clause, wherein the first series of cavities extends from an axially aft end to an axially forward end, and wherein the second series of cavities extends from the axially aft end to the axially forward end. 
     Although the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments, it is noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.