Patent ID: 7654091

Claim:
A method for operating a gas turbine engine, said method comprising: channeling cooling fluid from a cooling fluid source to a combustor that includes a dome plate, at least one deflector coupled to the dome plate and extending aft of the dome plate, and at least one flare cone coupled to the deflector and extending aft of the deflector, wherein the deflector and the flare cone are configured to define a cooling fluid channel therebetween, the flare cone having a plurality of cooling injectors extending therethrough, the plurality of cooling injectors spaced circumferentially about a centerline axis of the flare cone and coupled in flow communication with the cooling fluid source, the plurality of cooling injectors having a plurality of first cooling injectors and a plurality of second cooling injectors; directing a portion of the cooling fluid through the plurality of first cooling injectors; and directing a portion of the cooling fluid through the plurality of second cooling injectors, wherein the plurality of first cooling injectors facilitates cooling a first portion of the deflector more than the plurality of second cooling injectors facilitates cooling a second portion of the deflector.