Patent ID: 8484978

Claim:
A method of assembling a fuel nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine having a natural operating frequency, said method comprising: providing a flange that is fabricated from a first alloy and that has a pre-determined length that facilitates raising a first frequency of the flange during operation above the natural operating frequency of the gas turbine engine, wherein the flange includes a mounting portion and a substantially frusto-conical shaped body that enables the flange to exhibit the first frequency, the substantially frusto-conical shaped body coupled to the mounting portion; configuring the flange such that a multiple of the first frequency is different than a multiple of the natural operating frequency of the gas turbine engine; providing a premix tube that is fabricated from a second alloy such that the premix tube is configured to exhibit a second frequency that is different from the natural operating frequency of the gas turbine engine, wherein the premix tube includes a premixed fuel supply passage; and coupling the premix tube to the flange.