Segmented combustor panel

Claim 3

A mounting system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said third mounting means includes: spacer hook means fixed to each of said liner panels and having a foot member engageable with the outer shell at the spaced distance from said liner panel; and retainer means having one end fixed to the outer shell and an opposite end biased toward engagement with the outer shell but releasably engageable with said foot member to selectively hold said foot member in firm engagement with the outer shell.

Claim 4

A mounting system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said spacer hook means has a first foot member fixed to said liner panel, a second foot member parallel to said first foot member at the spaced distance therefrom, and a transverse bight member integral with and extending between said first and second foot members; and retainer means having one end fixed to the outer shell and a free end opposite said fixed end biased into engagement with the outer shell but releasably engageable with said second foot member to selectively hold said second foot member in firm engagement with the outer shell.

Claim 5

A mounting system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said retainer means is an elongated spring clip member defining a reception region intermediate said fixed end and said free end, said clip member being upturned at its free end to define an entrance into the reception region; whereby engagement of said upturned end by said second foot member upon selective movement of said spacer hook means toward said spring clip member cams said upturned end away from the outer shell permitting entry of said second foot member into the reception region.

Claim 6

A mounting system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said spacer hook means and said retainer means lie in a common plane which is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber, said second foot member being movable within said plane between a disengaged position distant from said spring clip member and an engaged position received within the reception region and engageably held by said free end of said spring clip member against the outer shell.

Claim 7

A mounting system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said spacer hook means and said retainer means lie in a common plane which is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber, said second foot member being movable within said plane between a disengaged position distant from said spring clip member and an engaged position received within the reception region and engageably held by said free end of said spring clip member against the outer shell.

Claim 8

A mounting system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first mounting means includes a first rivet having a shank extending through holes in said liner panel and in the outer shell, respectively, having substantially the same diameter as said shank, said first rivet having opposed heads integral with said shank engaged, respectively, within said liner panel and with the outer shell; and wherein said second mounting means includes a second rivet having a shank extending through holes in said liner panel and in the outer shell, respectively, at least one of the holes in said liner panel and in the outer shell being of substantially larger diameter than that of said shank, said second rivet having opposed heads integral with said shank engaged, respectively, with said liner panel and with said outer shell.

Claim 9

A mounting system as set for the in claim 7 wherein the holes of said first and second mounting means in said liner panel are of the same diameter, being of substantially the same diameter as that of said shank; wherein the holes of said first and second mounting means in the outer shell are of the same diameter, being of substantially larger diameter than that of said shank; and wherein said first mounting means includes a bushing having a plug element received in the hole in the outer shell and an annular flange overlying the hole, and having a bore therethrough being of substantially the same as that of said shank for receiving the shank therethrough.

Claim 10

A mounting system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lateral portions of first and second adjacent liner panels have first and second mutually beveled edges, respectively, said first and second beveled edges being spaced apart under ambient conditions but being caused to move into mutually sliding, camming engagement by reason of expansion of said liner panels during operation of the combustion chamber.

Claim 11

A mounting system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lateral portions of first and second adjacent liner panels have first and second overlapping members, respectively, said first and second overlapping members being slidably engaged to accommodate expansion of said liner panels during operation of the combustion chamber.

Claim 12

In a combustion chamber for a gas turbine engine, the improvement comprising: a generally cylindrically configured outer shell having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of annular lands lying in planes transverse to said axis and at spaced locations along said axis; a plurality of axially spaced concentrically disposed segmented liner panels arranged in side by side circumferential relationship, each of said liner panels having a leading portion, a trailing portion, and opposed lateral portions extending, respectively, between said leading portion and said trailing portion, first mounting means for fixedly attaching each of said liner panels to an associated one of said annular lands at a first location proximate to said leading portion such that said first location of said liner panel is thereby denied axial, radial, and circumferential movement relative to said outer shell; second mounting means for attaching each of said liner panels to said associated annular land at a second location distant from said first location but proximate to said leading portion such that radial, axial and circumferential movement of said liner panel relative to said outer shell is permitted; and third mounting means for attaching each of said liner panels to said outer shell at a third location proximate to said trailing portion such that said third location of said liner panel is thereby held at a spaced distance away from said outer shell and restrained against radial movement relative to said outer shell while axial and circumferential movement of said liner panel relative to said outer shell are permitted.

Claim 13

In a combustion chamber for a gas turbine engine, the improvement comprising: a generally cylindrically configured outer shell having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of annular lands lying in planes transverse to said axis and at spaced locations along said axis; a plurality of axially spaced concentrically disposed segmented liner panels arranged in side by side circumferential relationship, each of said liner panels having a leading portion, a trailing portion, and opposed lateral portions extending, respectively, between said leading portion and said trailing portion, first mounting means for fixedly attaching each of said liner panels to an associated one of said annular lands at a first location proximate to said leading portion such that said first location of said liner panel is thereby denied axial, radial, and circumferential movement relative to said outer shell; second mounting means for attaching each of said liner panels to said associated annular land at a second location distant from said first location but proximate to said leading portion such that radial, axial and circumferential movement of said liner panel relative to said outer shell is permitted; and third mounting means for attaching each of said liner panels to said outer shell at a third location proximate to said trailing portion such that said third location of said liner panel is thereby held at a spaced distance away from said outer shell and restrained against radial movement relative to said outer shell while axial and circumferential movement of said liner panel relative to said outer shell are permitted.

Claim 18

A mounting system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said retainer means is an elongated spring clip member defining a reception region intermediate said fixed end and said free end, said clip member being upturned at its free end to define an entrance into the reception region; whereby engagement of said upturned end by said second foot member upon selective movement of said spacer hook means toward said spring clip member cams said upturned end away from the outer shell permitting entry of said second foot member into the reception region.

Claim 19

A mounting system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said spacer hook means and said retaining means lie in a common plane which is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber, said second foot member being movable within said plane between a disengaged position distant from said spring clip member and an engaged position received within the reception region and engageably held by said free end of said spring clip member against the outer shell.

Claim 20

A mounting system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said spacer hook means and said retainer means lie in a common plane which is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber, said second foot member being movable within said plane between a disengaged position distant from said spring clip member and an engaged position received within the reception region and engageably held by said free end of said spring clip member against the outer shell.