Patent attributes
A heat shield for a gas turbine engine having a combustor includes an annular configuration extending substantially 360 degrees about the combustor for protecting a dome portion thereof, which is formed by radially extending flanges of inner and outer liners of the combustor. The heat shield fixedly secures the radially extending flanges of the inner and outer liners together in a sealing relationship such as to structurally form the dome portion of the combustor. The heat shield is disposed internally within the combustor and substantially entirely overlying the dome portion. The heat shield includes at least two separate heat shield segments cooperating to provide the annular heat shield, each heat shield segment being sheet metal and including at least two circumferentially spaced apart openings therein for receiving fuel nozzles therethrough. Each of the heat shield segments has a circumferential span not exceeding 180 degrees.
