Combustor and method for distributing fuel in the combustor

1. A combustor, comprising:

a. a tube bundle that extends radially across at least a portion of the combustor, wherein the tube bundle comprises an upstream surface axially separated from a downstream surface, wherein the upstream surface is defined by a first plate and the downstream surface is defined by a second plate, wherein the first plate and the second plate define a fuel plenum therebetween;

b. a plurality of tubes that extends from the upstream surface through the downstream surface, wherein each tube provides fluid communication through the tube bundle, wherein each tube defines a fuel port in fluid communication with the fuel plenum and disposed between the upstream surface and the downstream surface of tube bundle, wherein the plurality of tubes comprises a first row of tubes annularly arranged about an axial centerline of the tube bundle and a second row of tubes coaxially aligned with and spaced radially outwardly from the first set of tubes; and

c. a baffle that extends axially inside the fuel plenum and extends circumferentially around the first row of tubes, wherein the baffle is positioned radially between the first row of tubes and the second row of tubes, wherein the baffle defines a plurality of fuel flow paths for fuel to flow radially outwardly from the first row of tubes towards the second row of tubes.

2. The combustor as in claim 1 , wherein the baffle extends axially from the upstream surface to the downstream surface.

3. The combustor as in claim 1 , wherein the baffle extends substantially parallel to the plurality of tubes.

4. The combustor as in claim 1 , wherein the baffle comprises a plurality of plates having perforations defining the plurality of fuel flow paths.

5. The combustor as in claim 4 , wherein the perforations are radially aligned with the plurality of tubes.

6. The combustor as in claim 1 , wherein the baffle comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced rods, wherein each fuel flow path is defined between two circumferentially adjacent rods of the plurality of rods.

7. The combustor as in claim 6 , wherein each rod has an arcuate outer surface.

8. The combustor as in claim 6 , wherein each rod has an angled outer surface.

9. A combustor, comprising:

a. a tube bundle that extends radially across at least a portion of the combustor, wherein the tube bundle comprises an upstream surface axially separated from a downstream surface, wherein the upstream surface is defined by a first plate and the downstream surface is defined by second plate;

b. a shroud that circumferentially surrounds the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first plate, the second plate and the shroud at least partially define a fuel plenum inside the tube bundle;

c. a plurality of tubes that extends from the upstream surface through the downstream surface of the tube bundle, wherein each tube defines a fuel port in fluid communication with the fuel plenum and disposed between the first plate and the second plate within the fuel plenum, wherein each tube provides fluid communication through the tube bundle, wherein the plurality if the tubes comprises a first row of tubes annularly arranged about an axial centerline of the tube bundule and a second row of tubes coaxially aligned with and spaced radially outwardly from the first row of tubes; and

d. a baffle that extends axially inside the fuel plenum and extends circumferentially around the first row of tubes, wherein the baffle is positioned radially between the first row of tubes and the second row of tubes, and wherein the baffle defines a plurality of fuel flow paths for fuel to flow radially outwardly from the first row of tubes towards the second row of tubes.

10. The combustor as in claim 9 , wherein the baffle extends axially from the upstream surface to the downstream surface.

11. The combustor as in claim 9 , wherein the baffle extends substantially parallel to the plurality of tubes.

12. The combustor as in claim 9 , wherein the baffle comprises a plurality of plates circumferentially spaced and having perforations.

13. The combustor as in claim 12 , wherein the perforations are radially aligned with the plurality of tubes.

14. The combustor as in claim 9 , wherein the baffle comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced rods.

15. The combustor as in claim 14 , wherein each rod has an arcuate outer surface.

16. The combustor as in claim 9 , wherein the combustor is incorporated into a turbo-machine.

17. A method for distributing fuel in a combustor, comprising:

a, flowing a fuel into a fuel plenum defined at least in part by an upstream surface, a downstream surface axially separated from the upstream surface, a shroud that circumferentially surrounds the upstream and downstream surfaces, and a plurality of tubes that extend from the upstream surface to the downstream surface, wherein the plurality of tubes comprises a first row of tubes annularly arranged about an axial centerline and a second row of tubes coaxially aligned with and spaced radially outwardly from the first row of tubes; and

b. impinging the fuel against a baffle that extends axially inside the fuel plenum, wherein the baffle is positioned radially between the first row of tubes and the second row of tubes, wherein the baffle defines a plurality of radial fuel flow paths which allow the fuel to flow radially through the baffle towards the second row of tubes.

18. The method as in claim 17 , wherein the impinging step comprises impinging the fuel against the baffle extending from the upstream surface to the downstream surface.

19. The method as in claim 17 , Wherein the impinging step comprises impinging the fuel against the baffle extending substantially parallel to the plurality of tubes.

20. The method as in claim 17 , wherein the impinging step comprises impinging the fuel against the baffle between radially adjacent tithes of the plurality of tubes.