Combustor liner flexible support and method

1. A combustor for a gas turbine comprising:

a combustor liner having a first end, a second end and a side wall extending between the first end and the second end;

a metering plate attached to the first end of the combustor liner;

a combustor casing at least partially surrounding the combustor liner;

an end cover connected to the combustor casing; and

a retainer, connecting the combustor liner to the combustor casing, arranged between the metering plate and the end cover and attached to the metering plate and to the end cover, the retainer comprising a first ring element constrained to the metering plate and a second ring element arranged between the first ring element and the end cover, and wherein an elastic arrangement is located between the second ring element and the end cover, the elastic arrangement includes resiliently deformable and radially projecting members, in surface contact with the end cover,

wherein the resiliently deformable and radially projecting members are circumferentially spaced relative about a perimeter of the second ring element with a gap defined between at least two adjacent projecting members.

2. The combustor of claim 1 , wherein an additional elastic arrangement is located between the first ring element and the second ring element, at least one of the elastic arrangement and the additional elastic arrangement is pre-loaded and provides a frictional damping action.

3. The combustor of claim 1 , wherein the second elastic arrangement is in surface contact with the end cover.

4. The combustor of claim 1 , wherein the second ring element is provided with resiliently deformable and radially projecting members, in surface contact with the end cover.

5. The combustor of claim 4 , wherein the second ring element defines holes configured to receive fasteners therethrough to secure the second ring element to the end cover.

6. The combustor of claim 4 , wherein the gap is defined between each pair of adjacent resiliently deformable and radially projecting members.

7. The combustor of claim 1 , wherein the metering plate is provided with a plurality of metering holes extending therethrough, and wherein the first ring element is attached to a surface portion of the metering plate devoid of metering holes.

8. A method for mounting a combustor liner in a combustor casing of a gas turbine combustor, the method comprising:

attaching a metering plate of a combustor liner to a retainer, the retainer comprising a first ring element constrained to the metering plate, a second ring element arranged between the first ring element and an end cover attachable to an end of the combustor casing, and an elastic arrangement in surface contact with the end cover, the elastic arrangement includes resiliently deformable and radially projecting members, in surface contact with the end cover, wherein the resiliently deformable and radially projecting members are circumferentially spaced relative about a perimeter of the second ring element with a gap defined between at least two adjacent projecting members;

attaching the retainer to the end cover;

introducing the combustor liner into the combustor casing; and

connecting the end cover to the combustor casing such that the combustor liner is supported approximately concentrically in the combustor casing.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein an additional elastic arrangement is located between the first ring element and the second ring element, and the method further comprising resiliently pre-loading at least one of the elastic arrangement and the additional elastic arrangement.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising pre-loading the elastic arrangement against the end cover, thus generating a frictional force therebetween.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising providing a vibration-damping arrangement between the metering plate and the end cover.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising locating the elastic arrangement at least between the second ring element and the end cover.