What is the purpose of the interconnecting tubes between can-type combustion chambers?

The interconnecting tubes between can-type combustion chambers serve primarily to facilitate flame propagation during engine start. In a can-type combustion chamber design, each chamber operates independently but is connected to allow the ignition flame to travel from one chamber to another. This is critical during the starting phase of the engine, where consistent and reliable flame presence is required in each chamber to ensure proper combustion and engine operation.

If the flame were to be present in only one chamber, the interconnecting tubes allow the flame to propagate to adjacent chambers, thereby ensuring that all chambers ignite and operate properly. This design feature enhances the overall efficiency and reliability of the engine during startup, reducing the risk of an incomplete start that might cause an engine failure or other issues.

While fuel distribution is important, it is managed through fuel nozzles delivered directly to each combustion chamber. Pressure equalization serves specific functions but is not the primary role of these interconnecting tubes. Cooling air passages do exist in some engine designs, but in the context of interconnecting tubes in can-type combustion chambers, their main function revolves around facilitating flame propagation.