Combustor dome assembly of a gas turbine engine having a free floating swirler

A combustor dome assembly for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centerline axis extending therethrough, including: an annular dome plate (20) having an inner portion (30), an outer portion (32), a forward surface (34) and a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings formed therein, wherein a radial section is defined between adjacent openings; an annular outer cowl (38) connected to the outer portion (32) of the dome plate (20); an annular inner cowl (44) connected to the inner portion (30) of the dome plate (20); and, a swirler (26) located between the forward surface (34) of the dome plate (20) and the inner and outer cowls (44,38) in substantial alignment with each of the openings (36) in the dome plate (20). Each swirler (26) further includes a forward portion (50) and an aft portion (52) and is retained by at least one tab member (54, 56) located upstream thereof so as to be movable in a radial and axial direction.