Beam blocking material and method for beam drilling and inspecting cooling holes
US5773790A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/9515
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of forming and inspecting beam drilled holes, and in particular laser beam drilled holes, in an article, such as a turbine blade or vane airfoil, with a hollow interior. The method includes (a) filling the hollow interior with a beam blocking material having fluorescent material, (b) beam drilling the holes in the wall through to the hollow interior, and (c) inspecting the hole under an ultraviolet light. The beam blocking material preferably includes a wax material and step (a) includes filling the hollow interior with a melted mixture of the wax and fluorescent materials. The wax material may be a pattern wax material suitable for use in making turbine blade investment casting molds and the fluorescent material may be a fluorescent penetrant.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.