IP Library Granted Patent US 11,684,954
Granted Patent B2
US 11,684,954 · App. 17/535,101 · Granted Jun 27, 2023

Removing debris from an engine component

Inventors: Lawrence A. Binek (Glastonbury, CT); Jose R. Paulino (Jupiter, FL)
Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
B08B3/04B33Y10/00B33Y40/00B33Y80/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,684,954
App. No.
17/535,101
Filed
Nov 24, 2021
Granted
Jun 27, 2023
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3726
USPC
29/426.2
Abstract

An engine component is configured with a component fluid passage and a receptacle. The component fluid passage extends within the engine component to the receptacle. The receptacle extends through the engine component between a receptacle first end and a receptacle second end. A fluid diverter is configured with a diverter fluid passage and a port. The fluid diverter extends between a diverter first end and a diverter second end. The diverter fluid passage extends partially into the fluid diverter from the diverter first end. The fluid diverter is mated with the receptacle. The diverter first end is disposed at the receptacle first end. The diverter plugs a portion of the receptacle at the diverter second end. The port fluidly couples the component fluid passage to the diverter fluid passage. Fluid is directed through the component fluid passage into the diverter fluid passage to remove debris from the engine component.

Claims (43)

1. A method, comprising:

providing an engine component configured with a component fluid passage and a receptacle, the component fluid passage extending within the engine component to the receptacle, and the receptacle extending through the engine component between a receptacle first end and a receptacle second end;

providing a fluid diverter configured with a diverter fluid passage and a port, the fluid diverter extending between a diverter first end and a diverter second end, and the diverter fluid passage extending partially into the fluid diverter from the diverter first end;

mating the fluid diverter with the receptacle, the diverter first end disposed at the receptacle first end, the diverter plugging a portion of the receptacle at the diverter second end, and the port fluidly coupling the component fluid passage to the diverter fluid passage; and

directing fluid through the component fluid passage into the diverter fluid passage to remove debris from the engine component;

wherein the debris comprises material within the component fluid passage that is left over from manufacturing of the engine component.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the engine component comprises a fuel manifold for a turbine engine.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the engine component comprises a case for a turbine engine.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing the fluid diverter from the receptacle subsequent to the directing of the fluid through the component fluid passage.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid diverter is configured as a bolt that threads into the receptacle during the mating of the fluid diverter with the receptacle.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein

the engine component is further configured with a second component fluid passage extending within the engine component to the receptacle; and

the fluid diverter blocks an opening to the second component fluid passage from the receptacle.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein

the engine component is further configured with a second component fluid passage extending within the engine component to the receptacle; and

the fluid diverter is further configured with a second port that fluidly couples the second component fluid passage to the diverter fluid passage.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a second fluid diverter configured with a second diverter fluid passage and a second port, the second fluid diverter extending between a second diverter first end and a second diverter second end, and the second diverter fluid passage extending partially into the second fluid diverter from the second diverter first end;

mating the second fluid diverter with a second receptacle that is fluidly coupled with the component fluid passage, the second receptacle extending through the engine component between a second receptacle first end and a second receptacle second end, the second diverter first end disposed at the second receptacle first end, the second diverter plugging a portion of the second receptacle at the second diverter second end, and the second port fluidly coupling the component fluid passage to the second diverter fluid passage; and

directing the fluid through the second diverter fluid passage and into the component fluid passage towards the diverter fluid passage.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein

the component fluid passage extends within the engine component to an opening in the receptacle;

the fluid diverter comprises a head and a shank, the shank projects out from the head to a distal end, the diverter fluid passage extends through the head and partially into the shank towards the distal end, and the port extends through a sidewall of the shank to the diverter fluid passage; and

the mating of the fluid diverter comprises threading the shank into the receptacle to attach the fluid diverter to the engine component.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the head is configured with a wrenching feature.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein a threaded portion of the shank is between the head and the port.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein

the head is disposed at the receptacle first end; and

the shank plugs a portion of the receptacle between the opening and the receptacle second end.

13. A method, comprising:

providing an engine component configured with a component fluid passage and a receptacle, the component fluid passage extending within the engine component to the receptacle, and the receptacle extending through the engine component between a receptacle first end and a receptacle second end;

providing a fluid diverter configured with a diverter fluid passage and a port, the fluid diverter extending between a diverter first end and a diverter second end, and the diverter fluid passage extending partially into the fluid diverter from the diverter first end;

mating the fluid diverter with the receptacle, the diverter first end disposed at the receptacle first end, the diverter plugging a portion of the receptacle at the diverter second end, and the port fluidly coupling the component fluid passage to the diverter fluid passage; and

directing fluid through the component fluid passage into the diverter fluid passage to remove debris from the engine component;

wherein the providing of the engine component comprises additively manufacturing the engine component; and

wherein the debris comprises powder within the component fluid passage that is left over from the additively manufacturing of the engine component.

14. A method, comprising:

providing an engine component configured with a component fluid passage and a receptacle, the component fluid passage extending within the engine component to the receptacle, and the receptacle extending through the engine component between a receptacle first end and a receptacle second end;

providing a fluid diverter configured with a diverter fluid passage and a port, the fluid diverter extending between a diverter first end and a diverter second end, and the diverter fluid passage extending partially into the fluid diverter from the diverter first end;

mating the fluid diverter with the receptacle, the diverter first end disposed at the receptacle first end, the diverter plugging a portion of the receptacle at the diverter second end, and the port fluidly coupling the component fluid passage to the diverter fluid passage;

directing fluid through the component fluid passage into the diverter fluid passage to remove debris from the engine component;

removing the fluid diverter from the receptacle subsequent to the directing of the fluid through the component fluid passage; and

mating an injector with the receptacle subsequent to the removal of the fluid diverter from the receptacle, the injector plugging a portion of the receptacle at the receptacle first end.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 27, 2023
From: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RTX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064714/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 24, 2021
From: BINEK, LAWRENCE A.; PAULINO, JOSE R.
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058207/0383 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230158554A1 · May 25, 2023