System and method for manufacturing an airfoil
A system for manufacturing an airfoil includes a laser beam and a first fluid column surrounding the laser beam to create a confined laser beam directed at the airfoil. A liquid flowing inside the airfoil disrupts the first fluid column inside the airfoil. A method for manufacturing an airfoil includes confining a laser beam inside a first fluid column to create a confined laser beam and directing the confined laser beam at a surface of the airfoil. The method further includes creating a hole through the surface of the airfoil with the confined laser beam, flowing a liquid inside the airfoil, and disrupting the first fluid column with the liquid flowing inside the airfoil.
1. A method for manufacturing an airfoil, comprising:
a. confining a laser beam inside a fluid column to create a confined laser beam;
b. directing said confined laser beam at a surface of the airfoil;
c. creating a hole through the surface of the airfoil with said confined laser beam, wherein said hole penetrates into a cavity defined within the airfoil between a pressure side and a suction side of the airfoil;
d. flowing a liquid through the cavity defined within the airfoil; and
e. disrupting said fluid column with said liquid flowing inside the airfoil cavity.
2. The method as in claim 1 , further comprising preventing said confined laser beam from striking an inside surface of the airfoil across from the hole.
3. The method as in claim 1 , further comprising scattering said confined laser beam inside the airfoil.
4. The method as in claim 1 , further comprising aligning said liquid to intersect with said fluid column inside the airfoil.
5. The method as in claim 1 , further comprising aligning said liquid substantially perpendicular to said fluid column inside the airfoil.
6. The method as in claim 1 , wherein flowing said liquid inside the airfoil comprises flowing water inside the airfoil.
7. The method as in claim 1 , wherein flowing said liquid inside the airfoil comprises flowing oil inside the airfoil.
8. A method for manufacturing an airfoil, comprising:
a. directing a laser beam at a surface of the airfoil;
b. confining said laser beam inside a fluid column outside of the airfoil to create a confined laser beam outside of the airfoil;
c. creating a hole through the surface of the airfoil with said confined laser beam, wherein said hole penetrates into a cavity defined within the airfoil between a pressure side and a suction side of the airfoil; and
d. disrupting said fluid column with a liquid flowing through said cavity inside the airfoil.
9. The method as in claim 8 , further comprising flowing said liquid inside the airfoil.
10. The method as in claim 8 , further comprising preventing said confined laser beam from striking an inside surface of the airfoil across from the hole.
11. The method as in claim 8 , further comprising scattering said confined laser beam inside the airfoil.
12. The method as in claim 8 , further comprising intersecting said fluid column with said liquid inside the airfoil.
13. The method as in claim 8 , wherein said liquid inside the airfoil comprises water inside the airfoil.
14. The method as in claim 8 , wherein said liquid inside the airfoil comprises oil inside the airfoil.