Patent ID: 9283643
Filing Date: 2016-03-15
CPC Classification: B23P,F04D,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method of removing liquid from the surface of an airfoil, the airfoil having an upper exterior surface, a lower exterior surface, a generally solid interior, a span dimension and a width dimension, comprising: drilling at least one passage bore into the generally solid interior of the airfoil, the passage bore extending between the lower exterior surface and the upper exterior surface and across the width or length of the airfoil, the passage bore operable to deliver air or other gas from an external source into the interior of the airfoil; wherein the passage bore has a port for receiving air or other gas into the passage bore; cross drilling a series of holes from the lower exterior surface or from the upper exterior surface, or from both, to the passage bore, in a direction generally perpendicular to the passage bore, and such that air or other gas may flow through the passage bore to the exterior surface of the airfoil via the holes; and providing air or other gas into the port of the passage bore such that the air or other gas flows through the passage bore prior to being expelled to the upper exterior surface or the lower exterior surface via the holes.