Patent ID: 9702817
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: B23P,F01D,F05D,G01M,G01N

Claim:
1. A method for testing an engine component for blockage of one or more through-holes in at least a portion of a wall thereof, wherein the portion of the wall comprises a known pattern of through-holes therein extending between first and second sides of the wall, the method comprising: (i) providing in a first region to the first side of the wall a supply of a test fluid, wherein the test fluid comprises a material able to scatter electromagnetic radiation incident thereon; (ii) causing or permitting a flow of the test fluid to occur from the first region to a second region to the second side of the wall; (iii) illuminating the second region with electromagnetic radiation to cause scattering of electromagnetic radiation by material exiting substantially non-blocked through-holes in the wall portion having passed therethrough from the first side to the second side; (iv) detecting said scattering of electromagnetic radiation from said substantially non-blocked through-holes; and (v) comparing said detected scattering of electromagnetic radiation from said substantially non-blocked holes with the known pattern of through-holes in the component wall portion to determine the presence and/or location and/or identity of any blocked or partially blocked through-holes in the component wall portion.