Patent Publication Number: US-2023158554-A1

Title: Removing debris from an engine component

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates generally to an engine and, more particularly, to a removing debris from a component of the engine. 
     2. Background Information 
     A gas turbine engine may include a fluid passage integrated into a component. Where the fluid passage has a tortuous geometry and/or is located deep within the engine component, it may be difficult to remove debris (e.g., left over additive manufacturing powder, machining remnants, etc.) from the fluid passage in a post formation step. Left over debris within the fluid passage may negatively affect gas turbine engine operation. There is a need in the art therefore of apparatuses and methods for removing debris from an internal fluid passage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. During this method, an engine component is provided which 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 provided which 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. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, another method is provided. During this method, an engine component is provided that includes a component fluid passage and a receptacle. The component fluid passage extends within the engine component to an opening in the receptacle. A fluid diverter is provided that includes a head, a shank, a diverter fluid passage and a port. 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. The port extends through a sidewall of the shank to the diverter fluid passage. The shank is threaded into the receptacle to attach the fluid diverter to the engine component. The port fluidly couples the component fluid passage to the diverter fluid passage. Debris from the engine component is removed. This removing of the debris includes directing fluid through the component fluid passage into the diverter fluid passage. 
     According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid diverter with a longitudinal centerline is provided. This fluid diverter includes a head, a shank, a fluid passage and a port. The head is configured with a wrenching feature. The shank is connected to the head. The shank projects longitudinally out from the head to a distal end. The shank includes a first section and a second section. The first section is configured with external threads and is disposed longitudinally between the head and the second section. The second section is disposed longitudinally between the first section and the distal end. The fluid passage extends longitudinally through the head and partially longitudinally into the shank towards the distal end. The port extends laterally through a sidewall of the second section to the fluid passage. 
     The head may be configured with a wrenching feature. 
     A threaded portion of the shank may be between the head and the port. 
     The receptacle may extend through the engine component between a receptacle first end and a receptacle second end. The head may be disposed at the receptacle first end. The shank may plug a portion of the receptacle between the opening and the receptacle second end. 
     The head may be configured with a polygonal cross-sectional geometry. 
     The port may extend longitudinally within the sidewall. The port may extend circumferentially within the sidewall and about the longitudinal centerline at least two radians. 
     The fluid diverter may include a second port extending laterally through the sidewall to the fluid passage. 
     The fluid diverter may include a first seal element and a second seal element. The first seal element may be mounted on and may circumscribe the shank on a first longitudinal side of the port. The second seal element may be mounted on and may circumscribe the shank on a second longitudinal side of the port that is longitudinally opposite the first longitudinal side. 
     The providing of the engine component may include additively manufacturing the engine component. The debris may be configured as or otherwise include powder within the component fluid passage that is left over from the additively manufacturing of the engine component. 
     The debris may be configured as or otherwise include material within the component fluid passage that is left over from manufacturing of the engine component. 
     The engine component may be configured as or otherwise include a fuel manifold for a turbine engine. 
     The engine component may be configured as or otherwise include a case for a turbine engine. 
     The method may also include removing the fluid diverter from the receptacle subsequent to the directing of the fluid through the component fluid passage. 
     The method may also include mating an injector with the receptacle subsequent to the removal of the fluid diverter from the receptacle. The injector may plug a portion of the receptacle at the receptacle first end. 
     The fluid diverter may be configured as a bolt that threads into the receptacle during the mating of the fluid diverter with the receptacle. 
     The engine component may also be configured with a second component fluid passage extending within the engine component to the receptacle. The fluid diverter may block an opening to the second component fluid passage from the receptacle. 
     The engine component may also be configured with a second component fluid passage extending within the engine component to the receptacle. The fluid diverter may also be configured with a second port that fluidly couples the second component fluid passage to the diverter fluid passage. 
     The method may also include: 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. 
     The present disclosure may include any one or more of the individual features disclosed above and/or below alone or in any combination thereof. 
     The foregoing features and the operation of the invention will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a partial sectional illustration of a fluid diverter mated with an engine component viewed in a first reference plane perpendicular to an axis. 
         FIG.  2    is a partial sectional illustration of the fluid diverter mated with the engine component viewed in a second reference plane parallel with the axis. 
         FIG.  3    is a partial sectional illustration of the engine component viewed in the first reference plane. 
         FIG.  4    is a partial sectional illustration of the engine component viewed in the second reference plane. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective illustration of the fluid diverter mated with a washer and one or more seal elements. 
         FIG.  6    is an end view illustration of the fluid diverter. 
         FIG.  7    is a sectional illustration of the fluid diverter. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional illustration of the fluid diverter. 
         FIG.  9    is a flow diagram of a manufacturing method. 
         FIG.  10 A  is a partial sectional illustration of the fluid diverter mated with the engine component, where the engine component is configured with a fluid supply inlet. 
         FIG.  10 B  is a partial sectional illustration of the fluid diverter mated with the engine component, where a second fluid diverter is also mated with the engine component. 
         FIG.  11    is a partial sectional illustration of a fluid injector mated with the engine component. 
         FIG.  12    is a partial sectional illustration of the fluid diverter mated with the engine component, where the fluid diverter fluidly couples a plurality of internal fluid passages within the engine component. 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective illustration of the fluid diverter configured with multiple ports, where the fluid diverted is mated with one or more seal elements. 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic illustration of a gas turbine engine. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS.  1  and  2    illustrate an engine component  20  mated with a fluid diverter  22 . The engine component  20  is configured as part of a fluid delivery system for an internal combustion (IC) engine. For ease of description, this engine is described below as a gas turbine engine. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to gas turbine engine applications. For example, the engine may alternatively be configured as a reciprocating piston engine, a rotary engine, or any other type of engine where fuel is continuously or periodically injected into chamber or another internal volume (e.g., an open space) for combustion. Also for ease of description, the fluid delivery system is described below as a fuel delivery system. The engine component  20 , for example, may be configured as or included as part of a fuel manifold for the engine. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to fuel delivery applications. Fluid flowed within / delivered by the fluid delivery system during engine operation, for example, may also or alternatively facilitate heat transfer (e.g., heating and/or cooling) and/or lubrication for the engine component and/or one or more other components of the engine. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the engine component  20  is configured as an engine casing such as, but not limited to, a combustor section case, a diffuser case and/or a combustor wall (e.g., a liner wall, a bulkhead wall, etc.). This engine component  20  includes a case wall  24 , one or more fluid conduits  26 A and  26 B (generally referred to as “ 26 ”) (e.g., fuel conduits), at least one mounting boss  28  (e.g., a fuel injector mount) and at least one component receptacle  30  (e.g., a fuel injector aperture). 
     The case wall  24  may be configured as an arcuate or tubular member. The case wall  24  of  FIGS.  3  and  4   , for example, extends axially along a centerline axis  32  of the engine component  20 , which engine component centerline axis  32  may be coaxial with a centerline axis and/or a rotational axis of the engine. The case wall  24  extends circumferentially about (e.g., partially or completely around) the engine component centerline axis  32 . The case wall  24  of  FIG.  4    extends radially between a first (e.g., exterior, outer) side  34  of the case wall  24  and a second (e.g., interior, inner) side  36  of the case wall  24 , which case wall second side  36  is radially opposite the case wall first side  34 . 
     The fluid conduits  26  of  FIG.  3    may be arranged on laterally (e.g., circumferentially) opposing sides of the mounting boss  28  and the receptacle  30 . Each of the fluid conduits  26  is disposed at and/or is connected to the case wall first side  34 ; see  FIG.  4   . Each of the fluid conduits  26  is configured with an internal component fluid passage  38 A,  38 B (generally referred to as “ 38 ”); e.g., a fuel supply passage. This component fluid passage  38  may be formed by an internal bore and/or channel within the respective fluid conduit  26 . The component fluid passage  38  extends within and/or through the respective fluid conduit  26  along a (e.g., curved and/or straight) centerline  40 A,  40 B (generally referred to as “ 40 ”) of the component fluid passage  38  to a respective component fluid passage opening  42 A,  42 B (generally referred to as “ 42 ”) (e.g., an orifice), which fluid passage centerline  40  may also be a centerline of the fluid conduit  26 . 
     The mounting boss  28  is configured for mounting the fluid diverter  22  (see  FIGS.  1  and  2   ), as well as other devices such as a fuel injector  44  (see  FIG.  11   ), to the engine component  20 . The mounting boss  28  of  FIGS.  3  and  4   , for example, is a tubular member arranged at and/or connected to the case wall first side  34 . This mounting boss  28  projects longitudinally out from the case wall  24  and its first side  34  along a longitudinal centerline  46  (e.g., a centerline of the mounting boss  28 ) to a distal end  48  of the mounting boss  22 . 
     The receptacle  30  may be formed by an internal bore and/or channel within the engine component  20 . The receptacle  30  extends longitudinally along the longitudinal centerline  46  (e.g., a centerline of the receptacle  30 ) through the engine component  20  to and between a first (e.g., exterior, outer) end  50  of the receptacle  30  and a second (e.g., interior, inner) end  52  of the receptacle  30 , which receptacle second end  52  is longitudinally opposite the receptacle first end  50 . The receptacle first end  50  is arranged at the mounting boss distal end  48 . The receptacle second end  52  is arranged at the case wall second side  36 . The receptacle  30  of  FIGS.  3  and  4    thereby extends longitudinally along the longitudinal centerline  46  from the mounting boss distal end  48 , through the mounting boss  28  and the case wall  24 , to the case wall second side  36 . 
     The receptacle  30  may include a threaded portion  54  and a non-threaded portion  56 . The receptacle threaded portion  54  is a tapped portion of a sidewall of the receptacle  30 . The receptacle threaded portion  54  is disposed at (e.g., on, adjacent or proximate) the receptacle first end  50 . The receptacle non-threaded portion  56  is an untapped (e.g., smooth, cylindrical) portion of the receptacle sidewall. The receptacle non-threaded portion  56  is disposed at the receptacle second end  52 . 
     Each passage opening  42  is disposed along an intermediate region of the receptacle  30 . Each passage opening  42 , for example, is located longitudinally (e.g., midway) between the receptacle first end  50  and the receptacle second end  52  along the longitudinal centerline  46 . Each passage opening  42  of  FIGS.  3  and  4   , in particular, is disposed in the untapped portion of the receptacle sidewall - in the receptacle non-threaded portion  56 . Each component fluid passage  38  is thereby fluidly coupled with the receptacle  30  and its non-threaded portion  56  through its respective passage opening  42 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the fluid diverter  22  may be configured as an apertured fluid bolt; e.g., a debris evacuation bolt, a manifold clearance bolt, etc. The fluid diverter  22  of  FIG.  5   , in particular, extends longitudinally along the longitudinal centerline  46  (e.g., a centerline of the fluid diverter  22 ) between and to a first (e.g., exterior, outer) end  58  of the fluid diverter  22  and a second (e.g., interior, inner) end  60  of the fluid diverter  22 , which diverter second end  60  is longitudinally opposite the diverter first end  58 . The fluid diverter  22  of  FIG.  5    includes a diverter head  62  and a diverter base  64 , where the diverter head  62  may be a head of the fluid bolt and the diverter base  64  may be a shank of the diverter base  64 . 
     The diverter head  62  is connected to the diverter base  64  and arranged at the diverter first end  58 . Referring to  FIG.  6   , the diverter head  62  may be configured with a wrenching feature. An exterior of the diverter head  62  of  FIG.  6   , for example, is configured with one or more flats  66 ; e.g., planer surfaces. These flats  66  are distributed circumferentially about the longitudinal centerline  46 . The flats  66  of  FIG.  6    provide the diverter head  62  with a polygonal (e.g., hexagonal) cross-sectional geometry when viewed, for example, in a reference plane perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline  46 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the diverter base  64  projects longitudinally along the longitudinal centerline  46  from the diverter head  62  to the diverter second end  60 . The diverter base  64  of  FIG.  5    includes a plurality of sections such as, but not limited to, a (e.g., threaded) diverter mount  68 , a fluid coupler  70  and a receptacle plug  72 . 
     The diverter mount  68  is longitudinally between and connected to the diverter head  62  and the fluid coupler  70 . The diverter mount  68  of  FIG.  5   , for example, extends longitudinally along the longitudinal centerline  46  between and to the diverter head  62  and the fluid coupler  70 . An exterior of the diverter mount  68  is configured with threads for mating with the receptacle threaded portion  54 ; see  FIGS.  1  and  2   . The threaded exterior of the diverter mount  68  may be laterally (e.g., radially relative to the longitudinal centerline  46 ) recessed from the exterior of the diverter head  62  such that a (e.g., annular) head shoulder  74  (see also  FIG.  7   ) extends laterally between the elements  62  and  68  and circumferentially around the longitudinal centerline  46 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the fluid coupler  70  is longitudinally between and connected to the diverter mount  68  and the receptacle plug  72 . The fluid coupler  70  of  FIG.  7   , for example, extends longitudinally along the longitudinal centerline  46  to and between the diverter mount  68  and the receptacle plug  72 . The fluid coupler  70  is configured with a lateral width (e.g., a diameter) that is less than a lateral width (e.g., a diameter) of the diverter mount  68 . 
     The fluid coupler  70  includes at least one port  76 ; e.g., an aperture, a window, a pass-through, etc. Referring to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the port  76  extends laterally (e.g., radially relative to the longitudinal centerline  46 ) through a tubular sidewall  78  of the diverter base  64  to an internal diverter fluid passage  80  within the fluid diverter  22 . The port  76  extends circumferentially around the longitudinal centerline  46  within the base sidewall  78  between opposing circumferential sides  82  of the port  76 . Referring to  FIG.  7   , the port  76  extends longitudinally along the longitudinal centerline  46  within the base sidewall  78  between opposing longitudinal sides  84  and  86  of the port  76 . 
     The receptacle plug  72  is connected to the fluid coupler  70 . The receptacle plug  72  of  FIG.  7   , for example, projects longitudinally along the longitudinal centerline  46  from the fluid coupler  70  to a distal end  88  of the diverter base  64  at the diverter second end  60 . The receptacle plug  72  is a solid portion of the fluid diverter  22 . The receptacle plug  72 , for example, may be configured without any pathways through which fluid (e.g., cleaning solution) may to travel (e.g., laterally and/or longitudinally) thereacross. More particularly, the receptacle plug  72  of  FIG.  5    is configured without any apertures, bores, channels, etc. extending laterally and/or longitudinally through the receptacle plug  72 . 
     The diverter fluid passage  80  is formed by an internal bore of the fluid diverter  22 . This diverter fluid passage  80  projects longitudinally along the longitudinal centerline  46  into the fluid diverter  22  from the diverter first end  58  towards (e.g., but not to) the diverter second end  60  / the base distal end  88 . More particularly, the diverter fluid passage  80  extends longitudinally through the diverter head  62  and partially longitudinally into the diverter base  64  towards (e.g., to) the receptacle plug  72 . The diverter fluid passage  80  of  FIG.  7    is thereby configured as a blind passage. An opening  90  (e.g., an orifice) to the diverter fluid passage  80  at the diverter first end  58  provides, for example, an outlet for the fluid diverter  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the fluid diverter  22  is mated with (e.g., inserted and/or threaded) into the receptacle  30 . For example, during mating, the fluid diverter  22  is inserted longitudinally into the receptacle  30  at the receptacle first end  50 . The receptacle plug  72  is moved longitudinally through the receptacle threaded portion  54  and into the receptacle non-threaded portion  56 . The external threads of the diverter mount  68  are mated with the internal threads of the receptacle threaded portion  54 . The fluid diverter  22  is threaded (e.g., screwed) into the receptacle  30  using a tool (e.g., a wrench; not shown) until, for example, the head shoulder  74  is longitudinally abutted and preloaded against a surface on the boss distal end  48 . Engagement between the head shoulder  74  and the mounting boss  28  may be an indirect engagement through, for example, a washer  92 , or a direct engagement (e.g., contact) where the washer  92  is omitted. The fluid diverter  22  is thereby removably attached to the engine component  20  by a threaded interface between the interior threads on the sidewall of the receptacle threaded portion  54  and the exterior threads on the diverter mount  68 . 
     In the assembled position of  FIG.  1   , the port  76  is aligned with a respective one of the passage openings  42 ; e.g.,  42 A. The port  76  of  FIG.  1   , for example, at least partially or completely longitudinally overlaps and at least partially or completely circumferentially overlaps the respective passage opening  42 A to provide a (e.g., unobstructed) fluid coupling between the respective component fluid passage  38 A and the diverter fluid passage  80 . A portion of the base sidewall  78 , however, may at least partially or completely block off the other passage opening  42 B. The base sidewall  78  of  FIG.  1   , for example, completely longitudinally and circumferentially covers / overlaps the other passage opening  42 B. The base sidewall  78  may thereby substantially or completely fluidly decouple the other component fluid passage  38 B from the receptacle  30  and the diverter fluid passage  80 . In addition, the receptacle plug  72  plugs a portion of the receptacle  30  at (e.g., on, adjacent or proximate) the base distal end  88  and/or the receptacle second end  52 . This portion of the receptacle  30  is located longitudinally between the passage openings  42  and the receptacle second end  52 . The receptacle plug  72  thereby fluidly decouples the component fluid passages  38  from an internal plenum  94  within the case wall  24 . 
     In some embodiments, the fluid diverter  22  may be configured with one or more annular seal elements  96  and  98 ; see also  FIG.  5   . Each seal element  96 ,  98  may be configured as a ring seal such as, but not limited to, an O-ring element, a C-seal element, a crush seal element, a washer, etc. The port  76  and the passage openings  42  of  FIG.  1    are positioned longitudinally along the longitudinal centerline  46  between the first (e.g., outer) seal element  96  and the second (e.g., inner) seal element  98 . 
     The first seal element  96  of  FIG.  5    is mounted on and circumscribes the diverter base  64  on the longitudinal first side  84  of the port  76 . The first seal element  96  of  FIGS.  1  and  2    is laterally engaged with the diverter base  64  and the receptacle sidewall in the receptacle threaded portion  54 . The first seal element  96  may thereby form a seal interface between the fluid diverter  22  and the engine component  20  such that fluid, for example, does not leak (e.g., in an outward direction; vertically up in  FIG.  1   ) between the elements  20  and  22  into an external plenum  100 . 
     The second seal element  98  of  FIG.  5    is mounted on and circumscribes the diverter base  64  on the longitudinal second side  86  of the port  76 . This second seal element  98  may also be seated within a groove  102  (see  FIG.  7   ) in an exterior of the receptacle plug  72 . The second seal element  98  of  FIGS.  1  and  2    is laterally engaged with the diverter base  64  and the receptacle sidewall in the receptacle non-threaded portion  56 . The second seal element  98  may thereby form a seal interface between the fluid diverter  22  and the engine component  20  such that fluid, for example, does not leak (e.g., in an inward direction; vertically down in  FIG.  1   ) between the elements  20  and  22  into the internal plenum  94 . 
       FIG.  9    is a flow diagram of a manufacturing method  900 . For ease of description, this method  900  is described below with reference to the fluid diverter  22  and the engine component  20  described above. The method  900 , however, is not limited to such an exemplary fluid diverter or to such an exemplary engine component. 
     In step  902 , the engine component  20  is provided. The engine component  20 , for example, may be formed via additive manufacturing. For example, layers of powered may be iteratively deposited and selectively sintered to additively form / build-up the engine component  20  layer-by-layer. Following this formation process, internal volumes within the engine component  20  such as the fluid passages  38  and the receptacle  30  may be filled with left over unsintered powder. Traditional powder evacuation techniques may be employed to remove the bulk of this left over powder; however, some of the left over powder may remain within the engine component  20 . In addition or alternatively, machining operations (e.g., tapping of the receptacle  30 , etc.) may leave machining remnants (e.g., chips, grindings, etc.) behind within the engine component  20 . Such debris (e.g., powder, remnants, etc.) within the internal volumes of the engine component  20  may negatively affect engine component operation. The method  900  therefore facilitates removal of the debris as described below. 
     In step  904 , the fluid diverter  22  is provided. The fluid diverter  22 , for example, may be additively manufactured, cast, machined and/or otherwise forms as a single integral, unitary body. A non-monolithic body, by contrast, include parts that are discretely formed from one another, where those parts are subsequently mechanically fastened and/or otherwise attached to one another. 
     In step  906 , the fluid diverter  22  is mated with the receptacle  30 . This mating fluidly couples a respective one of the component fluid passages  38 A with the diverter fluid passage  80 . The mating plugs the receptacle  30  at or about the receptacle second end  52 . The mating may also block the passage opening  42 B to the other component fluid passage  38 B coupled with the receptacle  30 . 
     In step  908 , the debris is removed from the engine component  20 . In particular, fluid is directed through the component fluid passage  38 A and into the fluid diverter  22 . This fluid may be a cleaning solution or another liquid that is operable to dislodge and/or carry at least some or all of the debris within the component fluid passage  38 A. Directing the fluid through the component fluid passage  38 A may thereby clean the debris out the component fluid passage  38 A. The fluid carrying the debris flows out of the component fluid passage  38 A, through the port  76 , and into the diverter fluid passage  80 . The diverter fluid passage  80  directs this fluid and the debris out of the engine component  20 , for example, into the external plenum  100  or into another conduit (not shown) fluidly coupled with the fluid diverter  22  outside of the engine component  20 . With this process, at least some or all of the debris within the component fluid passage  38  may be removed from the engine component  20 . 
     By using the fluid diverter  22 , the debris may be removed from the component fluid passage  38 A and directed out of the engine component  20  without, for example, directing the debris through any other internal volumes of the engine component  20 . For example, by plugging the receptacle  30  with the receptacle plug  72  and/or blocking off the passage opening  42 B to the other component fluid passage  38 B, the debris carrying fluid may not flow further (e.g., deeper) into the engine component  20 . This may reduce or prevent depositing the debris into possibly otherwise debris free areas and/or adding to the debris in those other areas. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10 A , the fluid may be directed into the component fluid passage  38 A through an inlet  104  to the engine component  20 ; e.g., a manifold inlet. The fluid may also or alternatively be directed into the component fluid passage  38 A through another device. For example, referring to  FIG.  10 B , another fluid diverter  22 A may be mated with another receptacle  30 A of the engine component  20 . Here, the component fluid passage  38 A extends between and to the upstream receptacle  30 A and the downstream receptacle  30 B. The upstream fluid diverter  22 A functions as an inlet device for introducing the (e.g., clean, debris free) fluid into the engine component  20  and its component fluid passage  38 A. The downstream fluid diverter  22 B functions as an outlet device (as already described above) for extracting the (e.g., dirty, debris carrying) fluid out of the engine component  20  and its component fluid passage  38 A. 
     Following the removal of the debris from the component fluid passage  38 , one or more of the foregoing steps may be repeated to remove debris from one or more other internal volumes within the engine component  20 . For example, the fluid diverter  22  may be clocked (e.g., 180 degrees) within the receptacle  30  in order to remove debris from the other component fluid passage  38 B. In addition or alternatively, the fluid diverter  22  (or another fluid diverter  22 ) may be mated with another receptacle  30  within the engine component  20  to remove debris from the component fluid passage(s)  38  leading to that receptacle  30 . 
     In step  910 , the fluid diverter  22  is removed from the engine component  20  following the removal of the debris from the component fluid passage(s)  38  / the engine component  20 . 
     In step  912 , a fluid injector  106  (e.g., a fuel injector bolt) is mated with each receptacle  30 . For example, referring to  FIG.  11   , the injector  106  may be inserted into the receptacle  30  and attached to the engine component  20  in a similar fashion as described above with respect to the fluid diverter  22 . However, whereas the fluid diverter  22  plugs the receptacle  30  at or about the receptacle second end  52  and directs fluid (e.g., cleaning solution) outward into the external plenum  100  for example (see  FIGS.  1  and  2   ), the injector  106  plugs the receptacle  30  at or about the receptacle first end  50  and directs fluid (e.g., fuel) inwards into the internal plenum  94  (or another volume) for example. 
     While the engine component  20  is described as being formed using additive manufacturing, the method  900  is not limited to any particular engine component manufacturing technique. For example, the engine component  20  may alternatively be cast, machined and/or otherwise formed. The step  908  may then be used to remove, for example, machining remnants from the engine component  20 . 
     In some embodiments, referring to  FIG.  12   , the fluid diverter  22  may be clocked (e.g., 90 degrees) about the longitudinal centerline  46  such that the port  76  fluidly couples multiple component fluid passages  38  to the diverter fluid passage  80 . With such an arrangement, some of the fluid (e.g., cleaning solution) received from the upstream component fluid passage  38 A may be directed through the diverter fluid passage  80  and out of the engine component  20  to remove the debris. Some of the fluid may also be directed into and through the downstream component fluid passage  38 B to dislodge and/or carry away debris within that component fluid passage  38 . 
     In some embodiments, referring to  FIG.  8   , the port  76  has a circumferential width  108  that extends circumferentially about the longitudinal centerline  46  between two radians (~115 degrees) and four radians (~229 degrees). This circumferential width  108  may be selected to provide unobstructed fluid communication between the respective component fluid passage(s)  38  and the diverter fluid passage  80  (see  FIG.  1   ) even where, for example, the fluid diverter  22  is slightly mis-clocked; e.g., mis-aligned. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to such an exemplary circumferential width  108 . For example, in other embodiments, the circumferential width  108  may be between one radian (~57 degrees) and two radians (~115 degrees), less than one radian (~57 degrees) or greater than four radians (~229 degrees). 
     In some embodiments, referring to  FIG.  13   , the fluid diverter  22  may be configured with more than one port  76 . These ports  76  may be distributed circumferentially about the longitudinal centerline  46  in, for example, an annular array. Each of these ports  76   extends laterally through the base sidewall  78 , circumferentially within the sidewall  78  and longitudinally within the sidewall  78  similarly as described above. The ports  76  of  FIG.  13    are longitudinally aligned along the longitudinal centerline  46 , and symmetrically disposed (e.g., equi-circumferentially spaced) about the longitudinal centerline  46 . The present disclosure, however, is not limited to such an exemplary arrangement. 
     In some embodiments, referring to  FIG.  1   , the fluid diverter  22  may include an indicator  109 . This indicator  109  is configured to visually identify a location of a respective port  76  where the fluid diverter  22  is mated with the engine component  20  and the port  76  is hidden from view. The indicator  109  may be configured as a protrusion which projects out from the diverter head  62 . Examples of such a protrusion include, but are not limited to, a rib and a point protrusion. The indicator  109  may alternatively be configured as a depression which projects into the diverter head  62 . Examples of such a depression include, but are not limited to, a groove and a dimple. 
     The fluid diverter  22  may be constructed from various materials. The fluid diverter  22 , for example, may be constructed from metal and/or non-metal materials; e.g., a polymer. 
     The method  900  is described above with respect to manufacturing the engine component  20 . However, in other embodiments, various steps may be performed to service the engine component  20 . The method  900  may thereby also be performed as a maintenance and/or repair method. 
       FIG.  14    schematically illustrates a single spool, radial-flow turbojet turbine engine  110  with which an assembly  112  of the engine component  20  and the fuel injector(s)  44  may be included. This turbine engine  110  may be configured for propelling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a drone, or any other manned or unmanned aircraft or self-propelled projectile. In the specific embodiment of  FIG.  14   , the turbine engine  110  includes an upstream inlet  114 , a (e.g., radial) compressor section  116 , a combustor section  118  with a (e.g., annular) combustor and a (e.g., annular) combustion chamber  120 , a (e.g., radial) turbine section  122  and a downstream exhaust  123  fluidly coupled in series. A compressor rotor  124  in the compressor section  116  is coupled with a turbine rotor  126  in the turbine section  122  by a shaft  128 , which shaft  128  rotates about the centerline / rotational axis  32  of the turbine engine  110 . 
     The engine assembly  112  may be configured for a gas turbine engine as described above. This gas turbine engine may be configured for propulsion and/or power generation. The gas turbine engine may be a geared turbine engine which includes a gear train connecting one or more shafts to one or more rotors in a fan section, a compressor section and/or any other engine section. Alternatively, the gas turbine engine may be a direct-drive turbine engine configured without a gear train. The gas turbine engine may be configured as a single spool or a multi-spool turbine engine. The gas turbine engine may be configured as a turbofan engine, a turbojet engine, a propfan engine, a pusher fan engine, an auxiliary power unit (APU), an industrial turbine engine or any other type of gas turbine engine. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to any particular types or configurations of gas turbine engines. Furthermore, the engine assembly  112  may alternatively be configured with various other types of internal combustion engines. For example, the engine component  20  may be configured as a case, a block, a head or another component of a reciprocating piston engine, a rotary engine, or any other type of engine where fuel is continuously or periodically injected into chamber or another internal volume for combustion. 
     While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the present disclosure as described herein includes several aspects and embodiments that include particular features. Although these features may be described individually, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that some or all of these features may be combined with any one of the aspects and remain within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.