Patent ID: 8864465

Claim:
A resin and fibre composite test blade for a blade-release test, the blade comprising: a root arranged for mounting the blade in use to a rotating hub, and the blade arranged to be released therefrom by the action of a controlled explosion, the blade arranged to receive at least one explosive charge, and at least one detonator for detonating the charge, and a cut-through portion extending completely through the blade from a front face to a rear face, and part way along the blade in an axial direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the blade so as to provide a radial interruption of the fibres of the blade, wherein the blade comprises first and second cavities each for receiving an explosive charge, the cavities being located either side axially of the cut-through portion, and further comprises third and fourth cavities which extend from a lower surface of the blade radially outwards respectively to the first and second cavities, the third and fourth cavities being arranged to receive detonators respectively for the explosive charges to be received in the first and second cavities.