Core leaching
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorJamie McGourlay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Removal of a soluble part of a core allows provision of relatively complex three-dimensional geometric shapes in a component. Unfortunately previous leaching arrangements have been relatively erratic such that it is difficult to provide consistency of component form over a batch of components formed. By providing a tank combination which comprises typically a number of dip tanks, it is possible to provide consistency in terms of leach solution efficiency upon cores. Generally leaching solution held within the tanks is adjusted through either a prior calibrating adjustment tank or through agitation or other means in the tank such that the effects of saturation ageing of the leaching solution can be homogenised across all cores subject to the leaching process.
Claims22
A core leaching arrangement for removal of a soluble part of a core, the arrangement comprising a tank combination to contain a volume of leaching fluid and the tank combination arranged to receive a number of cores, the arrangement characterised in that the tank combination includes adjustment means whereby the tank combination presents leaching fluid to each core for a desired rate of leach erosion of the soluble part of each core consistent or specifically varied over the number of cores received.
A method of leaching a core comprising providing a tank combination with a volume of leaching fluid in which a core can be dipped, the method characterised in that the leaching fluid is adjusted by adjustment means whereby the leaching fluid presented to each core is effectively calibrated for desired rate of leach erosion of the soluble part of each core consistently or specifically varied over the number of cores received.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.