# US 2016/0258299 A1 · Fluidic machining method and system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0258299 A1 - Document ID: US20160258299A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/037,013 - Filed: 2014-11-14 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-15 - Assignees: United Technologies Corporation - Applicants: United Technologies Corporation - Inventors: Sasha M. Moore; Thomas N. Slavens; Nicholas M. Loricco; Timothy J. Jennings - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258299A1 ## CPC - F01D 5/187: {Convection cooling} - B24C 3/327: {by an axially-moving flow of abrasive particles without passing a blast gun, impeller or the like along the internal surface (polishing or abrading surfaces using plastically deformable grinding compound, moved relatively to the workpiece under the influence of pressure B24B31/116)} - C23F 1/16: Acidic compositions (C23F1/42 takes precedence) - C23F 1/32: Alkaline compositions (C23F1/42 takes precedence) - F01D 9/02: Nozzles; Nozzle boxes; Stator blades; Guide conduits {, e.g. individual nozzles (nozzle boxes F01D9/047)} - F01D 11/08: for sealing space between rotor blade tips and stator (specially-shaped blade tips therefor F01D5/20) - F01D 25/12: Cooling - F05D 2220/32: in gas turbines - F05D 2230/10: by removing material - F05D 2300/506: Hardness - Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - B24C: ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL - C23F: NON-MECHANICAL REMOVAL OF METALLIC MATERIAL FROM SURFACE (working metal by laser beams B23K26/00; desurfacing by applying flames B23K7/00; working of metal by electro-erosion B23H; producing decorative effects by removing surface material, e.g. by engraving, by etching, B44C1/22; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F); INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL; MULTI-STEP PROCESSES FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL INVOLVING AT LEAST ONE PROCESS PROVIDED FOR IN CLASS C23 AND AT LEAST ONE PROCESS COVERED BY SUBCLASS C21D OR C22F OR CLASS C25 - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract One exemplary embodiment of this disclosure relates to a method of forming an engine component. The method includes forming an engine component having an internal passageway, the internal passageway formed with an initial dimension. The method further includes establishing a flow of machining fluid within the internal passageway, the machining fluid changing the initial dimension. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of forming an engine component, comprising: forming an engine component having an internal passageway, the internal passageway formed with an initial dimension; and establishing a flow of machining fluid within the internal passageway, the machining fluid changing the initial dimension. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the internal passageway is a serpentine-shaped passageway including a turn connecting two legs. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the machining fluid enlarges a dimension of the turn. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the machining fluid enlarges a dimension of the internal passageway. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the internal passageway is in communication with a hole configured to communicate fluid from the internal passageway to the exterior of the component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the machining fluid removes burrs adjacent the interface between the internal passageway and the hole, and enlarges a dimension of the hole adjacent the internal passageway. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the internal passageway includes at least one turbulator including a leading edge, the leading edge initially being substantially normal to an expected flow path within the internal passageway. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the machining fluid partially erodes the leading edge and provides the turbulator with a sloped leading edge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the turbulator is one of a trip strip and a pedestal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the machining fluid is provided with a Reynolds number substantially matching an expected Reynolds number of a flow of fluid within the internal passageway during operation of an engine. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the machining fluid is configured to partially erode a material of the engine component, and includes one of (1) a chemical solvent and (2) a suspended grit media. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, including forming the engine component using one of an additive manufacturing technique, a forging process, and a casting process before introducing the machining fluid into the internal passageway. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the engine component includes a plurality of internal passageways, and wherein a flow of machining fluid is established within each of the internal passageways. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the machining fluid is provided in the internal passageway for a predetermined time. ### Claim 15 A system for machining an engine component, comprising: an engine component including an internal passageway, the internal passageway formed with an initial dimension; a source of machining fluid, the source of machining fluid in communication with the internal passageway; and a control, wherein a flow of machining fluid is established within the internal passageway in response to an instruction from the control, the machining fluid configured to change the initial dimension. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the internal passageway is a serpentine-shaped passageway including a first leg, a second leg, and a turn connecting the first and second legs, and wherein the machining fluid enlarges a dimension of the turn and a dimension of the second leg. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the internal passageway is in communication with a hole configured to communicate fluid from the internal passageway to the exterior of the component, and wherein the machining fluid enlarges a dimension of the hole adjacent the internal passageway. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the internal passageway includes at least one turbulator initially including a leading edge substantially normal to an expected flow path within the internal passageway, and wherein the machining fluid provides the turbulator with a curved leading edge. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the turbulator is one of a trip strip and a pedestal. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the engine component is one of a rotor blade, a stator vane, and a blade outer air seal (BOAS).