Test blade
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorsChristopher M Whitehead, Ewan F Thompson, Paul J Mason, Jeremy N Turner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A test blade for use in a blade-release test in which the blade is mounted on a rotatable hub and at least a portion of the blade is released therefrom by the action of a controlled explosion. The blade has a root portion for mounting on said rotatable hub and the root portion comprises a radially inner surface having a channel extending at least partly along or proximal the camber line. The channel is for receiving at least one explosive charge and at least one detonator which may be contained within a charge carrier.
Claims18
A test blade for use in a blade-release test in which the blade is mounted on a rotatable hub and at least a portion of the blade is released therefrom by the action of a controlled explosion, the blade having a root portion for mounting on said rotatable hub, wherein the root portion comprises a radially inner surface having a channel extending at least partly along or proximal a camber line, said channel for receiving at least one explosive charge and at least one detonator within a charge carrier, the charge carrier having a first portion for insertion into the channel and a second portion having a surface for abutting the radially inner surface of the root portion.
A charge carrier for insertion into a test blade for use in a blade-release test in which the blade is mounted on a rotatable hub and at least a portion of the blade is released therefrom by the action of a controlled explosion, the blade having a root portion for mounting on said rotatable hub, wherein the root portion comprises a radially inner surface having a channel extending at least partly along or proximal a camber line, said channel for receiving at least one explosive charge and at least one detonator, the charge carrier comprising:
- a first axially extending portion for insertion into the channel;
- and
- a second portion projecting laterally from the first portion and having a surface for abutting the radially inner surface of the root portion.
A method of preparing a test blade for use in a blade release test in which the blade is mounted on a rotatable hub and at least a portion of the blade is released therefrom by the action of a controlled explosion, the method comprising providing the blade with a channel extending at least partly along or proximal a camber line along a radially inner surface of a root portion of said blade, the root portion for mounting on said rotatable hub and the channel for receiving at least one explosive charge and at least one detonator within a charge carrier, the charge carrier having a first portion for insertion into the channel and a second portion having a surface for abutting the radially inner surface of the root portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.