GB2588805A

GB2588805A - A method of testing a component and a device for testing a component

Info

Publication number: GB2588805A
Application number: GB1916270.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: L Hanlon Roisin; Almandoz Forcen Koldo; Strathern Jamie; Frier Harriet; Hemmings Andrew; Li Yuwei
Original assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
Current assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
Priority date: 2019-11-08
Filing date: 2019-11-08
Publication date: 2021-05-12
Also published as: GB201916270D0

Abstract

There is described a method of testing a component, the component 24 comprising one or more fluid inlet holes and a plurality of outlet regions 208,210,212,214, each outlet region comprising one or more fluid outlet holes 206 fluidically coupled to the one or more fluid inlet holes, the method comprising: supplying (A3, fig 8) fluid to the one or more fluid inlet holes, wherein separate portions of the fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes exit respective outlet regions via their respective one or more fluid outlet holes 206; measuring a parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over a period of time; and estimating (A5) a flow rate of air exiting one or more of the plurality of outlet regions based on the measured parameters relating to the amounts of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time. There is also described a device for testing a component 24, the device comprising a housing (44, fig 3) for receiving the component, the component comprising one or more fluid inlet holes and a plurality of outlet regions, each outlet region comprising one or more fluid outlet holes fluidically coupled to the one or more fluid inlet holes, the housing (44) defining a chamber for housing the component, wherein the housing cooperates with the component so as to define a plurality of fluid passageways, each of the fluid passageways being configured to receive fluid exiting from the plurality of fluid outlet holes of a respective outlet region 208,210,212,214.

Description

A METHOD OF TESTING A COMPONENT AND A DEVICE FOR TESTING A

COMPONENT

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a method of testing a component and a device for testing a component.

Background of the Disclosure

A gas turbine engine typically comprises a plurality of turbine sections, for example a high-pressure turbine, an intermediate pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine. Each turbine section comprises a plurality of turbine blades attached to a disk or hub. During operation of the gas turbine engine, the turbine blades are exposed to a high temperature flow of gas produced by a combustor and extract energy from the flow in order to power compressor stages of the gas turbine engine.

Cooling turbine blades prevents them from being damaged by the high temperature flow of gas and increases their lifespan. Many different cooling techniques are known for cooling turbine blades. One such cooling technique is film cooling. Film cooling involves pumping cooling air through the turbine blade and out of multiple small openings in the external surface of the turbine blade. This creates a thin layer of cooling air on the external surface of the blade, which reduces the heat transfer from the high temperature gas produced by the combustor.

This airflow is of critical importance to the performance of the turbine blades, and, thus, the gas turbine engine as a whole. For example, if the actual rate of flow of air through a cooling hole is lower than the design rate of flow, the area of the turbine blade close to and downstream of the cooling hole may operate at a higher temperature than it was designed for. This may in turn result in increased levels of oxidation within the cooling hole, which has the effect of further restricting the airflow through the cooling hole.

A number of methods have been devised in an attempt to analyse the flow of air through the cooling holes. One such method involves pumping water into the turbine blade and visually inspecting each cooling hole individually in order to ensure that none of the cooling holes are releasing reduced levels of water. However, such a method is time consuming and does not produce quantitative data that can be analysed to determine the performance of the cooling system. An alternative method that has been proposed involves using flow thermography to use heat to determine cooling hole blockage. However, such a method is computationally demanding and has not been proven to be able to accurately determine airflow.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved method of testing a component and a device for testing a component that overcomes these issues.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect there is provided a method of testing a component, the component comprising one or more fluid inlet holes and a plurality of outlet regions, each outlet region comprising one or more fluid outlet holes fluidically coupled to the one or more fluid inlet holes, the method comprising: supplying fluid to the one or more fluid inlet holes, wherein separate portions of the fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes exit respective outlet regions via their respective one or more fluid outlet holes; measuring a parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over a period of time; and estimating a flow rate of air exiting one or more of the plurality of outlet regions based on the measured parameters relating to the amounts of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time.

The estimated flow rate of air may be an estimated mass flow rate of air during normal operation of component.

The method may further comprise determining the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions under test conditions. The flow rate of air exiting one or more of the plurality of outlet regions may be estimated based on the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions under test conditions The measured parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time may be the weight of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet portions over the period of time. The estimated flow rate of air exiting one or more of the plurality of outlet regions may be determined using the formula: "'region are gconi X abutk,n2combined = rn regtoni, = 1, 2, 3 Incombined 1=1 where eznyion, represents the estimated flow rate of air exiling the outlet region i, Mregioni represents the weight of the portion of fluid exiting the outlet region i over the period of time, 772 combined represents the combined weight of the portions of fluid exiting all of the plurality of outlet regions over the period of time, abut, represents the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions under test conditions, i represents the number of the outlet region and n represents the total number of outlet regions.

The measured parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time may be the volume of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet portions over the period of time. The estimated air flow rate of air exiting one or more of the plurality of outlet regions may be determined using the formula: Vregioni are,moni = X abidk,Vcombined = Vregioni I = 1, 2, 3..., n V combined 1=1 where a -region represents the estimated flow rate of air exiting the outlet region i, Vregioni represents the volume of the portion of fluid exiting the outlet region i over the period of time, V-combined represents the combined volume of the portions of fluid exiting all of the plurality of outlet regions over the period of time, abut, represents the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions under test conditions, i represents the number of the outlet region and n represents the total number of outlet regions.

The measured parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time may be the flow rate of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet portions over the period of time. The estimated flow rate of air exiting one or more of the plurality of outlet regions may be determined using the formula: fregioni a a* = X abulk, !combined fregioni, = 1, 2, 3..., n [combined i=1 where aregioni represents the estimated flow rate of air exiting the outlet region i, fre,gioni represents the flow rate of the portion of fluid exiting the outlet region i over the period of time, [combined represents the combined flow rate of the portions of fluid exiting all of the plurality of outlet regions over the period of time,et -bulk represents the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions under test conditions, i represents the number of the outlet region and n represents the total number of outlet regions The method may further comprise measuring the flow rate of fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes. The period of time may only start when the flow rate of fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes is stable and/or when the flow rate of the fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes is equal to [combined The pressure of the fluid being supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes may be measured and the period of time may only start when the pressure is stable. ;The separate portions of the fluid may exit respective outlet regions via their respective fluid outlet holes simultaneously. ;The fluid may be water. ;The component may be a turbine blade or a nozzle guide vane or a combustor 25 component. ;The component may be a turbine blade. The plurality of outlet regions may include one or more of a shroud region, a leading edge region, a pressure surface region and a trailing edge region. ;The component may comprise a plurality of fluid inlet holes and one or more of the fluid inlet holes may be occluded such that fluid is prevented from exiting one or more additional outlet regions comprising one or more fluid outlet holes. ;Each outlet region may comprise a plurality of fluid outlet holes. ;According to a second aspect there is provided a device for testing a component, the device comprising a housing for receiving the component, the component comprising one or more fluid inlet holes and a plurality of outlet regions, each outlet region comprising one or more fluid outlet holes fluidically coupled to the one or more fluid inlet holes, the housing defining a chamber for housing the component, wherein the housing cooperates with the component so as to define a plurality of fluid passageways, each of the fluid passageways being configured to receive fluid exiting from the plurality of fluid outlet holes of a respective outlet region. ;The housing may comprise a plurality of housing portions. The plurality of housing portions may be attachable to and separable from each other. The plurality of housing portions may together define the chamber and one or more of the plurality of fluid passageways. ;The device may comprise a seal disposed between the plurality of housing portions for sealing the plurality of fluid passageways from each other when the plurality of housing portions are attached to each other and the component is housed in the chamber. ;Brief Description of the Drawings ;Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the Figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a ducted fan gas turbine engine; Figure 2 shows a turbine blade; Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus for testing the turbine blade; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first housing portion; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second housing portion; Figure 6 is a first perspective view of a switching device; Figure 7 is a second perspective view of a switching device; and Figure 8 is a flowchart of a method of testing the turbine blade. ;Detailed Description of the Disclosure ;Figure 1 shows a ducted fan gas turbine engine 10 having a principal and rotational axis X-X. The engine comprises, in axial flow series, an air intake 11, a propulsive fan 12, an intermediate pressure compressor 13, a high-pressure compressor 14, combustion equipment 15, a high-pressure turbine 16, an intermediate pressure turbine 17, a low-pressure turbine 18 and a core engine exhaust nozzle 19. A nacelle 21 generally surrounds the engine 10 and defines the intake 11, a bypass duct 22 and a bypass exhaust nozzle 23. ;During operation, air entering the intake 11 is accelerated by the fan 12 to produce two air flows: a first air flow A into the intermediate pressure compressor 13 and a second air flow B which passes through the bypass duct 22 to provide propulsive thrust. The intermediate pressure compressor 13 compresses the air flow A directed into it before delivering that air to the high pressure compressor 14 where further compression takes place. ;The compressed air exhausted from the high-pressure compressor 14 is directed into the combustion equipment 15 where it is mixed with fuel and the mixture combusted. The resultant hot combustion products then expand through, and thereby drive the high, intermediate and low-pressure turbines 16, 17, 18 before being exhausted through the nozzle 19 to provide additional propulsive thrust. The high, intermediate and low-pressure turbines respectively drive the high and intermediate pressure compressors 14, 13 and the fan 12 by suitable interconnecting shafts. ;Figure 2 is a perspective view of a turbine blade 24. The turbine blade 24 may be a turbine blade of the high pressure turbine 16 or the intermediate pressure turbine 17 shown in Figure 1, for example. The turbine blade 24 comprises a fir tree root 200, an aerofoil 202 and a shroud 204. The turbine blade 24 is provided with a cooling system comprising first and second cooling air inlet holes (not shown) formed in the root 200, first and second cooling air channels (not shown) and a plurality of fluid outlet holes 206. The fluid outlet holes 206 are grouped together in four distinct outlet regions, namely a shroud region 208, a leading edge region 210, a pressure surface region 212 and a trailing edge region 214. Each outlet region 208, 210, 212, 214 comprises a plurality of fluid outlet holes 206. ;The first cooling air inlet hole is fluidically coupled (i.e. connected) to the fluid outlet holes 206 of the shroud region 208 and the leading edge region 210 by the first cooling air channel. The second cooling air inlet hole is fluidically coupled to the fluid outlet holes 206 of the pressure surface region 212 and the trailing edge region 214 by the second cooling air channel. During operation of the gas turbine engine 10, cooling air is supplied to the first and second cooling air inlet holes, which passes through the first and second cooling air channels and exits the fluid outlet holes 206 so as to cool the turbine blade 24. ;Figure 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus 30 for carrying out a method of testing the turbine blade 24. The apparatus 30 comprises a tank 32, a pump 34, a ball valve 36, a pressure gauge 38, a plurality of fluid lines 42, a housing 44, a switching device 46, first, second, third and fourth collection vessels 48, 50, 52, 54, first, second, third and fourth fluid lines 56, 58, 60, 62 and a waste water tank 66. The tank 32, the pump 34, the ball valve 36, the pressure gauge 38 and the plurality of fluid lines 42 form a water delivery system. The housing 44 forms a water separation system. The switching device 46, the collection vessels 48, 50, 52, 54, the fluid lines 56, 58, 60, 62 and the waste water tank 66 form a water collection system. ;Figure 4 and Figure 5 show a first housing portion 68 and a second housing portion 70. The first and second housing portions 68, 70 are separate components that form the housing 44 and together define a chamber in which the turbine blade 24 may be housed. The first and second housing portions 68, 70 may be additively manufactured and may be formed of nylon. The first housing portion 68 comprises a first recess 72, a second recess 74, a surface 76, a third recess 78, an inner groove having a semicircular profile and an outer slot 91. A seal 88 is positioned within the inner groove of the first housing portion 68. The second housing portion 70 comprises a first recess 80, a second recess 82, a third recess 84, a fourth recess 86, a triangular groove 90 and an outer slot 93. When assembled, the turbine blade 24 is positioned between and housed within the first housing portion 68 and the second housing portion 70. The first recess 72, the second recess 74, the surface 76 and the third recess 78 of the first housing portion 68 are aligned with the first recess 80, the second recess 82, the third recess 84 and the fourth recess 86 of the second housing portion 70, respectively. ;The first recesses 72, 80 and the shroud region 208 define a first cavity or passageway. The second recesses 74, 82 and the leading edge region 210 define a second cavity or passageway. The third recess 84 of the second housing portion 70 and the pressure surface region 212 define a third cavity or passageway. The third recess 78 of the first housing portion 68, the fourth recess 86 of the second housing portion 70 and the trailing edge region 214 define a fourth cavity or passageway. A first passageway (not shown) fluidically couples the first cavity to a first outlet nozzle 92 formed by the first housing portion 68. A second passageway (not shown) fluidically couples the second cavity to a second outlet nozzle 94 formed by the second housing portion 70. A third passageway (not shown) fluidically couples the third cavity to a third outlet nozzle 96 formed by the second housing portion 70. A fourth passageway (not shown) fluidically couples the fourth cavity to a fourth outlet nozzle 98 formed by the first housing portion 68. ;The outlet area of each of the first, second, third and fourth outlet nozzles 92, 94, 96, 98 may be sufficiently large to prevent the first, second, third and fourth outlet nozzles 92, 94, 96, 98 forming bottlenecks or choking flow. For example, the outlet area of each of the first, second, third and fourth outlet nozzles 92, 94, 96, 98 may be at least 10 times greater than the combined cross-sectional area of the fluid outlet holes 206 of their respective regions. Accordingly, water does not build up within the cavities. ;Figure 6 shows a first perspective view of the switching device 46 from above. The switching device 46 comprises a tray 100 and a housing 102. The tray 100 is slidably received within the housing 102. The tray 100 comprises first, second, third and fourth inlets 104, 106, 108, 110 and a central opening 112. The first, second, third and fourth inlets 104, 106, 108, 110 each comprise a nozzle extending upwards from an upper surface 114 of the tray 100. The upper surface 114 of the tray 100 is concave and is angled downwards towards the opening 112. ;Figure 7 shows a second perspective view of the switching device 46 from below. The housing 102 comprises first and second retaining flanges 101, 103, which form an open channel 105. The housing 102 further comprises first, second, third, fourth and fifth outlet nozzles 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. The first, second, third, fourth and fifth outlet nozzles 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 each comprise a nozzle extending downwards from a lower surface 126 of the tray 100. The first, second, third and fourth fluid lines 56, 58, 60, 62 are connected to the first, second, third and fourth outlet nozzles 116, 118, 120, 122, respectively. ;The tray 100 can slide between a first position as shown in Figures 6 and 7 and a second position. In the first position, the first, second, third and fourth inlets 104, 106, 108, 110 of the tray 100 are not aligned with the respective first, second, third and fourth outlet nozzles 92, 94, 96, 98 or the respective first, second, third and fourth outlet nozzles 116, 118, 120, 122. However, the opening 112 of the tray 100 is aligned with the fifth outlet nozzle 124. In the second position, the opening 112 of the tray 100 is not aligned with the fifth outlet nozzle 124 of the housing 102. However, the first, second, third and fourth inlets 104, 106, 108, 110 of the tray 100 are aligned with the respective first, second, third and fourth outlet nozzles 92, 94, 96, 98 of the housing 44 and the respective first, second, third and fourth outlet nozzles 116, 118, 120, 122 of the housing 102. ;Figure 8 shows a flowchart of a method 128 of testing a turbine blade 24. In a first step Al of the method, a test rig is used to determine bulk airflow of the turbine blade 24 under test conditions. The bulk airflow is the total (i.e. combined) mass flow rate of air passing out of turbine blade 24 (i.e. the combined mass flow rate of air passing out of the plurality of fluid outlet holes 206 of all of the regions 208, 210, 212, 214). The bulk airflow of the turbine blade 24 can be determined using one of a number of existing techniques, and may be determined as part of a separate process at a different location, at a different time and/or by a third party. The test conditions are set up such that the bulk air flow under test conditions substantially corresponds to bulk air flow during operation of the gas turbine engine 10. ;In a second step A2 of the method, the apparatus 30 is set up. The turbine blade 24 is housed within the housing 44. The switching device 46 is attached to the housing 44 by sliding the first and second retaining flanges 101, 103 into the slots 91, 93. A pair of grips are additionally used to hold the first and second housing portions 68, 70 together. The root 200 of the turbine blade 24 is inserted into a root fixture, which is in turn inserted into a plenum. A plate is secured to the plenum so as to retain the root fixture, and thus the root 200 of the turbine blade 24, within the root fixture. The fluid line 42 is connected to the plenum such that fluid communication is established between the fluid line 42 and the first and second cooling air inlet holes of the turbine blade 24. The root fixture may be made of polyurethane. The plenum may be machined out of nylon. The plate may be made out of Perspex. The tank 32 is filled with water and the tray 100 is moved to the first position. ;In a third step A3 of the method, the pump 34 is switched on such that water is drawn from the tank 32 and pumped along the fluid line 42 into the housing 44. The water is supplied to the first and second cooling air inlet holes, passes along the first and second cooling air channels and exits the turbine blade 24 out of the plurality of fluid outlet holes 206. The water pumped through the turbine blade 24 is clean, filtered water. ;The water exiting the fluid outlet holes 206 of the shroud region 208 enters the first cavity, passes along the first passageway and passes out of the first outlet nozzle 92. The water exiting the fluid outlet holes 206 of the leading edge region 210 enters the second cavity, passes along the second passageway and passes out of the second outlet nozzle 94. The water exiting the fluid outlet holes 206 of the pressure surface region 212 enters the third cavity, passes along the third passageway and passes out of the third outlet nozzle 96. The water exiting the fluid outlet holes 206 of the trailing edge region 214 enters the fourth cavity, passes along the fourth passageway and passes out of the fourth outlet nozzle 98. With the tray 100 in the first position, water passing out of the first, second, third and fourth outlet nozzles 92, 94, 96, 98 exits onto the upper surface 114 of the tray 100 and passes through the opening 112, out of the fifth outlet nozzle 124 and into the waste water tank 66. ;The pressure of the water being pumped along the fluid line 42 is measured by the pressure gauge 38. If the pressure is too high or too low, the ball valve 36 is actuated so as to bring the pressure within acceptable limits. Once the pressure is stable (i.e. once equilibrium has been reached) and within acceptable limits (e.g. within a pressure range high enough for the water to jet out of the fluid outlet holes 206), the tray 100 is moved to the second position, thereby starting a period of time. With the tray 100 in the second position, water passing out of the first, second, third and fourth outlet nozzles 92, 94, 96, 98, passes through the respective first, second, third and fourth inlets 104, 106, 108, 110 of the tray 100, passes into the respective first, second, third and fourth outlets nozzles 116, 118, 120, 122 of the housing 102, passes along respective fluid lines 56, 58, 60, 62 and into respective first, second, third and fourth collection vessels 48, 50, 52, 54. The water is collected in the first, second, third and fourth collection vessels 48, 50, 52, 54 simultaneously. ;After a predefined period of time has elapsed, the tray 100 is moved back to the first position, such that the water is no longer collected in the first, second, third and fourth collection vessels 48, 50, 52, 54. The predefined period of time may be 10 seconds, for example. Longer periods of time may be used in order to reduce error arising from the variation in the time taken to move the tray 100 between the first and second positions. ;In a fourth step A4 of the method, a parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time is measured. In a first example, the parameter is the weight of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions. To this end, the weight of the water collected in each of the collection vessels 48, 50, 52, 54 is measured. ;In a fifth step AS of the method, the measurements are analysed. The measurements can be used to estimate the mass flow rate of air exiting the fluid outlet holes 206 of the individual regions under test conditions, and, thus, during operation of the gas turbine engine 10. ;The mass flow rate of air exiting the fluid outlet holes 206 of each region under test conditions, and, thus, during operation of the gas turbine engine 10 is estimated using the following formula: Mregionf11 aregtont X abutlomcombined = mregioni, = 1, 2, 3... , n mcombined i=i In the abovemenfioned formula, --,egioni represents the estimated mass flow rate of air exiting the outlet region, m9 represents the weight of the portion of fluid exiting the outlet region i over the period of time, rn -combined represents the combined (i.e. total) weight of the portions of fluid exiting all of the plurality of outlet regions 208, 210, 212, 214 over the period of time and elbutk represents the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions 208, 210, 212, 214 under test conditions (i.e. the bulk airflow) determined during step Al. In the abovemenfioned formula, i = 1, 2, 3..., n, where i represents the number of the outlet region and n represents the total number of outlet regions. For example, in the example provided above in which the fluid outlet holes 206 are grouped together in four distinct regions, n is equal to 4 and the shroud region 208, the leading edge region 210, the pressure surface region 212 and the trailing edge region 214 may be the first, second, third and fourth regions, respectively. ;The estimated mass flow rate of air exiting the plurality of fluid outlet holes 206 of each of the regions 208, 210, 212, 214 is checked to see whether the turbine blade 24 is performing in accordance with design intent. ;In an alternative method, the abovementioned steps may be followed. However, one of the first and second cooling air inlet holes or one of the first and second cooling air channels may be occluded. This may be done using wax, silicone, or by providing a root fixture or plenum that occludes the relevant first or second cooling air inlet hole. The fluid outlet holes 206 of a subset of the shroud region 208, leading edge region 210, the pressure surface region 212 and the trailing edge region 214 can then be analysed in a similar manner. ;The abovementioned method is production-friendly and can easily be industrialised in a high-volume environment. For example, the apparatus could be modified in order to test multiple (e.g. up to ten) turbine blades 24 concurrently or sequentially. ;Although it has been described that the method is carried out manually, the apparatus may be part of an automated system and one or more of the steps of the method may be carried out automatically. For example, the detection of pressure and the operation of the switching device 46 may be automated. ;Although it has been described that clean, filtered water is pumped through the turbine blade 24, a number of alternative fluids may be used. For example, a mild acid or alkali may be used. ;It has been described that the parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time is the weight of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions. However, in alternative embodiments it may be a different parameter. For example, in a second example, the parameter may be the volume of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions. In such circumstances, the formulae presented above may be replaced by the following formulae: Vregioni aregzoni= X etbulk, Vcombined = vregioni P i = 1, 2, 3...,n combined t=1 In the abovementioned formula, a -regioni represents the estimated mass flow rate of air exiting the outlet region I, vregioni represents the volume of the portion of fluid exiting the outlet region i and collected over the period of time,combinedd 12 represents the ;- ;combined (i.e. total) volume of the portions of fluid exiting of all of the plurality of regions 208, 210, 212, 214 and collected over the period of time and a -bulk represents the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions 208, 210, 212, 214 under test conditions (i.e. the bulk airflow) determined during step Al. In the abovementioned formula, i = 1, 2, 3..., n, where i represents the number of the outlet region and n represents the total number of outlet regions. For example, in the example provided above in which the fluid outlet holes 206 are grouped together in four distinct regions, n is equal to 4 and the shroud region 208, the leading edge region 210, the pressure surface region 212 and the trailing edge region 214 may be the first, second, third and fourth regions, respectively. ;In a third example, the parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time may be the flow rate of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions. To this end, flow meters can be installed on each of the first, second, third and fourth fluid lines 56, 58, 60, 62 to measure the rate of flow of water released from each of the outlet regions 208, 210, 212, 214. In such circumstances, the formulae presented above may be replaced by the following formulae: fregioni are,gioni = ç X abulk, fcombinedfregioni t = 1, 2, 3...,n combined i=1 In the abovementioned formula, dreg represents the mass flow rate of air exiting the fluid outlet holes 206 of region i, f regiOni represents the flow rate of the portion of fluid exiting the outlet region i over the period of time, fcombined represents the combined (i.e. total) flow rate of the portions fluid exiting all of the regions 208, 210, 212, 214 over the period of time andet -bulk represents the total mass flow rate of air passing out of turbine blade 24 (i.e. the bulk airflow) determined during step Al. In the abovementioned formula, i = 1, 2, 3..., n, where i represents the number of the outlet region and n represents the total number of outlet regions. For example, in the example provided above in which the fluid outlet holes 206 are grouped together in four distinct regions, n is equal to 4 and the shroud region 208, the leading edge region 210, the pressure surface region 212 and the trailing edge region 214 may be the first, second, third and fourth regions, respectively. ;An additional flow rate sensor may measure the flow rate of fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes. The additional flow rate sensor may be located in the pump 34 or the housing 44 or be positioned along the fluid line 42, for example. The tray may be moved to the second position and the period of time may start only when the flow rate of fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes is stable and/or when the flow rate of the fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes is equal to f combined * Although it has been described that the method and apparatus are used to test a cooling system of a turbine blade 24, in alternative embodiments the method and apparatus may be used to test any suitable component. For example, the method and apparatus could be used to test a nozzle guide vane or a combustor component such as a combustor file.

Although it has been described that steps Al to A5 are carried out in sequential order, 20 this need not be the case. For example, step Al may be carried out between steps A4 and A5.

Although the housing 44 and the switching device 46 are described as being separate components, they may form part of a single device and may be integrally formed with each other.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

Although it has been described that the housing 44 comprises a first housing portion 68 and a second housing portion 70, in alternative arrangements the housing 44 may comprise any number of housing portions. The housing 44 may alternatively comprise a single body, and, thus, not comprise multiple housing portions.

It has been described that the fluid outlet holes 206 are grouped together in four distinct regions, namely a shroud region 208, a leading edge region 210, a pressure surface region 212 and a trailing edge region 214. However, the fluid outlet holes 206 may be grouped together in any number of plurality of regions. For example, the fluid outlet holes 206 may be grouped together in two, three, five or more regions.

It has been described that the fluid outlet holes 206 are grouped together in regions that correspond to individual regions of the turbine blade 24 (i.e. the shroud, the leading edge, the pressure surface and the trailing edge). However, the fluid outlet holes 206 may be grouped together in regions that do not correspond to individual regions of the turbine blade 24. For example, the fluid outlet holes 206 may be grouped together in regions that correspond to multiple regions of the turbine blade 24.

Alternatively or additionally, fluid outlet holes 206 may be grouped together in regions that correspond to a subset of the fluid outlet holes 206 in a particular region. Further, although it has been described that each outlet region comprises a plurality of fluid outlet holes, one or more of the outlet regions can comprise a single fluid outlet hole.

All of the outlet regions may comprise a single fluid outlet hole, in which case the number of outlet regions is equal to the number of fluid outlet holes.

The abovementioned switching device 46 comprising a manual sliding tray system is only a single example of a suitable switching device. In alternative arrangements, the switching device 46 may comprise an automated switch, for example. The switching device 46 may be automated.

Although it has been described that water is drawn from the tank 32 and exits into a separate waste water tank 66, in alternative embodiments the apparatus may form a closed loop system. For example, the water may exit into the tank 32 such that the apparatus 30 forms a closed loop system.

In alternative embodiments, the apparatus 30 may comprise one or more filters for filtering the water passing through the apparatus 30. A filter may be located between the tank 32 and the pump 34, for example. Alternatively or additionally, a filter may be located between the pump 34 and the ball valve 36. A filter may be located between two pumps.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of testing a component (24), the component (24) comprising one or more fluid inlet holes and a plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214), each outlet region (208, 210, 212, 214) comprising one or more fluid outlet holes (206) fluidically coupled to the one or more fluid inlet holes, the method comprising: supplying (A3) fluid to the one or more fluid inlet holes, wherein separate portions of the fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes exit respective outlet regions via their respective one or more fluid outlet holes (206); measuring (A4) a parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over a period of time; and estimating (A5) a flow rate of air exiting one or more of the plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214) based on the measured parameters relating to the amounts of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the estimated flow rate of air is an estimated mass flow rate of air during normal operation of component (24).
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising determining (Al) the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions under test conditions, wherein the flow rate of air exiting one or more of the plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214) is estimated based on the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions under test conditions.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the measured parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time is the weight of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet portions over the period of time, wherein the estimated flow rate of air exiting one or more of the plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214) is determined using the formula: MregionfTIaregtoni = abulk,Mcombined =I rnregioni,i = 1,2,3..., n m combined 1=1 where aregioni represents the estimated flow rate of air exiting the outlet region i (208, 210, 212, 214), in -region( represents the weight of the portion of fluid exiting the outlet region i (208, 210, 212, 214) over the period of time, m -combined represents the combined weight of the portions of fluid exiting all of the plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214) over the period of time, a -butk represents the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214) under test conditions, i represents the number of the outlet region and n represents the total number of outlet regions.
5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the measured parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time is the volume of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet portions over the period of time, wherein the estimated air flow rate of air exiting one or more of the plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214) is determined using the formula: Vregtoni aregioni = X a bulk, Vcombined =regt -oni = 1, 2, 3... , n V combined i=1 where a -region( represents the estimated flow rate of air exiting the outlet region i (208, 210, 212, 214), V reg ioni represents the volume of the portion of fluid exiting the outlet region i (208, 210, 212, 214) over the period of time, v -combined represents the combined volume of the portions of fluid exiting all of the plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214) over the period of time, dbutk represents the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214) under test conditions, i represents the number of the outlet region and n represents the total number of outlet regions.
6. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the measured parameter relating to the amount of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet regions over the period of time is the flow rate of each of the portions of fluid exiting their respective outlet portions over the period of time, wherein the estimated flow rate of air exiting one or more of the plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214) is determined using the formula: fregioni,n aregtoniX a bulk, fcombined [combined 1=1 where a -regioni represents the estimated flow rate of air exiting the outlet region i (208, 210, 212, 214), f regioni represents the flow rate of the portion of fluid exiting the outlet region i (208, 210, 212, 214) over the period of time, combined represents the combined flow rate of the portions of fluid exiting all of the plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214) over the period of time, etbulk represents the total mass flow rate of air passing out of all of the plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214) under test conditions, i represents the number of the outlet region and n represents the total number of outlet regions
7. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising measuring the flow rate of fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes, wherein the period of time only starts when the flow rate of fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes is stable and/or when the flow rate of the fluid supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes is equal to r "combined-
8. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pressure of the fluid being supplied to the one or more fluid inlet holes is measured and the period of time only starts when the pressure is stable.
9. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the separate portions of the fluid exit respective outlet regions via their respective fluid outlet holes (206) simultaneously.
10. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid is water.
11. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the component is a turbine blade or a nozzle guide vane or a combustor component.
12. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the component is a turbine blade and the plurality of outlet regions include one or more of a shroud region, a leading edge region, a pressure surface region and a trailing edge region.
13. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the component (24) comprises a plurality of fluid inlet holes and one or more of the fluid inlet holes are occluded such that fluid is prevented from exiting one or more additional outlet regions comprising one or more fluid outlet holes.
14. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each outlet region (208, 210, 212, 214) comprises a plurality of fluid outlet holes (206).
15. A device for testing a component (24), the device comprising a housing (44) for receiving the component (24), the component (24) comprising one or more fluid inlet holes and a plurality of outlet regions (208, 210, 212, 214), each outlet region (208, 210, 212, 214) comprising one or more fluid outlet holes (206) fluidically coupled to the one or more fluid inlet holes, the housing (44) defining a chamber for housing the component (24), wherein the housing (44) cooperates with the component (24) so as to define a plurality of fluid passageways, each of the fluid passageways being configured to receive fluid exiting from the plurality of fluid outlet holes of a respective outlet region (208, 210, 212, 214).
16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the housing (44) comprises a plurality of housing portions (68, 70), the plurality of housing portions (68, 70) being attachable to and separable from each other, the plurality of housing portions (68, 70) together defining the chamber and one or more of the plurality of fluid passageways.
17. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the device comprises a seal (88) disposed between the plurality of housing portions (68) for sealing the plurality of fluid passageways from each other when the plurality of housing portions (68, 70) are attached to each other and the component (24) is housed in the chamber.