Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
In a liquid penetrant method of detecting flaws in the external surface of a hollow workpiece; the improvement whereby said liquid penetrant is substantially prevented from entering into the hollow of said workpiece, said improvement comprising coating relatively large sized particles with an amount of said liquid penetrant insufficient to cause free-flowing of said penetrant coating off of said particles, effeCting surface contact and relative movement between said coated particles and said workpiece to transfer a portion of said coating to said external surface sufficient to give an indication of flaws therein if present, the smallest of said particles being too large to enter into the hollow of said workpiece, and testing said coated external surface for said flaws.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a liquid penetrant method of detecting flaws in the external surface of a hollow workpiece; the improvement whereby said liquid penetrant is substantially prevented from entering into the hollow of said workpiece, said improvement comprising coating relatively large sized particles with an amount of said liquid penetrant insufficient to cause free-flowing of said penetrant coating off of said particles, effeCting surface contact and relative movement between said coated particles and said workpiece to transfer a portion of said coating to said external surface sufficient to give an indication of flaws therein if present, the smallest of said particles being too large to enter into the hollow of said workpiece, and testing said coated external surface for said flaws.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as defined by claim 1, wherein said workpiece is hollow by reason of being cored and said coated particles are too large to enter into any core in said workpiece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined by claim 1, wherein said relative movement between said coated particles and said workpiece is effected by tumbling.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined by claim 1, wherein said workpiece is a cored turbine blade.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a liquid penetrant method of detecting flaws in the external surface of workpieces each having a cavity therein accessible by a passage through said external surface, the steps which comprise applying the liquid penetrant to solid particles too large in size to pass through said passage and carrying an insufficient amount of said penetrant to cause a free flow thereof between and away from said particles, mixing said workpieces and liquid bearing particles, effecting relative movement between the resulting liquid penetrant coated particles and said external surfaces to leave a sufficient amount of penetrant on said surface at the site of any flaws that may be present therein to make possible a detection of said flaws, and testing said coated external surfaces for said flaws.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a liquid penetrant method of detecting flaws in the external surface of workpieces each having a cavity therein accessible by a passage through said external surface, the steps which comprise applying the liquid penetrant to solid particles too large in size to pass through said passage and carrying an insufficient amount of said penetrant to cause a free flow thereof between and away from said particles, mixing said workpieces and liquid bearing particles, effecting relative movement between the resulting liquid penetrant coated particles and said external surfaces to leave a sufficient amount of penetrant on said surface at the site of any flaws that may be present therein to make possible a detection of said flaws, and testing said coated external surfaces for said flaws.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined by claim 5, wherein said solid particles are rounded in shape and the penetrant is readily transferred by contact with said external surface of said workpiece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as defined by claim 6, wherein said particles are beads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as defined by claim 6, wherein said particles are plastic beads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined by claim 6, wherein said particles all have a minimum dimension greater than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of said passage through said external surface.