US 11,986,897 B2
Debris removal
James Kell, Nottingham (GB); Graeme E Rigg, Derby (GB); Shamraze Ahmed, Nottingham (GB); Monica M Castro Palacios, Nottingham (GB); and Adam Clare, Nottingham (GB)
Assigned to ROLLS-ROYCE plc, London (GB)
Filed by ROLLS-ROYCE plc, London (GB)
Filed on May 2, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/734,515.
Claims priority of application No. 2107236 (GB), filed on May 20, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0020397 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. B23H 9/10 (2006.01); B23K 26/035 (2014.01); B23K 26/36 (2014.01); B23K 101/00 (2006.01)
CPC B23H 9/10 (2013.01) [B23K 26/035 (2015.10); B23K 26/36 (2013.01); B23K 2101/001 (2018.08)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for removal of debris from an existing aperture, the aperture comprising a first aperture diameter and extending along a first axis, defined by the existing aperture, over a first distance, the method comprising the steps of:
aligning a beam of energy with the first axis such that the beam of energy is coaxially aligned with the existing aperture, the beam of energy comprising both an energy sufficient to remove the debris, and a first beam diameter which is less than the first aperture diameter; and
exposing the debris to the beam of energy in order to remove the debris from the existing aperture and wherein at least a portion of the debris at least partially covers an entrance of the existing aperture, the step of exposing the debris to the beam of energy including the step of removing the debris from an entrance into the existing aperture.