Method and apparatus for cleaning combustor liners

Abstract

A method for removing thermal barrier coating material from at least one opening. The method includes providing a mixture of water and a plurality of beads, and directing the mixture into the at least one opening to facilitate removing thermal barrier coating material obstructing the opening.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for removing thermal barrier coating material from at least one opening, said method comprising: 
 providing a mixture of water and a plurality of beads; and    directing the mixture into the at least one opening to facilitate removing thermal barrier coating material obstructing the opening.    
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein directing the mixture into the at least one opening comprises directing the mixture into at least one opening within a gas turbine combustor liner to facilitate removing material from within the opening.  
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein providing a mixture of water and a plurality of beads comprises providing a mixture of water and a plurality of glass beads.  
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein directing the mixture into the at least one opening comprises directing the mixture into at least one opening using a nozzle.  
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 4  wherein providing a mixture of water and a plurality of beads comprises providing a mixture including a plurality of beads that have an erosion resistance that is less than the nozzle.  
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  4  wherein directing the mixture into at least one opening using a nozzle comprises directing the mixture into at least one opening using a nozzle that has a length greater than approximately 9 inches.  
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 4  wherein directing the mixture into at least one opening using a nozzle comprises heat treating the nozzle.  
     
     
         8 . A nozzle comprising: 
 a body having a first end and a second end, said body comprising a length greater than 9 inches measured between said first end and said second end; and    a passageway extending through said nozzle body from said first end to said second end, said passageway comprising a central axis extending therethrough and configured to direct a fluid mixture into at least one opening when said passageway central axis is obliquely aligned with a central axis of the at least one opening to facilitate removing thermal barrier coating material obstructing the at least one opening.    
     
     
         9 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said nozzle body substantially cylindrically shaped, said passageway defining an inner diameter of said nozzle body.  
     
     
         10 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said nozzle body comprises steel.  
     
     
         11 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said nozzle body comprises M2 tool steel.  
     
     
         12 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said nozzle body comprises a length between approximately 9 and 11 inches measured between said body first end and said body second end.  
     
     
         13 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said nozzle body comprises a length between approximately 18 and 20 inches measured between said body first end and said body second end.  
     
     
         14 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said nozzle body comprises an outer diameter between approximately 0.2 and 0.3 inches and an inner diameter of between approximately 0.070 and 0.090 inches.  
     
     
         15 . A nozzle assembly for removing thermal barrier coating material from at least one opening in a gas turbine engine combustor liner, said assembly comprising: 
 nozzle comprising a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending through said nozzle from said first end to said second end, said nozzle comprising a length greater than approximately 9 inches measured between said first end and said second end, said passageway comprising a central axis extending therethrough; and    a fluid mixture comprising water and a plurality of beads, said nozzle configured to direct said fluid mixture into the at least one opening when said passageway central axis is obliquely aligned with a central axis of the at least one opening to facilitate removing thermal barrier coating material obstructing the at least one opening.    
     
     
         16 . A nozzle assembly in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said fluid mixture comprises a mixture of water and a plurality of glass beads each having an erosion resistance lower that said nozzle.  
     
     
         17 . A nozzle assembly in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said nozzle comprises heat-treated M2 tool steel.  
     
     
         18 . A nozzle assembly in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said nozzle comprises a length between approximately 9 and 20 inches measured between said body first end and said body second end.  
     
     
         19 . A nozzle assembly in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said nozzle substantially cylindrically shaped, said passageway defining an inner diameter of said nozzle.  
     
     
         20 . A nozzle assembly in accordance with  claim 19  wherein said nozzle comprises an outer diameter of between approximately 0.2 and 0.3 inches and an inner diameter of between approximately 0.070 and 0.090 inches.