US5007265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical monitor for superplastic forming
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1988-12-19
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2008-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A monitor is provided for measuring and controlling the strain rate of a blank during forming. A light source directs light against the blank and a video camera is positioned and focused to view the light reflected from the blank while it is being formed. A video monitor and an image processor receive the signal from the camera. This signal is used to determine the strain rate based upon the dimensional change in reference marks on the blank. The image processor provides an output signal which can be used to control the strain rate in accordance with a predetermined strain rate profile for the particular part being formed.
Inventors
- 👤 Murray W. Mahoney
- 👤 Amit K. Ghosh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:56
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D26/00; B21D26/02; B21D26/053; B21D26/055; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/26; B29C51/46; G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/24; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S72/00; Y10S72/709
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for optically monitoring the strain rate of a blank during superplastic forming of the blank against a die, comprising: a light source positioned to direct light against the blank while it is being formed against said die; a video camera positioned and focused to view light reflected from reference marks on the blank being formed and to provide a video signal of the reflected light; a video monitor for receiving the video signal and for displaying the reference marks; and means for measuring the strain rate occurring in the blank as it is being superplastically formed as a function of a detected change in dimensions of the reference marks during said superplastic forming of the blank.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for optically monitoring the strain rate of a blank during superplastic forming of the blank against a die, comprising: a light source positioned to direct light against the blank while it is being formed against said die; a video camera positioned and focused to view light reflected from reference marks on the blank being formed and to provide a video signal of the reflected light; a video monitor for receiving the video signal and for displaying the reference marks; and means for measuring the strain rate occurring in the blank as it is being superplastically formed as a function of a detected change in dimensions of the reference marks during said superplastic forming of the blank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 including a support coupled to the video camera and to the die to hold the video camera in focus with the light reflected from the blank being formed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as claimed in claim 2 including a lid for closing one end of the die, the lid being coupled to the support and having a window for viewing light reflected from the blank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lid has a mirror positioned so that the reflected light can be viewed at right angles to the direction of the forming of the blank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for measuring the strain rate comprises an image processor for receiving the video signal and for providing an output signal for controlling the measured strain rate to correspond to a predetermined strain rate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device as claimed in claim 5 including a forming gas pressure controller which receives the output signal from the image processor and provides gas to the die at a pressure in accordance with the measured strain rate and the predetermined strain rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light provided by the light source comprises a high intensity, uniformly distributed light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the video camera comprises a high resolution microvideo camera with optics capable of a long focal length and a large depth of focus.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
183 words
A device for optically monitoring and controlling the strain rate of a blank during superplastic forming of the blank against a die, comprising: a light source positioned to direct light against the blank while it is being formed against said die; a video camera positioned and focused to view light reflected from reference marks on the blank being formed and to provide a video signal of the reflected light; an image processor for receiving the video signal, the image processor having means for determining the strain rate occurring in the blank as it is being superplastically formed as a function of a detected change in dimensions of the reference marks during said superplastic forming of said blank, and having means for providing an output signal for controlling the strain rate based upon a comparison of said determined and predetermined strain rates; and a forming gas pressure controller which receives the output signal from the image processor and provides high pressure forming gas to the die in accordance with the output signal so that the determined strain rate corresponds to the predetermined strain rate.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
183 words
A device for optically monitoring and controlling the strain rate of a blank during superplastic forming of the blank against a die, comprising: a light source positioned to direct light against the blank while it is being formed against said die; a video camera positioned and focused to view light reflected from reference marks on the blank being formed and to provide a video signal of the reflected light; an image processor for receiving the video signal, the image processor having means for determining the strain rate occurring in the blank as it is being superplastically formed as a function of a detected change in dimensions of the reference marks during said superplastic forming of said blank, and having means for providing an output signal for controlling the strain rate based upon a comparison of said determined and predetermined strain rates; and a forming gas pressure controller which receives the output signal from the image processor and provides high pressure forming gas to the die in accordance with the output signal so that the determined strain rate corresponds to the predetermined strain rate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for monitoring and controlling strain rate of a blank of material during superplastic forming of the blank against a die using gas pressure, comprising: a light source positioned to direct light onto the blank while it is being formed against said die; video means positioned for receiving light reflected from reference marks on the blank and generating a video signal; means for receiving the video signal and measuring the strain rate occurring in the blank as it is being superplastically formed as a function of a detected change in dimensions of the reference marks during said superplastic forming of the blank; means for comparing the measured strain rate with a predetermined strain rate and generating an output signal; and means for receiving the output signal and controlling the forming gas pressure so that the measured strain rate corresponds to the predetermined strain rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for monitoring and controlling strain rate of a blank of material during superplastic forming of the blank against a die using gas pressure, comprising: a light source positioned to direct light onto the blank while it is being formed against said die; video means positioned for receiving light reflected from reference marks on the blank and generating a video signal; means for receiving the video signal and measuring the strain rate occurring in the blank as it is being superplastically formed as a function of a detected change in dimensions of the reference marks during said superplastic forming of the blank; means for comparing the measured strain rate with a predetermined strain rate and generating an output signal; and means for receiving the output signal and controlling the forming gas pressure so that the measured strain rate corresponds to the predetermined strain rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the video signal receiving means comprises an image processor for measuring the strain rate and generating the output signal based on comparison of the measured strain rate with the predetermined strain rate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the output signal receiving means comprises a forming gas pressure controller for adjusting the forming gas pressure to control the measured strain rate of the blank during forming.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |