Method and apparatus for controlling shot peening device

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 further comprising carrying out steps b) through i) a plurality of times during the operation of the shot peening apparatus.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of calculating the peening energy (E T ) is carried out by the equation: ##EQU2## where: N=number of shot elements per unit of time; m=mass of one shot element; D=distance from nozzle to workpiece; R S =ratio of surface being impacted by shot elements to total surface; k=surface covering ratio between successive passes of nozzle; J=distance covered by nozzle; V D =speed at which nozzle moves; V i =speed of shot elements at impact with workpiece; V r =shot element recoil speed after first impact; i=shot element impact angle; a=constant for particular workpiece material.

Claim 5

Apparatus for controlling a shot peening device having an enclosure in which a workpiece and at least one peening nozzle are located such that, in a working position wherein the at least one peening nozzle is located a distance D from the workpiece, shot elements emanating from the at least one nozzle are directed onto the workpiece, comprising: a) a laser velocimeter operatively associated with the enclosure so as to establish a measuring point within the enclosure; b) moving means to move the at least one peening nozzle between its working position and a measuring position wherein the at least one nozzle is located the distance D from the measuring point; c) data acquisition means to acquire data relating to the shot elements passing through the measurement point, such data comprising the size of the shot elements, the speed (V i ) of the shot elements and the number of shot elements per unit of time (N); d) calculating means operatively associated with the data acquisition means to calculate the peening energy (E T ) based upon the acquired data; e) comparison means operatively associated with the calculating means to compare the calculated peening energy (E T ) to a predetermined peening energy; and, f) control means operatively associated with the comparison means and the moving means such that, if the calculated peening energy (E T ) is within predetermined limits from the predetermined peening energy, the control means moves the at least one peening nozzle back to its working position and, if the calculated peening energy (E T ) is not within predetermined limits from the predetermined peening energy, the control system stops the operation of the shot peening device.

Claim 6

Apparatus for controlling a shot peening device having an enclosure in which a workpiece and at least one peening nozzle are located such that, in a working position wherein the at least one peening nozzle is located a distance D from the workpiece, shot elements emanating from the at least one nozzle are directed onto the workpiece, comprising: a) a laser velocimeter operatively associated with the enclosure so as to establish a measuring point within the enclosure; b) moving means to move the at least one peening nozzle between its working position and a measuring position wherein the at least one nozzle is located the distance D from the measuring point; c) data acquisition means to acquire data relating to the shot elements passing through the measurement point, such data comprising the size of the shot elements, the speed (V i ) of the shot elements and the number of shot elements per unit of time (N); d) calculating means operatively associated with the data acquisition means to calculate the peening energy (E T ) based upon the acquired data; e) comparison means operatively associated with the calculating means to compare the calculated peening energy (E T ) to a predetermined peening energy; and, f) control means operatively associated with the comparison means and the moving means such that, if the calculated peening energy (E T ) is within predetermined limits from the predetermined peening energy, the control means moves the at least one peening nozzle back to its working position and, if the calculated peening energy (E T ) is not within predetermined limits from the predetermined peening energy, the control system stops the operation of the shot peening device.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the comparison means comprises computer means.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the control means comprises a numerical control system.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising data print-out means operatively associated with the computer means.