Abstract: A method of impulse treatment which modifies at least one specified property of a material or object (such as a welded joint), or produces a material or object with at least one specified physical, mechanical or structural property, by adaptively controlling an impulse action upon the material/object is described. An impulse action includes normalized impulses and pauses, i.e., a controlled and adaptive alternation of periods of material condition impulse activation with periods of relaxation therebetween, wherein the pauses allow the material to recover from the impulse before the next impulse is applied to the material. The energy of the impulse actions can originate from various sources, but the method of the invention is in particular advantageous when the energy of action is initiated and delivered by ultrasonic impact, wherein the energy is applied to any suitable material so that at least one property of the material is modified or produced in order to attain a desired technical effect.

Abstract: Non-detachable welded joints with certain new or improved properties and the provision of such non-detachable welded joints by ultrasonic impact treatment, is described involving conforming to select treatment parameters to control the formation of predetermined properties and thus provide improved qualities and reliability to a joint based on the task to be served by the welded joint. The treatment parameters include repetition rate and length of the ultrasonic impact, pressing force exerted on the ultrasonic impact tool against the surface being treated, and impact amplitude.

Abstract: The novel methods, apparatus and reworked rotary braking surface product, for example those exhibited on interior cylindrical braking surfaces of a cast iron brake drum, serve to replace manufacturing defects exhibiting residual tensile stresses and outwardly directed tool marks with smooth compressed braking surfaces in a final manufacturing stage. The plastically deformed surface shape with reduced roughness and surface irregularities furthermore presents improved braking strength above the yield point and approaching the ultimate material strength of the base drum material. An ultrasonic transducer drives individual freely moving impact elements of a set at frequencies up to 55 kHz into the braking surface to effect plastic deformation at surface and sub-surface layers.

Abstract: The novel methods, apparatus and reworked rotary braking surface product, for example those exhibited on interior cylindrical braking surfaces of a cast iron brake drum, serve to replace manufacturing defects exhibiting residual tensile stresses and outwardly directed tool marks with smooth compressed braking surfaces in a final manufacturing stage. The plastically deformed surface shape with reduced roughness and surface irregularities furthermore presents improved braking strength above the yield point and approaching the ultimate material strength of the base drum material. An ultrasonic transducer drives individual freely moving impact elements of a set at frequencies up to 55 kHz into the braking surface to effect plastic deformation at surface and sub-surface layers.

Abstract: The novel methods, apparatus and reworked rotary braking surface product, for example those exhibited on interior cylindrical braking surfaces of a cast iron brake drum, serve to replace manufacturing defects exhibiting residual tensile stresses and outwardly directed tool marks with smooth compressed braking surfaces in a final manufacturing stage. The plastically deformed surface shape with reduced roughness and surface irregularities furthermore presents improved braking strength above the yield point and approaching the ultimate material strength of the base drum material. An ultrasonic transducer drives individual freely moving impact elements of a set at frequencies up to 55 kHz into the braking surface to effect plastic deformation at surface and sub-surface layers.

Abstract: The novel methods, apparatus and reworked rotary braking surface product, for example those exhibited on interior cylindrical braking surfaces of a cast iron brake drum, serve to replace manufacturing defects exhibiting residual tensile stresses and outwardly directed tool marks with smooth compressed braking surfaces in a final manufacturing stage. The plastically deformed surface shape with reduced roughness and surface irregularities furthermore presents improved braking strength above the yield point and approaching the ultimate material strength of the base drum material. An ultrasonic transducer drives individual freely moving impact elements of a set at frequencies up to 55 kHz into the braking surface to effect plastic deformation at surface and sub-surface layers.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of treatment for work products of materials such as steel, bronze, plastic, etc. and particularly welded steel bodies by pulse impact energy, preferably ultrasonic, to relax fatigue and aging and extend expectant life. The treatment may occur (a) at original production, (b) during the active life period for maintenance or (c) after failure in a repair stage. The ultrasonic treatment improves the work product strength. In welded products residual stress patterns near the weld sites are relaxed and micro-stress defects such as voids and unusual grain boundaries are reduced. The basic method steps are non-destructive in nature, inducing interior pulse compression waves with ultrasonic transducers and accessory tools impacting an external product surface with enough impulse energy to heat and temporarily plasticize the metal interior and relax stresses.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasonic welding methods and apparatus for correcting the difference of frequency and phase of transducer mechanical oscillations and oscillator driving impulses to the transducer under conditions of discontinuous loading, thereby to increase the efficiency of the transducer excitation. The transducer excitation impulses are periodically supplied to the transducer at a length not more than a half-period of the transducer mechanical oscillations, and after termination are resumed again with adjustment phase and frequency determined by transducer striction feedback signals. A zero-crossing detector applies the resumed and adjusted phase and frequency driving impulses, thereby corresponding to the highest transducer sensitivity. Feedback impulses established by the transducer mechanical resonance characteristics under varying load control the phase and frequency of the excitation pulses.