Abstract: A cavitation nozzle is disclosed, including a plate, a hollow body, and a cap removably engaged with the hollow body and holding the plate against a distal end of the hollow body. The plate may have a central aperture and a distal surface, wherein the distal surface is bisected by a groove and the hollow body is configured to deliver high pressure fluid through the central aperture. The delivered high pressure fluid may be discharged as a cavitating jet.

Abstract: A method of cavitation peening may include coupling a moveable water source to a portable nozzle, through a flexible conduit. The method may include positioning the nozzle adjacent a treatment surface and discharging a first and second stream of fluid through a first and second channel of the nozzle, with the second channel concentrically positioned around the first channel. The first stream may have a first pressure, and the second stream may have a second pressure, the first pressure being greater than the second pressure and the two streams combining to generate a cloud of cavitation bubbles.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a surface of an object is disclosed, including a carrier configured to transport the object through a treatment zone and an array of nozzle devices, each nozzle device positioned to deliver a cavitating jet into the treatment zone. The apparatus further includes a fluid source, a pump connected to the fluid source, and a hose configured to carry fluid under high pressure generated by the pump from the fluid source to the array of nozzle devices.

Abstract: A cavitation peening system is disclosed, including a tank containing a fluid, a carrier, and an array of cavitation nozzles. The carrier is configured to deliver a workpiece to a treatment zone in the tank, and the array of cavitation nozzles are collectively configured to generate a cavitation induced whirlpool in the treatment zone.

Abstract: A method of smoothing an inner surface of a tubular wall of a workpiece is disclosed, including immersing the workpiece in a mixture of a liquid and an abrasive and inserting a cavitation peening nozzle into a cavity of the workpiece. The method further includes injecting a cavitating jet from the cavitation peening nozzle into the cavity.

Abstract: A hot-forming press (100) comprises a lower press assembly (102) and an upper press assembly (108). The lower press assembly (102) is movable along a vertical axis and comprises a lower die (106), and a lower hot-box portion (104), configured to receive the lower die (106). The upper press assembly (108) is movable along the vertical axis above the lower press assembly (102) and comprises an upper die (112), and an upper hot-box portion (110). The upper hot-box portion (110) is configured to receive the upper die (112) so that the upper die (112) is positioned opposite the lower die (106). The lower die (106) and the upper die (112) are configured to apply a forming pressure to a workpiece (114) that is received between the lower die (106) and the upper die (112). The lower hot-box portion (104) and the upper hot-box portion (110) are configured to heat the workpiece (114).

Abstract: Crack-free powder-based, near net shaped parts are fabricated using a die assembly and cold isostatic pressing. Soft materials are introduced on both sides of die components in order to balance compression loads applied to the die component, and thereby avoid deformation of the die component.

Abstract: An apparatus for cavitation peening is disclosed, including a fluid source, a conduit, and a portable nozzle assembly. The conduit includes a proximal end portion connected to the fluid source and a distal end portion connected to the portable nozzle assembly. The portable nozzle assembly includes an inner nozzle configured to channel a first stream of high-pressure fluid, and an outer nozzle configured to channel a second stream of low-pressure fluid concentrically around the first stream. The inner nozzle includes a cavitation insert having an inner passage with at least two reductions in cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A hot box comprises a lower hot-box portion and an upper hot-box portion. The lower hot-box portion comprises a lower housing, a lower heating plate, and a lower insulation layer. The lower heating plate is received within the lower housing and is configured to support a lower die. The lower insulation layer is positioned between the lower housing and the lower heating plate. The upper hot-box portion is positionable above the lower hot-box portion and comprises an upper housing, an upper heating plate, and an upper insulation layer. The upper heating plate is received within the upper housing and is configured to support an upper die. The upper insulation layer is positioned between the upper housing and the upper heating plate.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a surface of a workpiece includes discharging a flow of fluid towards a workpiece at a pressure and a flow rate that facilitates forming a plurality of cavitation bubbles, and introducing abrasive media. The method includes exciting the abrasive media with the cavitation bubbles, removing material from the workpiece by an interaction between the cavitation bubbles and the abrasive media, and the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A hot-forming press (100) comprises a lower press assembly (102) and an upper press assembly (108). The lower press assembly (102) is movable along a vertical axis and comprises a lower die (106), and a lower hot-box portion (104), configured to receive the lower die (106). The upper press assembly (108) is movable along the vertical axis above the lower press assembly (102) and comprises an upper die (112), and an upper hot-box portion (110). The upper hot-box portion (110) is configured to receive the upper die (112) so that the upper die (112) is positioned opposite the lower die (106). The lower die (106) and the upper die (112) are configured to apply a forming pressure to a workpiece (114) that is received between the lower die (106) and the upper die (112). The lower hot-box portion (104) and the upper hot-box portion (110) are configured to heat the workpiece (114).

Abstract: A hot box (300) comprises a lower hot-box portion (104) and an upper hot-box portion (110). The lower hot-box portion (104) comprises a lower housing (142), a lower heating plate (144), and a lower insulation layer (148). The lower heating plate (144) is received within the lower housing (142) and is configured to support a lower die (106). The lower insulation layer (148) is positioned between the lower housing (142) and the lower heating plate (144). The upper hot-box portion (110) is positionable above the lower hot-box portion (104) and comprises an upper housing (186), an upper heating plate (188), and an upper insulation layer (192). The upper heating plate (188) is received within the upper housing (186) and is configured to support an upper die (112). The upper insulation layer (192) is positioned between the upper housing (186) and the upper heating plate (188).

Abstract: A method of cavitation peening may include coupling a moveable water source to a portable nozzle, through a flexible conduit. The method may include positioning the nozzle adjacent a treatment surface and discharging a first and second stream of fluid through a first and second channel of the nozzle, with the second channel concentrically positioned around the first channel. The first stream may have a first pressure, and the second stream may have a second pressure, the first pressure being greater than the second pressure and the two streams combining to generate a cloud of cavitation bubbles.

Abstract: A method of cavitation peening may include coupling a moveable water source to a portable nozzle, through a flexible conduit. The method may include positioning the nozzle adjacent a treatment surface and discharging a first and second stream of fluid through a first and second channel of the nozzle, with the second channel concentrically positioned around the first channel. The first stream may have a first pressure, and the second stream may have a second pressure, the first pressure being greater than the second pressure and the two streams combining to generate a cloud of cavitation bubbles.

Abstract: A method of cavitation peening may include coupling a moveable water source to a portable nozzle, through a flexible conduit. The method may include positioning the nozzle adjacent a treatment surface and discharging a first and second stream of fluid through a first and second channel of the nozzle, with the second channel concentrically positioned around the first channel. The first stream may have a first pressure, and the second stream may have a second pressure, the first pressure being greater than the second pressure and the two streams combining to generate a cloud of cavitation bubbles.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a surface of a workpiece includes discharging a flow of fluid towards a workpiece at a pressure and a flow rate that facilitates forming a plurality of cavitation bubbles, and introducing abrasive media. The method includes exciting the abrasive media with the cavitation bubbles, removing material from the workpiece by an interaction between the cavitation bubbles and the abrasive media, and the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of cavitation peening may include coupling a moveable water source to a portable nozzle, through a flexible conduit. The method may include positioning the nozzle adjacent a treatment surface and discharging a first and second stream of fluid through a first and second channel of the nozzle, with the second channel concentrically positioned around the first channel. The first stream may have a first pressure, and the second stream may have a second pressure, the first pressure being greater than the second pressure and the two streams combining to generate a cloud of cavitation bubbles.

Abstract: A method of cavitation peening may include coupling a moveable water source to a portable nozzle, through a flexible conduit. The method may include positioning the nozzle adjacent a treatment surface and discharging a first and second stream of fluid through a first and second channel of the nozzle, with the second channel concentrically positioned around the first channel. The first stream may have a first pressure, and the second stream may have a second pressure, the first pressure being greater than the second pressure and the two streams combining to generate a cloud of cavitation bubbles.

Abstract: Crack-free powder-based, near net shaped parts are fabricated using a die assembly and cold isostatic pressing. Soft materials are introduced on both sides of die components in order to balance compression loads applied to the die component, and thereby avoid deformation of the die component.

Abstract: Crack-free powder-based, near net shaped parts are fabricated using a die assembly and cold isostatic pressing. Soft materials are introduced on both sides of die components in order to balance compression loads applied to the die component, and thereby avoid deformation of the die component.