Abstract: A method and system for monitoring laser shock peening of a work piece. A line spectrum is obtained from radiation emitted by a plasma produced by a laser shock peening process. The shape of the line spectrum about its emission peak is compared to a defined line shape to verify proper operation of the laser shock peening process. The line shape may be a Lorentzian line shape corresponding to a desired line shape. The line shape may a Gaussian line shape corresponding to an undesired line shape. The system can also detect the failure mode that occurs when the opaque layer is broken through by detecting the plasma spectral component produced by the work piece material, along with the plasma produced by the opaque layer.

Abstract: A method for bending a tube in a pre-selected geometry includes deriving at least one processing parameter from the geometry, applying a thermal source circumferentially to the tube to heat the tube along at least one circumferentially directed path in accordance with the parameter and actively cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature. The applying and active cooling steps are alternately performed a number of times. A system for bending the tube includes a thermal source for heating at least one region along the path on the tube, a tube advancing module for advancing the tube, an active cooling module for cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature, a processing module to derive at least one processing parameter from the geometry and a control module configured to control the thermal source and active cooling module in accordance with the parameter. The alternate heating and cooling are performed a number of times.

Abstract: A method for bending a tube in a pre-selected geometry includes deriving at least one processing parameter from the geometry, applying a thermal source circumferentially to the tube to heat the tube along at least one circumferentially directed path in accordance with the parameter and actively cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature. The applying and active cooling steps are alternately performed a number of times. A system for bending the tube includes a thermal source for heating at least one region along the path on the tube, a tube advancing module for advancing the tube, an active cooling module for cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature, a processing module to derive at least one processing parameter from the geometry and a control module configured to control the thermal source and active cooling module in accordance with the parameter. The alternate heating and cooling are performed a number of times.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for repairing a TBC ceramic top coat in local regions that have experienced a mechanical or thermally-induced spallation event leaving the underlying bond coat intact. A novel combination of groove design (i.e. spacing, pattern and depth) and laser-surface incident angles fabricated into the remaining bond coat is used to achieve spallation resistance equal to or greater than baseline after applying and maintaining a TBC ceramic patch to the localized areas of spallation. The method is particularly useful, but not limited to, repair of coating systems comprised of physical vapor deposited (PVD) ceramic top coats.