Abstract: A method of measuring shot peening coverage includes correlation analysis of surface line data. The method comprises the use of cross correlation of two or more parallel profile traces of a shot peened surface to produce a numeric indication of relative part coverage.

Abstract: A novel apparatus capable of measuring distribution of a shot stream is disclosed. More particularly, the apparatus comprises an elongated measurement window positioned within a partition plate. Said elongated measurement window being partitioned into smaller sub-windows, each of which is capable of collecting shot from an area of a shot stream to be measured. This measurement may then be used to determine the peening time needed to fully cover each element of a part's surface with impact dents during a shot peening operation.

Abstract: A new and improved safety locking device for PVC ball valves and the like comprising, a housing positionable over a PVC ball valve of the type having a on/off handle rotatable about a vertical axis, the handle including a horizontal section positionable in the direction of flow of fluid within coupled pipes when in an open orientation and positionable perpendicular to the direction of flow when in a closed orientation; the housing being formed of a pair of similarly shaped mating halves, each half having a front face and a rear face with each face having a semicircular opening which, when the housing halves are coupled for operation and use, define a circular opening with a central axis coextensive with the axis of the ball valve and pipes coupled with respect thereto, each housing half also having a top face and a bottom face and an exterior side face coupling the front and rear faces but leaving open the interior face with the semicircular openings; the front and rear faces of the housing halves being suffi

Abstract: This invention relates to a sensor for monitoring the operation of a suction-type shot peening machine. Such structures of this type, generally, measure the vacuum in the gun mixing chamber of the suction-type shot peening machine. Changes in this sensor will be indicative of either gun surging or changes in shot delivery rate or velocity. Its output will, therefore, provide diagnostic information on the performance of the process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to selectively mitigate intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) by rapid quench melting through the use of a pulsed laser. Such methods of the type, generally, mitigate reactor pipe cracking by rapidly melting the sensitized material to redissolve chromium carbide and then rapidly cooling the sensitized material such that corrosion cracking can be avoided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a constant flow control device for a pressure pot shot peening machine. Such structures of this type, generally, assure that the air flow and the pressure drop through the pressure pot shot peening nozzle remain independent of uncontrolable upstream conditions, thus assuring constant velocity of the shot stream regardless of shot delivery hose routing or wear.

Abstract: This invention relates to measuring shot peening coverage by impact dent characterization. Such methods of this type employ a non-destructive, automated computer analysis by analyzing dent characteristics to determine shot coverage of a particular surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling and monitoring pressure pot shot peening machines. Such structures of this type, generally, allow the user to determine and control the force of the shot as it leaves the shot peening nozzle.

Abstract: This invention relates to sensors of the type that are used in lance-type shot peening guns. Such structures of this type, generally, measure the reaction force of the ejected shot and air stream which are emitted from the lance-type shot peening gun. The sensor further supplies diagnostic information indicative of the shot peening process performance.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for measuring surface treatment coverage, and more particularly, to such methods for measuring shot peening coverage. Such methods generally employ an automated computer analysis of the peened surface coverage by analyzing surface line traces to determine when a particular surface has been surface hardened enough.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring the particle number rate and the particle velocity distribution of a sprayed stream such as, a shot peening system. In particular, a double spinning disk apparatus modified with a stationary aperture and a scanning aperture is used to scan the spayed stream and observe the stream's local properties.

Abstract: A quality assurance of surface treatments, typically with shot peening, by analysis of substrate surface line traces is disclosed. In particular, line traces are created over the surface treated substrate. These line traces are filtered with a low pass filter to create relative maximums. The coordinates of the relative maximums are determined and the spatial distance between these coordinates are measured and recorded. The actual plastic upset depth of the surface treatment substrate is determined. The surface treatment is then adjusted, if necessary, based upon the values of these spatial distances and actual plastic upset depths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shot peening and more specifically, shot peening where the shot is sensed capacitance-based densitometer in order to determine the average velocity of the shot as it exits the nozzle of a shot peening gun.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for directly measuring the amount of surface cold work due to a surface treatment operation. Such methods of this type, generally, allow the surface cold work created by a shot peening operation to be directly measured without having to destruct the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to barrier coatings and the method for making the same. In particular, low stress, thick thermal barrier coatings are relieved by providing a compliant ceramic layer between the substrate and a hard erosion resistant top coat layer.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the surface treatment of substrates is disclosed. The surface treatment, preferably, is shot peening. The surface treatment is monitored through the use of a selective spectral analysis of the 3-D information relating to the 3-D profilometry of the surface treatment on the substrate.

Abstract: A nozzle holder and sensor for a pressure pot peening system is disclosed. The holder includes a 90.degree. bend which is provided so that substantially the entire momentum of the mass of shot and air ejected from the nozzle can be sensed by the sensor and mass of shot and air ejected is not adversely affected if the hose from the shot peening system is moved. Also the holder can be oriented into a variety of positions and locations.

Abstract: A method and system for nondestructively measuring surface compression layer depth including obtaining profile data of a peened workpiece surface and determining a total plastic upset depth for a selected dent, the plastic upset depth being approximately equal to the dent diameter. The peening operations may then be adjusted, if needed, so that subsequent peening more closely conforms to predetermined, desired peening results.

Abstract: A shot peening arrangement uses a magnetic densitometer adjacent the nozzle outlet of a shot peening gun. The magnetic densitometer generates a signal representative of the mass of shot within the coil. The signal is used in combination with the mass flow rate, which may be determined by a conventional shot flow meter, in order to generate a signal representative of the average shot velocity. Additionally, the signal representative of the mass of shot within the coil is supplied to circuitry which detects conditions suggestive of a clog or other malfunction in the system. The circuitry is used to generate an alarm and to turn off power to various components so as to halt the shot peening operation upon improper conditions occurring.

Abstract: Precision control over the cutting force during robotic deburring and edge contouring is obtained by use of a "zero spring rate" driver. The driver consists of an air cylinder with a low friction piston. An accumulator is used in between an air supply line and the air cylinder such that the air pressure against the piston is constant. The driver is used to position or move a moving portion of an ultralow friction ball slide relative to a fixed portion of the ball slide. The arrangement avoids inaccuracies in a metal removal process which might otherwise be caused by robot path errors, part setup errors, and robot stepwise motion effects.