Abstract: A sacrificial metal coating to resist corrosion is deposited onto a vehicle component during a shot peening operation. Since the deposition occurs during the shot peening operation, a separate coating step is not necessary. Preferably, the component is a vehicle suspension component.

Abstract: A cylinder block production method is characterized by having, as a step prior to a cast-enclosing step of cast-enclosing a cast iron-made cylinder liner within a cylinder block body, an erosion-wash step of washing an outer peripheral wall surface of the cylinder liner and eroding a portion of a base structure of the cast iron forming the outer peripheral wall surface of the cylinder liner so as to form many small protrusions on the outer peripheral wall surface by jetting a high-pressure fluid onto the outer peripheral wall surface of the cylinder liner, in order to improve strength of adhesion between the cylinder liner and the cylinder block body. Since the base structure is partially eroded, complicated-shape small protrusions can be formed. Furthermore, sand and a mold release agent adhering to the outer peripheral wall surface of the cylinder liner can be removed. Therefore, the adhesion strength will improve.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a gas senor having sensor element on and in which an outer electrode terminal and an inner electrode terminal are press-fitted. The manufacturing method features stability of installation of the outer and inner electrode terminals without causing physical damage to the sensor element. Outer and inner terminal installation jigs are used in the method.

Abstract: Predetermined non-uniform residual compressive stress distributions are induced in the spring wire of metallic coil springs. The residual compressive stress tends to reduce deleterious effects of both fatigue and coil binding impacts on spring performance. Transverse cross-sections of coil spring wire reveal non-uniform distributions of residual compressive stress that exhibit substantial symmetry about various transverse axes, including axes connecting potential or actual opposing coil binding contact points on the spring wire surface. Residual compressive stress in coil spring wire of the present invention may also vary in a predetermined manner when measured longitudinally along the coil spring wire.

Abstract: Hard metal particles having hardness which is lower than the hardness of a nitrided outermost layer of a spring and in the range of Hv 500 to 800 and a diameter of 500 to 900 &mgr;m are protected against the nitrided surface of the spring at a velocity of 40 to 90 m/sec to prevent generation of a microcrack in the surface layer and provide a compression residual stress comparatively deep inside the spring. Against the resultant spring surface, a number of fine metal particles having a mean diameter of all particles of 80 &mgr;m or less, a mean diameter of each particle in the range between 10 &mgr;m inclusive and less than 100 &mgr;m, a spherical or near spherical shape with no square portions, a specific gravity of 7.0 to 9.0, and hardness which falls in the range between Hv 600 and Hv 1100 inclusive and is equal to or less than the hardness of the outermost surface layer of the spring after nitriding, at a velocity of 50 to 190 m/sec.

Abstract: Device for carrying out a blasting treatment of the inner wall of a channel with a stream of balls which, for treating curved channels, has a tube for introducing the stream of balls into a channel, a stream deflection and outlet device at the end of the tube on the outlet side and a casing in the form of a helical spring on the outer side of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming the root of a turbine blade using the EDM method. EDM machining of the root is done in a manner that any re-cast layer left behind is less than 1 micron. After EDM machining the turbine blade is subjected to MPI to check for depth or presence of surface cracks. A liquid tracer coating is then applied to the root, which allows the ability of the next process to be verified as complete. The root is then subjected to glass beading to remove any re-cast and insure the surface finish prior to shot peening is consistent and contains no scratch marks or machine marks. The root is then subjected to shot peening to reduce residual tensile stresses by imparting to the surface small indentations or dimples and produce a compressed surface which resists further surface cracks.

Abstract: A system for shot peening that includes an enclosure in which are provided a workpiece W to be shot peened and a nozzle for projecting the shot particles. A memory stores data for maximizing the anticipated shot-peening intensity at the workpiece based on the predetermined conditions of the shot peening. Then a calculating circuitry determines the conditions of the shot peening to be carried out in the system to maximize an anticipated shot-peening intensity at the workpiece based on the stored data from the memory and the selected type of the shot-peening process to be applied to the workpiece before the shot particles have been actually projected. The nozzle is then actuated under the determined conditions such that it projects the shot particles and directs them onto the workpiece. The shot-peening intensity of the actually projected shot particles at the workpiece is measured by a measuring device.

Abstract: A method for shot peening wherein peening shot having a Vickers hardness (Hv) in the range of 900-1100 and a Young's modulus of 200,000 MPa or less, is used, and wherein a treated article is obtained by such a method that has a maximum residual compressive stress of 1600 MPa or more and a surface roughness of 5 microns or less.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing an endless metallic belt adjusts a circumferential length of the belt by subjecting the endless metallic belt to a shot peening treatment. For example, by measuring the circumferential length prior to the shot peening treatment and determining the condition of the shot peening treatment on the basis of the measured length, and/or by measuring the circumferential length during the shot peening treatment and terminating the shot peening treatment on the basis of the measured length.

Abstract: A sensing element, disposed in a housing, has a gas contact portion exposed to a measured gas. A protective cover extends from a distal end of the housing so as to surround the gas contact portion of the sensing element. A first metallic cover surrounds signal output terminals and leads connected to the sensing element. In manufacturing the first metallic cover, a shot blasting is applied to a surface of a semi-finished product of the first metallic cover.

Abstract: An automatic machine for peening the tenons on bucket cover plates to secure the cover plates and adjacent buckets of a turbine wheel to one another is provided. The machine includes a fixture having stepped surfaces for locating the freely suspended fixture and peening tool relative to the bucket tips and cover plates and clamping the tips and cover plates to the fixture surfaces. After peening a first tenon, the fixture and tool head are displaced relative to the fixed cover plate and bucket tip to register the tool with a second tenon. An actuator displaces the suspended system to compensate for the movement of the fixture and tool relative to the turbine wheel. A counterbalance is provided to accommodate fixtures of different weights when peening the tenons of covers in different turbine wheels.

Abstract: In a production process for highly strengthened springs, the process comprises performing a first shot peening to a spring steel having a hardness of a diameter of 2.7 mm or less on a Brinell ball mark while applying stress to the springs at a warm temperature in the range of 150 to 350° C.

Abstract: A method for extending the life of the attachments that attach blades to rotors, particularly for aerojet engines. Such a method is notable in that it employs intensive ultrasonic peening of the grooves and of the roots of the blades, this peening being performed with an Almen intensity at least equal to F8A, so as to increase the compressive prestress in the contact surfaces without increasing the roughness of these surfaces.

Abstract: Equipment and methods for the rapid and easy cleaning of metal forming dies while in a press and operating at elevated temperatures. The invention features the physical removal of excess lubricant collecting on the hot surface of the forming dies under operating conditions so that no lubricant-induced flaws occur on the show surface of the formed part for optimized production of high quality parts. Special and effector tooling is supplied with high velocity air which draws in solid CO2 which sublimes into pressurize streams of gaseous CO2 that is discharged through nozzles onto the forming surfaces of hot forming dies after a number of lubricated parts have been formed therewith to physically sweep foreign matter including lubricants from the die surfaces. A robot is employed to move the activated end effector in predetermined paths across the dies for fully sweeping and cleaning the forming surfaces. The gas then dissipates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the ultrasonic peening of annular recesses for the attachment of blades to a rotor rim, these recesses including a blade introduction opening. According to the method, a plurality of beads is placed on a vibratory surface of a sonotrode, arranged in an intermediate position in a sleeve having opposed closing-off means capable of sliding in the recess, the introduction opening is placed facing the sonotrode, the sonotrode and the sleeve are moved together toward the introduction opening into a peening position in which the closing-off means face the recess ends opening into said opening, then the rotor rim is turned about its axis so as to bring the closing-off means into a first end of the recess so as to form a closed chamber containing the beads. The rim is turned and the vibratory surface is vibrated to mobilize the beads within the chamber, thereby peening the recess.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for the surface treatment and compressive prestressing by peening of a wall of at least one oblong cavity formed in a part, said cavity opening to the outside via a lateral mouth and having two ends presenting frontal openings. The wall of the cavity is ultrasonically peened by mobilizing a plurality of beads in a chamber delimited by said wall of said cavity, a vibratory surface closing off said mouth of said cavity, and closing-off means closing off said openings, by means of a sonotrode excited by means for producing ultrasonic oscillations. The method and the apparatus are particularly intended for treating a turbine disk comprising a number of axial recesses formed in the periphery of said disk and having wall portions which diverge from each mouth.

Abstract: An abrasive water treatment method and apparatus includes supporting a metal workpiece on a workpiece support and arranging a nozzle above a target surface of the workpiece so that the nozzle is pointed towards the target surface of the workpiece. A pressurized fluid having entrained abrasive particles is then generated and discharged through the nozzle and toward the target surface of the workpiece. The nozzle is located a texturing standoff distance from the target surface such that the periphery of the pressurized fluid stream discharged from the nozzle expands after being discharged from the nozzle and prior to impinging upon the target surface of the workpiece. As a result, a textured surface is created on the workpiece.

Abstract: A blanked plate-like metal member for use as an element of a belt in a continuously variable transmission has an recess including an undercut therein. A stream of a liquid mixed with particle members is ejected toward an edge to be beveled of the recess thereby to bevel the recess. After the edge is beveled by deburring the edge, the recess is finished by removing a bulge formed on an outer surface of the edge by deburring the edge.

Abstract: A method for forming a one-piece skip body with a concave cross section from a large metal sheet (1) by imparting an approximate cross section to the sheet using shaping mechanisms (2) is disclosed. According to the method, the approximate cross section is maintained while a sealing plate (10) is secured to one end (9) and a stiffening reinforcement member (13) shaped according to the final cross section is attached to the other end (12). The longitudinal edges are stiffened then the most curved areas are mechanically treated and the shaping mechanisms (2) are released. The method is relevant to skip manufacturers and more generally to builders of utility vehicles.

Abstract: A method for peening the tops of cooled blades which include cooling air passage orifices. Peening is performed by mobilization of a plurality of beads in a sealed chamber containing at least one blade tip. The plurality of beads is mobilized by the active surface of a sonotrode which delimits part of said chamber. The beads have a diameter greater than that of the cooling air passage orifices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for a shot-peening processing that can process in one step and thus reduce operating costs and the cost of equipment while increasing the efficiency of the treatment in the peening processing while achieving a peening effect similar to the effect obtained by shot-peening processing a plural number of times, that is, deeply generating compressive residual stress far from the top surface while generating the peak value of the compressive residual stress on the top surface. This method is characterized by projecting, on a product to be subjected to peening, shot in which two or three kinds of particles, each having a different predetermined average particle diameter and having a predetermined average particle diameter ratio to one another, are combined in a predetermined weight ratio.

Abstract: A method for forming a onepiece skip body with a concave cross section from a large metal sheet (1) by imparting an approximate cross section to the sheet using shaping means (2) is disclosed. According to the method, the approximate cross section is maintained while a sealing plate (10) is secured to one end (9) and a stiffening reinforcement member (13) shaped according to the final cross section is attached to the other end (12). The longitudinal edges are stiffened then the most curved areas are mechanically treated and the shaping means (2) are released. The method is relevant to skip manufacturers and more generally to builders of utility vehicles.

Abstract: A method of shot blasting a part comprising at least one thin wall (12″) defining two opposite main faces, the square root of the area of each face being greater than the mean distance between said two faces by a factor of at least five, and preferably by a factor of at least ten, in which method said part is caused to rotate at least intermittently relative to one or more vibrating surfaces, with at least one of the main faces being exposed to projectiles (6) set into motion by means of one or more of said vibrating surfaces, treatment taking place progressively on said face(s) so as to impart compression stresses thereto, with a portion only of the part being treated at any one time and with regions of the part preferably being exposed on several occasions to the projectiles, with relative rotation taking place between said exposures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of manufacturing an endless metallic belt adjusts a circumferential length of the belt by subjecting the endless metallic belt to a shot peening treatment. For example, by measuring the circumferential length prior to the shot peening treatment and determining the condition of the shot peening treatment on the basis of the measured length, and/or by measuring the circumferential length during the shot peening treatment and terminating the shot peening treatment on the basis of the measured length.

Abstract: The process for manufacturing a metallic component, such as a wheel part for the rolling system of a vehicle, which includes, in an initial stage, forming the component of a metallic material in a semi-solid state and having a thixotropic structure, and in a subsequent cold-treatment stage, cold-treating at least part of said component by blasting it with projectiles with a view to plastic deformation thereof. A wheel in which a metallic disk is welded to a wheel rim and in which the metallic disk is obtained by the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rolling bearing having an excellent corrosion resistance and toughness which can fairly operate at a high rotary speed. At least the inner race is formed by a titanium alloy, and the rolling elements are formed by ceramics. Alternatively, at least one of the inner race and the outer race is formed by a &bgr; type titanium alloy. The percent cold working of the &bgr; type titanium alloy is predetermined to not less than 20% or a range of from 5 to 20%. The cold working is followed by shot peening. Further, the surface hardness Hv is predetermined to not less than 600. The volumetric ratio of residual &bgr; phase in the &bgr; type titanium alloy is predetermined to a range of from 30 to 80%.

Abstract: A processing system for increasing the quality of a gear having a shot peening apparatus for subjecting, to shot peening, a gear after tooth-forming and surface hardening; a barreling apparatus positioned adjacently to the shot peening apparatus, for subjecting, to barreling, the gear which has been subject to shot peening by the shot peening apparatus; and a gear feeding apparatus positioned adjacently to the shot peening apparatus and the barreling apparatus, for feeding, to the barreling apparatus, the gear which has been subjected to the shot peening by the shot peening apparatus. Thus, a gear of high quality can be efficiently produced, and the working environment can be cleaned at low cost by a dust collecting apparatus.

Abstract: A method of so-called “ultrasonic” peening is described for peening large sized annular surfaces on thin parts. The method uses a microbead mist vibrated in a chamber with an opening so that the surface that is to be peened makes at least five movements past the opening of the peening chamber during peening so as to reduce deformation of the part.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of forming a component made of an artificially and plastically formable material which can be hardened by artificial aging. The component is first shot-peen-formed in the unhardened condition and is subsequently, artificially aged. During artificial aping it is subjected to an exterior pressure load causing a creep of the impact-body-forming material to conform to a mold having the desired shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a strength-enhancing apparatus for a metal part comprising a recovery mechanism for sucking powder flow dust generated from glass beads crushed on a surface of a gear in a chamber to recover it together with drainage, wherein the recovery mechanism includes a liquid-spouting means arranged on a ceiling in the chamber, for effecting showering for the whole interior of the chamber. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably recover the mist containing the powder flow dust floating in the chamber, and it is possible to reliably avoid adhesion and accumulation of the powder flow dust.

Abstract: A mask for masking a corner of a metal component during peening. The component has a first surface defining an opening in the component and a second surface intersecting the first surface of the component at the corner. The mask includes a plug sized and shaped for insertion in the opening adjacent to the corner to cover the corner during peening. Further, the mask includes a rim surrounding at least a portion of the plug sized and shaped for surrounding at least a portion of the opening to cover the corner during peening thereby preventing the corner from being peened.

Abstract: The rate of impact between the peening elements and an internal surface of a hollow part is a function of the vibration frequency, and there is a cut-off frequency at which a hollow part can vibrate and induce repeated impact between its internal surface and the peening elements because the rate of impact becomes erratic and loses its cyclical nature as the vibration frequency deviates from the cut-off frequency. The present invention provides a method for determining the cut-off frequency at which a hollow part can vibrate and maintain the repetitive nature of the impact between its internal surface and the peening elements. Such a method requires a peening element speed limit ratio, which is the ratio of the velocity of the hollow part compared to the velocity of the peening element above which the rate of impact begins to become erratic and lose its cyclical nature.