Controlling shot peening device via shot media velocity sensing

An apparatus for controlling a velocity of a shot media, the apparatus comprising:

• a shot peening device configured to accelerate and expel the shot media;
• a sensor having a defined sensing area;
• and
• a computing system configured to:
• determine a frequency of the shot media through the defined sensing area;
• determine the velocity of the shot media based on the determined frequency and a predefined characteristic of the sensor;
• compare the determined velocity of the shot media to a desired velocity of the shot media to determine a difference;
• and
• control the shot peening device to adjust the velocity of the shot media in response to the comparison and the determined difference.

A method for controlling a velocity of shot media from a shot peening device, the method comprising:

• activating a sensor having a defined sensing area;
• receiving the shot media through the defined sensing area;
• determining a frequency of the shot media through the defined sensing area;
• determining, by a controller, the velocity of the shot media based on the determined frequency and a predefined characteristic of the sensor;
• comparing, by the controller, the determined velocity of the shot media to a desired velocity of the shot media to determine a difference;
• and
• controlling, by the controller, the shot peening device to adjust the velocity of the shot media in response to the comparison and the determined difference.