Method of controlling output energy in a forging hammer by anticipative sensing of input parameters

The method of obtaining a preselected kinetic energy at the time of impact in blows of a ram of a forging hammer in a system employing an impact device driven by compressible fluid having a frame supporting at least one cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, means connecting the piston to a ram such that the ram is repeatedly movable relative to the frame from a retracted position into impact position, a driving fluid system including a compressible fluid supply, valve means connecting said compressible fluid supply into said at least one cylinder through at least one inlet port at a position in the cylinder to drive the ram into impact position and permitting release of fluid from the cylinder, and a trapped volume of compressible lifting fluid causing the ram to be retracted from impact position when fluid driving the ram into impact is released from the cylinder, comprising:

• sensing one or more of the following:
• pressure of the compressible inlet fluid, residual velocity of the ram at the position at which at least one inlet port is uncovered by the piston, position of the piston at the time of fluid admission and pressure of the lifting fluid;
• correlating the sensed parameters in connection with predetermined criteria;
• using the correlation to determine a range of possible kinetic energy at impact and comparing with a preselected kinetic energy input demand;
• and making adjustments at the valve means so that the anticipated kinetic energy will be at the preselected level at ram impact.