Laser peening system and method
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsAngel L. Ortiz, Jr., Carl M. Penney, Marshall G. Jones, Carl E. Erikson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser peening apparatus and method for peening a workpiece utilizing a laser beam is described. The system includes a foil aligned with a surface of the workpiece to be peened and lasing the aligned foil surface. The foil absorbs energy from the beam and a portion of the foil vaporizes, which creates a hot plasma within the foil. The plasma creates a shock wave which passes through the foil and peens the workpiece surface.
Claims20
A peening apparatus for peening a workpiece, said peening apparatus comprising:
- an assembly comprising a foil having first and second surfaces, means for maintaining said second surface of said foil proximate the workpiece surface to be peened, and a cover plate having a clearance opening therein, said cover plate having first and second surfaces, a protection plate having first and second surfaces, said first surface of said protection plate disposed proximate one of said surfaces of said cover plate, said foil being disposed between said cover plate and the workpiece;
- a laser unit comprising a laser beam source for generating at least one laser beam and means for transmitting said beam through said clearance opening to vaporize a portion of said foil;
- whereby a plasma is created within said foil upon vaporizing said foil portion, said plasma generating a force transmitted through said foil to peen the workpiece surface.
An assembly for a peening apparatus of the type which utilizes a laser beam from a laser beam source to peen a workpiece, said assembly comprising:
- a foil having first and second surfaces;
- a cover plate having first and second surfaces, said cover plate further having a clearance opening therein being aligned with a portion of said foil, said foil being positioned between said cover plate and the workpiece, and said second surface of said foil being proximate the workpiece surface to be peened;
- a protection plate having first and second surfaces, said first surface of said protection plate being proximate one surface of said cover plate;
- engagement means for maintaining said plates and said foil in position;
- whereby the workpiece surface disposed proximate said second surface of said foil is peened when the laser beam is applied through said clearance opening.
A method of peening a workpiece comprising the steps of:
- selecting a foil which absorbs energy from a laser beam;
- aligning said foil with a surface of the workpiece to be peened;
- selecting laser beam unit parameters;
- and
- lasing the surface of said foil aligned with the workpiece with the laser beam output by said laser beam unit;
- whereby energy from the laser beam is absorbed by the foil thereby vaporizing a portion of said foil and creating a shock wave passing therethrough which impacts against and peens the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.