Apparatus to measure particle distribution of a shot stream
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsRobert A. Thompson, Randy S. Brown
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims13
An apparatus for measuring particle distribution of a shot stream ejected from a gun, comprising:
- a partition plate positionable at a distance from said gun and having an elongate measurement window partitioned into a multiplicity of sub-windows positioned therein for receiving distributed portions of said shot stream,
- a means for collection fluidly connected transversely to said sub-windows in the partition plate for separately collecting said distributed shot stream portions from respective ones of said sub-windows, and
- means for supporting said plate.
A method for measuring particle distribution of a shot stream using an apparatus comprising:
- a partition plate, an elongated measurement window in said plate, a multiplicity of sub-windows defined within said window, a collection means joined to said sub-windows, and a means for support of said plate, wherein said method is comprised of the steps:
- operating a shot peening device to eject a shot stream;
- directing said shot stream into said elongated measurement window for distribution in said sub-windows;
- collecting shot from said collection means to determine shot mass for each of said sub-windows;
- averaging densities of said shot mass over collection area for each of said sub-windows to each side of a center one of said sub-windows indicative of a shot stream center in a two sub-window set;
- and
- multiplying said average density for each set by area of an annular ring associated with said set for determining total flow.
An apparatus for measuring distribution of shot particles in a stream ejected from a gun at velocity for plastically deforming a workpiece surface comprising:
- a plurality of adjoining sub-windows disposed in a plate positionable at a distance from said gun for receiving distributed portions of said particle stream from said gun aimed thereat;
- a plurality of channels extending through said plate in flow communication with respective ones of said sub-windows for channeling away said particles received therein;
- and
- a plurality of containers disposed in flow communication with respective ones of said channels for collecting said particles therefrom, with a distribution of said collected particles in said containers being measurable for measuring said distribution of said particles in said stream.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.