Method and apparatus for ultra high pressure water jet peening
AssigneeWaterjet Technology, Inc.
InventorsTom Butler, Dave Monserud, Dave Bothell, Dave Steele, John Hake
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention describes a method and apparatus for peening objects by means of ultrahigh velocity waterjet. The apparatus includes means for holding and producing relative motion in three dimensions of both the workpiece and the jet. Control means are provided to allow uniform and variable depth peening of complex shapes and automatic variations in relative speed, standoff distance, angle and pressure. The method includes the use of entrained disappearing particles in the waterjet to facilitate peening.
Claims18
A method for peening a metal including the steps of producing a volume of ultra high pressure fluid;
- wherein the pressure of said volume of fluid is over 20,000 p.s.i and;
- conveying said high pressure waterjet cutting nozzle;
- and ;
- releasing said ultra high pressure fluid to form an ultra high pressure waterjet, moving said ultra high pressure waterjet across the surface of metal sought to be peened in such a matter that said ultra high pressure waterjet contacts and compresses the surface of said metal until substantially all of the surface sought to be peened has been contacted by said jet and has been compressed, ceasing operation of said jet.
A peening machine comprising:
- pump means for producing a volume of ultra high pressure fluid;
- wherein the pressure of said volume of fluid is over 20,000 p.s.i and;
- conduit means connected to said pump means for conveying said high pressure fluid;
- and nozzle means connected to said conduit means for forming an ultra high pressure waterjet;
- and, transform means for moving said ultra high pressure waterjet across the surface of metal sought to be peened in such a matter that said ultra high pressure waterjet contacts and compresses the surface of said metal until substantially all of the surface sought to be peened has been contacted by said jet and has been compressed without material loss.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.