Smart controller for laser peening
AssigneeLSP Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMark E. O Loughlin, Jeff L. Dulaney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laser shock processing apparatus with controller for controlling laser shock processing operation. The controller generates an operator perceivable alert when a processing value is not within a predetermined range of a preset value. The controller may adjust the processing value to be within the predetermined range or may deactivate a laser from directing a beam of coherent energy to a workpiece. In one embodiment, a plurality of controllers comprise distributed processing of various processing values for controlling laser shock processing operation.
Claims54
An apparatus for laser shock processing in which a pulse of coherent energy is directed to a workpiece to create a shockwave therein, the pulse of coherent energy having physical characteristics including an energy, a temporal profile, and a spatial profile, the apparatus comprising:
- a transparent overlay material, said transparent overlay material applied to the workpiece;
- at least one processing value;
- a laser operatively associated with said energy transparent overlay material, said laser operable to direct the beam of coherent energy;
- at least one monitor operatively associated with each said at least one processing value, each said at least one monitor generating a respective monitor signal;
- a respective preset value corresponding to each said monitor signal;
- and
- a monitor controller operatively associated with at least one monitor signal and said laser, said monitor controller comparing said monitor signal to a respective preset value, said monitor controller generating a control signal if said monitor signal is not within a predetermined range of said respective preset value.
An apparatus for laser shock processing in which a pulse of coherent energy is directed to a workpiece to create a shockwave therein, the apparatus comprising:
- a transparent overlay, said transparent overlay applied to the workpiece;
- at least two processing values;
- a laser operatively associated with said transparent overlay, said laser operable to direct the beam of coherent energy;
- at least two monitors, each said monitor operatively associated with one of each said processing values, respectively, each said at least two monitors generating a respective monitor signal;
- a respective preset value corresponding to each said monitor signal;
- at least two monitor controllers, each said monitor operatively associated with each said monitor signal, said monitor controller comparing said monitor signal to a respective preset value, said monitor controller generating a control signal if said monitor signal is not within a predetermined range of said respective preset value;
- and
- a laser controller operatively associated with each said control signal, said laser controller comparing each respective said control signal to at least one predetermined operating condition, said laser controller generating a laser control signal if said control signals are not within a predetermined range of said operating condition.
The apparatus according to 51 further comprising a flashlamp and said fluorescence signal is adjustable by adjusting one of current and voltage supplied to said flashlamp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.