Shot Peening System and Method with Velocity Sensing

Author:  Robert A. Thompson
Source:  US Patent 4,805,429
Doc ID:  1989040
Year of Publication:  1989
Abstract:  
Consistency in shot peening is obtained by a system using a force sensor to sense the reaction force from a shot peening gun. The reaction force is used to calculate the average velocity of the shot stream. Since the quality of effect of the shot peening process depends upon the square of the velocity of the shot and the mass of the shot, control of the shot velocity and mass flow rate is used to provide consistent shot peening results. Additionally, the force sensor is used to trigger an alarm and/or turn off the shot peening if the reaction force is too low such that a clogged nozzle or other malfunction is occurring.