Patent ID: 6281473
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: B23K,C21D,F05B

Abstract:
A laser shock peening apparatus for laser shock peening a metallic surface portion on a workpiece through a laser transparent confinement media, said apparatus comprising:a laser unit having at least one laser beam source for generating at least one laser beam and means for directing said beam through the confinement media, to the surface portion on the workpiece,a confinement media supply means for flowing the confinement media over the surface portion,a sensor means for sensing a thickness of the confinement media on the surface portion,a control means for controlling the laser shock peening based on a sensed thickness signal from said sensor means which is connected to said control means, andwherein said confinement media supply means further comprises a control valve controllably connected to said control means for controlling flow rate of the confinement media through said confinement media supply means based on the sensed thickness from said sensor means.