Patent ID: 6336844
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: B24B,B24C,F01D,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for ultrasonic peening of parts on a wheel comprising an annular surface centered on the geometric axis of rotation of the wheel, the method including the steps of:a) providing the parts on said annular surface of the wheel aligned on a geometric circle centered on the geometric axis of rotation so that the parts of the wheel define a geometric surface of revolution, b) providing at least three chambers with respective openings having lateral edges, c) providing said wheel simultaneously above the openings of said at least three chambers so that at least some of the said parts extend into said chambers through said openings and said lateral edges are arranged on each side of said parts on said wheel, d) providing said lateral edges with a limited clearance E1 from said annular surface e) providing said openings with two shaped edges facing one another so that said shaped edges face the geometric surface of rotation with limited clearance E2, f) providing each chamber adjacent its neighbouring chamber with a shaped edge between these chambers, g) providing at least one chamber with a vibration surface so that said chamber is an active chamber whilst at least two other chambers are passive chambers, h) providing each active chamber between two other chambers either side, i) providing at least one active chamber with a plurality of microbeads whereby said vibration surface energises said plurality of microbeads to form a mist of microbeads in the said active chamber, j) rotating said wheel about its geometric axis of rotation in order that said parts on said wheel pass successively through said chambers whereby said mist of microbeads provides peening of said parts on said wheel, k) supplying microbeads to said at least one active chamber and recovering any of said microbeads which are carried into and fall in any of said passive chambers.