This disclosure generally relates to shot peening, and, specifically, providing an air aspiration system for a media flow control valve in shot peening.
Shot peening is a surface enhancement process that imparts a compressive residual stress into the surface of a metal component by impacting metallic, ceramic, or glass peening particles at high velocity.
Shot peening is a surface enhancement process that imparts a compressive residual stress into the surface of a metal component by impacting metallic, ceramic, or glass peening media at high velocity. Popular methods for propelling these peening media include air blast systems and wheel blast wheels. In the air blast systems, media are introduced by various methods into the path of high pressure air and accelerated through a nozzle directed at the surface to be peened.
In wheel blast style peening applications, shot peening media is fed from a hopper or media storage bin to the blades of a rotating wheel and propelled toward an impingement target. This media travels through the peening arrangement in very high volumes, in the range of 100-2000 pounds per minute.
To regulate the flow rate of media in wheel blast style peening applications, a flow control device or apparatus is used. The flow control device or apparatus, which in some examples is a valve, but in other examples may be another mechanical component to accomplish the same result while functioning in much the same way, contains a working gap through which media may pass during a peening operation. The apparatus, in some examples a valve, may have a first side or end that is connected to a media feed or media hopper, and may have a second side or end that is connected to a wheel blast style peening unit. In some examples, these devices may be magnetically-closed valves, which may use an arrangement of permanent magnets, electrical coils, and pole pieces constructed from magnetic material to control the advancement of media. When the valve is in its off-state, or a “shut” position, the permanent magnets and magnetic material create a magnetic field which impedes the flow of shot media through the valve.
Thus, when the valve is shut or in its off-state, the valve impedes the shot media fed from the hopper from flowing through the working gap of the valve, the shot media builds up between the hopper and the valve, and thus the working gap of the valve is closed off. Consequently, the movement of the fan in a wheel blast style application creates negative pressure between the feed spout of the wheel blast unit and the control valve. This pressure differential may be sufficient to induce unintended flow of media through the working gap of the flow control device or apparatus, which negatively affects the controlled conditions of the peening process. In prior art, there have been no provisions made for this negative pressure, requiring the user to install additional equipment.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to the same or similar features in the various views,
As shown in
In the example pictured in
In the example shown in
In some examples the pole pieces 2 and, or alternatively the intermediate bar 3, may be made from magnetic materials either by machining, casting, or by other mechanical processes. In other examples, all the valve 100, pole pieces 2, intermediate bar 3, aspiration inlets 4, aspiration chambers 9, and aspiration outlets 5 may be made from any materials such as composite, metal alloys, and by mechanical processes such as machining, casting, and molding that are used to make such components. The valve 100 may be manufactured separately from the aspiration inlet 4, aspiration chamber 9, and aspiration outlet 5, and all the components may be fastened together mechanically. Alternatively, the valve 100, aspiration inlet 4, aspiration chamber 9, and aspiration outlet may all be made integral as part of the same component by machining, casting, molding, or otherwise creating all the features and components as a whole.
As shown in the exemplary design in
First, the air travels through the plurality of aspiration inlets 4 through the opening provided by the aspiration inlet recess 4a. The air flow then travels from the opening of the extended inlet channel 4b, through the aspiration chamber 9, to the aspiration outlet 5, but before exiting the valve 100 through the aspiration outlet 5, the air flow passes geometry configured to filter debris from the air flow, or debris collection zone 8 located within the aspiration chamber 9. When passing through the debris collection zone 8, debris that is drawn into the aspiration chamber 9 from the environment, having a similar velocity as the air flow yet being heavier than the air flow and thus having a higher inertia than the air flow, may fall into the debris collection zone 8. Through this configuration, debris may be prevented from entering the media flow, which may prevent the peening media from being compromised by debris.
The air then flows through the aspiration outlet 5 and around a media barrier 6. The media barrier 6 may prevent media from the peening flow from entering the aspiration chamber 9 and inhibiting proper air flow.
This air flow, as it exits the aspiration outlet 5, provides a passive source of air aspiration to the shot peening system, preventing unfavorable suction or negative pressure from the wheel blast fans, which would otherwise draw shot media through the working gap and affect the shot peening parameters. Additionally, the air flows across the surface of the pole piece 2, acting as a cooling air current for the engine assembly. This secondary cooling aids in increasing the operating life of the valve.
While this disclosure has described certain examples, it will be understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to these examples except as explicitly recited in the claims. On the contrary, the instant disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that systems and methods consistent with this disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure.
This application is a non-provisional conversion of U.S. Pat. App. No. 63/418,795 entitled “AIR ASPIRATION SYSTEM FOR MEDIA FLOW CONTROL VALVE IN SHOT PEENING,” filed Oct. 24, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety and for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63418795 | Oct 2022 | US |