The field of the disclosure relates generally to peening, and more particularly, to shot peening of machine components.
At least some known shot peening devices are used to treat components of rotary machines to prevent cracking and improve fatigue life. An excitement or propulsion device propels shot media against the component. The shot media typically includes a plurality of small metallic or ceramic particles that have a spherical shape. When the shot media hits the surface of the component, small spherical dents form on the surface of the part, causing a localized compressive residual stress on the peened surface. The peening treatment assists in mitigating the formation of microcracks on the surface of the component, for example.
Some known peening methods for components include a chamber that enables treatment of the entire surface of the component with shot media. However, by not concentrating or localizing the propulsion of the shot media, there is a greater risk of shot media escaping from the chamber and damaging other parts of the machine. Furthermore, these peening methods may not provide accuracy over a short duration of treatment and therefore may require excessive time and labor to peen each component. In addition, many known forms of peening may only use a fixed peening device that treats only a fixed, i.e. non-rotating, component.
In one aspect, a peening device for treating a component is provided. The device includes a shot media propulsion source configured to propel a quantity of shot media. The device also includes a plurality of treatment enclosures each selectively coupleable to the shot media propulsion source. Each of the treatment enclosures has a shape complementary to a corresponding one of a plurality of portions of the component, such that each treatment enclosure and the corresponding portion cooperate to enclose the shot media.
In another aspect, a set of treatment enclosures for a peening device is provided. The peening device is configured for treating a component. The set of treatment enclosures includes a first treatment enclosure selectively coupleable to a shot media propulsion source of the peening device. The first treatment enclosure has a shape complementary to a first surface of the component, such that the first treatment enclosure and the first surface cooperate to enclose the shot media. The device further includes a second treatment enclosure selectively coupleable to the shot media propulsion source. The second treatment enclosure has a shape complementary to a second surface of the component, such that the second treatment enclosure and the second surface cooperate to enclose the shot media.
In another aspect, a method of treating a component using a peening device is provided. The peening device includes a shot media propulsion source. The method includes coupling a first of a plurality of treatment enclosures to the shot media propulsion source, and positioning the peening device with respect to a first portion of the component. The method also includes activating the shot media propulsion source. The first treatment enclosure has a shape complementary to the first portion of the component, such that the first treatment enclosure and the first portion cooperate to enclose shot media propelled by the shot media propulsion source. The method further includes coupling a second of the plurality of treatment enclosures to the shot media propulsion source, and positioning the peening device with respect to a second portion of the component. In addition, the method includes reactivating the shot media propulsion source. The second treatment enclosure has a shape complementary to the second portion of the component, such that the second treatment enclosure and the second portion cooperate to enclose shot media propelled by the shot media propulsion source.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings provided herein are meant to illustrate features of embodiments of this disclosure. These features are believed to be applicable in a wide variety of systems comprising one or more embodiments of this disclosure. As such, the drawings are not meant to include all conventional features known by those of ordinary skill in the art to be required for the practice of the embodiments disclosed herein.
In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings.
The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged; such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.
The peening device described herein facilitates the peening of components of machines, such as, but not limited to, rotary machine components. The component defines a perimeter that includes a series of surfaces. The peening device described herein includes a plurality of selectable treatment enclosures that are each configured for treating a corresponding surface of the component. For example, in some embodiments, the component includes at least one rotationally symmetric surface, and the shape of the treatment enclosures facilitates peen treatment of such a surface while the component is rotated. For another example, the component includes at least one slot defined therein, and the shape of the treatment enclosures facilitates localized peen treatment of the surfaces that define the slot.
In the exemplary embodiment, turbine section 18 is coupled to compressor section 14 via a rotor shaft 22. It should be noted that, as used herein, the term “couple” is not limited to a direct mechanical, electrical, and/or communication connection between components, but may also include an indirect mechanical, electrical, and/or communication connection between multiple components. Rotor shaft 22 defines an axis 23.
During operation of rotary machine 10, intake section 12 channels air towards compressor section 14. Compressor section 14 compresses the air to a higher pressure and temperature. More specifically, rotor shaft 22 imparts rotational energy to at least one circumferential row of compressor blades 40 coupled to rotor shaft 22 within compressor section 14. In the exemplary embodiment, each row of compressor blades 40 is preceded by a circumferential row of compressor stator vanes 42 extending radially inward from casing 36 that direct the air flow into compressor blades 40. The rotational energy of compressor blades 40 increases a pressure and temperature of the air. Compressor section 14 discharges the compressed air towards combustor section 16.
In combustor section 16, the compressed air is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate combustion gases that are channeled towards turbine section 18. More specifically, combustor section 16 includes at least one combustor 24, in which a fuel, for example, natural gas and/or fuel oil, is injected into the air flow, and the fuel-air mixture is ignited to generate high temperature combustion gases that are channeled towards turbine section 18.
Turbine section 18 converts the thermal energy from the combustion gas stream to mechanical rotational energy. More specifically, the combustion gases impart rotational energy to at least one circumferential row of rotor blades 70 coupled to rotor shaft 22 within turbine section 18. In certain embodiments, each row of rotor blades 70 is spaced apart along rotor shaft 22 from an adjacent row of rotor blades 70 by a turbine spacer 76. In the exemplary embodiment, each row of rotor blades 70 is preceded by a circumferential row of turbine stator vanes 72 extending radially inward from casing 36 that direct the combustion gases into rotor blades 70. In some embodiments, an aft shaft 78 defines an aft portion of rotor shaft 22. Rotor shaft 22 may be coupled to a load (not shown) such as, but not limited to, an electrical generator and/or a mechanical drive application. The exhausted combustion gases flow downstream from turbine section 18 into exhaust section 20.
For example, in the exemplary embodiment, portions 183 include a plurality of positive surfaces 184 and a plurality of negative surfaces 186 that are arranged in a series relationship. Each positive surface 184 extends radially outward to a greater extent than each adjacent negative surface 186. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, each positive surface 184 has a substantially identical shape, and each negative surface 186 has a substantially identical shape. In alternative embodiments, at least one positive surface 184 is shaped differently from at least one other positive surface 184, and/or at least one negative surface 186 is shaped differently from at least one other negative surface 186. In other alternative embodiments, portions 183 may have any other suitable combination of symmetric shapes extending about rotor axis 23.
For example, in the exemplary embodiment, first peen treatment enclosure 132 is shaped to be complementary to at least one of positive surfaces 184 of component perimeter 182. First peen treatment enclosure 132, designated positive treatment enclosure 200 in the illustrated embodiment, includes an interface 202 and a positive treatment chamber 206 coupled to interface 202. Positive treatment chamber 206 includes a pair of opposing side walls 204 configured to extend circumferentially adjacent perimeter 182, and to receive positive surface 184 of component perimeter 182 therebetween. More specifically, chamber 206 defines a U-shaped groove that is complementary to outwardly jutting positive surface 184.
An aperture 208 extends through interface 202 and positive treatment chamber 206. Interface 202 is configured for coupling to a shot media propulsion source 102 of peening device 100, such that aperture 208 enables shot media (not shown) accelerated by propulsion source 102 to contact the portion of positive surface 184 that is enclosed by positive treatment chamber 206, while chamber 206 inhibits the shot media from contacting other surfaces of component 180 and/or escaping into the environment. In some embodiments, a length of chamber 206, measured parallel to walls 204, is much shorter than a circumference of component 180, facilitating increased accuracy and/or concentration of peening along selected portions of perimeter 182 as component 180 is rotated relative to peening device 100. In alternative embodiments, the length of chamber 206 is other than much shorter than the circumference of component 180.
An aperture 308 extends through interface 302 and negative treatment chamber 306. Interface 302 is configured for coupling to shot media propulsion source 102 of peening device 100, such that aperture 308 enables shot media (not shown) accelerated by propulsion source 102 to contact the portion of negative surface 186 that is enclosed by negative treatment chamber 306, while chamber 306 inhibits the shot media from contacting other surfaces of component 180 and/or escaping into the environment. In some embodiments, a length of chamber 306, measured between walls 304, is much shorter than a circumference of component 180, facilitating increased accuracy and/or concentration of peening along selected portions of perimeter 182 as component 180 is rotated relative to peening device 100. In alternative embodiments, the length of chamber 306 is other than much shorter than the circumference of component 180.
In operation, with reference to
With reference to
An aperture 708 extends through interface 702 and rim treatment chamber 706. Interface 702 is configured for coupling to shot media propulsion source 102 of peening device 100, such that aperture 708 enables shot media (not shown) accelerated by propulsion source 102 to contact the portion of rim surface 188 that is enclosed by rim treatment chamber 706, while chamber 706 inhibits the shot media from contacting other surfaces of component 180 and/or escaping into the environment. In some embodiments, a length of chamber 706, measured parallel to wall 704, is much shorter than a circumference of component 180, facilitating increased accuracy and/or concentration of peening along selected portions of perimeter 182 as component 180 is rotated relative to peening device 100. In alternative embodiments, the length of chamber 706 is other than much shorter than the circumference of component 180.
In operation, to peen perimeter 182 of component 180, similar to as described above, rim treatment enclosure 700 is coupled to peening device 100. Shot media (not shown) is loaded into device 100. Peening device 100 is positioned with respect to component 180, such that chamber 706 couples against rim surface 188 on perimeter 182 of component 180. Component 180 is then rotated about axis 23 relative to peening device 100, and shot media propulsion source 102 is activated to project the shot media repeatedly towards component 180. Rim treatment chamber 706 and rim surface 188 cooperate to enclose the shot media while component 180 is rotated relative to peening device 100. In alternative embodiments, component 180 remains stationary during peening treatment and peening device 100 is instead rotated around component 180.
In alternative embodiments, perimeter portions 183 may have any other suitable combination of shapes extending symmetrically about rotor axis 23, and the plurality of treatment enclosures 132 includes a corresponding treatment enclosure 132 that has a shape complementary to each such portion 183.
In certain embodiments, component 180 remains stationary during peening treatment of some perimeter portions 183 by peening device 100. For example, but not by way of limitation, in certain embodiments, perimeter 182 includes at least one portion 183 that is not symmetric about rotor axis 23.
With reference to
An aperture 908 extends through interface 902 and dovetail slot treatment chamber 906. In the exemplary embodiment, aperture 908 distal from interface 902 divides into a pair of opposing side apertures 910, and each side aperture 910 is configured for positioning adjacent a respective side wall 194 of dovetail slot 192 when dovetail slot treatment enclosure 900 is received in dovetail slot 192. Interface 902 is configured for coupling to shot media propulsion source 102 of peening device 100, such that aperture 908 enables shot media (not shown) accelerated by propulsion source 102 to contact the portion of dovetail side walls 194 that is enclosed by rim treatment chamber 906, while chamber 906 inhibits the shot media from contacting other surfaces of component 180 and/or escaping into the environment. In some embodiments, a length of chamber 906, measured parallel to dovetail slot 192, is shorter than a length of dovetail slot 192, facilitating increased accuracy and/or concentration of peening along selected portions of perimeter 182. In alternative embodiments, the length of chamber 906 is other than shorter than the length of dovetail slot 192.
In operation, to peen perimeter 182 of dovetail slot 192, dovetail slot treatment enclosure 900 is coupled to peening device 100. Shot media (not shown) is loaded into device 100. Peening device 100 is positioned with respect to component 180, such that chamber 906 is received by dovetail slot 192, and such that side apertures 910 are positioned adjacent dovetail side walls 194 on perimeter 182 of component 180. Shot media propulsion source 102 is activated to project the shot media repeatedly towards component 180. Once a cycle of treatment is completed, shot media propulsion source 102 is deactivated, peening device 100 is repositioned such that chamber 906 is coupled to another portion of dovetail slot 192 or received by another dovetail slot 192, and the peening operation is repeated. In certain embodiments, fourth peen treatment enclosure 132 facilitates improved accuracy and precision of peen treatment of slots defined in component 180, as compared to enclosures (not shown) configured to peen large sections of component 180 simultaneously.
In alternative embodiments, perimeter portions 183 may have any other suitable combination of shapes, and the plurality of treatment enclosures 132 includes a corresponding treatment enclosure 132 that has a shape complementary to each such portion 183.
Peening device 100 includes any suitable shot media propulsion source 102 that enables shot media to be delivered to peen treatment enclosures 132 with sufficient energy to peen a surface of component perimeter 182 with a selected effectiveness. For example, but not by way of limitation, shot media propulsion source 102 includes a suitable centrifugal blast wheel to propel shot media. For another example, but not by way of limitation, shot media propulsion source 102 includes a suitable air blast system to propel shot media. For another example, but not by way of limitation, shot media propulsion source 102 includes a suitable ultrasonic excitation source to propel shot media. In some embodiments, peening device 100 further includes a suitable vacuum system (not shown) for recovery of spent shot media.
Method 1100 further includes coupling 1108 a second of the plurality of treatment enclosures, such as a second one of treatment enclosures 132, to the shot media propulsion source, and positioning 1110 the peening device with respect to a second portion of the component, such as a second one of portions 183 of perimeter 182. In addition, method 1100 includes reactivating 1112 the shot media propulsion source. The second treatment enclosure has a shape complementary to the second portion of the component, such that the second treatment enclosure and the second portion cooperate to enclose shot media propelled by the shot media propulsion source.
Embodiments of the peening device described herein provide several advantages over known peening devices. Specifically, the embodiments provide for peening multiple portions of a component using selectable treatment enclosures attachable in series to a single peening device. More specifically, each of the treatment enclosures is shaped complementarily to a corresponding portion of the component. In certain embodiments, the selectable treatment enclosures enable peening of at least a portion of a circumferential surface of a component while the component is rotated. For example, at least some known components include a circumferential surface that includes a series of positive and negative surfaces, wherein the positive surfaces extend radially to a greater extent than the negative surfaces. In such cases, the peening device described herein includes two treatment enclosures attachable in sequence, each for treating a respective surface of the component while the component is rotated. The shape of the treatment enclosures improves the treatment of the surface of the component. In addition, the embodiments provided herein provide concentrated or localized propulsion of shot media, facilitating a reduced risk of shot media escaping from the chamber and damaging other parts of the machine, and/or improved accuracy over a short duration of treatment.
An exemplary technical effect of the methods, systems, and apparatus described herein includes at least one of: (a) improving the quality and uniformity of peen treatment of components having portions with multiple surface configurations; (b) enabling use of a standardized device with interchangeable portions to treat multiple portions of a component; (c) improving the service life of the components; and (d) enabling a single set-up and operation for peening of each portion of rotationally symmetric components, reducing the amount of time required and the manpower spent on maintaining the components.
Exemplary embodiments of a peening device are described above in detail. The peening device and methods of manufacturing or operating such a system and device are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of systems and/or steps of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the systems, apparatus, and methods may also be used in combination with other types of peening devices, and are not limited to practice with only the peening devices, systems and methods as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other applications, equipment, and systems.
Although specific features of various embodiments of the disclosure may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the disclosure, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15097082 | Apr 2016 | US |
Child | 16662279 | US |