Method and apparatus for improving the fatigue life of components and structures using the stresswave process
US6615636B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC21D2221/00
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Metal coldworking tooling and a method of employing such tooling. The tooling is used to produce deformation in a workpiece, preferably via use of stress waves, to provide a selected beneficial residual stress profile in the workpiece, in order to provide high fatigue life structures in a minimum number of manufacturing steps. Preferably, action of an indenter causes propagation of stress waves to coldwork a workpiece, causing dimples in the workpiece. Preferably, the dimples are provided with a shape formed by application of a pre-selected pressure profile to the workpiece surface. By optimized use of the method, a relatively uniform beneficial residual stress profile is provided at both the surface and at the midplane apertures in a workpiece, so as to improve overall fatigue life.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.