LASER SHOCK PEENING APPARATUS
A laser shock peening device and components thereof. The optical system of the laser peening device includes sapphire optical elements, such as a lens or a prism. A water channel is provided in a pen for the laser shock peening device that has a curved flow path to direct the water. An air conduit in the pen provides a stream of air to the surface receiving the laser shock peening treatment.
1 . A pen for applying a laser shock peening application with a laser on a surface of a workpiece, the pen comprising:
an elongate member comprising a laser point entry aperture and a laser point exit aperture; and,
at least one sapphire optical element disposed between the laser point entry aperture and the laser point exit aperture.
2 . The pen of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second optical element disposed between the sapphire optical element and the laser point entry aperture.
3 . The pen of claim 2 , further comprising:
a third optical element disposed between the second optical element and the sapphire optical element.
4 . The pen of claim 3 , wherein the sapphire optical element comprises a prism.
5 . The pen of claim 4 , wherein the prism is supported on a reflective platform within the elongate member.
6 . The pen of claim 4 , wherein the prism comprises a first side having a length greater than a length of a second side, the first side receiving the laser from the laser point entry aperture and the second side providing the laser to the laser point exit aperture.
7 . The pen of claim 3 , wherein the sapphire optical element comprises a lens.
8 . The pen of claim 7 , wherein the sapphire lens comprises a first side with a first width, and a second side with a second width equal to the first width.
9 . The pen of claim 7 , further comprising:
a mirror positioned between the third optical element and the sapphire optical element.
10 . The pen of claim 1 wherein the at least one sapphire optical element seals the laser point exit aperture.
11 . A pen for applying a laser shock peening application with a laser on a surface of a workpiece, the pen comprising:
an elongate member having a laser point entry aperture, a laser point exit aperture, and having a circularly shaped surface; and,
a water channel having an inlet and outlet, the water channel defining a water path between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the water path comprises a curve along the circularly shaped surface of the elongate member.
12 . The pen of claim 11 , wherein the curve comprises a C-shape.
13 . The pen of claim 11 , wherein the curve comprises a helix.
14 . The pen of claim 11 , wherein the elongate member is disposed inside of an outer sleeve.
15 . The pen of claim 11 , wherein the water channel is integrally formed in the circularly shaped surface of the elongate member.
16 . A pen for applying a laser shock peening application with a laser on a surface of a workpiece, the pen comprising:
an elongate member comprising a laser point entry aperture and a laser point exit aperture; and,
an air conduit having an outlet configured to direct a stream of air across the laser point exit aperture and towards the surface of a workpiece.
17 . The pen of claim 16 , wherein the air conduit has a non-circular cross section.
18 . The pen of claim 16 , wherein the air conduit has a cross sectional height that is smaller than a cross sectional length.