WO2012016754A1

WO2012016754A1 - Needle peening device for locally working the surfaces of components

Info

Publication number: WO2012016754A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/060267
Authority: WO
Inventors: Janne Ehrl; Holger Polanetzki; Thomas Dautl
Original assignee: Mtu Aero Engines Gmbh
Priority date: 2010-06-24
Filing date: 2011-06-21
Publication date: 2012-02-09

Abstract

A needle peening device for locally working the surfaces of components has a support (2, 400) including at least one needle channel (404, 406), in which a needle (7.1) is displaceably guided in a needle direction and delimits a piston chamber (406), which is increased in size by a movement of the needle in the needle direction, and an opposite piston chamber (404), which is reduced in size by a movement of the needle in the needle direction, also has a pressure reservoir (402), further has a passage (403, 404, 405), which fluidically connects the piston chamber and the pressure reservoir to one another, and additionally has a control-valve device (405, 407) for blocking the passage.

Description

Needler for local surface treatment of components

The invention relates to a needler for local surface treatment, in particular solidification, of components, and a method for local surface treatment, in particular solidification, of components, in particular components of an aircraft engine, by means of such a needler.

In particular, for solidification and stress of component surfaces in turbomachinery, such as blades of pumps, compressors and turbines, it is known to radiate this surface by balls are accelerated by means of blowers against the component surface and deform them on impact. This disadvantage requires this - in particular the storage, acceleration and recovery of the unbound balls - a high expenditure on equipment, which in particular precludes a mobile application. In addition, surface areas that are not to be processed need to be extensively masked.

DE 34 42 089 C1 discloses a needler in which a plurality of needles guided in a carrier are individually accelerated electromagnetically against a component surface to imitate shot peening. The carrier is fastened to a housing via elastomeric oscillating elements, so that it makes an oscillating translational movement with respect to it when subjected to a circulating electromagnetic field in order to achieve an overlap of the sewing points when the housing guided by a robot moves relative to the component in the same Position is fixed. This robot guide, which is required due to the only slight variation of Nadelauftreffpunkte for processing larger or spaced surface areas and to support the oscillation movement is opposed to a mobile use.

From US 2010/0018272 AI it is known to attach the balls to a belt, which in turn is attached to a rotating, hand-held rod. The disadvantage of such a handset depends on the action of the leadership of the rod by the operator.

From CH 665 989 A5 a needler is known, in which instead of the unbound balls needles, which are guided displaceably in a hand tool, are accelerated against the component surface. To compensate for surface irregularities, the needles are displaceable in a stored nem drive part and hydraulically supported on its back. The entire drive part with the needles supported therein oscillates hydraulically, so that the individual, hydraulically entrained by the drive part needles beat periodically against the component surface. This solution is not optimal dynamically, because among other things always the entire drive part mitbeschleunigt and still have to work against a return spring.

The object of the present invention is to improve the local surface treatment of components and in particular to reduce at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages.

This object is achieved by a needler according to at least one of the independent device claims or by a method for local surface processing of components by means of a needler according to the invention. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims, wherein in particular the use of a needle according to the invention for machining components of an aircraft engine is placed under protection.

A needle according to the invention is used for local surface treatment, in particular solidification, of components by imitating a jet, in particular shot peening process, by guided needles accelerated onto the surface. With particular advantage, a needler according to the invention becomes a local, i. limited to specified surface areas, surface treatment, in particular solidification, used by components of turbomachinery. It is particularly suitable for the surface treatment of blades and / or flow channels of pumps, compressors and turbines, preferably aircraft engines. Preferably, components of an aircraft engine, in particular guide vanes or rotor blades and / or a blade carrier can be processed.

First main aspect

According to a first main aspect of the present invention, which will be explained in more detail below, and whose features and aspects, individually or in combination, may preferably also be combined with one or more of the other main aspects, a needler comprises a mono- or multi-part carrier with one or more needle channels in which or in each case a needle is guided displaceably in a needle direction. The needle each defines a piston space, which is enlarged by a movement of the needle in the needle direction, and an opposing piston space, which is reduced by a movement of the needle in the needle direction. A passage fluidly connects the respective piston chamber with a pressure reservoir in which, at least during operation, a gas, preferably air, or a liquid is stored under pressure over the environment or a sub-reservoir. If the carrier has several needles, several, preferably all, needle channels can be connected by passages to the same pressure reservoir. Likewise, however, one or more needle channels may be connected to a first pressure reservoir and one or more other needle channels may be connected to a second pressure reservoir.

A control valve device is switchable, preferably by a movement of a needle in the needle direction, from a state in which the respective piston chamber communicates fluidically with the pressure reservoir, into a state in which it blocks the passage. In a preferred development, the control valve device can also be switched to a state in which the piston chamber communicates fluidically with the environment or a vacuum reservoir.

In the state in which the piston chamber communicates fluidically with the pressure reservoir, the overpressure of the pressure reservoir is present in the piston chamber. This drives the needle in needle direction on the surface to be machined. If, preferably before a complete needle stroke in the needle direction, which may be limited in particular form-fitting by a stop, the control valve device, preferably automatically by this movement of the needle, the passage blocks, increases in inertia-related further movement of the needle, the piston chamber on, so that the driving Pressure in the now preferably at least substantially closed piston chamber decreases. If, in a turn preferred development, preferably before a complete needle stroke in the needle direction, the control valve device, preferably automatically by the further movement of the needle fluidly connects the piston chamber with the environment or a sub-reservoir, eliminates the driving force and the needle beats essentially in the free flight on the surface to be machined and can spring back substantially unattenuated, which imitates the shot peening process particularly well.

The movement of the needle in the needle direction reduces the counter-piston space. This can be completed so that a gas trapped in it, preferably air, is compressed and imposes a restoring force which increases with the movement in the needle direction on the needle, which seeks to reset it counter to the direction of the needle. In a zugten execution communicates the opposing piston chamber with a pressure reservoir, preferably the pressure reservoir, with which the piston chamber is connected. For this purpose, the opposing piston space can be fluidly arranged between the pressure reservoir and the controUventileinrichtung, so that it is not separated by the switching of the pressure reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, the opposing piston space surrounds the needle as an annular space. In this way, a substantially constant restoring force can be impressed on the needle.

Preferably, at least on a portion of the needle stroke in the needle direction, the needle-urging force imparting the piston space communicating with the pressure reservoir on the needle exceeds the opposite restoring force imposed on the needle by the opposing piston space. For this purpose, the projection perpendicular to the needle direction of the pressurized displaceable surface of the piston chamber can be made larger than the corresponding projection of the opposing piston space. Communicating the opposing piston space and, preferably through the opposing piston space, the piston chamber with the same pressure reservoir, thus resulting in a resultant that moves the needle in the needle direction. In addition or as an alternative to the above-mentioned ratio of the projections, a lower pressure may also be impressed in the opposing piston space, for example by the counter-piston space communicating with a pressure reservoir having a lower pressure.

Preferably, the controUventileinrichtung is switched by a movement of the needle in the needle direction. This can be done by control technology, in particular by appropriate control of an electronically actuated controUventileinrichtung. In a preferred embodiment, the KontroUventileinrichtung, however, is mechanically switched by a movement of the needle in the needle direction.

For this purpose, the controUventileinrichtung may have a slide valve. In the present case, a sliding valve is understood in particular to mean an arrangement having a movable part which, depending on the position, blocks or opens a flow. In a preferred embodiment, the passage comprises a hole in the needle. Depending on the position of the needle in the needle direction, an opening of this bore with the pressure reservoir, preferably with the opposing piston space, communicating or be closed against fluidic by the opening through the needle channel, preferably a heel in the needle channel is covered. In a preferred Training further communicates the bore in a position located in the needle direction further forward positions with the environment or a vacuum reservoir by the needle channel, in particular a paragraph, the opening releases in this position again.

In a preferred embodiment, a riot detection device is provided, with which it can be detected whether the needle is placed on a surface. For this purpose, a sensor, in particular a pressure sensor, such as a piezoelectric sensor, and / or, in particular optical, distance sensor can be arranged in particular in a contact surface of the needler for placement on a surface detected due to a detected pressure or vanishing distance that the needle is attached. Preferably, the riot detection device locks, in particular mechanically and / or control technology, a passage, preferably all passages, when the needle is not placed on a surface. As a result, unintentional needling can be avoided.

In a preferred embodiment, an impact detection device is provided, with which it can be detected whether a needle, preferably all needles, impinge on a surface. For this purpose, for example, the stroke of the respective needle can be detected - this is less than a complete needle stroke, it is detected that the needle is hit in its movement in the needle direction on the surface. In a preferred development, the pressure in the piston chamber is detected to detect whether a needle strikes a surface. This changes, as described above, with the movement of the needle, so that from the detected pressure change, the movement of the needle can be determined. In a preferred embodiment, the frequency with which the pressure oscillates in the piston chamber is detected and compared with a predetermined range, which is preferably predetermined as a function of the pressure in the pressure reservoir. If the detected frequency is within the predetermined range, an impact of the needle on a surface is detected.

In a preferred embodiment, a control device is provided with which the movement of the needle in the needle direction can be controlled. For a more compact representation, in the present case also a regulation, ie the specification of a manipulated variable taking into account a recirculated actual variable, is referred to as the controller. In particular, a predetermined pressure in the pressure reservoir can be set by the control device, which in turn influences the movement of the needle (s) as a driving force. As explained in the introduction, in a preferred embodiment, the carrier has two or more needle channels, in which a needle in each case in the manner described above is displaceably guided in a needle direction and by the pressure in the limited by the needle piston space and piston chamber in or . is moved counter to the needle direction. In particular, with the above-described embodiment of the control valve device as an integrated slide valve, the needles can be moved in a self-regulating and independent manner in and against the needle direction. This advantageously also makes it possible, in particular, to machine uneven surfaces.

As explained in more detail below, in particular with regard to the second main aspect, a rotating device for rotating the carrier relative to a housing of the needling device for displacing a Nadelauftreffpunktes on the surface may be provided. In this regard, reference is made to the following explanations. Additionally or alternatively, the carrier may be tiltably mounted about a tilt axis perpendicular to the needle direction relative to the housing. In this way, the needle direction against the Aufstandsnormale or a tool axis of the needle, in particular against a rotational axis of a rotating device for rotation of the carrier relative to a housing, can be tilted variable. Similarly, such a tilt or skew can also be fixed, in particular structurally determined, i. E. the carrier relative to the housing be arranged so that the needle direction against the Aufstandsnormale or tool axis of the needle, in particular against a rotational axis of a rotating device for rotation of the carrier relative to the housing, a fixed angle. This fixed angle or a maximum displacement angle of a tiltably mounted carrier is in an advantageous development of at most 30 °, preferably at most 25 °.

Second main aspect

According to a second main aspect, which will be explained in more detail below, and whose features and aspects, individually or in combination, may preferably also be combined with one or more of the other main aspects, a needler comprises one or more needles, which are connected by a mono- or multi-part carrier are guided so that they are movable relative to this in each case in a needle direction against a surface to be machined. By means of an acceleration device one, several or all needles can be moved individually, coupled or moved together in the needle direction. In this case, preferably two or more, in particular all needles (electro) motor, (electro) magnetic, pneumatic, hydraulic and / or mechanically, for example by releasing pretensioned springs, be coupled in the needle direction.

In order to move needles together, they can be detachably or non-detachably connected, in particular via a common flange. You can, for example, welded to the flange, soldered, caulked, screwed, glued or integrally formed with the flange.

Depending on the needle drive, two or more, in particular all needles, for example, can be moved in a coupled manner in terms of control technology. Thus, for example, electric motors or magnets which move different needles in the needle direction may in particular be coupled in terms of control such that these needles are moved synchronously or in a predetermined sequence, for example offset in the needle direction.

In the same way, two or more, in particular all needles, for example, can be moved magnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically and / or mechanically coupled. Mechanically moved needles may be coupled, for example, via appropriate mechanisms, such as gear, linkage, scenes and the like. In particular, they can be stored individually and acted upon simultaneously or in a predetermined sequence by a piston of the accelerating device.

In a preferred embodiment, several, in particular all needles are pneumatically moved by the same pressure reservoir in the needle direction. Needles may, for example, be moved directly, preferably via a flexible membrane, which is deformed by the pressure reservoir in the needle direction, or by one or more pneumatically moved pistons in the needle direction. A piston or a membrane can be coupled with one or more of these or be decoupled from them in such a way that it only carries the needle (s) in the direction of the needle and disengages in a movement counter to the direction of the needle.

Preferably, a piston arranged in the needle direction in front of a piston and by this frontally displaceable limited piston chamber or, in particular mit- or successively, several such piston chambers by a control valve device either with a pressure reservoir connectable or separable from this. By the control valve device additionally or alternatively one or more piston chambers can also be released for venting, for example with the environment or a vacuum reservoir are connected. Additionally or alternatively, one or more opposing piston chambers can be connected to a pressure reservoir in order to reset the piston or pistons counter to the needle direction. In a preferred embodiment, a pressure chamber which is connected by means of a control valve device either with a pressure reservoir or separable from this and preferably with the environment or a vacuum reservoir is provided, which is sealed against the needles by a flexible membrane, due to a Overpressure in the pressure chamber accelerates the needles in the needle direction.

The carrier is mounted on a single or multi-part housing of the needler, which is preferably designed for mounting the housing on the surface to be processed.

For this purpose, the housing may preferably have correspondingly formed contact surfaces, which ensure a statically stable seating, for example, by three non-collinear contact points or three non-collinear, in particular convex, contact surfaces, and / or the shape of the surface to be machined, for example by a complementary geometry - are fitted. In a preferred embodiment, the contact surfaces on each other in corners intersecting edges, for example, by forming a total of three, four or polygonal outer contour, so as to achieve a higher stability against lateral tilting.

In addition, contact surfaces can have a surface which is to be machined in the touchdown area, in particular a soft, material. In particular, for this purpose, the entire outer contour of the needle or a part of this can be made of plastic, for example, by the corresponding parts, such as the housing, made of plastic or clad with a plastic skin.

In particular, by contact surfaces having a corresponding, low-friction material such as plastic, Teflon or the like, one or more sliding bearings of the housing may be provided for arranging on the component to be machined in a preferred embodiment. Such a sliding bearing can advantageously, for example, as a ring attached to the housing, be exchangeable to be replaced when worn or depending on the component surface against another sliding bearing. For this purpose, for example, a plug-in, latching, screw or adhesive connection between the housing and slide bearing can be provided. Similarly, one or more rolling, in particular ball bearings may be provided on the housing, in order to arrange the housing in a gentle and displaceable manner on a component to be machined.

In particular, by at least one of these features, the needler can be formed and used in a preferred embodiment as a handheld device.

According to the second main aspect, a rotation means for rotating the carrier relative to the housing is provided to displace the needle impact point (s) on the surface. Preferably, the rotating device allows a rotation of at least 180 °, preferably at least 360 ° and more preferably unrestricted revolutions about an axis of rotation, preferably only in one direction of rotation or in both directions of rotation.

The needle direction of at least one, preferably all, needles according to the invention has at least one component which is aligned parallel to this axis of rotation of the carrier relative to the housing. Preferably, this is the only component of the needle direction (s), so that these - at least substantially - are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation or are.

As a result of this rotation of the carrier with the needle (s) guided through it, advantageously also in the case of a hand-held needler, a predetermined processing can take place largely independently of a guidance by the operator, in that the operator places the housing on the surface and rotates through the rotating device Rotation of the carrier under repeated, in particular coupled with this rotation movement of the needle (s) in the needle direction realized a desired processing pattern. The impact points of the needle (s) on the surface are advantageously varied. In a preferred embodiment, such a hit image can be generated, which comes close to a shot peening process with stochastically varying impact points. In order to vary the impact even more, it can be provided that the movement in the needle direction and the rotational movement takes place independently of each other.

The hit image can be set almost arbitrarily, for example, by appropriate coupling of rotational movement and movement in the needle direction and / or guidance of a plurality of needles by the carrier, in particular in a predetermined matrix. The matrix can be designed, for example, such that the impact points of several or all needles in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation unevenly, in particular stochastically, or evenly, in particular equidistant, are distributed, for example, on one or more radial beams that can be perpendicular to the axis of rotation, one or more spirals, preferably through the axis of rotation, or checkered on each other preferably perpendicularly intersecting lines.

For this purpose, the matrix, the synchronization of the movements of different needles in the needle direction and / or the, preferably herewith coupled, rotation of the carrier can preferably be varied or adjusted so as to realize, for example, different processing patterns, overlapping degrees or processing depths.

The carrier may also be moved (electro) by motor, (electro) magnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically and / or mechanically, i. be rotated against the housing. In order to couple a movement of a needle relative to the carrier and a rotation of the carrier relative to the housing, for example, needle and carrier drives can be control-technically, magnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically and / or mechanically coupled.

In a preferred embodiment, a control valve device is switched by the rotation of the electromotive moving carrier relative to the housing and actuates so pneumatically or hydraulically needles.

In another preferred embodiment, a slotted guide is provided which, with a rotation of the support a piston, for example, against a mechanical or pneumatic spring, biases or releases, so that it accelerates under relaxation of this bias in the needle direction and coupled to him or from him decoupled, accelerated only after exhaustion of a game in the needle direction mitbewegten needles.

In particular, in order to return the needles to a starting position, from which they can be accelerated in the needle direction, a return device for returning a needle counter to the needle direction is provided in a preferred embodiment.

Such a restoring device can be realized, for example, by the accelerating device by being acted upon in the opposite direction (electro) by motor, (electro) magnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically and / or mechanically and thus counteract the needles coupled with it resets the needle direction by about electromagnets operated in opposite directions, a piston chamber separated from the pressure reservoir and / or connected to a vacuum reservoir, a piston chamber counteracting piston chamber pneumatically or hydraulically, preferably by the control valve device, acted upon, and / or a piston through a slotted guide against the needle direction is moved.

A separate return device may include, for example, spring means biasing the needles against the needle direction. This is particularly advantageous when the needles are decoupled from the accelerator, i. be guided by this only in the needle direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the return device comprises - preferably in addition to a separation of piston chambers from a pressure reservoir, connecting these piston chambers with a vacuum reservoir and / or of opposing piston chambers with a pressure reservoir - a mechanical link or forced operation, which resets the needles against the needle direction.

If, in an advantageous embodiment, no spring means operating counter to the needle direction are provided or if they are locked at least during acceleration of a needle in the needle direction, the needle drive need not overcome any corresponding restoring forces. It can thus realize larger accelerations or equal accelerations with a smaller size with the same size.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more, in particular all needles have a, preferably rounded, needle point, which may be integrally formed with the respective needle, in particular urgeformt, reshaped, machined or connected to it by, for example, a ball, as well as to Shot peening is used, welded, soldered, plugged, glued or sintered.

Preferably, needles are individually or jointly, for example connected via a flange, mounted in a sliding bearing on the carrier. The plain bearing can be provided, for example, by one or more sockets, which are connected to the carrier, such as bronze. Similarly, for example, a steel or plastic component of the carrier may be provided with one or more corresponding holes, whereby steel has the advantage of better heat dissipation. Resistant to plastic, the advantage of better lubricity or reduced friction can result.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more, in particular all needles are individually or jointly releasably connected to the accelerator. For example, a flange to which the needles are attached, releasably, preferably via a quick release, be connected to a piston of the accelerator. In this way, by replacing the flange, in particular worn, needles are easily replaced. Preferably, various flanges are provided with needles, which are differently formed, for example, in terms of their shape and / or their material and / or arranged in different matrices, depending on the surface to be machined a suitable one of these flanges is selected.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more, in particular all needles can be connected to the accelerating device individually or jointly. For example, in turn, a flange to which the needles are attached, be pivotally connected to the accelerator, wherein preferably one or more joints can be locked in different positions. In this way, for example, undercut surfaces can be processed, wherein in at least one joint (e) position at least one needle direction has a component which is aligned at least substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wearer.

In particular, in order to optimally process uneven, inclined or undercut surfaces even with needles rigidly connected to a flange, in addition to or as an alternative to a releasable and / or articulated connection of the needles to the accelerating device, the accelerating device as a whole, i. together with the needles moved by it, releasably and / or hingedly connected to the housing.

An accelerator detachably connected to the housing advantageously allows the replacement of the housing, for example against one with another contact surface adapted for machining other surfaces, or the accelerating means, for example one with higher acceleration capability, another movement stroke and / or another needle matrix. An articulating or pivotably connected to the housing accelerating device advantageously allows adjustment of the needle direction relative to a contact surface of the housing. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the accelerator, like a hinged shaft, can be tilted or pivoted relative to a normal to the plane through the contact surface (s) or points of the housing, ie, include different angles with that normal. Preferably, the accelerating device is fixable or lockable in one or more positions relative to the housing. Similarly, an unlocked accelerator may self-adjust when machining uneven or sloped surfaces. Again, in at least one hinge position, a needle direction then has a component that is aligned at least substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the carrier. In particular, in a joint position of the acceleration device, the needle direction - at least substantially - parallel to the axis of rotation of the carrier.

The rotating device can have a single-stage or multistage transmission, in particular a gear transmission, in order to realize a desired speed of rotation of the carrier relative to the housing and, in an advantageous development in which rotational movement and movement in the needle direction are coupled, a corresponding acceleration in the needle direction. In particular, the rotation of the carrier allows the needles to impinge in a different position on the next impact.

In a preferred embodiment, the multi-part carrier has a rotatable relative to the housing base and a rotatable relative to the base and preferably in this eccentrically mounted rotary member, wherein preferably at least one of these rotations is effected by the rotary device. The needles are then preferably guided by the rotary member, so that their matrix performs a rotation relative to the base and a rotation thereof superimposed against the housing and thus causes a more advantageous target image. One of these axes of rotation of base and rotary part then forms an axis of rotation, according to the invention at least one component of a needle direction is parallel, preferably the axes of rotation of the base relative to the housing and the rotary member relative to the base - at least substantially - are parallel.

A needler according to the second main aspect preferably has a testing device for testing the component surface. This can be, for example, an image acquisition and / or a lighting device and is preferably designed to carry out an examination of the component surface in situ, that is to say with an attached needler, in particular during a processing of the surface by the latter. For example, the test device can automatically take in predetermined, preferably adjustable, periods, such as time periods or Nadelhüben, an image of the surface and evaluate this in a preferred development.

Third main aspect

According to a third main aspect, which will be explained in more detail below, and whose features and aspects, individually or in combination, may preferably also be combined with one or more of the other main aspects, a needler according to the invention comprises a one-part or multi-part guide body, preferably of a heavier material, such as especially metal, on. In the guide body one or preferably a plurality of needle channels are formed. In a preferred embodiment, these needle channels are arranged in a predetermined matrix, in particular stochastic, concentric, radial, grid-like or sprial-shaped.

The needle channel or channels communicate with a fluid reservoir, which in a preferred embodiment contains a liquid, in particular a hydraulic fluid such as a hydraulic oil. Additionally or alternatively, it may also contain a gas.

Preferably, a needle channel has a constant cross-section and opens into the fluid reservoir. By appropriate design, however, the fluid communication between fluid reservoir and needle channel can be influenced. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, a diaphragm or an inlet nozzle, in particular a bevel, may be provided at the mouth of a needle channel to the fluid reservoir.

In the needle channels or each one needle is axially displaceable and guided in a fluid-tight manner. Needle channels can also be closed in a blind, ie needle-free, fluid-tight manner to vary the needle matrix. A fluid-tight, axially displaceable guide can in particular have one or more elastic sealing elements, in particular O-rings, stripping, in particular brush seals and / or labyrinth seals, wherein sealing elements such as O-rings can be mounted equally in the respective needle channel or on the respective needle. In a preferred embodiment, a needle protrudes, at least substantially, not in the fluid reservoir when placed on the component needle. For this purpose, the length of a needle channel may be equal to or greater than the length of the needle guided therein.

In order to imitate the shot peening process, a micro movement of the needles often suffices, which can thus remain on the component during processing and penetrate the component surface in the event of pulsed impingement under plastic micro deformation of the component surface. If you then move the needle on the surface of the component, the slidably guided needles slide out of the microwells and are ready to be re-pressurized. Thus, if in a preferred embodiment no return means are provided for returning the needles against their acceleration or machining direction, it is not necessary to work against such a return means when accelerating. Alternatively, in another embodiment, a return means, such as a plate spring may be provided which resets a needle against the acceleration or processing direction in the needle channel and thus increases the free acceleration path of the needle before hitting the component surface.

According to the third main aspect, a movable actuating means limits the fluid reservoir. This may in particular be a piston which is displaceably guided on the guide body and with its front side, the fluid reservoir terminates fluid-tight. Similarly, it may be a flexible membrane, which closes the fluid reservoir fluid-tight.

If a pulse is impressed on the movable actuating means, this transmits the pulse to the fluid in the fluid reservoir. This transmits the pulse in turn homogeneous as a pressure surge on the needle (s) in the communicating needle channel or the communicating needle channels and accelerates them so against the component surface to be machined. If the fluid is an - approximately incompressible - liquid, this is almost lossless. In addition, repercussions of the needles on the actuating means can be fluidically decoupled or damped. By specifying the hydraulic cross section of the individual needle channels also the force distribution can be specified on the individual needles. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the forces applied to the individual needles and the forces imposed on them by the component can be varied by, in particular, slightly differing channel cross-sections in order better to imitate a stochastic shot-peening process. Preferably, an actuator for acting on the actuating means is provided, which is preferably mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, electromagnetically and / or accelerated by ultrasound. The actuator can accelerate the actuating means directly by this example is designed as a piston, which is designed for example as an armature of an electromagnet or as a piston of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. In a preferred embodiment, however, the Akuator on a hammer, which, in particular mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, electromagnetically and / or by ultrasound, can be accelerated and applied to the actuating means. The hammer in turn may be designed, for example, as an armature of an electromagnet or as a piston of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. An actuating means contacting, but with respect to this movable or detachable hammer can advantageously be initially accelerated freely and then transmits in contact with the actuating means its case built impulse approximately jerky on the actuating means, this impulse, as described above, in turn by the Fluid reservoir transfers to the needles. In principle, of course, a manual acceleration of the actuating means, for example by applying a piston with a hand-held hammer, possible.

In one embodiment, the guide body is placed directly on the component surface to be machined and moved between the Nadelbeauschlagungen, in particular manually or by a manipulator to vary the point of impact of the needles and so to imitate a local shot peening process. In a preferred embodiment, the guide body is motor, in particular electric motor, or manually rotatably guided on a housing which is placed on the component surface to be machined. Thus, the impact image can be varied in a kinematically advantageous manner.

Preferably, a component-protecting contact surface is provided for placement on a component to be machined. For this purpose, at least the part of the needler to be placed on the component is preferably made of plastic, rubber or the like. In particular, a Aufsetzring be provided of plastic, which is preferably replaceable, attached to the guide body or a housing. This advantageously makes it possible to produce the guide body or the housing itself from another material, in particular metal, which is advantageous on account of its specific weight and its strength and with regard to the storage of the needles. Equally, however, it is also possible to manufacture the guide body or the housing itself from plastic, rubber or the like. Fourth main aspect

According to a fourth main aspect, which will be explained in more detail below, and whose features and aspects, individually or in combination, may preferably also be combined with one or more of the other main aspects, a needler comprises one or more needles, which may be provided by a mono- or multi-part carrier are guided so that they are movable relative to this in each case in a needle direction against a surface to be machined. One, several or all needles can be moved individually or jointly preferably (electro) motor, (electro) magnetic, pneumatic, hydraulic and / or mechanical, for example by releasing prestressed springs in the needle direction.

In the same way, two or more, in particular all needles, for example, can be moved magnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically and / or mechanically coupled. Mechanically moved needles may be coupled, for example, via appropriate mechanisms, such as gear, linkage, scenes and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, several, in particular all needles are pneumatically moved by the same pressure reservoir in the needle direction. In addition or as an alternative, preferably a needle piston space arranged in the needle direction in front of a needle piston of a needle and displaceable by the latter on the front side, or preferably, one after the other, can connect or disconnect a plurality of such needle piston chambers by a control valve device optionally with a pressure reservoir. In addition or as an alternative, one or more needle piston chambers can also be released for venting by the control valve device, for example, connected to the environment or to a vacuum reservoir.

The carrier is mounted in a one- or multi-part housing of the needler, which is preferably designed for mounting the housing on the surface to be machined. For this purpose, the housing may preferably have correspondingly formed contact surfaces, for example, by three non-collinear contact points or three non-collinear, in particular Convex, contact surfaces ensure a statically stable placement, the shape of the surface to be machined, for example, by a complementary geometry, adapted, and / or have a surface to be machined in the touchdown gentle, especially soft, material.

In particular, in this way, the needler can be formed and used in a preferred embodiment as a handheld device.

According to the fourth main aspect, a rotation means for rotating the carrier with respect to the housing is provided to displace the needle impact point (s) on the surface. Preferably, the rotating device allows a rotation of at least 180 °, preferably at least 360 ° and more preferably unrestricted revolutions about an axis of rotation, preferably only in one direction of rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the needle direction (s) may be aligned - at least essentially - radially or vertically with respect to the axis of rotation. Preferably, the control valve device at the same time forms the axis of rotation for the carrier.

As a result of this rotation of the carrier with the needle (s) guided through it, advantageously also in the case of a hand-held needler, a predetermined processing can take place largely independently of a guidance by the operator, in that the operator places the housing on the surface and rotates through the rotating device Rotation of the carrier under repeated, in particular coupled with this rotation movement of the needle (s) in the needle direction realized a desired processing pattern.

This can be predetermined, for example, by appropriate coupling of rotational movement and movement in the needle direction and / or guidance of a plurality of needles by the carrier, in particular in a predetermined, preferably spiral, matrix, almost as desired. In a preferred processing pattern Nadelauftreffpunkte can be, for example, on a particular straight line with a predetermined distance from each other on the surface, which distance may be smaller than a diameter of the needles or the deformations caused by the needles, so that the deformations At least partially cover different Nadelauftreffpunkte. Similarly, it is also possible to choose the distance larger to achieve a smaller and faster surface processing. Preferably, the distance between adjacent needle impact points corresponds to the As a result of the matrix of needles in relation to the carrier, the rotation of the carrier relative to the housing and / or a coupled movement of the needle (s) in the needle direction, the diameter of the, in particular central, diameter of the latter is at least substantially the same Needle impact points impinging needles or caused by these deformations. For this purpose, the matrix, the synchronization of the movements of different needles in the needle direction and / or the rotation of the support, preferably coupled thereto, can be varied or adjusted, so as to realize, for example, different processing patterns, coverage levels, or machining depths.

The carrier may also be moved (electro) by motor, (electro) magnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically and / or mechanically, i. be rotated against the housing. In order to couple a movement of a needle relative to the carrier and a rotation of the carrier relative to the housing, for example, needle and carrier drives can be control-technically, magnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically and / or mechanically coupled. In a preferred embodiment, a control valve device is switched by the rotation of the electromotive moving carrier relative to the housing and actuates so pneumatically or hydraulically needles.

In particular, in order to return the needles to a starting position, from which they can be accelerated in the needle direction, a return device for returning a needle counter to the needle direction is provided in a preferred embodiment. Such a return device can, for example, an opposing (electro) mo toric,

(Electromagnetic) magnetic, pneumatic, hydraulic and / or mechanical loading counter to the needle direction by about electromagnets operated in opposite directions, the needle piston chamber separated from the pressure reservoir and / or connected to a vacuum reservoir, or a needle piston chamber counteracting piston chamber pneumatically or hydraulically, preferably by the Control valve device is acted upon. Mechanical loading may include, for example, spring means biasing needles counter to the needle direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the return device comprises-preferably in addition to a separation of needle piston chambers from a pressure reservoir, connecting these needle piston chambers with a vacuum reservoir and / or of opposing piston chambers with a pressure reservoir. servoir - a mechanical backdrop or forced guidance that returns the needles against the direction of the needle.

In the case of lockable, in particular pneumatic and / or hydraulic, actuation of the needles, they can advantageously remain in the needle direction during a rotation of the carrier with locked actuation in the needle direction without or with little force and thus prevent frictional engagement and associated wear on needles or Reduce housing.

Further features and advantages emerge from the subclaims and the exemplary embodiment. This shows, partially schematized:

1A - IC a part of a needle according to an embodiment according to the first main aspect of the present invention in a section along a needle direction in different states;

Figure 2 shows a needle according to a first embodiment according to the second main aspect of the present invention in a section along a rotation axis.

Figures 3A, 3B are each a plan view of a flange with a needle matrix as viewed from a surface to be machined;

4 shows a needle according to a second embodiment according to the second main aspect of the present invention in Fig. 2 corresponding representation.

5 shows a needle according to a third embodiment according to the second main aspect of the present invention in Fig. 2 corresponding representation.

6 shows a needler according to an embodiment according to the third main aspect of

underlying invention in cross section;

7 shows a needler according to an embodiment according to the fourth main aspect in one

Section along the line II in Fig. 8; and Fig. 8 the needler of Fig. 7 in a section along the local line II-II.

1A-1C show a part of a needle according to an embodiment according to the first main aspect of the present invention in a section along a needle direction (from top to bottom in Fig. 1) in different states.

The needler has a multi-part carrier with a carrier base body 2 and fixedly or releasably secured to individual cylinders 400, of which in Fig. 1 for clarity, only a cylinder is shown. The support base body 2 can in turn be tilted with a ring 1 'and rotatably arranged in a housing 1 by a rotating device 8, as will be explained below with reference to the second main aspect with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, so that with respect to these features on the may be referred to there explanations. In a modification, not shown, the cylinders 400 may also be integrally formed with the carrier base body 2.

In each cylinder 400, a needle channel open on both sides is formed, in which a needle 7.1 is displaceably guided in the needle direction. An annular shoulder 407 (see Fig. 1B), together with a needle-end rear end flange of the needle 7.1, introduces the needle into the needle channel and at the same time limits, as a stop, a complete needle stroke.

The rear end of the needle channel in the needle direction (at the top in FIG. 1) is closed in a gastight manner by a stopper 408, which delimits a retraction movement of the needle 7.1 against the needle direction as a stop. The stopper 408 is pressed onto the cylinder 400 by an end cap 401 and a rubber pad compressed between the stopper and the end cap. In this way, the needle-side end face (top of Fig. 1) of the needle 7.1 as a slidable wall defines a piston space 406 (see Fig. 1B) which is enlarged by movement of the needle in the needle direction.

Between the Endringflansch the needle 7.1 and the annular shoulder 407 an annular mating piston space 404 is formed, which surrounds the needle 7.1 and is reduced by a movement of the needle in the needle direction.

A bore 403 in the cylinder 400 and a bore 405 in the needle 7.1, together with this counter-piston space 404 form a passage which fluidically the piston chamber 406 connects to a pressure reservoir 402. The pressure reservoir may comprise, for example, a source of compressed air, which are connected via hoses with holes in the respective end cap 401 (not shown). In the compressed air source, a control valve may be provided, which adjusts a predetermined pressure in the pressure reservoir as a control device.

In an upper end position shown in FIG. 1A, the piston chamber 406 communicates with the pressure reservoir 402 via the passage, so that the overpressure of the pressure reservoir rests in the piston chamber 406 and the opposing piston chamber 404. Since the projection perpendicular to the needle direction of the pressurized displaceable surface of the piston chamber 406 (the horizontal cross-sectional area in FIG. 1) is larger than the corresponding projection of the counter-piston space 404, in this state the force driving in the needle direction exceeds that of the piston space communicating with the pressure reservoir 406 imposes on the needle, the opposite restoring force, which impresses the counter-piston space 404 on the needle. This drives the needle in the needle direction on the surface to be processed (Fig. 1A-> Fig. 1B).

As can be seen from the figure sequences Fig. 1A-> Fig. 1B, the opening of the bore 405 in the needle and the shoulder 407 in the needle channel an automatic control valve means in the form of a slide valve, which blocks the passage depending on the position (Fig. 1B) or opens (Fig. 1A), which is mechanically switched by a movement of the needle in the needle direction. As soon as the slide valve blocks the passage between the piston chamber 406 and the pressure reservoir 402 or the associated opposing piston chamber 404 (FIG. 1B), the needle-driving pressure in the piston chamber 406 is reduced as a result of the movement in the needle direction, while an almost constant restoring force is applied to the piston Needle 7.1 acts, which results from the pressure in the opposing piston space 404 and the projection perpendicular to the needle direction of the pressurized displaceable surface of the opposing piston space 404.

If the needle 7.1 moves further in the direction of the needle due to inertia (FIG. 1B-> IC), the control valve device fluidically connects the piston chamber 406 to the surroundings when the opening of the bore 405 in the needle has passed over the shoulder 407 (see FIG IC). This eliminates the driving residual force and the needle 7.1 beats essentially in the free flight on the surface to be machined. From this it can spring back substantially unattenuated, which imitates the shot peening process particularly well. The restoring force which the opposing piston space 404 exerts on the needle supports this movement counter to the needle direction, so that the needle returns to its upper end position shown in FIG. 1A. As soon as the slide valve separates the piston chamber 406 from the environment (FIG. 1C-> 1B) and reconnects it to the pressure reservoir 402 (FIG. 1B-> FIG. 1A), the pressure in the piston chamber 406 slows down this return movement, so that the needle 7.1 muffled hits the stopper 408. Subsequently, this force, which in this state exceeds the restoring force, again drives the needle in the needle direction, so that a self-regulating oscillating movement of the needle in the needle direction is established, the frequency of which depends on the pressure in the pressure reservoir predetermined by the control device.

Since the individual needles are self-regulating independently of each other, a localized shot peening process can be simulated very well even on uneven surfaces.

Incidentally, as mentioned above, the needler may advantageously be formed according to the second main aspect, which will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. In this case, a riot detection device can be provided in the plastic ring 9 or between it and the housing 1 (cf., FIGS. 2, 4, 5), with which it can be detected whether the needler is mounted on a surface. The riot detection device can in particular have one or more pressure sensors and / or distance sensors and, due to a detected pressure or vanishing distance, detect that the needle is placed. The riot detection device sends a corresponding signal to the control valve of the pressure reservoir, so that all passages to the piston chambers are blocked by control technology, as long as the needle is not placed on a surface.

In particular, for controlling a Auftreferfassungseinrichtung be provided, with which it is detectable whether the needles impinge on a surface. For this purpose, pressure in one or more piston chambers 406 is detected. This changes as described above with the movement of the needles, so that from the detected pressure change, the movement of the needle can be determined. In particular, the frequency with which the pressure in the piston chamber 406 oscillates is detected and compared with a predetermined range which is predetermined as a function of the pressure in the pressure reservoir. If the detected frequency is within the predetermined range, an impact of the needle on a surface is detected. Fig. 2 shows a needle according to a first embodiment according to the second main aspect of the present invention in a longitudinal section.

The needler has a substantially tubular steel or plastic housing 1, the frontal Kontaktfiäche (bottom in Fig. 2) is formed by a plugged plastic ring 9, which in turn forms a sliding bearing for arranging the housing on a surface to be machined (not shown) , In non-illustrated modifications, the plastic ring may have a rectangular outer contour in order to increase the Kipppstabilität to the vertical axis in Fig. 2. Likewise, for example, it can store three non-collinear balls to form a rolling bearing relative to the surface to be machined.

In the housing 1, a base body 2 of a carrier is mounted rotatably about the axis of rotation indicated in FIG. 2 by a dash-dotted line. A CCD camera 10 is fastened to it, which rotates with the carrier and thus receives images of the surface to be processed during operation and transmits them to an image output device, for example a monitor, and / or an image processing software ( not shown).

In the main body 2, a rotary part 3 of the carrier is rotatably mounted eccentrically, so that its in Fig. 2 dash-dotted lines indicated axis of rotation is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the base body 2, but not aligned with this.

In the main body 2, a gear 8 of a transmission is further eccentrically mounted, which is driven by an electric motor, not shown. His gearing 8.1 engages on the one hand in an internal toothing 1.1 of the housing and on the other hand in an external toothing 3.1 of the rotary member 3 a. By this multi-stage gear, the electric motor rotates on the one hand the base 2 relative to the housing 1 and on the other hand hereby coupled the rotary member 3 relative to the base 2, wherein by corresponding gears 1.1, 3.1 and 8.1 desired, coupled rotational speeds can be specified.

As a result of these coupled rotations, the needle impact points of needles 7.1, 7.9 vary in a manner similar to shot blasting when the needles are repeatedly moved against the surface to be machined, as described below. The arrangement of the needles in a matrix, this hit image can be influenced. 3A, 3B show, as viewed from below in FIG. 2 on a flange 7 described below, different arrangement matrices, wherein in FIG. 3A the needles are arranged on radial rays through the axis of rotation, in FIG. 3B on spirals through the axis of rotation. In non-illustrated modifications, the needles may for example be arranged stochastically or on mutually perpendicularly intersecting beams and / or have a constant or varying distance from one another.

The needles 7.1, 7.9 are, as already mentioned, attached to a flange 7, for example, welded or -soletes with this or resilient in the direction of its longitudinal extent (not shown). The flange 7 is connected to a piston 4 of a pneumatic acceleration device via a multi-part plunger 4.1, 4.2, the parts 4.1, 4.2 in a joint 4.3 solvous and locked in different positions, in which the needle longitudinal direction with the plunger longitudinal direction includes different angles.

In a double-dash-dotted line in Fig. 2 indicated modification instead of an articulated connection 4.3 of the flange 7 with the accelerating means, this articulated as a whole or pivotally connected to the housing.

For this purpose, a ring 1 ', in which the acceleration device as explained above with respect to the housing 1, is rotatably mounted, in turn about at least one axis, preferably perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the accelerator (ie perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 2) is pivotally mounted in the housing 1. In this case, the ring 1 'can be mounted either in one or more positions lockable or freely movable.

While in the variant described first with an articulated connection 4.3 of the flange 7 with the plunger 4.1, the needles can advantageously be resiliently attached to the flange, it is preferred in the double-dashed variant 1 'that the needles rigid or firmly connected to the flange, so for example welded or - are soldered. In this case, the flange 7 can be detachably or rigidly connected to the plunger 4.1. Similarly, the ring 1 'and with it the accelerator mounted in it can be releasably secured to the housing. The piston 4 slides in the direction of the needle (from top to bottom in FIG. 2) in a piston chamber 5A and in a counter-piston chamber 5B and limits these spaces in opposite directions, respectively, on the front side. Both piston chambers 5 A, 5 B communicate via a two-way switching valve 6 and alternately with an overpressure reservoir i or an ambient or negative pressure reservoir po. The switching valve 6, which forms a control valve device in the context of the invention, is performed in a manner not shown a rotational movement of the carrier relative to the housing or a movement of the piston 4 is switched. A circuit by the movement of the piston advantageously causes an independent of the rotational movement of the carrier movement of the piston 4 and the associated needles 7.1, 7.9 in the needle direction and thus approaches the hit image even more to the conventional stochastic shot peening.

In the illustrated switching position, the piston chamber 5 A communicates with the overpressure reservoir pi and drives the piston 4 in the needle direction, the air pushes from the opposing piston chamber 5 B po in the environment. After switching, the opposing piston space 5B communicates with the overpressure reservoir pi and drives the piston 4 counter to the needle direction, which pushes air out of the piston space 5A into the surroundings p ₀ . In this way, the piston 4, the detachable and lockable hinged flange 7 and thus the needles 7.1, 7.9 in the needle direction, thereby hitting the surface to be machined oscillate and thereby deform plastically while impressing desired stresses, so that it is solidified , The piston travel, in particular the piston chambers 5A, 5B, are preferably tuned such that the piston is accelerated approximately in the needle direction until the needles impinge on the component surface and is returned approximately counter to the needle direction after the momentum transfer. In a modification, not shown, the control valve device 6, for example, before the impact of the piston chamber 5A separate from the excess pressure reservoir pi, so that the needles meet 7.1, 7.9 free-floating on the surface to be machined.

Fig. 4 shows in Fig. 2 corresponding representation of a needle according to a second embodiment according to the second main aspect of the present invention. Identical or analogous features to the first embodiment are designated by identical reference numerals, so that only the differences from the first embodiment according to the second main aspect will be discussed below. On the one hand, the rotary device in the second embodiment only a single-stage gear, which is realized by the gear 8, which is mounted in the one-piece carrier 2 and this rotates by means of engagement in the internal teeth 1.1 about its axis of rotation. At this point it should be noted that in gears of a rotating device according to the invention instead of internal and external teeth can be provided. This single-stage construction is structurally simpler and more stable, but the needle impact points vary less as a result of the rotation of the one-piece carrier with only one degree of freedom relative to the housing.

Instead of the pneumatic accelerator of the first embodiment, a mechanical accelerator is provided in the second embodiment. For this purpose, with respect to the axis of rotation of the carrier 2 eccentrically arranged piston 40 has a plunger 41, which is forcibly guided on a gate 1.2 of the housing 1. The gate is, as indicated in Fig. 4, shaped such that the piston 40 in one revolution of the carrier 2 in the housing 1 one or more raised against the needle direction and then released back into this. In the position shown in Fig. 4, the piston 40 is released in the needle direction, since the plunger 41 rests on a lower inflection point of the gate 1.2. On further rotation by 180 °, the slide 1.2, however, leads the plunger in contrast to a staggered in Fig. 4 position.

In such a position, the piston 40 biases a helical spring 100 against the needle direction. If the gate 1.2 releases the plunger 41 again (FIG. 4), then the relaxing spring 100 accelerates the piston 40 in the direction of the needle (downward in FIG. 4). A lower disc of the coil-shaped piston 40 then impinges on the heads of needles 7.1, 7.9, which are mounted in bronze bushings (not shown) directly in the carrier 2 and are supported against the needle direction by helical springs 110.

The piston 40 thus accelerates the needles 7.1, 7.9 in the needle direction against the surface to be machined. In the subsequent movement of the piston 40 against the needle direction due to the forced leadership of the plunger 41 in the backdrop 1.2, however, he takes the decoupled from him needles 7.1, 7.9 not. These individually actuated and via the co-acting piston 40 mechanically coupled to each other moved needles are instead returned by the coil springs 110 against the needle direction when accelerating biased in the needle direction and form a separate return device in the context of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows in Fig. 2, 3 corresponding representation of a needle according to a third embodiment according to the second main aspect of the present invention. Identical or analogous features to the first and / or second embodiment are designated by identical reference numerals, so that only the differences from the first or second embodiment according to the second main aspect are discussed below.

In the third embodiment, the separately mounted in holes of the steel or plastic substrate 2 and supported by individual helical springs 110 against the needle direction needles 7.1, 7.9 are accelerated pneumatically in the needle direction. For this purpose, a pressure chamber 50 is sealed by a one-piece or multi-part flexible membrane against the individual needles. If the pressure chamber 50 is connected via a switching valve 60 to an overpressure reservoir pi, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressure deforms the flexible membrane 55 in the needle direction, which accelerates the needles 7.1, 7.9 in the needle direction against the surface and in this case biases the springs 110 , Switches the valve 60, for example mechanically coupled with the rotation of the carrier 2 in the housing 1 or independently thereof, approximately pneumatically, in the other switching position, the pressure in the pressure chamber 50 relaxes against the environment p ₀ . As a result, the relaxing springs 110 return the needles 7.1, 7.9 against the needle direction.

By Einzellagerung-, suspension and -aktuierung the needles can also be processed uneven and / or inclined to the direction of the needle surfaces advantageous because when hitting a needle other not affiliated with her needles are not slowed down. On the other hand, the design effort is correspondingly higher.

It should be emphasized that the features explained in the various exemplary embodiments can also be combined or exchanged with one another. Thus, for example, in the second or third embodiment, a - for example by means of a ring 1 '- articulated or pivotally mounted on the mounted on the workpiece housing acceleration unit, a multi-stage gear and / or a support with base and eccentrically mounted therein rotary member may be provided. Such an articulated and / or releasable attachment of the acceleration device to the housing can be combined with a releasable and / or hinged attachment of the needles to the accelerator or formed without them be. Similarly, a single bearing and spring suspension, as explained with reference to the third embodiment, may also be provided in the case of a flange which is detachably and / or hingedly lockably connected to the acceleration unit, as has been explained with reference to the first embodiment. This is particularly advantageous when the flange is tilted against the axis of rotation, since then often meet needles at different stroke on the surface to be machined. Likewise, mechanical actuation as discussed with reference to the second embodiment may be provided for individual needles or even for an accelerator coupled to the needles, which returns the needles against the needle direction, as explained with reference to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows in cross-section a needler according to an embodiment according to the third main aspect of the present invention, which is placed on the surface of a component 206.

The needler has a guide body 202 made of metal, in which a hydraulic fluid reservoir 210 is formed. With this communicate needle channels, of which in Fig. 6 for clarity only two are shown. In these, needles 201 are displaceably guided axially (vertically in FIG. 6), so that their rounded tips stand up on the component surface. On the side opposite the channel openings, the fluid reservoir 210 is delimited by a piston 203, which is likewise displaceably guided in the guide body 202. Due to the fluidic force transmission explained in more detail below, the directions of movement of piston 203 and needles 201 need not be parallel.

Needles 201 and pistons 203 are each mounted in a fluid-tight manner in the guide body 202, for example, in one of the guide body 202 and Nadel201 or Kolben203 at least one annular groove is formed, in which an O-ring is arranged as a sealing body, which is elastically against the sliding surface of the other of the Führungskörper202 and needle201 and piston203, respectively, thus sealing guide body 202 and needle 201 or piston 203 against each other (not shown).

The guide body 202 is rotatably supported in a housing 204, as indicated by the dot-dashed axis of rotation and the rotational movement arrow. In this case, the guide body 202 is mounted eccentrically in the housing 204, so that a rotation offset the impact points of the needles 201 on the component surface. On the front side of the housing 204 facing the component 206 this has a replaceable contact ring 205 made of soft plastic material which protects the component 206.

For clocked rotation of the guide body 202 in the housing 204, an electric motor with appropriate control is provided, which is not shown for clarity. For the same reason also not shown is an example pneumatically, electromagnetically or by ultrasonics accelerated hammer which impinges in Fig. 6 from above on the fluid idreservoir210 opposite end face of the Kolben203 and thereby transmits a pulse to the Kolben203, the in Fig. 6 is indicated by a double-headed arrow. For example, the hammer is designed as a piston of a pneumatic cylinder or as an armature of a linear electromagnet and is accelerated by supplying compressed air or winding current in Fig. 6 vertically downward on the Kolben203. After removal of the compressed air or the winding current, a return spring can lift the hammer again from Kolben203. Preferably, the timing with which the hammer is accelerated is synchronized with the timing of the rotational movement of the guide body 202 in the housing 204 such that the hammer always strikes the piston 203 with the guide body 202 stationary.

If the hammer hits the piston 203, then the pulse indicated in FIG. 6 by the double-headed arrow is impressed on it. The latter transmits the impulse to the hydraulic fluid in the fluid reservoir 210, in which a pressure surge propagates, which is homogeneously applied to the needle channels and transferred to the needles 201 according to the respective effective hydraulic cross section. Their pulses, which in turn are indicated by double pointed arrows, transmit them to the surface of the component 206 with slight plastic deformation, which leads to stress compensation and solidification there.

Subsequently, as indicated by the rotation movement arrow, the housing body 204, which is stationary relative to the component 206, is rotated therein by a predetermined angle, the needle tips sliding out of the microscopic recesses and sliding on the surface, before the hammer again in the new angular position imparts an impulse on the piston 203. By repeated repetition, such a shot peening process can be imitated, wherein the machined region can be locally limited by the housing 204 resting on the component 206. Fig. 7 8 shows a needle according to an embodiment according to the fourth main aspect of the present invention in two mutually perpendicular sections.

The needler has a two-part housing 31 A, 31 A with a contact surface 31.1 open toward, on the side facing away from this contact surface side hollow cylindrical recess. In this, a substantially drum-shaped carrier, which comprises a base body 32A and a surrounding shell 32B, rotatably received on an axis 31.2 of the housing. It can be rotated by an electric motor 33.1 by means of a worm gear 33.2 only in the direction indicated by the movement arrow in Fig. 7.

Several needles are mounted in the carrier, with only three needles 34A-34C being shown in FIG. 7 for better clarity. They each have a pin 34.1 and a piston 34.2 connected or integrally formed thereon, which limits a needle piston space 35 formed in the base body 32A at the end, and can be indicated in FIG. 7 in directions indicated by movement arrows, which are radial or perpendicular to the rotation axis of FIG Are carrier-oriented, to be moved. In this case, the shell 32B limits the movement in the needle direction and has for this purpose at corresponding points through holes whose diameter is equal to or greater than the diameter of the associated pin 34.1, but smaller than the diameter of the piston 34.2, and thus limits the respective blind hole in the base body 32A, the constant diameter defines both a guide of the needle in the carrier and a limitation of the needle piston chamber. Advantageously, one or more needle piston chambers can be closed by another sheath, which has no through hole at the corresponding point, and thus needles are removed from the matrix at this point.

A needle piston chamber 35 is connected by a control valve device depending on the position of the carrier relative to the housing with a pressure reservoir 36 or communicating with the environment venting channel 37 or separated from both. For this purpose, in the axis 31.2 of the housing, the pressure reservoir 36 and a thus communicating channel and the vent passage 37, which can communicate in a modification with a lower pressure reservoir formed, which thus define together with the running on her inner bore of the body, the control valve device ,

In the situation shown in Fig. 7, the control valve means connects the needle piston space of the needle 34A with the pressure reservoir 36 so that it is accelerated in the needle direction. there For example, the acceleration profile can be predetermined by the control valve device, on the one hand, and by the release of the through bores of the shell 32B through the housing recess that partially surrounds the latter. In particular, for example, already communicate a needle pressure chamber with the pressure reservoir, while a movement of the needle is still positively locked by the housing in the needle direction by approximately the cylindrical surface of the recess continues partially in the direction of the contact surface 31.1, ie in a modification, not shown Housing 31 A, the carrier in the left lower quadrant of Fig. 7 still partially encloses. Thus, pressure is already building up in the needle piston space, acceleration in the needle direction does not begin until the through bore of the shell 32B has been released through the housing 31A.

The needle 34B just hits the surface 38 to be machined and elastically deforms it while releasing its momentum and thereby solidifies the surface. In addition, residual compressive stresses are introduced in the edge zone. In this position, the needle piston chamber is blocked by the control valve device both against the pressure reservoir 36, and the vent passage 37, but could also communicate in an alternative embodiment, at least partially, with one of the two.

The needle 34C has already processed the surface, its needle piston chamber is now connected due to the rotation of the carrier with the vent passage 37, which facilitates recovery of the piston.

This is effected by a positive guide or gate 39 of a restoring device on which the needle runs after surface exposure. The gate 39 is shaped so that the needle is returned to an initial position in which the control valve means locks its needle piston chamber against both the pressure reservoir 36 and the vent passage 37. In a modification, not shown, the needle piston chamber, however, also communicate, at least in regions, with the pressure reservoir 36 and / or vent passage 37. In any case eliminates the blocking of the pressure reservoir 36 during the transfer between restoring (needle 34C) and acceleration phase (needle 34A) due to the purely pneumatic actuation of the needles a bias of the needles against the housing, so that a corresponding wear is advantageously reduced. In addition, the pressure in the needle piston chamber 35 does not have to work against appropriately biased return springs. In Fig. 8, the matrix of guided in the carrier needles is indicated. It can be seen that the individual needles 34 and the through-holes in the shell 32B are arranged on curved, in particular spiral-shaped paths 310 both in the axial and in the circumferential direction of the shell. The matrix is designed and tuned to the rotation of the carrier in the housing and the coupled thereto movement of the needles in the needle direction that the Nadelauftreffpunkte give a desired processing pattern on the surface 38. For example, the deformations achieved in the needle impact points can at least substantially lie on straight lines and preferably have at least substantially no gaps and / or no overlaps or predetermined gaps or overlaps.

The expression of the tracks 310 in the circumferential direction, along which the bores are arranged at the intersections with the spiral paths 310 in the axial direction, can be selected as desired. As an advantage, instead of the helical path shown by way of example in FIG. 8, a straight line skewed to the axis of rotation has been found, which is wound around the envelope 32B (not shown). This arrangement provides for the production of the needle piston chambers 35 a particularly favorable space utilization. The spiral-shaped path 310 in the axial direction, on the other hand, is advantageous since it allows the distance between the points of impact on the component surface to be regulated best.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

casing

.1 toothing

.2 backdrop

Support (base body),

Carrier rotating member

.1 toothing

; 40 pistons

.1, 4.2;

1 pestle

.3 releasable, lockable joint

A piston chamber

B counter-piston space

; 60 switching valve (control valve device)

needle flange

.1, 7.9 Needle

Gear (gear)

.1 toothing

Plastic ring (plain bearing)

0 camera (testing device)

0 pressure chamber

5 flexible membrane

00 (acceleration) spring

10 return spring 01 needle

02 guide body

03 piston (actuator)

04 housing

05 contact ring

06 component

10 fluid reservoir A, 31B housing

.1 contact surface

.2 axis

A carrier body

B carrier sleeve

.1 Rotary Inverter Electric Motor.2 Rotary Worm Gear, 34A, 34B, 34C Needle

.1 needle pin

.2 needle piston

Needle piston chamber

pressure reservoir

vent channel

surface to be processed

Reset device scenery0 Matrix track 0 cylinder

1 end cap

2 pressure reservoir

3 hole

4 counter-piston space

5 hole

6 piston chamber

7 (annular) paragraph

8 stopper under / ambient pressure

Overpressure reservoir

Claims

claims

1. Needler for local surface treatment, in particular solidification, of components, comprising a carrier (2, 400) having at least one needle channel (404, 406) in which a needle (7.1) is displaceably guided in a needle direction and has a piston chamber (406) , which is enlarged by a movement of the needle in the needle direction, and an opposing piston space (404), which is reduced by a movement of the needle in the needle direction, a pressure reservoir (402), a passage (403, 404, 405), the piston space and the pressure reservoir fluidly interconnects, and a controUventileinrichtung (405, 407) for blocking the passage.

2. Needler according to claim 1, characterized in that the KontroUventileinrichtung by a movement of the needle in the needle direction, in particular mechanically, is reversible.

3. Needler according to claim 2, characterized in that the KontroUventileinrichtung a slide valve (405, 407), wherein the needle preferably forms a movable part of the slide valve.

4. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston chamber can be connected by the KontroUventileinrichtung with the environment or a vacuum reservoir.

5. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passage comprises a bore (405) in the needle.

6. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the, in particular as the needle surrounding annular space (404) formed, opposing piston space fluidically between the pressure reservoir (402) and the KontroUventileinrichtung (405, 407) is arranged.

7. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a Aufstandsser- detection device for detecting whether the needle is placed on a surface, and for blocking the passage when the needle is not placed on a surface.

8. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a Auftreffer- detection device for detecting whether a needle is incident on a surface.

9. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control device for controlling the movement of the needle in the needle direction, in particular for setting a predetermined pressure in the pressure reservoir.

10. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier has two or more needle channels, in each of which a needle is guided displaceably in a needle direction and a piston chamber which is enlarged by a movement of the needle in the needle direction, and limited an opposing piston space, which is reduced by a movement of the needle in the needle direction.

11. Needle for local surface treatment, in particular solidification, of components, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, with at least one needle (7.1, 7.9) guided by a support (2, 3) and by an accelerating device (4, 40, 50) ) is movable in a needle direction against a surface to be machined, and with a rotating device (8) for rotating the carrier relative to a housing (1) of the needle for displacing a Nadelauftreffpunktes on the surface, wherein the needle direction at least one component parallel to a Has the axis of rotation of the carrier relative to the housing, in particular at least substantially aligned parallel to the axis of rotation.

12. Needler according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one needle by the accelerating device and / or a return device (110) is movable counter to the needle direction.

13. Needler according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 12, characterized in that at least one needle decoupled from the accelerating device (Fig. 4, 5).

14. Needler according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 13, characterized in that at least one needle is releasably and / or articulated (4.3) connected to the accelerating device.

15. Needler according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the acceleration means is releasably and / or hingedly connected to the housing.

16. Needler according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the rotating means a single-stage (Fig. 4, 5) or multi-stage (Fig. 2) transmission, in particular a gear transmission (1.1, 3.1, 8.1).

17. Needler according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the carrier has a relative to the housing rotatable base part (2) and a relative to the base rotatable rotary member (3) which is mounted in particular eccentrically on the base part.

18. Needle for local surface treatment, in particular solidification, of components

(206), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, having a guide body (202) with at least one needle channel which communicates with a fluid reservoir (210) and in which a needle (201) is displaceably guided, characterized by a movable actuating means (203) that limits the fluid reservoir.

19. Needle according to claim 18, characterized in that the adjusting means comprises a piston (203) which is guided displaceably on the guide body.

20. Needler according to claim 18, characterized in that the adjusting means has a flexible membrane.

21. Needle according to one of the preceding claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the guide body, in particular motor, rotatably guided on a housing (204).

22. Needler according to one of the preceding claims 18 to 21, characterized by a, in particular mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically and / or electromagnetically acceleratable actuator for acting on the actuating means.

23. Needler according to claim 22, characterized in that the Akuator has a hammer which, in particular mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, electromagnetically and / or by ultrasound, can be accelerated and acts on the actuating means.

24. Needler according to one of the preceding claims 22 to 23, characterized in that the actuator is designed for pulse-like acceleration.

25. Needler according to one of the preceding claims 18 to 24, characterized in that the fluid reservoir contains a liquid, in particular hydraulic fluid.

26. Needle according to one of the preceding claims 18 to 25, characterized in that a needle, at least substantially, does not protrude into the fluid reservoir when placed on the component needle.

27. Needle for local surface treatment, in particular solidification, of components, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, with at least one needle (34, 34A-34C) guided by a carrier (32A, 32B) in a needle direction against a surface to be machined (38) is movable, characterized by a rotating means (33.1, 33.2) for rotation of the carrier relative to a housing (31A, 31B) of the needle to displace a Nadelauftreffpunktes on the surface.

28. Needler according to claim 27 or one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that at least one needle and / or the carrier is motor, in particular electromotive, magnetic, in particular electromagnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically and / or mechanically movable.

29. Needle according to one of the preceding claims 27 to 28 or one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that a movement of at least one needle relative to the carrier and a rotation of the carrier relative to the housing control technology, magnetic, pneumatic (6; 60), hydraulically and / or mechanically (1.2, 41) is coupled, or that a movement of at least one needle relative to the carrier and a rotation of the carrier relative to the housing take place independently.

30. Needle according to one of the preceding claims 27 to 29 or one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that it comprises at least two needles together (Fig. 2) or control technology, magnetic, pneumatic (Fig. 5), hydraulic and / or mechanically (FIG. 4) are coupled coupled.

31. Needle according to one of the preceding claims 27 to 30, characterized by a return device (39) for returning a needle counter to the needle direction.

32. Needler according to one of the preceding claims 27 to 31, characterized in that Nadelauftreffpunkte lie on a, in particular straight, web with a predetermined distance from each other on the surface.

33. Needler according to one of the preceding claims 27 to 32, characterized in that the needle direction is aligned at least substantially radially to a rotational axis (31.2) of the carrier relative to the housing.

34. Needle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of needles arranged in a predetermined, in particular spiral, matrix (Fig. 3A, 3B, 310), in particular guided by the carrier.

35. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a hand-held device for placing the housing on the surface to be machined.

36. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a testing device (10) for testing the component surface.

37. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a rolling or sliding bearing (9) of the housing for arranging on a component to be machined.

38. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part (9) of its outer contour is made of plastic.

39. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a component-preserving Kontaktf surface (205) for placement on the component to be machined.

40. Needle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one needle has an integrally formed or connected to her needle tip.

41. Needler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that needles are mounted individually or collectively in a sliding bearing on the carrier.

42. Use of a needling device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 41, characterized in that the component to be machined is a component of an aircraft engine, in particular a guide or moving blade and / or a blade carrier.

43. A method for local surface treatment, in particular solidification, of components by means of a needling device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 41, comprising the steps of: placing the needling on at least one surface to be machined of the component; and in particular self-regulating, moving a needle, preferably a plurality of independent needles, in and against the needle direction.

44. Method, in particular according to claim 43, for the local surface treatment, in particular solidification, of components by means of a needling device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 41, with the steps:

Placing the housing (1) of the needling on at least one surface of the component to be machined;

Turning the carrier (2, 3) of the needling relative to the housing of the needling to displace a point of impact of the needle on the surface;

in particular coupled with this rotation, moving at least one needle (34, 34A, 34B, 34C; 7.1, 7.9) in a needle direction against the surface to be machined.

45. The method, in particular according to one of the preceding claims 43 to 44, for local surface treatment, in particular solidification, of components (206), with a needler according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 41, characterized in that when placed on the component needle Impulse is impressed on the actuating means (203).