A device and methods are provided for deep rolling. In one embodiment, a machine includes a deep rolling tool having a plurality of rolling elements, wherein each rolling element is mounted at the distal end of a fork arm, and wherein the rolling elements are configured to apply a compressive stress to articles received by the deep rolling tool. The machine may also include a positioning element coupled to the deep rolling tool, wherein the positioning element is configured to position the deep rolling tool and apply the deep rolling tool to an article.

Claims

20 · 2 independent · depth 2

20 granted claims

›1.independentA machine, comprising:na deep rolling tool comprising;na flexible first fork arm and a flexible second fork arm each extending outwardly from a base s…+9

›2.↳ 1The machine of claim 1, wherein the first rolling element and the second rolling element are crowned rollers.d2

›3.↳ 1The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine is a 5-axis machine and the positioning element is configured to position the deep rolling tool in three d…d2

›4.↳ 1The machine of claim 1, wherein a block of the deep rolling tool is mounted to the positioning element and the flexible first fork arm and the flexibl…d2

›5.↳ 1The machine of claim 1, wherein the deep rolling tool may be rotated along a central axis of the deep rolling tool by the positioning element.d2

›6.↳ 1The machine of claim 1, wherein the positioning element is configured to move the deep rolling tool in an alternating motion from a retracted position…d2

›7.↳ 1The machine of claim 1, wherein the positioning element is configured to move the deep rolling tool in a linear path.d2

›8.↳ 1The machine of claim 1, wherein the first rolling element and the second rolling element are crowned rollers each having a minor radius for contacting…d2

›9.↳ 1The machine of claim 1, wherein the article is at least one of a turbine blade, a compressor blade, a fan blade, a bladed disk, a bladed element and a…d2

›10.↳ 1The machine of claim 1, wherein the deep rolling tool is configured to apply a compressive stress to the opposite sides of the article.d2

›11.independentA machine, comprising:na deep rolling tool having a plurality of rolling elements rotatably secured thereto, wherein the plurality of rolling elements…+9

›12.↳ 11The machine of claim 11, wherein the plurality of rolling elements apply a compressive stress to the bladed element without an actuator applying a for…d2

›13.↳ 11The machine of claim 11, wherein the machine is a 5-axis machine and the positioning element is configured to position the deep rolling tool in three …d2

›14.↳ 11The machine of claim 11, wherein a block of the deep rolling tool is mounted to the positioning element and the pair of flexible fork arms are perpend…d2

›15.↳ 11The machine of claim 11, wherein the deep rolling tool is rotated along a central axis of the deep rolling tool by the positioning element.d2

›16.↳ 11The machine of claim 11, wherein the positioning element is configured to move the deep rolling tool in an alternating motion from a retracted positio…d2

›17.↳ 11The machine of claim 11, wherein the positioning element is configured to move the deep rolling tool in a linear path.d2

›18.↳ 11The machine of claim 11, wherein the plurality of rolling elements are crowned rollers each having a minor radius for contacting a surface of the blad…d2

›19.↳ 11The machine of claim 11, wherein the bladed element is at least one of a turbine blade, a compressor blade, a fan blade, a bladed disk and a metal obj…d2

›20.↳ 11The machine of claim 11, wherein the deep rolling tool is configured to apply a compressive stress to opposite sides of the bladed element when it is …d2

Classifications

4 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section B — Performing operations; transporting

B21B31/16
B21B27/02
B21H7/16
B21B31/02

Claim changes

Soon

Coming soonHow the claims changed between publication and grant

See which claims were amended, added or cancelled during examination, with every added and removed word marked.

AmendedAddedCancelledUnchanged

The published claims of this patent are not paired with the granted ones in what we hold.

File wrapper

⤢ drag to zoom

USPTOApplicanthover for detail · click to open

Pendency

1.3 y

481 days filing → grant

Office actions

non-final + final

Responses

1 RCE

Examiner

Pradeep C Battula

art unit —

Law firm

Law firm · Log in to unlock

Citations: 18 back · 0 forward

See the full prosecution history — every USPTO and applicant action on this file, in order.

Term & fees

See the term timeline — pendency span, in-force span, the maintenance fees paid and both computed expiry dates.

Priority chain

2 priority documents

Priority

18 Dec 2013

earliest claimed

›Priority documents — 2

Type	Document	Date
provisional	US 61917518	18 Dec 2013
related publication	US 20150165513 A1	18 Jun 2015

Validity challenges

See the validity challenges on record — reexaminations, IPRs and PGRs, with their institution decisions and outcomes.

Citations

See every patent this one cites and every patent that cites it back — publication, assignee, and how each one was found.