US 7,321,105 B2
Laser peening of dovetail slots by fiber optical and articulate arm beam delivery
Allan H. Clauer, Worthington, Ohio (US); Jeff L. Dulaney, Delaware, Ohio (US); David F. Lahrmann, Powell, Ohio (US); and David Sokol, Dublin, Ohio (US)
Assigned to LSP Technologies, Inc., Dublin, Ohio (US)
Filed on Feb. 20, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/784,725.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/449565, filed on Feb. 21, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2004/0232125 A1, Nov. 25, 2004
Int. Cl. B23K 26/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 219—121.85  [219/121.78; 219/121.79] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
9. A laser peening apparatus for laser peening a hidden surface of a workpiece, the hidden surface not being line-of-sight accessible to laser energy propagating without redirection along an initial propagation path for emissions thereof for treatment of the workpiece, said apparatus comprising:
a pulsed laser system configured for generating the laser energy used for laser peening; and
a laser directing unit operatively receiving and channeling the laser energy generated by said pulsed laser system, said laser directing unit including a laser transmission end defining an output for laser emissions from said laser peening apparatus, said laser directing unit being capable of variably and selectively positioning said laser transmission end, said laser directing unit being adapted to provide operable maneuvering of at least said laser transmission end so that said operably maneuvered laser transmission end has line of sight laser communication accessibility with the hidden surface, said laser directing unit thereby configured for variably and selectively directing laser energy upon the hidden surface via said operably maneuvered laser transmission end.