Methods and apparatus for stress relief using multiple energy sources

Abstract

Methods are presented for modifying a physical property of a structure, such as reducing or relieving remaining internal stress, in which two or more energy types are concurrently applied to the structure to change the physical property of interest in an accelerated fashion. A first energy type, such as heat, is applied according to time values and operational settings derived from a first order rate relationship for the first energy type and from a first order rate relationship for a second energy type. The second energy type, such as vibration or other time-varying energy form, is applied concurrently for the time value. Methods are also provided for determining operational settings for concurrent application of multiple energy types to a structure.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A system for changing a property of a structure, comprising:
 a first oscillatory energy source;   a second oscillatory energy source; and   one or more control systems that provides control signals to each of the energy sources to control delivery of the oscillatory energy sources to a structure.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the first oscillatory energy source is thermal. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the first and second oscillatory energy sources are selected from the group consisting of sonic, laser, electrical, magnetic, mechanical vibration, and microwave. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control systems are operated manually. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the oscillatory energy sources provided by the control system are provided concurrently. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control systems provide delivery of one of the oscillatory energy sources to the structure before the other oscillatory energy source is started. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the control system may continue to deliver one of the oscillatory energy sources after the other oscillatory energy source is discontinued. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the first oscillatory energy source is an induction heating source. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 33 , further comprising transducers operatively coupled with the structure to provide feedback signals to the control system  180 . 
     
     
         42 . A system for heat treating a structure, comprising:
 a thermal energy source;   an oscillatory energy source; and   one or more control systems that provides control signals to the thermal and oscillatory energy sources to control delivery of thermal and oscillatory energy from the thermal energy source and the oscillatory energy source to a structure.   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , further comprising transducers operatively coupled with the structure to provide feedback signals to the control system  180 . 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the oscillatory energy source is selected from the group consisting of sonic, laser, electrical, magnetic, mechanical vibration, and microwave. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the control systems are operated manually. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the thermal and oscillatory energy sources provided by the control system are provided concurrently. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the control systems provide delivery of thermal energy to the structure before the oscillatory energy source is started. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the control systems provide delivery of the oscillatory energy to the structure before the thermal energy source is started. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the control system may continue to deliver the thermal energy after the oscillatory energy source is discontinued. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the control system may continue to deliver the oscillatory energy after the thermal energy is discontinued. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the thermal energy source is an induction heating source.