January 2002
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Philadelphia Section
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| Chair’s
Letter I wish
to extend to all the members of the section a happy,
peaceful, and prosperous New Year. We look forward to a
productive year and hope that you will take advantage of
the many services ASME provides. |
at
Villanova University, Dan was the first-place winner of
the recent "Old Guard" Oral Competition last
month at the ASME IMECE in New York. The title of his
talk and more details are presented in this newsletter. On February 7, we will join with the ASME Trenton Section to hear a presentation by B. J. Gaylo, Former Deputy Program Manager for Apollo LEM. As noted below, this meeting will be held in Trenton, NJ. In late fall, the History and Heritage Group, headed by committee member John Chen, submitted an application for elevating the Eddystone Generating Station to National Landmark Status. Currently, the ASME H&H National committee is researching our landmark request and has promised to respond in a timely manner. In the area of support for the student sections, we recently awarded several hundred dollars to two student sections. One, Villanova University, has planned a high school design competition to be held during Engineer's week and will use some of its support for costs and prize money. In addition, we also provided $2000 to offset expenses for travel to the IMECE in New York for two faculty advisors in our section. In this newsletter, we are requesting nominees for our executive committee for next year. As we have discussed with you in the past, our new officers take over during the summer and our program begins in the fall and extends to the following spring. We are always looking for new candidates for our executive committee and hope you will consider nominating yourself or a colleague. If you wish to help out but are not able to commit to a formal position, please consider attending one of our executive committee meetings. There is plenty to do and we need help on all levels! The meeting schedule is given in the newsletter and posted on our web site (asme.org/sections/philadelphia). One position that I am particularly interested in filling is that of Outreach and Educational Programs Coordinator. Please see the ad below for a description of this job. Engineers Week begins Friday, February 15, with the Proclamation Luncheon in Center City and extends to the following Saturday with a banquet at Villanova University. The Delaware Valley Engineers Week Committee has put together a great program with many events. The senior section of ASME will present NASA astronaut Marsha Ivins who will speak on Tuesday evening, February 19. Details will be forthcoming. Please make a note of it and plan to come out for an enjoyable evening with your ASME and engineering colleagues and friends. Jerry Jones |
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2002-2003 Officer Nominations
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activities.
In the past the section has been able to monetarily
support the student sections and we hope to be able to
continue this effort in the future. As this program
expands, we will need someone to concentrate on the
effort to insure effective utilization of the funds. Letters and Email To the editor: I always appreciate the opportunity to talk about the Liberty Electric Power Project, an endeavor that is near and dear to me. Whenever I have the opportunity to spread the word about the "new generation" of power generating facilities, which are at the same time, low cost producers and environmentally benign, I seize the moment. If we, in some way, helped to stimulate a career interest in any of the students in attendance, then I think we accomplished something of real value for the power industry. The industry needs young and talented people to take up and carry the mantle well into the 21st century. Thanks again for the invitation, Mike Fox General Manager Liberty Electric Power, LLC Michael Fox was the speaker at the November section meeting at Widener University. Industry
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| utilities.
Southern utilities have objected to the formation of RTO
because they feel it will increase costs and take away
state authority. The FERC commissioners held meetings
with utility representatives on October 15 to further
revise the FERC RTO rules to present standards for RTO
market design and structure. American Water Works Company, Inc. The German utility company, RWE, has agreed with American Water Works that RWE will purchase all the publicly traded shares of American Water, which is the largest share holder owned water services company in the United States. After approval by shareholders and state regulatory agencies, the transaction will be completed in about a year. American Water Works is based in Voorhees, New Jersey. More information on RWE and American Water Works can be found at www.rwe.com and www.amwater.com. Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin has joined with Eagles Radio 94WYSP in a program that will provide computers for schools in Philadelphia through a program called "Touchdowns for Technology." Lockheed Martin will donate two computers for every touchdown the Philadelphia Eagles score this year. In addition, Lockheed Martin's employee volunteer organizations will work with Eagles Radio to install the computers in the schools. In the Delaware Valley, Lockheed Martin employees volunteer thousands of hours each year working with local organizations to improve communities and schools. The Eagles averaged 35 regular season touchdowns over the last ten years. However, excited about the team's prospects this year, Lockheed Martin is ready to donate up to 100 computers. PECO Energy PECO Energy's parent, Exelon Corporation, and Entergy Corporation, based in New Orleans, La., will donate $1 million -- $500,000 each -- to start "The Power of America Fund". Established by two of America's largest power companies, this industry-wide campaign will ensure future educational assistance to the surviving children of the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Both Exelon and Entergy are inviting other power companies, company employees and individual customers nationwide to join them in the effort. They said they hoped that with the assistance of other companies and individuals the endowment might ultimately reach $10 million. Tax-deductible contributions should be made payable to The Power of America Fund, 1055 St. Charles Ave., Suite 100, New Orleans, La., 70130. Harley Davidson to relocate Dyna Glide assembly As part of its Strategic Plan for Sustainable Growth, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company announced plans to move assembly of its Dyna Glide family of motorcycles to its facility in Kansas City, Mo. All Dyna Glide models are currently |
assembled
in York, Pa. The move will take place during the next six
months with production fully underway in Kansas City in
2002. The Kansas City plant is already handling certain
fabrication and paint operations for the Dyna line. The
Dyna Glide family is one of five families of motorcycles
produced by Harley-Davidson: Sportster, Softail, Dyna,
Touring, and the new VRSC family. Dyna models represent
approximately 15 percent of the Company's total
production. Washington Group's Reorganization Plan Approved Washington Group International, Inc. announced that its Plan of Reorganization was confirmed on November 20, 2001 by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada in Reno, clearing the way for the company to complete its financial restructuring. Confirmation of the Plan constitutes Court approval of the company's proposed debt-for-equity exchange, agreed to earlier in November by the steering committees of the company's secured lenders and unsecured creditors. The Plan also provides for the settlement of outstanding litigation between Washington Group and Raytheon Company. The company's secured lenders will receive 80 percent of the primary equity in the newly reorganized company and $20 million in cash. The company's unsecured creditors will receive 20 percent of the primary equity in the newly reorganized company and the right to purchase, through warrants, up to an additional 25 percent of the new common stock of the reorganized company over four years following the effective date of the company's Plan of Reorganization. Under the plan, existing Washington Group common stock (WNGXQ) will be canceled as of the plan's effective date. New shares of common stock are expected to be issued to the company's secured lenders and unsecured creditors in 45 to 60 days. Washington Group filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code on May 14, 2001. The company said that its secured lenders voted overwhelmingly in favor of the reorganization plan. Newsletter on the Internet Currently about 4% of the section members read the newsletter on the section's web site. This option is, of course, open to all members. Simply go to the web site (www.asme.org/sections/philadelphia) and follow the links. If you would like to use the web as the primary means of receiving the newsletter, send an Email to the newsletter editor. As newsletters are published, you will receive Email notification. Otherwise you will continue to receive the newsletter in the mail. Since the section wants to make sure that each member sees each issue, you must take action to request Email notification for each issue on the web. Postage is a large part of our section operating cost. Each newsletter and post card costs about $400 to mail. Each |
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| member,
who reads the newsletter on the web, helps to reduce
postage costs. If you would like to read the newsletter
on the Internet, please contact the editor so that we can
notify you by Email that a new issue has been added to
our website. January Section Meeting The section January meeting is scheduled for 22 Jan, 2002 beginning at 5:30pm at the Villanova University CEER Lab Main Lecture Hall (basement level). Arthur Ebeling is the speaker and he will present a talk on the aerodynamics of the Indianapolis class race car. Mr. Ebeling has studied Indy cars for nearly a half-century, covering development and changes to the sport. Mr. Ebeling's involvement in various levels of racing spans professional to student competitions, and has afforded him the rewarding opportunity to observe developments arising from the innovations in racing that have been implemented over the years. Arthur W. Ebeling holds a B.S. from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology and has very broad experience in the chemical, steel, foundry and special metals industries. He is the holder of several patent rights in the controlled pressure pouring area. He is an ASME Fellow, and has served in various capacities in a number of ASME units. His latest position was Regional Director of ASME's Midwest Regional Office, a position he held for 18 years. Mr. Ebeling has made presentations on the history of Indy racing from 1911 to the present. His talks have covered historic topics such as the Marmon Wasp roadster, front wheel drive, side winder, rear engine mount and the gas turbine. His aerodynamic studies include the use of front and rear wings, ground effect and pods on each side of cockpit. He has also been involved in wind tunnel testing of the cars to determine the effects of wings and tire configurations. Dan Vicario, a senior at Villanova University, will give a short talk on his presentation which recently won the ASME Old Guard competition. His presentation will be from 6:15 to 6:30 before the main speaker. February Meeting with the Trenton Section In a joint meeting with the Trenton section, Benedict J. Gaylo will present "A Brief History of Apollo and the Lunar Module Program". Mr. Gaylo was Deputy Director of Lunar Module Instrumentation for Grumman Corporation. He was involved in the Apollo program from the earliest genesis of the Lunar Module, through the Christmas flight of Apollo 8, the epic landing of Apollo 11, the tension filled and triumphant return of Apollo 13, to the final and dramatic night launch of Apollo 17. Today, we can understand the challenge of the Apollo program only from the comfort of history; however, at the time, America's total experience with manned spaceflight consisted of only two 15 minute flights. The start of the program was truly a great leap into the unknown. At its peak, |
the
Apollo program engaged almost 400,000 people built a
machine that would eventually consist of over 9 million
parts. It had to work with flawless precision in the most
hostile environment ever imagined. and land on the moon
in 8 years. The Apollo program is one of the technical
triumphs of the 20th century, and a story of those that
had the right stuff to make it happen. The meeting will be held at the College of New Jersey. To reach the campus from Pennsylvania take I-95 North into New Jersey. Take exit 4 (Route 31/Pennington Road). Off the exit ramp, you will be traveling south on Route 31. At the second traffic light (about 1.5 miles), make a left into the College entrance. From New Jersey take I-295 North, continue until it becomes I-95 South to exit 4 (Route 31/Pennington Road and continue as above. From the College entrance, make a right onto the main access loop around campus. The information booth is on the left in front of Paul Loser Hall. See www.tcnj.edu/about/dircaminfo/ for a campus map and more directions. Just past the information booth is student parking on the left. The Brower Student Center is at the north west corner of the parking lot. Section Awards Villanova Mechanical Engineering senior Dan Vicario took first place in the annual ASME "Old Guard" Oral Competition held at the Annual ASME International Exposition and Congress in New York City on November 13. His presentation, entitled a "Shape Memory Alloy Activator", was based on the work of the Villanova senior design team which included Vicario, Vince Keenan, Doug Lord, and Mike Vinciguerra. Dan faced stiff competition from the dozen other presenters who collectively represented the best from each of their ASME regions. First place carries with it a monetary award and a framed certificate which will be on display in the Mechanical Engineering Office, 111 Tolentine Hall. Congratulations Dan! Amip Shah has received the Arthur L. Williston Medal which is awarded to student or recent graduate who submits the best paper in a specific area of civic service. Mr. Shah's paper was titled "The Kyoto Protocol: Impacting the Lives of Engineers. The award consists of $1000 honorarium, bronze medal, certificate and travel supplement for two days to attend the ASME Congress in New York in November. Professor David F. Meaney of the University of Pennsylvania has received the Y. C. Fung Young Investigator Award which recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to the field of bioengineering through research. The award consists of $1000 honorarium, bronze medal and certificate. Professor Portonovo S. Ayyaswamy of the University of Pennsylvania has received the 2001 Heat Transfer Memorial Award "for research focusing on the dynamics of moving droplets and further contributions in heat transfer which have resulted in the improved design of industrial equipment. The |
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award consists of $1000 honorarium, bronze medal and certificate.
All awards were presented at the ASME Congress in November in New York City. Congratulations to all the award winners from the Philadelphia Section. Recent Section Meetings Since the last newsletter, the section has had three meetings. The first was a tour of the Kvaerner Shipyard in South Philadelphia in October. The tour began at 5 PM so that most of the daily shipyard work was completed. Scott Clapham, Manager of Project Design, made a presentation on the history, goals and present status of the shipyard. Currently the yard is working on one ship and is negotiating orders for three more. The yard is still in a training mode and, although worker productivity is steadily improving, activity is not at levels which will be achieved during full productivity. After Mr. Clapham’s presentation, we toured the facilities including the steel cutting, pipe steel welding and final assembly areas. The Kvaerner’s work on each ship will include all the work necessary up to the launch of the ship. The final outfitting of the ship will be done by contractors in the shipyard at a dock adjacent to the assembly dry dock. An additional interesting fact about the yard is that all engineering design work is done in Europe and then sent to the United States. The engineering staff at the yard only supports the fabrication process. The second meeting in November was a presentation on the new combined cycle power plant in Eddystone. Michael Fox and Howard Sims talked on the environmental, economic and political considerations in locating the new plant in Eddystone. The recent collapse of the Enron Company puts a new perspective on many of the new independent power projects in the United States. Because of the collapse many of the projects have been postponed until the regulatory situation and economics of new power generation is evaluated. Mr. Fox and Mr. Sims also spent time discussing engineering careers in the power industry with many of the students attending the meeting. The third meeting in December was a presentation at the Franklin Institute on the Institute’s Wright Brothers collection. John Alviti, Senior Curator at the Franklin Institute, discussed to history of the collection and why Orville Wright gave the collection to the Institute. After the Wright’s successful flights at the beginning of the century, the Smithsonian was slow to recognize their accomplishments, mainly because the Secretary, William Langley, was one of the Wright’s competitors. The Franklin Institute very early recognized the significance of the flights and gave the Wrights numerous awards and accolades. In gratitude, Orville Wright gave the papers and artifacts to the Institute in his will. |
After the presentation, section members were free to look at the
papers and drawings of the collection. It is an indescribable feeling to
hold and look through the documentation of one of the greatest accomplishments
of the last century. The books included the wind tunnel and other design data
which were used to design the original 1903 Wright Flyer. The original
drawings of the Flyer were also included as well as other drawings of Wright
Flyers which were produced in the United States and Europe.
ASME Puzzler Do you know what the following recipe creates: 1 pound sal-soda 1 quart lard oil 1 quart soft soap water to make 10 to 12 gallons Boil the mixture for one half hour, preferably using an immersed steam coil. If the solution has an objectionable odor add 2 pounds of unslaked lime. Hint: the recipe was found in a book on turning and boring published in 1915. If you know what this is, send your answer to the newsletter editor. FIRST Volunteers Needed The West Chester Area School District Robotics Team (Team Universal) participates in the FIRST organization's regional competition. The team is currently seeking some volunteer mechanical engineer mentors to help with this year's project. The kickoff meeting is scheduled for January 7. The team is also in need of some corporate/business contributors. The team (student) membership doubled in size this year. If you or your company can provide technical or monetary support please contact Debbie Sabatino at dsabatino@wcasd.k12.pa.us or (610)-436-7200. You can also contact Sue Gabriel at gabrielwc@juno.com or (610)-431-6866. The FIRST program sponsors competition in the design of robots which compete in regional and national contests. The project involves meeting specific performance goals for the robot and is an excellent way to introduce high school students to the engineering process.
ASME Philadelphia Section |
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Philadelphia Section November Meeting
Tuesday, January 22, 2002
Indy Racing and the Effect of Aerodynamics on the Car
Villanova University, Villanova , PA
Location: Center for Engineering Education and Research (CEER),
Villanova University, Villanova, PA
Time: Pizza and sodas 5:45 PM, Presentation: 6:30 PM
Cost: $5.00 Members. No charge for students.
Speakers: Arthur W. Ebeling, ASME Distinguished Lecturer
Mr. Ebeling will discuss the history and engineering development of Indianapolis
class race cars. See article on page 5.
Call Lana Vernati at Villanova University (610 519 4980) by January 18 to make
reservations.
Directions: Villanova University is located on Lancaster Pike in Villanova, PA,
about 1 mile east of the Villanova/St.Davids I-476 exit. The main parking lot is
the first traffic light after crossing Route 320. Turn right at the light. After
parking, cross Lancaster Pike and walk up toward the Villanova Chapel. At the top
of the steps, turn left and walk about 400 yards to the modern building (CEER) on
the left. The presentation is in the lecture hall on the lower level.
Joint Philadelphia/Trenton Section February Meeting
Cost: Students $10, Members and guests: $15
The Apollo Space Program
College of New Jersey, Trenton, NJ
Thursday February 7, 2002
Date: February 7th, 2002 Dinner: 6:30 PM Presentation following dinner
Location: The College of NJ, Brower Student Center, 2000 Pennington Rd., Ewing,
NJ, 08628-0718
See page 4 for directions
Speaker: Benedict J. Gaylo, Deputy director of the lunar module program for
Grumman Aerospace Corp.
Mr. Gaylo will present the history of the Apollo program. He will discuss
the initial efforts of the United States in manned space flight as the pioneering
basis of the Apollo program. His presentation will include the entire program up
to the concluding flight of Apollo 17. See page 4 for a more detailed description
of the presentation.
Call (609) 514-7209 or Email trenton@asme.org by January 31, 2002 to make reservations.