10/59-1/62 Graduate Engineering
Apprenticeship,
meeting the requirements of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
1/62 - 5/64 Experimental Engineer "A".
From 1/62 to 10/63 I worked in Body Engineering
Research on R and D in vehicle heating, ventilating and engine
cooling. I carried out very many rig and vehicle tests of the
performance of such systems and considerable analysis of the results.
I also studied water and air flows and door seal pressure differences
- all factors affecting these performances. Working with colleagues,
I evolved methods of testing ducted ventilation systems that were
used most successfully in the development of the Cortina Mark I
Aeroflow heating and ventilating system and then adopted as standard
procedures.
From 10/63 to 9/64 I attended the Cranfield Institute
of Technology, sponsored by Ford, taking the course leading to
D.Au.E. (later M.Sc.) in Automobile Engineering. This introduced me
to a wide range of more advanced techniques such as analogue and
digital computing and finite element methods of structural analysis.
My thesis was entitled "A Study of Vehicle Engine Cooling"
and included a large literature survey of analytical methods of
design and the implementation of one such as a digital computer
program.
5/64 - 10/68 Experimental Engineer, Senior - Salary Grade 8.
On returning to Body Engineering Research, I inspired
a considerable development of the Test Laboratory and made detailed
studies of suitable test equipment. I wrote - alone and jointly -
three papers to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. I was also
responsible for :-
. the evolution and use of methods for the
aerodynamic and structural design of the plastic engine cooling fans
used on the 1967 Cortina.
. various studies on the interior
heating and engine cooling systems on both cars and trucks.
. the
design of a combined motor cooling-interior heating system for the
Ford Comuta electric city car.
I then became responsible for
leading a small team in the evolution of procedures for the
analytical design of engine cooling systems (including radiator,
duct, and fan).
10/68 - 1/75 Principal Research Engineer - Salary
Grade 9.
After the move of the department to the Ford Research
and Engineering Centre at Dunton, Basildon, Essex, U.K., I was
increasingly involved in advising other departments - notably those
responsible for the current design of engine cooling systems (also
located at Dunton) and heating and ventilating systems (located at
Merkenich, Cologne, Germany). With the promotion, my responsibilities
for administration and for training also increased. To match new,
higher power engines, I conducted a major study of the cooling
systems for the Phase 2 "D" Series truck. I gave an invited
lecture to a Cranfield seminar. For a project to analyse the
performance of hot air windscreen defrosting systems, I introduced
the use of a hot wire anemometer for mapping the air velocity
patterns and of an infra-red scanner for the remote measurement of
windscreen surface temperature -in each case with computer-plotted
output. I defined and commissioned major new analyses - embodied in
computer programs - for the aerodynamic design and analysis and the
noise analysis of axial (engine cooling) fans from three outside
research bodies. Following a Study Tour of Europe (at my own
initiative and expense), I was seconded to a small group that drew up
the user requirements for the Ford of Europe Environmental Wind
Tunnel. This was duly built in Cologne, Germany for some five million
dollars. During a sustained programme of evaluating many alternative
designs of radiator, I initiated procedures for more rapid testing
and much more complete analysis of the results. This greatly
facilitated their use in cooling system design.
Following the in-house implementation of a fan
aerodynamic design program (that I had commissioned), I initiated the
manufacture of a 711 mm (28 in) diameter prototype fan by Numerically
Controlled machining.
I then became responsible for a major study of the
Ford of Europe heater-ventilator requirements for cars, vans, and
trucks. This lead to the design of a single basic unit capable of
meeting them all - so offering valuable rationalisation. Two
prototype installations were built under my leadership, the second of
which also incorporated reheat air conditioning.
In December 1974, Ford announced a programme of
voluntary redundancies - although I was assured of retaining both my
position and salary grade. As I had not been promoted for six years -
despite receiving "Excellent" performance ratings for the
last four - and I obtained an offer before the January deadline, I
elected to leave.
Employment : Granges Metallverken, Finspong, Sweden.
3/75 - 8/76 Development Engineer.
I was attached to the Rolling Department of this
major Swedish producer of copper and brass semi-manufactures. My
experience of testing and analysing the performance of automotive
radiators and heater cores was highly relevant to their endeavours in
promoting their thin (0.025 mm, 0.001 in), high density (up to about
200 per dm, 55 per in) fin product.
For an international conference in Zurich, held by
the CIDEC copper producers association, I prepared a paper describing
the product and its performance - derived by a computer analysis -
together with a film of the production machine, within eight weeks of
joining the company. I even named the product the "Splitter
Fin".
Over the next few months, I travelled with colleagues
within Europe and to the U.S.A., visiting many actual and potential
customers. As the body of performance data (largely reported by
customers) grew, I subjected it to a form of analysis, based on the
most advanced research practice, that I had learnt of during a Study
Tour in the U.S.A.
As had been agreed on my arrival, I spent a small
proportion of my time assessing the potential of the Splitter Fin in
non-automotive applications - notably in heat recovery and the solar
heating of buildings. In this connection, I visited several
conferences, exhibitions and experimental houses. I defined a
radiator performance test facility which was duly built and operated
by another company on our behalf. Using the thus-enlarged body of
performance data on the Splitter Fin, I used the above-mentioned
analysis and clear patterns characterising all the design variants -
and consistent with theory - were revealed.
As this was the major task sought of me and I wished
to undertake a second long Study Tour in North America, I left the
company. This was with no hard feelings on either side. Indeed,
within a week, they had contacted me commissioning another paper for
a forthcoming conference.
Employment :
Self-employed consulting and writing.
8/76 - 7/90 Consultant and writer.
After this first commissioned work, I made proposals
to prospective associates and clients in the fields of :
-
Automotive engine cooling, heating and ventilating.
- Test facilities for the above - both laboratories and wind tunnels.
-
Building space and water heating - using both fossil fuels and solar
energy.
Together I called it Thermal Engineering. In developing
these proposals, I have made many visits to research establishments
in the U.K. and also made three further Study Tours overseas - two to
the Continent and one to North America.
Following the publication of Energy Paper 20, on
District Heating combined with Electricity Generation, I contacted
Professor J.M. Cassels - the chairman of the working group on
surveying building heat loads for district heating. This lead to him
commissioning a report, which I entitled "Surveying Building
Heat Loads by Aerial Thermography", under contract to the
Department of Energy. This drew both on my existing knowledge of
infra-red scanning for the remote measurement of surface temperature
and on visits specially included in my June 1977 Study Tour of North
America.
In addition to consulting, I took up writing articles
in the fields of energy technology and policy - drawing on my Study
Tours and coverage of many conferences and exhibitions - for a wide
range of journals. These have included :- The Financial Times
"European Energy Report", "International Power
Generation", "Building Services and Environmental
Engineer", "Electrical Review", and "Building
Services". They total over 85 to date.
Following another Study Tour of North America in June
1979, I carried out a study entitled "Ocean Thermal Energy
Conversion (OTEC) - Outline Design of a Power Plant of 5 MWe Gross"
for British Shipbuilders Ltd.
Late in 1979 and early in 1980, I provided
information to Mr Gerald Leach of the International Institute for the
Environment and Development. This included a selective survey of the
literature on solar energy collection and thermal energy storage.
In April 1980, at the request of Flakt Ltd., I
produced a report entitled "Prospects for Controlled Ventilation
and Heat Recovery Products in the U.K. Residential Sector".
From December 1980 to January 1982 I had a continuing
consultancy assignment from the Polytechnic of Central London, who
were studying the solar heating of buildings under a contract from
the U.K. Department of Energy. My contributions included analysing
and calculating the performance of solar collectors and thermal
stores, drafting and commenting on parts of the report, writing -
with David Boyd - a paper for presentation at the Solar World Forum
in Brighton in August 1981 and comparing the performance and cost of
various types of space heating emitters.
In the summer of 1981, I also carried out a major
assignment for Granges Aluminium of Sweden (a sister company of
Granges Metallverken, my former employer). This consisted of making
preparations for - and assisting at - the exhibition at the Solar
World Forum. It included advising on the choice of exhibits and
writing much of the the promotional material - including the
audio-visual and computer-graphics presentations.
In December 1981, I prepared a report for Fiat of
Italy entitled "A Review of Engine Cooling System Design using
Computer-Aided Methods".
Early in 1982, I wrote several brochures for the
Sunstrip solar absorber product of Granges Aluminium of Sweden.
Later in 1982, I wrote an article, assisted in
translation and drafted a brochure about their Evacuated Tubular
Solar Collector for Philips of Eindhoven.
In November 1982, I provided information on the solar
heating products available on the French and American markets for
General Technology Systems Ltd. of Brentford, U.K.
In March/April 1983, I carried out a study for Earth
Resources Research on the scope for electricity saving in domestic
appliances and lighting. This included a survey of the data published
in "Which ?" magazine and a computer-aided evaluation of
the cost-effectiveness of additional insulation in a refrigerator.
I continued to write articles for journals such as
"Electrical Review" and "Building Services".
In July/August 1983, I created for Philips a
computer-graphics exhibit on their evacuated tubular solar
collectors, based on an Acorn BBC computer. This comprised
descriptions of several features using text, graphics and animation,
together with analytical estimations of the performance and economics
of solar heating systems. It was used on the Philips stand at the
Solar World Congress in Perth, Australia and then taken back to
Eindhoven.
In November 1983, I created a computer-graphics
exhibit for Direct Data Marketing of Brentwood, again based on an
Acorn BBC computer. This was designed to run inside - and in the
windows of - their three showrooms and describes their
computer-related products and services.
I then capitalized on my knowledge of computers -
particularly the Acorn BBC - by starting to write reviews of various
systems, hardware and software. The vast majority were for the
magazine, "A & B Computing", (later "Archimedes
World"). I produced major articles (usually one per issue) from
January 1984 to June 1990. I also contributed occasional articles to
"Personal Computer World" and other computing magazines.
Analysing them later, I found that the largest number were about
Acorn‘s own products, and the second largest number were about
Computer Concepts products.I have also written private critiques and
user manuals for several items of computer hardware and software.
Employment : Computer Concepts Ltd.
7/90 - 8/96 Marketing Manager.
My job was to promote the Computer Concepts products
- both software and hardware - and incidentally the Acorn platforms
on which they run. This I did by visits to Acorn dealers and latterly
Acorn in Education Centres, in between attendance at shows both in
the UK and abroad, and at Acorn Shows, RoadShows and dealer events.
It involved demonstrating the full range of Computer Concepts
products, including "Impression", a document processors,
and "ArtWorks", a vector graphics package, and the scanners
and printers etc. Also I often showed how other software, such as
spreadsheets and databases, and hardware, such as CD-ROM drives, may
be used in conjunction with CC products. Where appropriate, I
emphasised the performance and cost advantages of our products, and
the fact that they were British in origin.
Employment : Self-employed consulting and writing.
8/96 to date -
Consultant and writer.
From October 1996, after leaving Computer Concepts
Ltd, I represented them at several Acorn shows.
From March 1997, on behalf of Acorn Computers, I gave
demonstrations of their latest machine to various Acorn Clubs around
the U.K.
In April 1997, I researched possible case studies for
Acorn Computers Ltd, for development as short articles for
publication on their Web site and elsewhere. I found 90 such, of
which I rated 28 as excellent and another 38 as good.
In June 1997, I developed three case studies as
articles, complete with pictures, two of which were put up on the
Acorn Web site.
In September 1997, having had Internet access since
March 1996, I created my own Web site (i. e. this one), which
includes my CV, publications, and interests. I have also helped
several friends with the selection of hardware and software, and with
the configuration of the latter, for Internet access.
In February 1998, I was asked by Computer Concepts
Ltd. to prepare training material on all their hardware and software
products, and delivered it on their premises.
From February 1998, I was much occupied with Acorn
Computers Ltd., who were trying to launch a new computer. In the
event, this was cancelled, and the company was broken up in October
1998. Subsequently, I explored the possibility of (with colleagues)
designing, making and selling a plug-in card for PCs, to enable them
to run Acorn software. However, I decided not to go ahead, since the
prospective outlay and risks were not balanced by the potential
rewards.
Starting in January 1999, I installed temporary
instrumentation on my central heating system. This enabled me to
record its behaviour, in order to understand its working.
From January to June 1999, I designed and managed the
refurbishment of the heating system of a large house, at a total cost
of £ 20,000.
In September 1999, I created a web site for the
Taylor Gallery London.
Starting in October 1999, I conducted extensive desk
research on automotive vehicles and power trains with low emissions
and fuel consumptions. This included ultra-Diesels,
battery-electrics, hybrid-electrics, and fuel cell electrics. This
activity continues.
In November 1999, I edited a technical article
originally written by a German.
In December 1999, I edited a technical paper
originally written by a German.
In February 2000, I translated a technical paper on
vehicle aerodynamics from German.
From March 2000, I designed and managed the upgrading
of the boiler and hot water store of my heating system. The new
boiler was a super-condensing model, and the new store was a
double-insulated cylinder with a high output coil.
From June 2000, I installed new, permanent
instrumentation and a computer-based data logging system for my
heating system. I also developed a spreadsheet model for analysing
the logged data to determine the thermal performance and efficiency
of the boiler and hot water store. With new data being logged every
day, this activity continues.
In February 2001, having bought a Toyota Prius - the
first hybrid-electric car to be produced in volume - in December
2000, I created a slide-show
on it for presentation to a car club.
Later in 2001,the UK Government published a
discussion document on Powering Future Vehicles. Although I learnt of
it only late in the day, I carried out extensive research, mostly on
the web, and submitted a response.
In February 2002, the Performance and Innovation Unit
of the Cabinet Office published an Energy Review, and invited
responses. Having previously worked on a response to a discussion
document on Powering Future Vehicles, I greatly extended it to cover
the Domestic, Services, Industrial, and Transport sectors. This
involved me in very extensive research, mostly on the web, and the
development of a new analysis for Combined Heat and Power, and of a
model of the UK Energy System in 2050. I worked more than full time
up to the deadline of 13 September 2002 (and beyond). As well as
submitting my Response to the PIU, I sent
copies to several individuals and organisations interested in energy
policy. I created a presentation
on the major findings.
In October 2002, I upgraded my computer
network.
In November 2002, following a virus infestation, and
with considerable help from friends, I upgraded my computers.
My more recent activity has included study
tours and conferences, mostly on the Continent.