Structural and thermal analysis engineer - over 30 years
Resume:
Larry Bryant Titusville FL
Summary
Dedicated structural and thermal analysis engineer focused on analytical design and analysis with extensive ANSYS finite element methods for over 30 years for major universities and technology institutions. Experienced with aerospace components, jet engines, high pressure components, helicopters, airframe modifications, Fission and Fusion nuclear reactors, rocket engine installations and auxiliary components for propulsion and aerospace.
Skills
Airframe / Hand Calculations
Bruhn and Michael Niu methods.
FAA Certification documents
Section & Fail-Safe Analysis
High & Low Cycle Fatigue
Fluid Flow Calculations
BSME Petroleum Engineering
LS-Dyna ICFD fluid calculations.
3D Subsurface multiphase flow
Transient pulse decay modeling and lab testing.
ANSYS & Workbench
Multi-Objective Design Optimization
ANSYS Parametric Design Language
Radiation, Conduction, Convection
Nonlinear stress strain fatigue & dynamics
Random and Classical Vibration.
Spectral analysis methods.
Software
ANSYS
NX Nastran, Solid Modeling
Pro/E; Creo, for stress work
Microsoft Suite
Python training
Six Sigma – Green Belt Certified
Actuator Systems Experience:
1.Aerospace & Defense Actuators
Turbine Engine Actuator Optimization (Honeywell, 2021)
NASA Docking Station Actuator Analysis (Honeywell, 2021)
Rocket Engine Valve Vibration Analysis (Moog, 2018)
F-18 Canopy Stress Actuator Analysis (Curtiss-Wright, 2006)
767 Refueling Boom Actuator Optimization (Smiths Aerospace, 2003)
Landing Gear Actuator Shaft Fatigue (Smiths Aerospace, 2003)
2.Industrial & Aircraft Actuators
IDG Actuator System for Aircraft (Sundstrand, 1997)
Gearbox & Gimbal Joint Actuation (Sundstrand, 1997)
Gear Teeth Load & Stress Analysis (Curtiss-Wright, 2006)
3.Structural Dynamics & Impact Analysis
JSF Impact Analysis for Actuators (Rolls-Royce, 1998)
Random Vibration Testing for Rocket Engine Actuators (Moog, 2018)
Experience
Real Engineering Solutions, Florida June 2023 – Present
Founder and Principal Consultant, Real Engineering Solutions, LLC.
Building my consulting company, developing a website, recruiting individuals.
Providing specialized analysis and consulting services to aerospace and nuclear industries on structural and thermal optimization.
Oklo, Santa Clara California June 2023 – April 2024
Thermo-Mechanical Stress and Dynamics Consultant
Nuclear Reactor geometrical optimization using ANSYS Design Explorer with Design of Experiments (DOE) studies and stress response envelopes that achieved 78% reduction in stress intensity. Provided detailed presentations of work to team and management.
Completed 3D Spectral Dynamic analysis for Nuclear Reactor structure in preparation for NRC regulatory licensing. Applied ASME Section VIII Div 2 and ASME Section III code for stress evaluations.
Evaluated numerous support structure designs for static, thermal and dynamic stresses.
Developed combined 3D Transient Radiation, Convection and Conduction models of a Nuclear Reactor and Transient stress analysis to demonstrate operating stress and temperature during heat up cycles. Completed sensitivity studies that determined the relative importance of thermal parameters.
Researched various fluid structure interaction models to include LS Dyna implicit computational fluid dynamics method (ICFDS) to predict the sloshing of liquid Sodium during an earthquake.
Provided detailed studies and ANSYS parametric design language scripts for nonlinear buckling of major components.
Blue Origin, Huntsville Alabama
Rocket Engine Structural Analysis Feb 2023 – April 2023
Remote contract analysis support
Evaluated cryogenic rocket engine interface flanges for the upper stage BE3U engine.
Goodman stress diagrams generated for HCF of interface flanges and bolted connections. Nonlinear stress strain evaluation of interconnecting pipes during Proof testing and determination of loads to restore permanent deformations to original positions during install.
Creo Solid modeling used for stress purposes to adjust model and prep for FEA.
Completed numerous hand calculations and presentations for team.
GE, Wilmington NC Mar 2022 – Jul 2022
Structural and Dynamics Analysis for Nuclear Reactor
Remote contract analysis support.
Completed transient dynamic analysis for three seismic profiles for bwrx-300 nuclear reactor.
Solution was based on a response spectrum that was spectrally matched with a civil engineering program SSI in the time domain.
Developed extensive presentations, spreadsheets and reports for the technical team.
Results included interface loads and accelerations at all key locations.
Completed ANSYS apdl scripts to build and solve an equivalent transient dynamic thermal analysis of a reactor startup, max power, sudden start, irregular start and cool down phases for discontinuity evaluation on a nuclear licensing uprate. Completed a formal stress report for fatigue/fracture mechanics team.
Honeywell Aerospace, Tempe AZ July 2021 – March 2022
Remote analysis support
Nasa Docking Station
Multi-Objective Design Optimization with Random Vibration Analysis (Ansys 2020R2) of engine actuator resulted in shape definitions with higher stress and fatigue margins.
Parametric fracture mechanics study for surface flaw casting analysis to establish influence of multi-crack proximity.
Completed detailed analysis and report that established the bounds of manufacturing escapes on Actuator housings. Adjusted Catia models for stress analysis and parameter set up.
Transient thermal analysis for Flame testing and fault cases for actuators on Gulfstream Jets.
Transient thermal analysis for Nasa Docking Station to establish soak time requirements for Boeing.
Completed LS DYNA training for Workbench.
Bechtel at NASA Kennedy Space Center Oct 2019 – Apr 2021
Mobil Launch Tower 2 / Structural Analysis
Remote contract analysis support
Received special recognition from Bechtel management for completing the first iterations of the tower design with matching Nastran versions to meet critical schedule deliverables.
ANSYS programming and Nastran analysis used to evaluate the modal behavior of the launch tower.
Principal author for team report to Nasa on ANSYS model
Created ANSYS design optimization analyses for sensitivity studies for dynamic analyses.
PSD random stress and design of experiments for the switch gear vibration support system.
Analysis plans, results and report for Nasa on a one-million-dollar critical launch equipment.
Optimization trade studies with undamped modal damp ratio developed.
MOOG inc., East Aurora NY. Jul 2018 – Mar 2019
Rocket Engine Valve Structural Analyst
Contract Engineering analysis
Random stress analysis, using ANSYS 18.2, for Aerojet program to install upper stage engine cryogenic actuators and valve assemblies for the Orion rocket program.
Completed structural analysis and provided recommendations to a team of design engineers to meet analysis results from the customer specification.
Prepared over 35 detailed presentations that were used to interface with Aerojet program and engineering staff to present results and resolve technical developments. Aerojet staff gave positive feedback on these results and the progress obtained.
Constructed plans and schedules to meet delivery deadlines for a critical design review.
Evaluated various systems for structural adequacy using hand calculations as required.
Prepared 3d thermal models for cryogenic evaluation and performance.
Nasa Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, FL Aug 2016 – May 2018
Rocket Auxiliary and Structural Analyst
Contract engineering analysis.
Developed structural analysis reports for Orion heavy lift rocket engine installation support systems.
Worked with engineers and designers on the mobile launch tower for Orion heavy lift program.
Constructed interface loads, reviewed drawings and attended design reviews for equipment.
Hand calculations, buckling, vibration analysis to establish structural integrity of systems
Used civil engineering STAAD program for AISC welding calculations.
Developed complex component analysis with composite materials using the ANSYS rev 19.
Simulated the 3d response and interaction of nonlinear material models
Analysis resulted in a determination of key mechanisms contributing to rocket engine failure.
Completed NX design simulation finite element analysis to evaluate thermal and structural systems reports.
ASML, Wilton, CT May 2014 – Mar 2015
Structural & Thermal Analysis Engineer
Contract engineering analysis
ANSYS 14.5 Parametric design optimization of optical equipment structures for weight and frequency as a function of design features. Completed design of experiments sensitivity and trade-off studies with formal presentation of results.
Developed radiation, convection, and conduction finite element analysis to predict micrometer displacements and rotations of optical lens and mirror components. Constructed ANSYS programming scripts to process results for optical engineers.
Developed, and implemented a new technique, to implement the three-point method, for tracking lens rotations based on vector mechanics with an ANSYS script.
Completed 1 week of NX Nastran Design Sim, and NX modeling courses.
Completed modal, transient dynamic, harmonic stress, deflection analyses set for optical equipment
Provided routine technical support of other engineers in the use of ANSYS and in the application of physics to resolve analysis problems.
Cobham Mission Systems, Davenport, IA Aug 2013 – May 2014
Aerospace Fuel Tank Analysis Engineer
Contract analysis
KC-390 Mid Air Refueling Project for 17,000 lb. fuel tank analysis and certification for Embraer. Completed design optimization analysis with formal presentation of ANSYS static, dynamic, fatigue and nonlinear buckling results for tank and fuel system and support structures for FAA certification. provided supporting hand calculations to validate numerical results.
Adjusted Creo cad models to include parameters in stress evaluation studies.
Developed ANSYS APDL scripts that were used to insert combination elements that resulted in dramatic reductions in numerical convergence time on large scale system models. A loads model was constructed and used to determine size and location of structural beams required to evenly distribute the inertial loads. Results were used to resolve critical program cargo handling limitations on interface.
Completed Fail Safe Analysis for FAA certification to demonstrate redundancy of design.
Design of Experiments was used (ANSYS Design Explorer) to optimize internal fuel tank baffles
Parker Aerospace, Irvine, CA Sept 2012 – Aug 2013
Actuator Analysis Engineer
Contract analysis
Completed analysis to define and resolve mechanical issues leading to failure of straps on Nitrogen gas Inert Fuel systems. Provided detailed presentations of harmonic, modal and other static analysis. Results demonstrated significant improvement with modest changes in shape of tank support structures. Coordinated with vibration lab to collect stress strain data during vibration testing.
Developed alternate acceleration-based loading methods to supplement legacy boundary conditions.
Completed Hyper-elastic study to explain why seal on an Airbus tank valve could self-extrude with repeated loads along with subsurface tensile loads resulting in self-destruction.
Developed analysis plan for heat transfer on Rolls-Royce Flex Hose systems on Trent 1000
Reviewed drawings, specifications and evaluated mechanical Fuel Pump for A350 Air Buss aircraft
Pratt & Whitney, West Palm Beach, FL Dec 2011 – May 2012
Turbine Engine Senior Structural Analysis Engineer
Multi objective design optimization for FT4000 lpt case using ANSYS workbench Design Explorer. analysis included 6 variables to include slot radius, angle and height of cuts that resulted in stress trends and a significant stress reduction.
Catia Solid model preparation for parametric studies.
Completed design of experiments evaluation on various design alternatives using ANSYS program scripts to map boundary conditions from Ansys classic to Workbench sub models.
Buckling, limit strength and modal analysis for turbine cases.
3-d evaluation of turbine wheel with manufacturing defects for certification on re-engineered LPT
Princeton Particle Physics Lab, Princeton NJ August 2009 – May 2011
Reactor senior structural / thermal analysis engineer - Consulting Contract Assignment
Stress and fatigue analysis for Fusion reactor components (ELM Coils) used to stabilize Plasma experiments. Completed electric analysis, transient heat transfer and ANSYS Parametric studies using APDL script language to model interactions of the Coil to predict load and displacements as a function of operating conditions. Prepared numerous presentations for management reviews.
Developed a new technique to evaluate equivalent material properties using Strain Energy methods with multiple components interacting through general contact.
Completed complex pre-stressed modal analysis of coils with general contact and nonlinear material studies to evaluate the response of these to known current frequencies.
Working finite element analysis projects for the international project to design and build a Fusion Reactor.
Education
University of Wyoming
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, May 1988
University of Wyoming
B.S. Petroleum Engineering, May 1985
Distinctions
National Honor Society for Petroleum Engineers; Dean's List
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