Andrew J Provenza

Title: Innovations of Andrew J Provenza

Introduction

Andrew J Provenza is an accomplished inventor based in Avon, OH (US). He holds 2 patents that showcase his expertise in the field of turbomachinery and magnetic bearings. His innovative contributions have significantly advanced technology in these areas.

Latest Patents

One of Provenza's latest patents is a system for suppressing vibration in turbomachine components. This system is designed to mitigate vibration and noise in structures such as blades in turbomachinery. It incorporates flexible piezoelectric patches that can be secured on or embedded in turbomachinery blades, which may include eight fan blades. The system also features a capacitor plate coupler and a power transfer apparatus, both arranged into one assembly to transfer data and power. The processor within the system has 16 channels, with eight serving as sensor channels and the remaining eight as actuation channels. This processor collects and analyzes sensor signals to output corrective signals for vibration and noise suppression of the turbine blades.

Another significant patent by Provenza is for fault-tolerant homopolar magnetic bearings. This invention supports a spinning shaft in both the radial and axial directions. It includes a rotor formed on the shaft and a stator positioned around the rotor, with poles in the stator creating a magnetic field to support the rotor. The design ensures that even with a partial loss of current to one or more poles, the bearing can still produce a selected control force. The controller connected to the poles is programmed to adjust the current in response to any loss of current, ensuring reliable operation.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Provenza has worked with notable organizations, including the Texas A&M University System and NASA. His work in these institutions has allowed him to contribute to significant advancements in technology and engineering.

Collaborations

Provenza has collaborated with esteemed colleagues such as Alan Palazzolo and Ming-Hsiu Li. These partnerships have fostered innovation and have been instrumental in the development of his patented technologies.

Conclusion

Andrew J Provenza's contributions to the fields of turbomachinery and magnetic bearings demonstrate his innovative spirit and technical expertise. His patents reflect a commitment to advancing technology and improving engineering solutions.