Bruce A Howard

Title: The Innovative Contributions of Bruce A. Howard

Introduction

Bruce A. Howard, an inventive mind hailing from Monroeville, PA, has made significant contributions to the field of mechanical engineering through his innovative designs and patents. With a total of five patents to his name, Bruce has focused on advancements that improve efficiency and reduce friction in mechanical systems.

Latest Patents

Among Bruce's latest patents are two notable inventions. The first is the "Hydrostatic Mechanical Face Seal," which is engineered to eliminate sources of contact friction. This controlled leakage seal strategically aligns contact friction forces with the seal face centroid, optimizing its design for increased hydrostatic film stiffness while minimizing sensitivity to radial taper. By removing unnecessary O-rings and reducing significant force variation, Bruce's design enhances the manufacture of hardware to ensure consistent precision and maximizes wear resistance, achieving effective compression and minimal frictional drag.

The second patent, titled "Thermally Activated Shutdown Seals for Rotatable Shafts," introduces a thermally actuated design that encircles a rotating shaft with a narrow fluid flow path. This innovative seal remains open during normal operations but constricts when the shaft slows or stops, thereby creating a pressure differential that activates a polymer seal ring downstream to block the annular space. Two unique embodiments of this design are presented, one utilizing a meltable material for the spacer and the other deploying a thermally responsive actuator.

Career Highlights

Bruce has enjoyed a distinguished career, working with renowned companies such as Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Westinghouse Electric Company LLC. His positions within these organizations have allowed him to push the boundaries of mechanical design and contribute to cutting-edge technologies.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Bruce has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Frank W. Cooper, Jr. and David A. Snyder. These collaborations have fostered a collaborative environment that encourages the sharing of ideas and enhances the innovative process.

Conclusion

Bruce A. Howard is a prominent inventor whose significant contributions reflect his commitment to innovation in mechanical engineering. With multiple patents that tackle critical issues in fluid dynamics and friction reduction, Bruce continues to pave the way for advancements that could revolutionize industry standards. His work exemplifies the spirit of invention, merging creativity with practical applications to meet contemporary engineering challenges.