Glen Prater, Jr., Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-6331
gprater@louisville.edu
Biography
Dr. Glen Prater, Jr. is a professor and chairman of the University of Louisville Department of Mechanical Engineering. He has research and teaching interests in the areas of machine design, development of interactive design software, computer modeling and simulation, fluid power design, and system dynamics. Over the past fourteen years he has served as principal investigator for research projects funded by the U.S. Navy, United Parcel Service, General Electric Appliances, and Columbia Gas Companies. He is primary inventor for three U.S. patents, and holds memberships in ASME, SAE, and ASEE.
Education
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University, 1988
M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University, 1983
B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University, 1982
Experience
9/87-present -
University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky. Professor and Mechanical Engineering Department Chair (7/2002-present), Associate Professor and Mechanical Engineering Department Chair(7/93-6/2002), Assistant Professor (9/87-6/93).
9/85-8/87 - Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Graduate Instructor, Department of Mechanical Engineering. Taught three graduate/senior internal combustion engine courses (Energy Conversion, Mechanical Design, Diesel Engines), an undergraduate system dynamics course and a capstone design course. Graduate Teaching Assistant for machine design laboratory.
9/84-8/85 - Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering. Analytical and experimental study of pressure pulsations in reciprocating compressors (funded by Copeland and Carrier Corporations).
6/81-9/81 - Exxon Office Systems Company, Lionville, Pennsylvania. Engineering design and development of floppy disk drives.
6/80-9/80 - General Electric Aircraft Engine Group, Cincinnati, Ohio. Production control and methods engineering.
Publications
Refereed Journals
Prater, G. and Shahhosseini, A.H., “Development of Interactive Design Software for Drive and Idler Pulleys on Package-Handling Conveyors,” Journal of Integrated Design and Process Science, in print, 2002, 6(4).
Prater, G. and Hnat, W.P., “Optical Measurement of Discharge Valve Modal Parameters for a Rolling Piston Refrigeration Compressor,” Measurement, 2003, 33(1), pp75-84.
Prater, G. and Shahhosseini, A.H. (2002). “Development of Instructional Software for the Calculation of Form Stress Concentration Factors,” Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 2002, 10(1), pp. 1-10.
Prater, G., Azzouz, M., Furman, V., Shahhosseini, A. and State, M., “Use of FEA Concept Models to Develop Light-Truck Cab Architectures with Reduced Weight and Enhanced NVH Characteristics,” SAE paper no. 2002-01-0369, 2002.
Prater, G., “Computer Modeling and Simulation of Stationary-Vane, Rolling Piston Refrigeration Compressors,” Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, 2002, 3(3), pp. 299-312.
Prater, G., Hnat, W.P. and Ullrich C.R., “Soil Penetration Measurements Supporting the Design of an Impact Boring Tool,” Experimental Techniques, 2001, 25(4), pp. 33-36.
Brehob, E., Free, P.D., Keith, D., Prater, G., Zhang, C.C., “Application Software for Kinematic Analysis and Design of an Internal Cam Surface,” Mathematical Modeling and Scientific Computing, 2000, 10.
Prater, G., Brehob, E.G., and Masse, P.A., “Modeling and Simulation of Pneumatically Driven Double-Diaphragm Pumps,” Computer Modeling and Simulation in Engineering, 1999, 4(2), pp. 124-132.
Prater, G., Jr., “Computer Simulation and Acoustic Tuning of Rolling Piston Vapor Compressors,” Computer Modeling and Simulation in Engineering, 1999, 4(2), pp. 117-123.
Prater, G., “Development of Acoustic Design Software for Refrigeration Compressor Manifolds,” Engineering Design & Automation, 1998, 4(3), pp. 215-231.
Collins, R.L., Prater, G., and Hnat, W.P., “Modeling and Analysis of a Small Diameter Pneumatic Boring Tool,” ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, 1998, 120(2), pp. 292-298.
Prater, G., “Acoustic Design Software for Vapor Compressor Manifolds,” Mathematical Modeling and Scientific Computing, 8, 1997.
Prater, G. and Singh, R., “Complex Modal Analysis of Nonproportionally Damped Continuous Rods,” SEM Journal of Analytical and Experimental Modal Analysis, 1991, 6,. pp. 12-24.
Prater, G. and Singh, R., “Eigenproblem Formulation, Solution and Interpretation for Nonproportionally Damped Beams,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, 1990, 142, pp. 333-344.
Prater, G., “Measurement of Clamping Error in Floppy Disk Drives,” Experimental Techniques, 1989, 12(4) pp. 15-17.
Singh, R., Lyons, W.M. and Prater, G., “Complex Eigensolution for Longitudinally Vibrating Bars With a Viscously Damped Boundary,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, 1989, 133, pp. 364-367.
Singh, R., Prater, G. and Nieter, J.J., “Slugging Conditions in Refrigeration Compressors,” International Multiphase Fluid Transients Symposium Transactions, 1986.
Singh, R., Nieter, J.J. and Prater, G., “An Investigation of the Compressor Slugging Phenomenon,” ASHRAE Transactions, 1986, 92, pp. 250-258.
Prater, G. and Singh, R., “Quantification of the Extent of Nonproportional Viscous Damping in Discrete Vibratory Systems,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, 1986, 104, pp. 109-125.
Conference Proceedings/Presentations
Prater, G. and Shahhosseini, M., “Interactive Design Software for Conveyor Drive and Idler Pulleys,” Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Engineering Design and Automation Conference, August 2001.
Prater, G. and Shahhosseini, M., “Computer-Aided Calculation of Form Stress Concentration Factors,” Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Engineering Design and Automation Conference, August 2001.
Shahhosseini, A.M., Prater, G. and Osborne, G.M., “Use of Finite Element Concept Models for the Evaluation of Alternative Pickup Box Architectures,” Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Engineering Design and Automation Conference, August 2001.
Prater, G., State, M.B., Shahhosseini, A.M., Brehob, E.G. and Day M.L., “Light-Duty Truck Cab Architectures for Enhanced Noise, Vibration, and Harshness Characteristics,” Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Engineering Design and Automation Conference, August 2001.
Prater, G., “Interactive Software for Plane Stress, Strain, and Failure Analysis,” 12th International Conference on Mathematical and Computer Modelling and Scientific Computing, August 1999.
Prater, G. and Ratterman, E.E., “Simulation of Mechanical, Fluid, Thermodynamic and Acoustic Processes in Rolling Piston Compressors,” Proceedings, International Compressor Conference at Purdue, 1992.
Prater, G. and Singh, R., “Eigenproblem Formulation and Solution for Nonproportionally Damped Continuous Systems,” SEM 8th International Modal Analysis Conference Proceedings, 1989, pp. 1205-1211.
Prater, G. and Singh, R., “Eigenfunction Normalization, Presentation and Interpretation for Nonproportionally Damped Continuous Beams,” SEM 7th International Modal Analysis Conference Proceedings, 1988, pp. 1609-1615.
Singh, R., Prater, G. and Nieter, J.J., “Prediction of Slugging Induced Overpressures,” Purdue Compressor Conference Proceedings, 1986.
Singh, R., Prater, G. and Nair, S., “Assessment of the Extent of Nonproportional Viscous Damping,” International Modal Analysis Conference, 1985.
Singh, R., Nieter, J.J. and Prater, G., “Compressor Cylinder Pressure Overloading Caused By Liquid Slugging Conditions,” CLIMA 2000 Conference, Denmark, 1985.
Patents (Primary Inventor)
Prater, G., et. al., US5934386, Small Diameter Impact Boring Tool Impact Head (4 Claims), filed July 6, 1998, issued August 10, 1999.
Prater, G., et. al., US5918687, Small Diameter Impact Boring Tool - Apparatus and Design Details (11 Claims), filed July 6, 1998, issued July 6, 1999.
Prater, G., et. al., US5816342, Small Diameter Impact Boring Tool - Process and General Configuration (5 Claims), filed Jan. 27, 1997, issued Oct. 6, 1998.
Grants and Contracts (does not include in-kind contributions or institutional matches)
Externally Funded Proposals - Principal Investigator
“Improved Design Architectures for Light Truck Platforms - Phase 3,” Ford Motor Company, U.S. Army, 10/00-2/02, $1,050,000, co-principal investigator: E.G. Brehob.
“Improved Design Architectures for Light Truck Platforms - Phase 2,” Ford Motor Company, U.S. Army, 10/99-9/00, $500,000, co-principal investigators: E.G. Brehob and M.L. Day.
“Improved Design Architectures for Light Truck Platforms - Phase 1,” Ford Motor Company, American Iron and Steel Institute, U.S. Army, 7/99-6/00, $75,000, co-principal investigators: E.G. Brehob and M.L. Day.
“Development of Conveyor Pulley Application Software,” United Parcel Service Corporate Plant Engineering, 5/99-2/00, $30,197, co-principal investigator: E.G. Brehob.
“Prototype Testing and Evaluation of a Horizontal Boring Tool,” New York Gas Group, 1/99-12/99, $110,000 (this project was approved and funded; however, it was not contracted due to delays in negotiating an intellectual property agreement).
“Development of Horizontal Boring Technology for Small Diameter Natural Gas Distribution Lines, Phase 4: Field Testing and Design Development,” Columbia Gas Companies, 4/96-4/97, $65,000, co-principal investigators: W.P. Hnat and R.L. Collins.
“Development of Horizontal Boring Technology for Small Diameter Natural Gas Distribution Lines, Phase 3: Detail Design, Testing and Optimization,” Columbia Gas Companies, 10/94-3/96, $91,089, co-principal investigators: W.P. Hnat and R.L. Collins.
“Development of Horizontal Boring Technology for Small Diameter Natural Gas Distribution Lines, Phase 2: Component Design, Testing and Integration,” Columbia Gas Companies, 10/93-9/94, $85,000, co-principal investigators: W.P. Hnat, R.L. Collins, and C.R. Ullrich.
“Development of Horizontal Boring Technology for Small Diameter Natural Gas Distribution Lines, Phase 1: Conceptual Design and Computer Modeling,” Columbia Gas Companies, 9/92-8/93, $60,000, co-principal investigators: W.P. Hnat and C.R. Ullrich.
“Acoustic Tuning of Rolling Piston Compressors for Performance Improvement and Noise Control,” General Electric Appliances, 9/90-5/93, $129,120.
Externally Funded Proposals - Co-Principal Investigator
“Modeling, Analysis and Design Optimization of a Torque Pulsation Cancellation Device,” Cummins Engine Corporation, 1/98-12/98, $10,864, principal investigator: E. Brehob (25% participation).
“Characterization of the Sheet Walking Problem,” United Pentek Corporation, 1/98-5/98, $13,828, principal investigator: W. Hnat, additional co-principal investigators: M.R. Wilhelm and J.S. Usher (25% participation).
“Product Realization Affiliate Institutions Program,” National Science Foundation Product Realization Consortium, 8/95-7/96, $9,812, principal investigator: M.R. Wilhelm, additional co-principal investigators: M.L. Day and J.S. Usher (25% participation).
“Design Optimization of Shoulder-Fired Infantry Weapons Using Composite Materials,” Naval Ordnance Station, Louisville, 10/93-3/94, $23,000, principal investigator: D.O. Harper, additional co-principal investigator: W.E. Biles (33% participation).
“Design of a Cement Restrictor Bone Plug,” Medical Devices Incorporated, 5/91-6/92, $14,145, principal investigator: W.P. Hnat (25% participation).
Internally Funded Proposals
“Development of Windows Software for the Design of Machine Elements,” Undergraduate Research Grant, University of Louisville President's Research Initiative, 9/93-8/94, $2,800.
“Optical Measurement of Dynamic Effects in Disk Drives,” Undergraduate Research Grant, University of Louisville President's Research Initiative, 6/91-5/92, $3,000.
“Experimental Validation of Nonproportional Damping Indices,” University of Louisville Research Initiation Grant, 10/87-9/88, $3,275.
Consulting
General Electric Appliance Company, Louisville, KY. Measured compressor and condenser temperature distributions on a reciprocating compressor subjected to various degrees of discharge line restriction (6/92-12/95).
Carrier Vibrating Equipment Company, Louisville, KY. Evaluated engineering detail drawings (3/94-12/94).
Cissell Manufacturing Company, Louisville, KY. Analyzed gearbox failures in commercial clothes dryers (4/92-6/92).
TurnAct Corporation, Louisville, KY. Revised product application literature for a line of rotary pneumatic actuators (3/89-4/89).
Courses Taught
ME 206 Dynamics
ME 251 Thermodynamics I
ME 323 Mechanics of Materials
ME 497 Senior Capstone Design Project
ME 421 Mechanical Vibrations
ME 422 Machine Design I
ME 442 Machine Design II
ME 525 I.C. Engine Design
ME 535 System Dynamics
ME 645 M.Eng. Structured Research Project
Scientific and Professional Memberships
American Society for Engineering Education
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM)
Professional Development
ABET Evaluators Workshop
Battelle Memorial Institute International Program in R&D Management
National Science Foundation Computer Graphics Workshop
SDRC Academic Software Users' Conference
General Electric Plastics Thermoplastic Design Seminar
Honors and Awards
Pi Tau Sigma Honorary Member, 1995
First place, 1986 SAE Student Paper Contest
B.F. Goodrich Fellowship for graduate study, 1983-1983
Summa Cum Laude Graduate, 1982
Atlantic Richfield Academic Excellence Award (among top five academically in 4000 student College of Engineering), 1981
Tau Beta Pi, 1981
A.W.A.R.E. Award, General Electric Aircraft Engine Group, 1980
Ohio State University ISE Department Busted Plate Award, 1980
Ranco Inc. Academic Scholarship (undergraduate, four years), 1977-1981
Professional Service
Founding member and Board of Directors, Kentucky Auto-Truck Industry Council, 1998-present.
Instructor for General Electric Appliances' Edison Engineering Program, 1992-present.
Chairman, ASME Region VI Mechanical Engineering Department Heads Committee, 1994-1998.
“Acoustic Tuning of Reciprocating Machinery,” invited speaker, Louisville ASME Section, February 1993.
Session chairman, 1988 International Modal Analysis Conference, 1983 Society for Experimental Stress Analysis Spring Conference.
Reviewed technical papers for ASME, Journal of Noise Control Engineering, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Engineering Design and Automation.
Reviewer for mechanics of materials, dynamics, and machine design textbooks.
Founding member and Board of Directors, Kentucky Auto-Truck Industry Council, 1998-present.
Instructor for General Electric Appliances' Edison Engineering Program, 1992-present.
Chairman, ASME Region VI Mechanical Engineering Department Heads Committee, 1994-1998.
"Acoustic Tuning of Reciprocating Machinery," invited speaker, Louisville ASME Section, February 1993.
ME-StressCon Software
ME-StressCon is a computer program that automates the calculation of form stress concentration factors for different combinations of load and geometry. In most cases, the program also allows calculation of the associated nominal stresses if appropriate load data is supplied. To download ME-StressCon, right click on the URL below, select "Save target As...," and use the resulting Windows Save As dialog to save ME_StressCon.zip to a temproray directory. The file size is approximately 3.5 Mb. After downloading is coomplete, unzip ME_StressCon.zip using WinZip or some equivalent archiving software. Follow the instructions on ME_StressCon.txt to complete setup.
Zipped ME_StressCon setup file
Course Links
Updated January 2002