Glen Prater, Ph.D.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department Chairman
200 Sackett Hall
502-852-6331
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Biography

Dr. Glen Prater 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. Army, U.S. Navy, United Parcel Service, General Electric Appliances, Ford Motor Company, Eaton Corporation, and Columbia Gas Companies. He is primary inventor for three U.S. patents.

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.

Appointment Information

Original appointment as assistant professor - 1987.
Promoted to associate professor, with tenure - 1993.
Promoted to professor - 2002.
Portion of time committed to teaching- 20 percent.
Portion of time committed to research and scholarly activities - 40 percent.
Portion of time committed to administration and professional service - 40 percent.

Professional Experience

1982-1987, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. Graduate instructor (1985-1987), graduate research assistant (1983-1985), graduate fellow (1982-1983).

5/81-8/81, Exxon Office Systems Co., Lionville, PA. Engineering intern (design of clamping mechanisms for floppy disk drives).

5/80-8/80, General Electric Aircraft Engines, Cincinnati, OH. Engineering intern (reorganization of the plant shear room).

Patents

Prater, G., et al., "Small Diameter Impact Boring Tool Impact Head," US5934386, filed July 6, 1998, issued August 10, 1999 (4 claims).

Prater, G., et al., "Small Diameter Impact Boring Tool - Apparatus and Design Details," US5918687, filed July 6, 1998, issued July 6, 1999 (11 claims).

Prater, G., et al., "Small Diameter Impact Boring Tool - Process and General Configuration," US5816342, filed January 27, 1997, issued Oct. 6, 1998 (5 claims).

Recent Publications

Prater, G., Shahhosseini, A.M., Osborne, G.M., Lone, J.M. and Zhang, S., "Simulation Studies for Determining the Response Characteristics of a Hydraulic Hybrid Powertrain Subframe," Int. J. Heavy Vehicle Systems, accepted 5/09 2009, in press.

Zhang, S., Prater, G., Shahhosseini, A.M. and Osborne, G.M., "Gauge Sensitivity Indices for Vehicle Body Structure Assessment and Optimization," Int. J. Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, accepted May 2009, in press.

Osborne, G.M., Prater, G. and Shahhosseini, A.M., "Optimization of a Pickup Truck Cargo Box Floorpan Design Using Finite Element Concept Models," Int. J. Vehicle Systems Modeliing and Testing, accepted August 2008, in press.

Shahhosseini, A.M., Prater, G., Osborne, G.M., Kuo, E.K. and Mehta P.R., "Major Compliance Joint Modelling for Automotive Body Structures," Int. J. Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, accepted June 2008, in press.

Osborne, G.M., Prater, G. and Shahhosseni, A., "Finite Element Concept Modelling Methodologies for Pickup Truck Boxes," Int. J. Heavy Vehicles Systems, accepted January 2008, in press.

Zhang, S., Prater, G., Shahhosseini, A.M. and Osborne, G.M., "Experimental Validation of Structural Gauge Sensitivity Indices for Vehicle Body Structure Optimization," Experimental Techniques, 32(5), 51-54, 2008.

Andrusiv, L.P., Prater, G. and Richards, C.M., "Dynamic Behavior of Segmented Telescoping Structures in Automotive Systems," SAE Int. J. Passeng. Cars – Mech. Syst., 1(1), 238-249, 2008.

Prater, G., Zhang, S., Shahhosseini, A.M. and Osborne, G.M., "Application and Experimental Validation of Gauge Sensitivity Indices for Vehicle Body Structure Optimization," SAE Technical Paper Series, paper number 2008-01-0883, 2008.

Six additional journal papers are not listed due to space limitations.

Scientific and Professional Societies

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

Honors and Awards

• 2003 SEM D.R. Harting Award for best paper in Experimental Techniques
• B.F. Goodrich Graduate Fellowship
• Summa Cum Laude, Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma (honorary)
• First place, 1986 SAE national student paper contest
• General Electric AWARE Award

Institutional and Professional Service

• Member, Frazier Rehab Center Research Advisory Committee, 2002-present
• Faculty advisor, SAE supermileage team
• ASME Louisville Section Executive Committee
• Speed School Administrative Plans and Policies Committee

Professional Development Activities

• Principal investigator on research projects in the areas of vehicle modeling and optimization (external funding of approx. $4.5m)
• International Mech. Eng.Congress and Expo, Orlando FL, November, 2005
• Microsoft Academic Days Conference, Toronto, Canada, 2004
• Presentation to AISI GDIS Automotive Ap. Committee, Detroit, MI, January 2004