James ‘Corwin’ Snyder
13835
210-288-4118
(cell)
Email: pdvconsult@att.net
Objective: To provide technical and mechanical services to
meet client needs for engine research, testing, and development; including aviation
and automotive internal combustion engine testing and development, engine test
cell / test stand specification and installation, test instrumentation, data
acquisition and analysis, and testing / process control. Services include program planning, project scheduling
& management, technical project management, and other supervisory functions.
Summary: Highly experienced in the research and
development of internal combustion engines, propulsion systems, and turbo-machinery. Expert in the use of computers, design &
development of data acquisition software, implementation of data acquisition
systems, engine test cell / test stand specification and installation, test
instrumentation & calibration, test methods, and data collection and
analysis. Data acquisition and control
systems are developed using National Instruments hardware and LabVIEW
software. Testing and management
experience includes research and development, product development and testing,
and manufacturing support. Project
management includes complete project execution, from client interface, test
requirement definition, and proposal generation, to test execution, data
analysis and reporting, and including promotion to, and interface with,
multiple clients.
Experience:
P dV
Consulting: Mechanical &
Technical Consultant web: www.pdvconsult.com
(8/2006
to Present)
v
Performing
mechanical and technical consulting services on a contract basis.
v
Define
customer engine testing needs and use to develop engine test cell
specifications and design plans
v
Providing
test planning and advisory services for engine development programs.
v
Conducted
engine testing and development on gasoline and natural gas alternative fuel
engines
v
Developed
and built a high performance twin-turbocharged gasoline and methanol fueled
engine
v
Developing
engine test cell data acquisition software and hardware for engine testing and
monitoring, including automated data storage and test results display.
v
Test
cell data acquisition systems include configuration files for individual
engines, data acquisition channels, and/or test protocols, allowing separate
configurations for individual engines and tests.
v
Developing
high speed data acquisition systems for engine combustion cylinder pressure data
acquisition & analysis. Also
providing data acquisition for calibration of pressure transducers.
v
Conducted
engine testing with cylinder pressure analysis of peak pressure and location of
peak pressure to determine effects of spark timing and air-fuel ratio in
different combustion chambers.
v
Specified
test cell instrumentation, interface to data acquisition, and calibration
requirements
v
Developed
a data acquisition system for a compressor test stand to measure internal
pressures & rotor position versus rotor shaft degrees over the compression
cycle. Consulted on compressor and
engine related technical aspects and data analysis.
v
Developed
a data acquisition & control system hardware and software for an industrial
test stand for testing prototype & production articles for strength and
fatigue resistance in a cyclic manner using hydraulic pressure. Software controlled pressure, frequency,
pressure waveform, and recorded data for each cycle. Included numerous features and safeties for
autonomous, unattended testing.
v
Developed
test stand data acquisition and test control software for wind turbine test
stands for use in development, durability, and end-of-line testing.
v
Data
acquisition and control systems developed using National Instruments hardware
and LabVIEW software. User of NI and
LabVIEW products since 1995, providing 19 years’ experience.
v
A
partial list of non-confidential clients includes: Power Solutions, Inc., Emission
Solutions, Danbury Aerospace/ECI, Torad Engineering, Viryd Technologies,
Spec-Pro Technical Services, Texas Management Associates, and ICE Prototyping.
Karta
Technologies, Inc.; Manager,
Engineering Mechanics Department
(10/2004
to 8/2006)
Ø
Manager of an engineering group
consisting of seven engineers, draftsmen, and technical staff.
Ø
Responsible for performance reviews
and appraisals for employees, setting goals and measuring progress. Also interviewed
prospective employees.
Ø
Performed technical management and
oversight of projects using a systems engineering approach, insuring technical
requirements were met on time and under budget.
Ø
Provided business development
functions: defined and executed department goals, and selected and implemented
technical standards and processes.
Ø
Conducted proposal writing (scope,
cost, and schedule) for potential projects/clients.
Ø
Provided technical input and engineering
analysis where required to support the project goals.
Ø
Presented technical reports and
presentations to clients for project status and final reporting.
Ø
Wrote and presented proposals in
response to government requests.
Ø
Participated in implementing a
Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI) program.
Southwest Research Institute; Senior Research Engineer, Engine Research Dept.
(2/1991 to 9/2004)
¨
Over 13 years experience conducting research
and development on internal combustion engines, including mechanical component
selection, combustion & performance development, engine durability, emissions
testing, and alternate and conventional fuels testing.
¨
Responsible for complete project
oversight, including client interface, test requirement definition, proposal
generation (scope, cost, and schedule), test execution, data analysis, and
reporting.
¨
Managed numerous projects while responsible
for daily activities of technicians and test cell activities, including utilizing
capabilities of other engineers, and mentoring junior engineers.
¨
Conducted numerous projects,
including a high-speed engine program evaluating F1 racing fuels.
¨
Specified and supervised the
installation and testing of engines in dynamometer test cells.
¨
Implemented PCs for data acquisition,
data analysis, and test/process control of engine test cells.
¨
Experienced with high-speed cylinder
pressure data acquisition instrumentation, test, and analysis.
¨
Developed and calibrated electronic
fuel control systems for gasoline and alternative fuel engines.
¨
Used National Instruments hardware
and LabVIEW software for daq system and control purposes.
¨ Designed,
specified, and supervised the construction and commission of a dedicated
turbocharger test facility allowing the testing and mapping of turbochargers
independent of an engine.
Link Flight Simulation; Project Lead; Propulsion Systems
Engineer
(1/1985 to 1/1991)
v Designed
and developed gas turbine engine computer software models for aircraft flight
simulators.
v Designed
new engine thermodynamic models for improved simulation fidelity and
performance.
v Modeled
various electronic and hydro-mechanical turbine engine fuel control systems,
learning their logic and functions and applying it to the engine model software.
v
Specified requirements for, analyzed,
and reduced engine flight test data for use in computer models.
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft; Test Engineer,
Government Products Division
(1/1983 to 1/1985)
o Responsible
for design, procurement, and testing of experimental gas turbine engine
components for military engines used in fighter aircraft.
o Tasks
involved planning, scheduling, cost tracking, coordination of support group
efforts, procurement, assembly, testing, and evaluation of experimental engine hardware.
o
Provided engineering support for
field problem investigations, component failure analysis, production
assistance, and field inspection and evaluation of lead-the-fleet hardware.
Texas A&M University; Research Assistant, TAMU Research
Foundation
(1982)
Education:
Bachelor
of Science in Mechanical Engineering; coursework included elective courses in
internal combustion engines, automotive engineering, turbo-machinery, and
combustion.
13835 Walnut Canyon, Helotes, TX 78023 210-288-4118
(cell) email:
pdvconsult@att.net