CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB

www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org

NEXT Meeting (The Read House)_____________________________________________

Monday, August 16, 2004, noon, The Read House, Continental Room

Topic:  “How NASA Hardware Operates in the Demanding Environments of the Space Shuttle and Space Station” - Tim Allen, Teledyne Brown Engineering (TBE)

From automobiles to medical equipment, we rely on an increasing number of products that have been designed and tested - or at least been impacted by design experiences - in space.  The design of space flight hardware and the challenges of working with hardware in the demanding environments of the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station will be our topic for the week.  Tim Allen of Teledyne Brown Engineering (TBE) working with the Marshall Space Flight Center will discuss the research objectives, challenges and performance of space flight hardware.

Invocation/Pledge Chair for August:  Jack Anderson

Menu:  Chicken Penne Pasta with Pesto Cream Sauce

OUR PREVIOUS MEETING________________________________________________

Topic:   “Optical Sensors” - T.W. Cease, IEEE

A description of optical current and voltage sensors and why a utility should use them were presented. TVA first installed an optical current sensor in 1986 and since then there have been great improvements and developments.  The first significant use has been in Independent Power Producer (IPP) installations.  Now there are new opportunities for the optical voltage sensor for phasor measurements.  All utility systems west of the Rockies are required to use phasor measurements which can be done with traditional equipment or optical sensors.  The optical sensors may be more cost competitive on higher voltage lines because the electronics are expensive and required regardless of the voltage level. 

Thanks to Jim Barrott for the meeting summary.

FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS_____________________________________________

August 23:  “TVA Activities as a Result of the Northeast Blackout” - Tim Ponseti, TVA

August 30:  Field Trip - Oak Ridge National Lab Summer Tour (SSNs and birthdates required in advance for security check)

September 20:  “Soddy Daisy High School’s Engineering and Technology Academy” - Joel Laney

TBD:  “Nuclear Proliferation and Security:  Keeping us safe at home and abroad” - ORNL

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________________

We meet at The Read House, and lunch is $11.  Parking is free at the Days Inn across MLK Blvd. but you’ll need a note in your windshield that you’re with the Engineers’ Club.  Valet parking (by AAA, the manager of the Read House Hotel parking garage) is $3 for lunch events.  The Read House Hotel garage entrance is now on Broad Street.

QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS? ______________________________________________

If you have any questions or suggestions about program items please call Tiffany Gibby at 423-751-3168 or email her at tjgibby@tva.gov. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org.