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12/06/04 |
      
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www.temperatureconsultant.com
Ralph G. Rudolph (Rudy) Carnegie Tech (now CMU) E.E. Undergrad, grad school Currently retired at a young age 63
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| Rudy, a former Senior Research Scientist at first U.S.Steel's Applied
Research Lab and the Bethlehem Steel's Homer Research Lab, has over 38 years
of experience in designing, constructing and installing many types of specialized
instrumentation and control systems. His main field has been noncontact
temperature measurement systems, but he has also done extensive work with
lasers systems, x-ray imaging systems, and has numerous patents in these and
other fields. He has worked (on loan) at N.I.S.T. as well and has lectured
there as part of various conferences. He has been the author of various
manuals on Temperature Measurement methods, and has been a contributing
author on other technical books in this field.
Rudy has championed the need for accuracy as well as repeatability in temperature measurement to assure transportability and has specialized in developing systems using embedded computers to achieve complex adaptive systems that are reliable and easily maintained. He emphasizes that good results in a mill environment requires careful attention to study of all factors involved and engineering the installation to meet all actual environmental conditions. A few of his achievements have been: At Bethlehem Steel (1984-2002): Joint responsibility with Ray Peacock of LTV for all temperature measurement systems on new galvannealing line. Full responsibility for "tuning" of the automatic control system using mathematical modelling and data analysis. Developed and patented dual wavelength emissivity-independent infrared radiation thermometer for galvannealed product. Developed several types of driven source radiation thermometers for the measurement of low emissivity product at low temperatures. Developed and patented infrared scanning system to detect the presence of water on steel strip prior to coiling. Designed and constructed a massive computer-controlled laser gaging system to measure strip thickness profile. Developed fundamental understanding of the need for variable gain control system to achieve improved stability of steering roll and coiler systems. At U.S.Steel (1963-1984): Developed and patented a new type of dual wavelength fiber optic radiation thermometer to measure the temperature of slabs being heated in a furnace with no need to compensate for background radiation. Wrote corporate-wide artificial intelligence program to allow access to all information regarding radiation thermometer calibration and practices. Achieved ASNT rating of Level III in radiography and passed Level III tests in ultrasonics. Designed and patented fluoroscopic portion of pipeline inspection equipment with specifications surpassing radiographic standards. Studied plasma physics (post grad) at CMU to become in-house expert on plasma torch investigations. Developed and patented new types of surface profilometry equipment to simultaneously measure peak count, bearing area and AA roughness.
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This site was last updated 12/06/04