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Kodak MegaPlus Cameras Provide Boeing Engineers With Real-Time Photogrammertry

KENT, Wash. – Four Kodak MegaPlus cameras, model 1.4, were recently used to give Boeing engineers real-time data during a critical pressure test of the new International Space Station. The digital cameras are part of a real-time digital photogrammetry system designed by Boeing Phantom Works’ Precision Measurements Active Optical Sensors department in Kent, Wash.

The high-resolution camera’s charged-coupled device (CCD) array of 1,320 by 1,035 pixels totals 1.4 million pixels. The pixels are 9 microns square with 100 percent fill factor for unsurpassed sensitivity and extremely accurate sub-pixel measurements. That, combined with Boeing’s proprietary centroiding algorithm, achieves typical repeatability of 1/200th of a pixel and accuracy up to 2/1,000th of an inch.

Known as the Boeing Video Measurements System (BVMS), it has replaced more costly and complex methods of measuring large objects in real time.

Because BVMS can measure from unstable platforms, it doesn’t need the strict environmental controls required by other systems. Such controls are already difficult to achieve on the factory floor. “The real key is that this system doesn’t require you to hold the camera very still or to even know where the camera is because you are using all of the redundant information to compute that,” said Mitchell D. Voth, a systems software engineer for Precision Measurements Active Optical Sensors. “These digital cameras allow us to calculate measurements in real time. When engineers are placing parts, they need to know precise measurements immediately.”

Each Kodak MegaPlus camera, model 1.4, has a Boeing-designed integrated infrared flash lamp designed not to disturb other factory workers. All of the cameras are completely remote controlled via 125-foot cables attached to a central computer console, which contains two 486 PC computers.

Bands of retroreflective targets are adhered all over the object for the digital cameras to capture and the computer program to measure. The targets, which vary in size from 1/5th of an inch to one inch in diameter, are thin circular disks of glass beads mounted on top of a reflective backing.

The system computes the center of that target every time each digital camera’s strobes flash, said C. David Capps, a physicist with Precision Measurements Active Optical Sensors. “That center gives us a particular X and Y coordinate within the image as a whole.” For the space station’s module, BVMS measured the pressure-induced deflection at approximately 200 locations.

“We monitored an area of volume about 14 feet square over time intervals of up to 19 hours,” Voth said. “The module was pressurized to 1.5 atmospheres. The test engineers were less concerned with absolute contour than with changes in contour caused by pressurization. It was high repeatability, not accuracy, that was needed. We got typical repeatability of 6/10,000ths of an inch and typical accuracy of 4/1000ths of an inch.”

“If we didn’t have BVMS, we would have had to use hundreds of electronic deflection indicators (EDI),” Capps added. “These probes give off an electronic signal proportional to deflection caused by movement. Boeing would have had to build a giant rigid framework structure to hold these EDIs, applying them in all three axis. What we did with four digital cameras would have required hundreds of EDIs.” Sixteen nations are contributing their scientific expertise and resources to the International Space Station. The first component of the project is scheduled for launch sometime in 1998. In January 1999, the first international crew will occupy the station, which will be a permanent research laboratory in space. The station will require a total of 44 launches to complete. It will provide a living space for up to seven astronauts and have the space of approximately two Boeing 747’s. BVMS was also used to accurately install the strut assembly on four 767 airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft. The strut assembly, which holds up the AWACS’ rotating dome, needed to be precisely placed for the radar system to function properly. Conventional measuring tools would have cost several million dollars.

The Kodak MegaPlus camera, model 1.4, has a wide range of applications including medical, machine vision, metrology, microscopy and many other applications where superior resolution is required. The camera’s solid construction is designed for industrial applications and environments and is able to handle dust, shock and vibration.

Rear-View Mirrors To Function As Communications Tool

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Engineers at Johnson Controls and HighwayMaster Corp. jointly developed a product for the automotive aftermarket — an electronically enhanced rear-view mirror that can be used to summon roadside assistance, get directions, receive messages and more.

Johnson Controls — a leading supplier of automotive seating and interior systems — is showing prototypes of the unique mirror to prospective customers. By next September, consumers will be able to purchase the high-tech mirror systems — which include trunk-mounted electronic control units — at retail cellular communications stores.

The mirrors feature Johnson Controls' patented AutoLink intelligent communications technology. AutoLink-based devices link vehicles to a 24-hour national network that can provide roadside help, emergency response, Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation support, theft notification, vehicle diagnostics, remote unlocking help, Internet access, and interactive messaging and information services. Vehicle drivers or passengers will activate the available communications functions by using voice commands or by pushing buttons on the face of the mirror. The mirrors also offer a compass and outside temperature read-out display.

HighwayMaster, based in Dallas, is providing the extensive, private wireless network for AutoLink products, as well as advanced switching services, throughout the United States and Canada. The company — a leader in network communications systems and technologies — currently operates a worldwide private, enhanced-cellular network.

Gentex Corp., a leading automotive mirror supplier based in Zeeland, Mich., will manufacture the mirrors. The company is integrating the AutoLink technology into a special version of its Night Vision Safety automatic-dimming mirror.

Last year, Prince and HighwayMaster launched development of AutoLink, initially with products that could be featured as optional equipment on new vehicles. Automakers now can include the technology as part of an integrated, compact overhead display developed by Prince. In future new-vehicle applications, AutoLink could be integrated into the rear-view mirror.

According to its developers, AutoLink technology has several advantages over competing systems: its array of functions; a broad geographic coverage area that includes the United States and Canada; and low operating costs. It also offers enhanced fraud protection, as all calls are routed through an AutoLink communications center and must pass security checks.

A suggested retail price for the AutoLink-based mirror system has not yet been established, but according to Johnson Controls officials, the price may approximate $750. The price would vary with the terms of the buyer's network contract agreement.The buyer would be required to purchase the mirror system hardware, and pay a monthly network service fee.

HighwayMaster develops and operates intelligent wireless private network solutions for a number of applications, including the long-haul trucking and automotive industries.

Johnson Controls, Inc., with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisc., is a global market leader in automotive systems and building controls. Through its Automotive System Group, it designs and produces seating and interior systems for automakers worldwide, and batteries for the original equipment and replacement markets. The Controls Group serves the non-residential buildings market with controls systems and services, and integrated facility management. Founded in 1885, Johnson Controls operates in more than 500 locations around the world.

The Plymouth, Michigan-based Automotive Systems Group of Johnson Controls is a supplier of vehicle seating and interior systems, and is a major supplier of batteries. In 1997, the company's worldwide operations supplied products for more than 20 million vehicles. The Automotive Systems Group employs more than 45,000 people at 157 facilities worldwide and achieved $8 billion in sales for the 1997 fiscal year. During the same period, Johnson Controls, Inc. (all divisions) recorded sales of $11.1 billion.

Dana New Asia Engineering Center Offers More Immediate Engineering Support

TOLEDO, Ohio — Dana Corp. plans to establish a new Asia Engineering Center in Japan that will allow for closer and quicker engineering support to Dana's operations and customers in the Asia Pacific region.

Expected to open in early 1999, the new engineering center will provide assistance in the application of Dana's core products, such as axles, driveshafts, and structural components, as well as the development of modules and systems . Bill Carroll, Automotive Components Group president said that the center will help Dana serve its Asian-based original equipment customers by providing solutions through the development of modular systems and assemblies that incorporate these core components.

Carroll said the center will also strengthen the computer-aided design (CAD) and global communication services currently provided by the Dana Japan office in Tokyo and the Dana Korea office in Seoul. In addition to its near-term benefits, Carroll said the center will also provide Dana with important cross-training capabilities for its engineers located in the region.

The company is conducting a site-selection study that should be completed by the second quarter of 1998. Future plans call for the center to support Dana's entire range of products. Dana's Asia Pacific operations are spread across 10 nations in the region.

Boeing To Develop Flywheel Technology for Utilities

SEATTLE — The Boeing Co. is interested in developing one of six new energy-savings projects recently announced by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The projects are designed to accelerate the commercialization of environmentally friendly high-temperature superconductivity technology. them — an energy storage system that will be of use to the electric power industry.

Under a program called the Superconductivity Partnership Initiative (SPI), DOE works with companies such as Boeing to develop advanced power delivery technologies that increase the efficiency, reliability and capacity of electric power systems.

"Low-loss, high-capacity small-size utility equipment based on high-temperature superconductors will improve performance and reliability of electricity delivery," said Christine Platt, DOE’s SPI program manager. "Flywheels based on frictionless superconducting bearings will improve power quality and reliability. Blinking VCR lights, computer crashes and power outages such as that of Summer 1996 could become a thing of the past."

If negotiations are successful, Boeing will develop a flywheel energy storage system at the Phantom Works, the company's advanced research and development unit that specializes in meeting technology challenges by offering innovative and affordable solutions to customers. The system will help utility companies and other large power users eliminate power surges that often disrupt reliable transmission of power.

"Phantom Works is uniquely qualified to develop a superconducting flywheel energy storage system," said Michael Strasik, Flywheel program manager. "Boeing has been working on the technology for a number of years and holds patents on some of the key design features. We intend to draw on our industry-leading expertise both in high temperature superconductivity crystal processing and the manufacture of high-strength composite materials to develop a prototype."

Hal Ahlstrom, Boeing Information, Space & Defense Systems chief engineer, said that the technology has a wide range of applications.

"Flywheels can be very important to space also," Ahlstrom said. "Boeing has had a leading role in the push to use flywheels in satellites and to replace batteries in the International Space Station. The reason is because flywheels won't wear out like batteries. Batteries fail after a limited number of charge/discharge cycles. By simply replacing batteries with flywheels, you can extend the life of some satellite systems."

According to Strasik, Boeing already has developed a smaller proof-of-concept flywheel energy storage system. This prototype will be used as the basis for developing the larger flywheel system. The smaller proof-of-concept unit is being tested and evaluated for possible use in space applications.

"Not only is the system environmentally compatible," Strasik said, "but it eliminates most of the disadvantages inherent with the use of conventional batteries."

Past SPI partnerships have produced motors, current controllers, generators and power cables, all of which have set world performance records.

Boeing project partners include Intermagnetics General Corp.; Praxair Corp.; Cryenco, Inc.; Ashman Technologies; Southern California Edison; and Argonne National Laboratory.

DCH Techology Sensor Testing in Transformers Successful

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. — DCH Technology, Inc., a Sherman Oaks, California based manufacturer of new generation hydrogen monitoring equipment, announced the successful testing of the Robust Hydrogen Sensor in transformer oil.

Power distribution transformers, which can be seen on power poles across the country, are typically cooled with mineral oil. During operation, hydrogen gas is naturally generated inside the transformer. When transformers begin to function abnormally, the rate of hydrogen gas production increases.

A Fortune 100 manufacturer of power distribution transformers has purchased DCH sensors to monitor the amount of hydrogen gas produced by their equipment. The sensors provided by DCH were placed into the transformer oil which was heated to 100 C (212 F) to reflect a typical internal operating temperature. Conventional hydrogen gas sensors cannot operate reliably in these harsh conditions.

The DCH sensors, however, operated exceptionally well. Plans are now being made to expand the qualification of DCH sensors for broad installations. This could lead to the specification of DCH sensors on new transformers as well as retrofits to equip transformers already in use around the world. Transformers equipped with DCH hydrogen sensors will operate safely for longer periods.

Atlantic Research Introduces New 'Smart' Air Bag Inflator

GAINESVILLE, Va. — Atlantic Research Corp. (ARC) is introducing smart inflators to complement the advances in smart air bag systems. The Variflow Inflators, introduced into the ARC line of BAICO Advanced Hybrids, offer adjustable peak pressure and are for use with both driver- and passenger-side air bags.

Variflow is designed to work with a wide variety of smart systems. Using input from smart system sensors, its output can be adjusted to respond to differing crash scenarios. Variflow has minimum performance variability across the temperature range and, like all other advanced BAICO inflators, it uses a non-toxic, smokeless propellant.

"ARC is rapidly developing new inflator technology and is working closely with airbag system suppliers to develop inflators that will accommodate the advanced sensors and diagnostic input from smart systems currently under development," said Roy G. Brown, senior vice president, ARC Automotive Products Group. Variflow will be available for production for model year 2000 vehicles.

Variflow is based on the proven hybrid design and manufacturing processes that have made ARC the world leader in hybrid technology. The BAICO product family already includes passenger side, driver side, and side impact inflators, including inflators for the new side impact "curtain" applications.

ARC, which recently became the sole owner of the BAICO product line, supplies inflators to major automakers in North America, Europe, Japan and Korea from its facility in Knoxville, Tenn. Energetics are supplied from its propellant plant in Camden, Ark.

ARC also is a partner in BAG S.p.A, a joint venture in Collefero, Italy. Via a licensing agreement, BAG S.p.A manufactures a variety of inflators designed and developed by ARC.

ARC's work in air bag inflators is an outgrowth of nearly five decades of experience in the field of propellant chemistry and gas propulsion systems. ARC has the full in-house capability to develop and manufacture air bag inflators, including energetics, through its facilities in Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia. ARC's parent company is Sequa Corp.

Modular Chassis System Design Highlights TRW Expertise

DETROIT — As a full-service supplier with total suspension systems engineering capabilities, TRW is bringing the future of high-quality, cost-effective modular suspension systems to market. A number of ready-to-install, fully-tested chassis modules showcase how TRW’s modular chassis system design, development, testing and systems integration expertise add value by improving quality, cost and delivery.

"While automakers are envisioning a future with advanced modules and systems, TRW has been turning that vision into reality with the development of a variety of modular steering and suspension products," said Frank P. Boccabella, vice president and general manager, TRW Linkage & Suspension Systems. "Our innovative chassis modules, which we are currently providing to a number of automakers, demonstrate TRW's advanced product and process technologies, global capabilities and full-service systems engineering expertise."

He said that TRW is currently supplying suspension corner strut modules (including brakes, shocks and springs) to Volkswagen, various assemblies for the new Porsche Boxster rear axle/suspension module, and front crossmember modules to Rover.

Last year, TRW produced and delivered 500,000 front crossmember modules to Rover on a just-in-time basis, every 84 minutes, 24 hours a day with no more than two hours of inventory on hand.

Boccabella said that was with 100 percent on-time delivery and no incoming inspection. As a systems supplier, TRW offers 17 configurations of this module — which incorporates 100 parts — by managing 35 suppliers.

According to Boccabella, TRW can provide global automakers with various levels of chassis modularization, including chassis mini-modules, midi-modules and maxi-modules. These collections of assembly-contingent and related modules or components can be engineered, developed and assembled by TRW and delivered just-in-time as a vehicle assembly chunk.

The mini-modules include the steering gear, tie rods and ends, attaching brackets, bracket insulators and hydraulic lines. Midi-modules incorporate the steering gear mini-module with ball joints, lateral arm assemblies, suspension crossmember, stabilizer bar assembly, heat shields and engine mounts. The maxi-modules include the steering gear, midi-module, plus steering knuckles, brake assemblies, drive shafts (front wheel drive), springs and shock absorbers.

A full-service supplier with total suspension systems engineering capability, TRW's Linkage and Suspension Systems is a leading producer of steering linkages, control arms, stabilizer links, radius rods and suspension ball joints. TRW annually produces more than 40 million ball joints and is the leading supplier of fiber-reinforced plastic stabilizer links (producing more than 3 million a year). The company, which offers a variety of innovative processing technologies, also is one of the largest manufacturers of vacuum die-cast and thixoformed suspension components.

PATS Expands Development of Rotary-Engine Power Units For Marine, Land-Mobile and Portable Applications

COLUMBIA, Md. — PATS, Inc. has expanded its Columbia, Md. headquarters and engineering facility by 4,000 square feet to accommodate their development program for a series of lightweight, compact, rotary-engine electrical power-generating units that run on heavy fuels such as kerosene, diesel and jet fuel.

The units will be offered for a wide range of aviation, marine and land applications as generator sets or auxiliary power units (APUs). The new space is being used for engineering design and prototyping, and will support low-rate series production.

The PATS rotary-powered gen-set/APU is in the final stages of development with endurance testing currently under way.

A full-scale aircraft APU installation model was shown at the National Business Aviation Association Convention in September of 1997. In aviation applications, a PATS rotary-engine APU weighs approximately 20 percent less and costs one-third to one-half as much as an equivalent turbine-powered unit, and occupies less volume, according to PATS vice president Stephen J. Huter. For land and marine applications, PATS is developing single- and twin-rotor variations of the unit that can weigh as little as 100 pounds and output 28 or 270 vdc, with power ratings from 10 to 25 kw, said Huter.

He added that future development efforts could involve units that produce alternating current.

New Holland Signs $35 Million Combine Deal With Russia

AMSTERDAM, — New Holland N.V., one of the world's leading producers of agricultural and construction equipment, announced the sale of over 200 TX Combine Harvesters to Bashimpex in the Bashkortostan Republic of the Russian Federation.

The combines will be built in New Holland's Zedelgem, Belgium facility. Delivery of the combines will take place prior to the 1998 harvest season. The agreement, which includes attachments, spare parts, and service development, is worth up to $35 million.

"New Holland is very pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of agricultural production in the Bashkortostan Republic," Franco Fusignani, New Holland's Vice President, European Commercial Operations said. "Certainly, the New Holland TX Combine's reputation for productivity and reliability were important factors in winning this contract. But our commitment to after sales service and support, which we have demonstrated across Eastern Europe and the Ukraine, was also an important consideration."

On behalf of Bashimpex, New Holland will establish a master parts and service center and nine satellite centers in the Bashkortostan Republic to provide support for the combines during and after the warranty period. In addition, mobile workshops will accompany the combine harvesters during the season to provide immediate on-site support. The contract will be supported by export credits available in Belgium, and requires the concurrence of the Ministry of Finance.

While the Bashkortostan Republic is well known internationally for oil and gas extraction and refining, Bashkortostan also ranks third in the Russian Federation in overall agricultural production. Bashkortostan has identified agriculture and food processing as priority development areas, and increasing the productivity of the agricultural sector is a key element of the Republic's growth strategy. With its superior threshing and separation capacity, and proven reliability, the New Holland TX Combine Harvester was selected for use in the coming harvest season.

Intermagnetics Use Federal Programs to Speed Commercialization of Superconductivity for Power Industry

LATHAM, N.Y. — Intermagnetics General Corp. was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to participate, and to negotiate with three individual project teams, in a program designed to accelerate the commercialization of energy-saving and environmentally friendly high-temperature superconductivity based equipment for the electric power industry.

The projects include: a five to 10 megavolt-amp high-temperature superconducting (HTS) electric power transformer — to be developed, installed and operated in the Wisconsin Electric Power grid; Waukesha Electric Systems, the leading U.S. manufacturer of medium-power transformers, will lead the team.

Another project involves a the development, installation and testing of a 100-foot, three-phase HTS electric power transmission cable, which could supply power to a small city. Southwire Co., the nation's largest cable manufacturer, will lead the team.

A third project involves a 10 kilowatt-hour flywheel energy storage system — to be developed for testing by Southern California Edison; Boeing Phantom Works, a division of Boeing, will lead the team.

"With electric utility deregulation around the corner and the growing concern over environmental issues, these projects all have the potential to provide more energy-efficient and environmentally safer distribution of electric power," said Carl H. Rosner, chairman and chief executive officer of Intermagnetics. "The outstanding all-American teams assembled for these three programs possess the advanced capabilities needed to apply HTS technology to electric power applications and expedite commercialization for the benefit of U.S. industry and the general public. HTS based power equipment eliminates the danger of oil leaks and fires from transformers and cables and allows utilities to increase power delivery 10-fold, even in dense urban areas."

Industry sources estimate that the annual worldwide demand for HTS electric power technology will reach at least $30 billion by 2020. The projects involving Intermagnetics are among only six Superconductivity Partnership Initiative (SPI) programs selected by the Department of Energy.

Subject to final negotiations, the total cost of these projects is estimated at nearly $50 million, with industry partners contributing at least half the cost.

In the HTS transformer project, Waukesha and Intermagnetics will work with Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to design, build and operate a prototype.

Supporting the team in the two-year, proposed $5.2 million project, will be a utility advisory committee consisting of key U.S. utilities, the Electric Power Research Institute, the Empire State Electric Energy Research Corp. and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The HTS transformer will be operated on the Wisconsin Electric Power utility grid powering Waukesha's main transformer manufacturing plant in Waukesha, Wis.

"HTS power transformers, when compared to conventional units, offer the potential of reduced size and weight, including the absence of environmental and fire hazards," Rosner said. "They also can run 100 percent over-capacity indefinitely, without loss of operating performance, while achieving an extended lifetime and greater efficiency. The team is committed to pursuing commercialization of a range of HTS transformers following this program, based on a product development agreement between Waukesha and Intermagnetics. The early involvement of several electric utilities and energy organizations is further evidence of the commercial viability and potential of HTS transformers."

In the cable project, Southwire and Intermagnetics will team with Southern California Edison, Southern Co., Georgia Transmission Systems, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Midwest Superconductivity and Plastronics to develop, manufacture, install and test a 100-foot, three-phase, 12.5-kilovolt, 1,250-ampere HTS power cable. The cable, to be developed in a 27-month project, will power Southwire's utility and building wire plants and corporate offices to demonstrate its capability under 'real-world' conditions.

"HTS cables offer increased performance enabling utilities to increase power density up to 10 times in existing power corridors," Rosner said. "This is especially appealing in congested urban areas with limited rights-of-way. The lower operating voltages and cold environment of HTS power cables also may reduce the rigorous technical demands of today's high-voltage transmission network and help extend cable life to 100 years, more than triple that of conventional cables. HTS power cables are an excellent choice for retrofitting the aging U.S. overhead and underground power cable system as well as allowing the deployment of cost-effective power conduits around and between cities and regions."

In the flywheel energy storage project, Boeing and Intermagnetics will be joined by Praxair Corp., Cryenco Inc., Ashman Technologies and Argonne National Laboratory to develop a system based on existing HTS bearing technology. During the proposed $7.5 million, 36-month project, the flywheel will be tested by Southern California Edison.

"HTS flywheel systems — compared to other energy storage technologies such as batteries, pumped hydro, compressed air and combustion engines — are more efficient, modular and environmentally benign," Rosner said. "HTS flywheels may also be used as an uninterruptible power supply and have higher energy capacity, virtually unlimited cycle life, short charging time and can reduce demand-based power plant cycling by storing unused night time capacity until needed."

Ansoft Announces PEmag Dedicated Tool for Power Electronic Magnetic Component Modeling

PITTSBURGH — Ansoft Corp., in partnership with the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Division de Ingenieria Electronica, announced the addition of PEmag to the suite of Maxwell Designer Series products.

PEmag is a design tool specifically tailored for the design of power electronic device components, such as inductors and transformers. It allows the designer to enter standard geometry dimensions for the components and perform fast analytical solutions. In addition, it automatically generates and solves a finite element based model using Ansoft's Maxwell 2D Electromagnetic Field Simulator to ensure highly accurate parameter extraction. PEmag is slated for release in the spring of 1998.

PEmag is an enabling technology for designing magnetic components used in power electronic applications. Industry demands for small, high frequency-low power consumption devices are driving the need for more accurate modeling and traditional prototype and test methods used by power electronic designers are no longer sufficient.

"Electromagnetic analysis is the only mechanism for providing the right answer," said Prem Premkumar, vice-president of Marketing at Ansoft Corp. "However, instead of waiting for the industry to migrate to EM modeling tools, Ansoft is delivering the required accuracy by integrating the power of field simulation seamlessly within the framework of a simple design tool. PEmag totally removes the need for the user to interact with the analysis process."

PEmag accurately accounts for the frequency effects of magnetic components on waveforms in devices used in high frequency power supplies and power amplifiers. The effects of winding strategy, skin, proximity and end effect, conductor type, material and core shape are included to assure fast, efficient and accurate product designs. "The PEmag/Maxwell combination results in a powerful design environment, making both analytical and detailed numerical analysis of power electronic components easily accessible," said Glenn Skutt, senior design engineer at Virginia Power Technologies.

Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM) has been involved in research dealing with high frequency switched-mode power supplies since 1980. The Aerospace, Telecommunication and Medical equipment industries have utilized UPM's advances in distributed power systems, on board converters, power factor correction, and modeling of magnetic components and power systems.

"Magnetic components are one of the key elements in the operation and performance of power converters. Accurate modeling of these components is achieved with FEA technology. UPM in collaboration with Ansoft has developed PEmag to bring this accurate modeling technique to mainstream design. UPM selected Ansoft's Maxwell Field Simulator because of the software's reputation for accuracy and ease of use," said Javier Uceda, UPM.

Instrumentation And Control Work to Improve Safety, Efficiency Of Soviet-Designed Plants

PITTSBURGH, — Westinghouse Electric Co. won four contracts to provide instrumentation and control (I&C) upgrades to nuclear power stations in Russia and Bulgaria.

The contracts, with a cumulative value of approximately $13 million, are the most recent in a series of international contracts for nuclear-related products and services that Westinghouse has won since the beginning of the year. In January, Westinghouse received contracts valued in excess of $55 million to provide nuclear fuel assemblies and components to nuclear power stations in Europe and South America.

Three of the I&C contracts are for work at the Sosnovy Bor (Leningrad) plant near St. Petersburg and the other is for work at the Kozloduy plant near Sofia, Bulgaria.

Under terms of the Russian contracts, Westinghouse's Nuclear Projects Division will provide a leak detection system, a series of hydrogen monitoring systems and an advanced computer upgrade package.

For the Kozloduy plant, Westinghouse will provide general engineering and design work in support of a comprehensive upgrade of the plant's overall I&C system.

Michael P. Comiskey, General Manager of the Nuclear Projects Division, said Westinghouse will continue to pursue I&C upgrade work throughout Eastern and Central Europe. "Since 1992 we have won more than 15 contracts for more than 35 I&C projects at nuclear power plants in Russia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Lithuania," he said. "The knowledge base we have gained and the strong customer relationships we have developed during that period will enable us to continue to assist in the ongoing process that will make nuclear plants in this region as safe and efficient as possible."

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Mechanical Engineering Magazine Online's News Digest is compiled from original reporting and various print and online news sources. The Digest will be updated regularly.

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