PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Bernzomatic, Fuel Gas and Related Products, Engineer-Director of Product Engineering (1968 - 1991)
Nelson Design, Product Design & Litigation Consulting. (1992 - Present)
Designed and developed 35 gas-fired and related products with unit distribution in the tens of millions. Detailed hundreds of components; tested dozens of diverse products for end use, function and failure modes; wrote/analyzed dozens of instructions and hundreds of warnings and cautions; and helped formulate national LP Gas camp appliance standards.
Managed the product engineering department of a gas, flammable and safety products company for 12 years with direct responsibility for product safety. Performed routine design and testing; supervised daily production line and finished goods audits; solved dozens of manufacturing and safety problems; and realized continual decreases in product liability claims and costs.
Investigated more than 200 incidents involving fuel gas (propane, butane, natural gas, MAPP, propylene, acetylene) grills, lighters, torches, lanterns, heaters, stoves, fryers, cylinders, tanks, motor fuel tanks, fork lifts, motor home and RV systems and miscellaneous fuel gas products. Created dozens of investigative and demonstrative tests included flares, flash fires and explosions; developed practical, alternate designs and solutions as necessary; and testified in cases involving fuel gas and related appliances, containers, torches and vehicle systems.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Michigan Technological University, Engineering (1964 - 1966)
University of Rochester, BS, Concentration in Physics & Mathematics (1970)
Rochester Institute of Technology, Applied Statistics (1978 - 1979)
Training includes product use and failure patterns, product safety and warnings, LP Gas safety, combustion testing, carbon monoxide emissions, flammable gas ignition, flame hazards, flameholding, test and inspection methods, fastening and sealing methods, plastic and metal component design, industrial design, drafting, machining, photography and report writing.
U.S. PATENTS
3,656,254 Insecticidal Jet Fogger, with R. Schmedes
3,806,038 Burner for Low Pressure LPG Torch
3,843,311 Lantern with Igniter
4,103,829 Oxypropane Torch, with F. Zagara
4,147,272 Pressure Relief Device, with I. Stenner
4,526,532 Self Igniting Torch
4,666,399 Low Pressure Gas Torch Burner
4,954,078 Spark Igniter System
AFFILIATIONS
System Safety Society
National Fire Protection Association
American College of Forensic Examiners Board Certified Forensic Examiner, No. 805
Created dozens of investigative and demonstrative tests included flares, flash fires and explosions; developed practical, alternate designs and solutions as necessary; and testified in cases involving fuel gas and related appliances, containers, torches and vehicle systems.
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