William F. Brown
Encyclopedia
William F. Brown was an American welding
engineer
, professional engineer
and magnetic pulse welding
expert.
and St. Bernard
suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio
. He graduated in Sycamore Union High School in 1939, where he excelled academically as well as having success in basketball and football. In high school, he also learned to play the game of golf. He enjoyed the sport immensely, spending weekends and summers caddying at the Kenwood
Country Club in Cincinnati. He had the privilege to caddy for Sammy Snead
and other golf legends during his years at the golf club.
In 1937, Brown began working for Towsley Trucks, Inc., in the machine shop as a labourer. As he learned the skill of welding, he developed a passion for welding engineering and metallurgy. Due to his excellent work ethic, he was promoted to Superintendent in charge of the Metal and Welding Department. Towsley Trucks Inc. commended Bill for his honesty, integrity and his willingness to work under any and all conditions.
Brown attended Ohio State University
from 1951 and graduated in 1955 with two major accomplishments: he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Welding Engineering and got awarded a Professional Engineering License. Brown excelled in academics and earned many scholarships during his university years, e.g. the 1954-55 Welding Engineering scholarship of $150 was awarded to him by the American Welding Society. He worked in the engineering lab and taught welding theory part time.
After graduation, Brown worked for General Electric
(GE) in Cincinnati, Ohio, until he transferred to GE Hanford
, on the Columbia River
in Richland, Washington
, in 1961. When GE spun off Hanford, he went to work for Battelle Northwest
and finally for Westinghouse
Hanford, both in Richland
, Washington. Brown was a Fellow Engineer working at Westinghouse when he retired in 1989.
At Westinghouse, he was responsible for the development of magnetic pulse welding
machines. The magnetic pulse welding process was successful in producing welds within advanced stainless steel
fuel pin rods for the Fast Flux Test Facility
reactor. He later represented Westinghouse Hanford taking the magnetic pulse welding process to Japan, his last great accomplishment before retiring.
He co-invented a welding machine for automated closure of nuclear fuel pins by magnetic pulse welding, in which the open end of a length of cladding was positioned within a complementary tube surrounded by a magnetic pulse welding machine. Seals were provided at each end of the tube, which could be evacuated or receive tag gas for direct introduction to the cladding interior. Loading of magnetic rings and end caps was accomplished automatically in conjunction with the welding steps carried out within the tube.
He co-invented an automated loading system for nuclear fuel elements with a gravity feed conveyor, which permitted individual fuel pins to roll along a constrained path perpendicular to their respective lengths. The individual lengths of fuel cladding were directed onto movable transports, where they were aligned coaxially with the axes of associated handling equipment at appropriate production stations. The fuel pins were inserted as a batch prior to welding of end caps.
He co-invented an enlarged funnel, which was releasably mounted at the open end of a length of cladding by an encircling length of shrink tubing, which securely engages the outer surfaces of both the funnel and cladding. The shrink tubing overlapped an annular shoulder against which pulling force could be exerted to remove the tubing from the cladding. The shoulder could be provided on a separate collar or ring, or on the funnel itself.
He also co-invented an automated welding machine for the closure of nuclear fuel pins by gas tungsten arc welding
(GTAW also known as TIG welding), in which a rotating length of cladding was positioned adjacent to a welding electrode in a sealed enclosure. An independently movable axial grinder was provided in the enclosure for refurbishing the used electrode between welds.
and the American Nuclear Society
.
and built up a family of initially four children. In the midst of all his career success, one more child was added to the family, when Brown was 50 years old. His son Thomas David was born on 29 December 1968. The new baby boy was a wonderful surprise and a tremendous blessing to both parents. Brown had many technical achievements throughout his career and enjoyed his years of research and development in the field of welding engineering. Yet, above all of his career accomplishments, Brown wanted to be remembered as a man devoted to his family and in love with his wife of 66 years, Mary.
Brown was survived by his loving wife and five children: Regina Flowers, Francine Albaugh, Bill Brown, Michelle Meyer, and Tom Brown. There are nine grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
Welding
Welding is a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. This is often done by melting the workpieces and adding a filler material to form a pool of molten material that cools to become a strong joint, with pressure sometimes...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, professional engineer
Professional Engineer
Regulation of the engineering profession is established by various jurisdictions of the world to protect the safety, well-being and other interests of the general public, and to define the licensure process through which an engineer becomes authorized to provide professional services to the...
and magnetic pulse welding
Magnetic pulse welding
Magnetic pulse welding is a welding process that uses magnetic forces to drive two workpieces together and weld them together. The welding mechanism is most similar to that in explosion welding.-Process:...
expert.
Life and career
Brown was born in Tampa, Florida and grew up in the Blue AshBlue Ash, Ohio
Blue Ash is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and an inner suburb of Cincinnati, which is located just to the south. The population was 12,513 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Blue Ash is located at ....
and St. Bernard
St. Bernard, Ohio
St. Bernard is a small city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 4,924 at the 2000 census.-Geography:St. Bernard is located at , and along with Norwood and Elmwood Place, is an enclave surrounded by the city of Cincinnati.According to the United States Census Bureau, the...
suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. He graduated in Sycamore Union High School in 1939, where he excelled academically as well as having success in basketball and football. In high school, he also learned to play the game of golf. He enjoyed the sport immensely, spending weekends and summers caddying at the Kenwood
Kenwood, Ohio
Kenwood is a census-designated place in Sycamore Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 7,423 at the 2000 census...
Country Club in Cincinnati. He had the privilege to caddy for Sammy Snead
Sam Snead
Samuel Jackson Snead was an American professional golfer who was one of the top players in the world for most of four decades. Snead won a record 82 PGA Tour events including seven majors. He failed to win a U.S...
and other golf legends during his years at the golf club.
In 1937, Brown began working for Towsley Trucks, Inc., in the machine shop as a labourer. As he learned the skill of welding, he developed a passion for welding engineering and metallurgy. Due to his excellent work ethic, he was promoted to Superintendent in charge of the Metal and Welding Department. Towsley Trucks Inc. commended Bill for his honesty, integrity and his willingness to work under any and all conditions.
Brown attended Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
from 1951 and graduated in 1955 with two major accomplishments: he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Welding Engineering and got awarded a Professional Engineering License. Brown excelled in academics and earned many scholarships during his university years, e.g. the 1954-55 Welding Engineering scholarship of $150 was awarded to him by the American Welding Society. He worked in the engineering lab and taught welding theory part time.
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
(GE) in Cincinnati, Ohio, until he transferred to GE Hanford
Hanford Site
The Hanford Site is a mostly decommissioned nuclear production complex on the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington, operated by the United States federal government. The site has been known by many names, including Hanford Works, Hanford Engineer Works or HEW, Hanford Nuclear Reservation...
, on the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
in Richland, Washington
Richland, Washington
Richland is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, at the confluence of the Yakima and the Columbia Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 48,058. April 1, 2011 estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management put the...
, in 1961. When GE spun off Hanford, he went to work for Battelle Northwest
Battelle Memorial Institute
Battelle Memorial Institute is a private nonprofit applied science and technology development company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Battelle is a charitable trust organized as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State of Ohio and is exempt from taxation under Section 501 of the...
and finally for Westinghouse
Westinghouse Electric Company
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC is a nuclear power company, offering a wide range of nuclear products and services to utilities throughout the world, including nuclear fuel, service and maintenance, instrumentation and control and advanced nuclear plant designs...
Hanford, both in Richland
Richland, Washington
Richland is a city in Benton County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Washington, at the confluence of the Yakima and the Columbia Rivers. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 48,058. April 1, 2011 estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management put the...
, Washington. Brown was a Fellow Engineer working at Westinghouse when he retired in 1989.
At Westinghouse, he was responsible for the development of magnetic pulse welding
Magnetic pulse welding
Magnetic pulse welding is a welding process that uses magnetic forces to drive two workpieces together and weld them together. The welding mechanism is most similar to that in explosion welding.-Process:...
machines. The magnetic pulse welding process was successful in producing welds within advanced stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
fuel pin rods for the Fast Flux Test Facility
Fast Flux Test Facility
The Fast Flux Test Facility is a 400 MW nuclear test reactor owned by the U.S. Department of Energy.It is situated in the 400 Area of the Hanford Site, which is located in the state of Washington.-History:...
reactor. He later represented Westinghouse Hanford taking the magnetic pulse welding process to Japan, his last great accomplishment before retiring.
Inventions
Throughout his career, Brown was granted many patents and was recognized for many technical accomplishments:He co-invented a welding machine for automated closure of nuclear fuel pins by magnetic pulse welding, in which the open end of a length of cladding was positioned within a complementary tube surrounded by a magnetic pulse welding machine. Seals were provided at each end of the tube, which could be evacuated or receive tag gas for direct introduction to the cladding interior. Loading of magnetic rings and end caps was accomplished automatically in conjunction with the welding steps carried out within the tube.
He co-invented an automated loading system for nuclear fuel elements with a gravity feed conveyor, which permitted individual fuel pins to roll along a constrained path perpendicular to their respective lengths. The individual lengths of fuel cladding were directed onto movable transports, where they were aligned coaxially with the axes of associated handling equipment at appropriate production stations. The fuel pins were inserted as a batch prior to welding of end caps.
He co-invented an enlarged funnel, which was releasably mounted at the open end of a length of cladding by an encircling length of shrink tubing, which securely engages the outer surfaces of both the funnel and cladding. The shrink tubing overlapped an annular shoulder against which pulling force could be exerted to remove the tubing from the cladding. The shoulder could be provided on a separate collar or ring, or on the funnel itself.
He also co-invented an automated welding machine for the closure of nuclear fuel pins by gas tungsten arc welding
Gas tungsten arc welding
Gas tungsten arc welding , also known as tungsten inert gas welding, is an arc welding process that uses a nonconsumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld...
(GTAW also known as TIG welding), in which a rotating length of cladding was positioned adjacent to a welding electrode in a sealed enclosure. An independently movable axial grinder was provided in the enclosure for refurbishing the used electrode between welds.
Societies
Brown was a member of the American Society for Metals the American Welding SocietyAmerican Welding Society
The American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying...
and the American Nuclear Society
American Nuclear Society
The American Nuclear Society is an international, not-for-profit 501 scientific and educational organization with a membership of approximately 11,000 scientists, engineers, educators, students, and other associate members. Approximately 900 members live outside the United States in 40 countries....
.
Family
Brown met Mary Catherine Boring while they were both serving in the army during World War II. At that time, he was a welding instructor at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. After a brief courtship, they were married on 8 July 1944, in Aberdeen, Maryland. In 1951, Bill and Mary moved to Columbus, OhioColumbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
and built up a family of initially four children. In the midst of all his career success, one more child was added to the family, when Brown was 50 years old. His son Thomas David was born on 29 December 1968. The new baby boy was a wonderful surprise and a tremendous blessing to both parents. Brown had many technical achievements throughout his career and enjoyed his years of research and development in the field of welding engineering. Yet, above all of his career accomplishments, Brown wanted to be remembered as a man devoted to his family and in love with his wife of 66 years, Mary.
Brown was survived by his loving wife and five children: Regina Flowers, Francine Albaugh, Bill Brown, Michelle Meyer, and Tom Brown. There are nine grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
Patents and publications
- David W. Christiansen and William F. Brown: 'Automated closure system for nuclear reactor fuel assemblies', Patent Number: 4542267, Filing Date: 30 November 1982.
- David W. Christiansen, William F. Brown and Jim M. Steffen: 'Automated fuel pin loading system.' Patent Number: 4548347, Filing Date: 30 November 1982.
- David W. Christiansen, Jim M. Steffen, William F. Brown: 'Funnel for fuel pin loading system.' Patent Number: 4537741, Filing Date: 30 November 1982.
- David W. Christiansen, William F. Brown: 'Gas tungsten arc welder with electrode grinder.' Patent Number: 4480171, Filing Date: 30 November 1982.