Robert L. Collins, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering
201 Sackett Hall
(502) 852-6336
Biography
Dr. Robert L. Collins received a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering
from Purdue University, an M.S. in Engineering Science from Arizona
State University and a Ph.D. degree in Engineering Mechanics at
the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He spent several years with
the AiResearch Manufacturing Company (Phoenix), the Langley Research
Center (NASA), and the Bendix Corporation, Aerospace Products
Division before coming to the University of Louisville in 1970.
He retired in 1997, and was immediately elected as
Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering by the faculty.
During his career, Dr. Collins has maintained a strong commitment
to both teaching, where
he developed many new courses and laboratories, and research,
primarily in the areas of controls and computer simulation.
Education
Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute,
1966
M.S. in Engineering Science, Arizona State University, 1963
B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering, Purdue University, 1959
Experience
1970-present - University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.
Speed Scientific School Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering (1998-present),
Professor of Mechanical Engineering (1980-1998),
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering (1970-1980).
1966-1970 - Bendix Corporation, South Bend, Indiana. Senior
Analyst.
1962-1966 - Langley Research Center, NASA, Hampton, Virginia.
Aerospace Technologist.
1959-1962 - AiResearch Manufacturing Company, Phoenix, Arizona.
Preliminary Design Engineer.
Publications
Miller, G. and Collins, R.L., "Improving Dishwasher Efficiency
Through Closed Loop Control," Appliance Magazine,
May 1993.
Collins, R.L. and Lovelace, R.B., "Experimental Study of
Two-Phase Propane Expanded through the Ranque-Hilsch Tube,"
Journal of Heat Transfer, 1979, May.
Collins, R.L., "Choked Expansion of Subcooled Water and the
I.H.E. Flow Model," Journal of Heat Transfer, 1978,
May.
Collins, R.L. and Wong, J.P., "Stability of Car-Trailer Systems
with Special Regard to Trailer Design," ASME Journal of
Dynamic Systems, Measurement and Control, 1974, 96(2).
Collins, R.L., "Frequency Response of Tires Using the Point
Contact Theory," Journal of Aircraft, 1972, June.
Collins, R.L., "Theories on the Mechanics of Tires and their
Application to Shimmy Analysis," Journal of Aircraft,
1971, April.
Collins, R.L. and Black, R.J., "Tire Parameters for Landing
Gear Shimmy Studies," Journal of Aircraft, 1969, May-June.
Conference Proceedings/Presentations
"Strategies for Improving Temperature Control and Energy
Use in Household Refrigerators," Sixth International Refrigeration
Conference at Purdue, Proceedings, July 23-26, 1996 (with K. J.
Graviss).
"Development of Multifaceted Instructional Modules,"
FIE '92: Towards 2000 - Facing the Future in Engineering Education,
Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Frontiers in Education Conference,
Nashville, Tennessee, November 11-15, 1992 (with W.G. Cobourn,
G.C. Lindauer, T.E. Mullin and W.P. Hnat).
"Use of the Microphone and Impact Hammer Windowing in Modal
Testing," Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Society
for Experimental Mechanics, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, November 4-7,
1984. (with T. Comstock, M. Javidinejad and J. Fleming).
"Direct and Indirect Methods for Stability Studies of Articulated
Vehicles," Proceedings of the Third International Conference
on Vehicle Dynamics, August 1974, published 1975 (with J.P. Wong).
"A Comparison Study of Tire Influences on Vehicle Handling,"
Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Vehicle Dynamics,
August 1974, published 1975 (with J.P. Wong).
"Experimental Determination of Tire Parameters for Aircraft
Landing Gear Shimmy Studies," Proceedings of the AIAA/ASME
9th Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Structural Dynamics
paper AIAA #68-311, Palm Springs, California, April 1-3, 1968.
"A Three-Dimensional Analysis of a Tangential Yo-Yo Despin
Device on a Rotating Body," NASA Report No. TND-3848, March
1967.
"A Computational Method for Two Impulse Orbital Rendezvous
and Transfer Problems," NASA Report No. TND-3508, August
1966 (with A. Wallace).
"On the Motion of a Symmetric Rigid Body with a 'Yo-Yo' Despin
Device Attached," University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor,
Michigan, June 1966.
"An Investigation of a Manned Mission to Mars," NASA
Rep. No. TMX-50122, July 1963 (Co-authors: J.D. Bird and D.F.
Thomas).
Sponsored Research
"Development of Horizontal Boring Technology for Small Diameter
Natural Gas Distribution Lines. Phase III: Detail Design, Testing
and Optimization." Columbia Gas Distribution Companies, $91,089,
10/94-3/96. Co-principal investigators: G. Prater, W.P. Hnat,
and C.R. Ullrich.
"Development of Horizontal Boring Technology for Small Diameter
Natural Gas Distribution Lines. Phase II: Component Design, Testing
and Integration." Columbia Gas Distribution Companies, $85,000,
10/93-9/94. Co-principal investigators: G. Prater, W.P. Hnat,
and C.R. Ullrich.
"Development of a Multifaceted Module for Introductory
Thermodynamics,"
National Science Foundation, $90,000, June 1991 - December 1993.
Co-Principal investigators: W.G. Cobourn, W.P. Hnat, G.C. Lindauer,
and T.E. Mullin.
"Hydraulic Rammer System, Design, Review, and Analysis,"
NOSL (Naval Ordnance Station Louisville), $15,000, 1990-91.
"Linear Dynamic Analysis of Gun Systems, Phases 1, 2, 3,
& 4," NOSL, $21,000, 1987-88.
"Methane Transportation Fuels Project," Kentucky Department
of Transportation through the Government Law Center at U of L,
1982-83.
"Dynamic Seal Testing and Analysis for Turbopump Rotordynamic
Stability," directed installation and developed the analytical
procedure for the acquisition and storage of digital data for
the NASA-Lewis study: Space Shuttle Project, Summer 1979.
"Investigation of the Effectiveness of the Flashed Hydro-Jet
in Coal Cutting," KIMMR, $17,400, July 1977 - March 1978
(with R.W. Perry).
"Experimental Determination of Effectiveness of the Flashed
Hydro-Jet in the Cutting of Coal," KIMMR (201-65-98903-S3600),
$30,031, July 1976 - June 1977 (with R.W. Perry).
"Equipment for Coal Cutting Using a Flashed Hydro-Jet,"
KIMMR (201-65-98903-S3410), $37,386, July 1975 - June 1976 (with
R.W. Perry).
"Coal Cutting Using a Flashing Hydro-Jet," KIMMR
(201-65-8H050-S3267),
$32,510, August 1974 - July 1975 (with R.W. Perry).
Consulting
ENRE Corporation, 1985-1986
V. Brizendine, Attorney at Law, 1985-1986
Tarrant, Combs and Bullitt, Attorneys at Law, 1976
American Air Filter, 1974-1976
Cohart Refractories Company, 1973-1974
Wise and Yudkin, Attorney at Law, 1972-1975
Votator Division of the Chemtron Corporation, 1972
W.R. Price, Patent Attorney, 1972
Scientific and Professional Memberships
American Academy of Mechanics
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society for Engineering Education
Pi Tau Sigma
Sigma Xi