Dr. Joseph Beno

Function: Associate Director and Research Program Manager

Experience



Research Associate & Research Scientist; Associate Director(1993-present), University of Texas Center for Electromechanics

      Program Development Achievements:  Secured over $50M of advanced R&D funding for UT-CEM (P.I. and co-P.I.) from a broad array of Government and industrial sponsors.  Broadened UT-CEM expertise and developed new major research thrusts for UT-CEM in high performance flywheel energy storage systems for ground and space applications, hybrid electric vehicles, and advanced vehicle active suspension systems for hyper-mobility in off-road and on-road environments.  Expanded UT-CEM’s existing composite materials expertise into a major new research thrust on highly stressed flywheel safety and burst containment.  Assisted in initiation of UT-CEM thrust area focused on electric propulsion for naval ships.  Developed advanced expertise at UT-CEM for controlled actuator systems, leading to high level of general recognition and ongoing funded effort to develop a 12 ton precision robotic system to position the primary optical sensor package at the McDonald Observatory Hobby-Eberly Telescope (part of a Dark Energy exploration project).  Transitioned two major technologies (military vehicle off-road high performance active suspension systems and high speed motor controls) to industry, with revenue bearing licenses for the University of Texas.

      Technical R&D Achievements: In parallel with program development activities, conducted several key research investigations within the above thrust areas.  (1) Assembled and led national "Consortium" of flywheel developers and DoE laboratories to perform pre-competitive R&D on flywheel failure mechanisms and safety approaches.  Guided by laboratory measurements, hypothesized interaction processes between flywheel debris and containment structures and developed and successfully tested a lightweight containment approach for high-speed composite rotors.  (2) Led research team that developed and successfully tested an advanced flywheel energy storage system for electric transit buses (featuring 40,000 rpm rotor in vacuum, rotor supported on magnetic bearings, and low-loss permanent magnet motor).  In support of the transit bus flywheel program, developed analysis codes to model behavior of gimbaled flywheel system during vehicle maneuvers.  (3) Led research team that developed advanced flywheel design for space applications and validated the design with component testing.  In support of this program, developed the initial statistical-based coupon testing and design approach for the high-speed composite rotors.  NASA is currently seeking funds to build full prototype unit for final testing.  (4) Developed controls approach, control algorithms, and energy management approach for active suspension systems.  Developed optimization programs that led to CEM's lightweight linear actuator technology for active suspension systems.  Led research team that demonstrated six-fold reductions in vehicle body vibrations, with simultaneous increases in cross-country speed, compared with performance of today's military vehicles, in military testing at Yuma Proving Grounds.  (5) Led a joint industry-University research team that developed the preproduction version of UT-CEM’s active suspension technology for heavily armored HMMWV’s (“Hummer” vehicles).  As a result of the performance testing success for this vehicle and its success in durability testing, this design now is the baseline design for our licensee’s production product.

            Research Program Manager(1989-1993), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.  Managed R&D programs (≈$10M per year) for the DoD Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).  Developed and managed a $3M per year test program for the Electromagnetic (EM) Gun Kinetic Energy Projectile Development Program, coordinating and approving test objectives for each shot from the nation's two 9MJ railguns.  Initiated an Armor Shock Physics Simulation and Material Modeling Program; formed an informal consortium of researchers from universities, DoE labs, DoD labs, and industry; focused their cooperative efforts into a cohesive program; obtained funding ($6M per year) and managed the resulting effort.  Identified a technical approach, designed the program, and won approval for the DARPA Ground Combat Target Identification Program ($10M).  Served as stateside assistant to the Science and Technology Advisor for the U.S. negotiation team on armament reductions for Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE). 

            College Instructor(1984-1986), U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.  Taught two-semester Physics sequence to math/science/engineering undergraduates.  Revised curriculum, developed laboratory program, and selected textbook for the mandatory sophomore physics course taught by 10 colleague instructors to 600 students.  Taught one semester of Mechanical Engineering (Statics and Dynamics).

            Research Coordinator(1981-1984), Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.  First military officer assigned to the U.S. Army Electromagnetic (EM) Gun research and development program.  Evaluated capabilities of EM Gun technology; identified and coordinated needs of artillery, armor, and infantry users; developed weaponization concepts; and devised initial system designs to meet Army needs.  Performed technical evaluations of contract proposals and served as technical monitor for ongoing contracts. 

            Military Troop Leadership and Staff Officer Assignments(1971-1981), U.S. and Germany.  (1) Maintenance Battalion Operations Staff Officer for the U.S. Army's largest maintenance battalion (1500 people); (2) Commander, Missile Maintenance Company (320 people); (3) Staff Officer, Foreign Military Sales Program; (4) Director of Missile Maintenance Repair Facility; and (5) Armor Platoon Leader.

Refereed, Archival Publications

J.H. Beno, C.E. Penney, R.J. Hayes, I.M. Soukup, R. Leck, D.A. Weeks “HETDEX tracker control system design and implementation,” Proc. SPIE, 8444-211 (2012)

R.J. Hayes, T.A. Beets, J.H. Beno, J.A. Booth, M.E. Cornell, J.M. Good, J.T. Heisler, G.J. Hill, H.J. Kriel, C.E. Penney, M.D. Rafal, R.D. Savage, I.M. Soukup, M.S. Worthington, J.J. Zierer, “Use of failure modes and effects analysis in design of the tracker system for the HET wide-field upgrade,” Proc. SPIE, 8449-56 (2012)

G.J. Hill, J.A. Booth, M.E. Cornell, J.M. Good, K. Gebhardt, H.J. Kriel, H. Lee, R. Leck, P.J. MacQueen, D.M. Perry, M.D. Rafal, T.H. Rafferty, C. Ramiller, R.D. Savage, C.A. Taylor III, B.L. Vattiat, L.W. Ramsey, J.H. Beno, T.A. Beets, J.D. Esguerra, M. Haueser, R.J. Hayes, J.T. Heisler, I.M. Soukup, J.J. Zierer, Jr., M.S. Worthington, N.T. Mollison, D.R. Wardell, G.A. Wedeking, “Current status of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope wide field upgrade,” Proc. SPIE, 8444-19 (2012)

J.J. Zierer, J.H. Beno, D.A. Weeks, I.M. Soukup, J.M. Good, J.A. Booth, G.J.Hill, M.D.Rafal “Design, testing, and installation of a high-precision hexapod for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope dark energy experiment (HETDEX),” Proc. SPIE, 8444-176 (2012)

I.M. Soukup, J.H. Beno, G.H. Hill, J.M. Good, C.E.Penney, T.A. Beets, J.D. Esquerra, R.J. Hayes, J. T. Heisler, J.J.Zierer, Jr., G.A. Wedeking, M.S. Worthington, D.R. Wardell, J. A. Booth, M.E.Cornell, J. D. Rafal “Testing, characterization, and control of a multi-axis high precision drive system for the Hobby-Eberle Telescipe Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX),” Proc. SPIE, 8444-147 (2012)

T.A. Beets, J.H. Beno, M.Y. Chun, C. Park, M.S. Worthington, I.S. Yuk “GMTNIRS (Giant Magellan Telescope Near-Infrared Spectrograph) Structural-Mechanical Design,” Proc. SPIE, 8446-301 (2012).

A. Bryant, J. Beno, and D. Weeks, “Benefits of Electronically Controlled Active Electromechanical Suspension Systems (EMS) for Mast Mounted Sensor Packages on Large Off-Road Vehicles,” SAE Publication No. 2011-01-0269, Society of Automotive Engineers, April 2011.

J. Beno, R.E. Hebner, and A. Ouroua, “High-frequency power generation and distribution in multi-megawatt power systems,” IEEE Electric Ship Technologies Symposium, Alexandria, pp. 84-89, VA, USA, April 10-13, 2011, accepted, PN 351.

Zierer, J.J., Mock, J.R., Beno, J.H.,Good, J., Booth, J.A., Lazzarini, P., Fumi, P., Anaclerio E., “The development of high-precision hexapod actuators for the hobby-eberly telescope wide field upgrade,” Proc. SPIE, 7733, Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2010.

Beno, J.H., Booth, J.A., and Mock, J.R., “An alternative architecture and control strategy for hexapod positioning systems to simplify structural design and improve accuracy,” Proc. SPIE, Vol 7733, Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2010.

Worthington, M.S., Beets, T.A., Beno, J.H., Mock, J.R., Murphy, B.T., South, B.J., and Good, J.M., “Design and development of a high precision, high payload telescope dual drive system,” Proc. SPIE, Vol 7733, Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2010.

Mock, J.R., Beno, J.H., Rafferty, T.H., and Cornell, M.E., “Tracker controls development and control architecture for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Wide Field Upgrade,” Proc. SPIE, Vol 7733, Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2010.

Mollison, N.T., Mock, J.R., Soukup, I.M., Beets, T.A., Good, J.M., Beno, J.H., Kriel, H.J., Hinze, S.E., Wardell, D.R., and Heisler, J.T., “Design and development of a long-travel positioning actuator and tandem constant force actuator safety system for the Hobby Eberly Telescope Wide Field Upgrade,” Proc. SPIE, Vol 7733, Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2010.

Savage, R.D., Beno, J.H., Zierer, J.J., Beets, T.A., Hayes, R.J., Heisler, J.T., Hinze, S.E., Soukup, I.M., Jackson, J.R., Mock, J.R., Worthington, M.S., Mollison, N.T., Wardell, D.R., Wedeking, G.A., “Current Status of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope wide field upgrade,” Proc. SPIE, Vol 7733, Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2010.

Mollison, N.T., Hayes, R.J., Good, J.M., Booth, J.A., Savage, R.D., Jackson, J.R., Rafal, M.D., Beno, J.H., “Collaborative engineering and design management for the Hobb-Eberle Telescope tracker upgrade,” Proc. SPIE, Vol 7738,  Modeling, Systems Engineering, and Project Management for Astronomy IV, 2010

Soukup, I.M., Beno, J.H., Hayes, R.J., Heisler, J.T., Mock, J. R., Mollison, N.T., Good, J.M., Hill, G.J., Vattiat, B.L., Murphy, J.D., Anderson, S.C., Bauer, S.M., Kelz, A., Roth, M.M., Fahrenthold, E.P., “Design of the fiber optic support system and fiber bundle accleerated life test for VIRUS,” Proc. SPIE, Vol 7735, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy III, 2010.

W. Rowan, M. Austin, J. Beno, R. Ellis, R. Feder, A. Ouroua, A. Patel, P. Phillips, “Electron Cyclotron Emmission Diagnotstic for ITER,” Review of Scientific Instruments, 81, 10D935, October 2010. 

A. Ouroua, J.R. Jackson, J.H. Beno, R.C. Thompson, E. Schroeder, “Modeling and Simulation of Electric Ships’ Power System Components and Their Interaction,” Society for Modeling and Simulation International, 2007 Proceedings, ISBN:1-56555-316-0.

M.A. Pichot, J.J. Zierer, A. Ouroua, J. H. Beno, “Optimization of Gas Turbine Generator-Sets for Improved Power Density,” Naval Engineers Journal, Volume 118, Number 4, 2006, pp 49-56.

J.H. Beno, M.S. Worthington, J.R. Mock, “Suspension Trade Studies for Hybrid Electric Combat Vehicles,” SAE Publication No. 2005-01-0929, Society of Automotive Engineers, April 2005.

R.J. Hayes, J.H. Beno, D.A. Weeks, A.M. Guenin, J.R. Mock, M.S. Worthington, E.J.  Triche, D. Chojecki, D. Lippert, “Design and Testing of an Active Suspension System for a 2.5 Ton Military Truck,” SAE Publication No. 2005-01-1715, Society of Automotive Engineers, April 2005.

E.J. Triche, J.H. Beno, H. Tims, M.S. Worthington, J.R. Mock, “Shock Loading Experiments and Requirements for Electric Wheel Motors on Military Vehicles,” SAE Publication No. 2005-01-1278, Society of Automotive Engineers, April 2005.

R.E. Hebner, J.H. Beno, M.M. Flynn, R.J. Hayes, J.R. Jackson, A. Ouroua, M.A. Pichot, E. Schroeder, J.J. Zierer, D.A. Weeks, “Design and Analysis of a 20 MW Propulsion Power Train,” IMAREST Marine Engineers Review, Propulsion Supplement, April 2005.

J.J. Zierer, J.H. Beno, R.J. Hayes, J.L. Strubhar, R.C. Thompson, T. Pak, “Design and Proof Testing of a Composite Containment System for Mobile Applications,”SAE Publication No. 2004-01-0005, Society of Automotive Engineers, March 2004.

L. Thornhill, A. Walls, R. Arkin, J. Beno, C Bergh, D. Bresie, A. Giovannetti, B. Gothard, L. Matthies, P. Nogueiro, J. Scanlon, R. Scott, M. Simon, W. Smith, K. Waldron, Design of an Agile Unmanned Combat Vehicle – A Product of the DARPA UGCV Program,” Unmanned Ground Vehicle Technology V, Grant R. Gerhart, Chuck M. Shoemaker, Douglas W. gage, Editors, Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 5083, 2003.

T.A. Aanstoos, M.T. Caprio, J.H. Beno, “Prototype Low Voltage Homopolar Traction Motor,” SAE Publication No. 022FCC-90, Society of Automotive Engineers, June 2002.

R.J. Hayes, D.A. Weeks, M.M. Flynn, J.H. Beno, A.M. Guenin, J.J. Zierer, “Design and Performance Testing of an Integrated Power System with Flywheel Energy Storage,” SAE Publication No. 02AC-42, Society of Automotive Engineers, June 2003.

J.L. Strubhar, R.C. Thompson, T.T. Pak, J.J. Zierer, J.H. Beno, R.J. Hayes, “Light-Weight Containment for High Energy, Rotating Machines,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics.  39:1 (January 2003): 378-383.

J.H. Beno, D.A. Weeks, D.A. Bresie, A.M. Guenin, J.S. Wisecup, and W. Bylsma, “Experimental Comparison of Losses for Conventional Passive and Energy Efficient Active Suspension Systems,” SAE Publication No. 02AC-114, Society of Automotive Engineers, March 2002.

J.R. Mock, D.A. Weeks, J.H. Beno, S.P. Nichols, D.A. Bresie, A.M. Guenin, “Dual Purpose Fuzzy Logic Controller for an Active Suspension System,’ SAE Publication No. 02AC-42, Society of Automotive Engineers, March 2002.

G.D. Buckner, Karl T. Schuetze, J.H. Beno, “Intelligent Feedback Linearization for Active Vehicle Suspension Control,” American Society of Mechanical Engineers Journal of Dynamic Systems Measurement and Control, Vol. 123, December 2001.

K. Efatpenah, J. Beno, S. Nichols, R. Longoria, "Challenges in Controlling Active Suspensions for High-Speed Off-Road vehicles," American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Design Engineering Division, Vol 106, Advanced Vehicle Technologies, November 2000.

W. Bylsma, A. Guenin, J. Beno, D. Weeks, D. Bresie, and M.E. Raymond, "Electromechanical Suspension Performance Testing," SAE Publication No. 2001-01-0492, Society of Automotive Engineers, March 2001.

J.H. Beno, R.C. Thompson, M.D. Werst, S.M. Manifold, and J.J. Zierer,  "End-of-Life Design for Composite Rotors," IEEE Transactions on Magnetics.  37:1 (January 2001): 284-289.

M.A. Pichot, J.P. Kajs, B.R. Murphy, A. Ouroua, B.M. Rech, R.J. Hayes, J.H. Beno, G.D. Buckner, and A.B. Palazzolo,  "Active Magnetic Bearings for Energy Storage Systems for Combat Vehicles," IEEE Transactions on Magnetics.  37:1 (January 2001): 318-323.

Efatpenah, K., J. Beno, S. Nichols, "Energy Requirements of a Passive and Electromechanical Active Suspension System," Vehicle System Dynamics, Vol. 34, No. 6, December 2000.

D.A. Weeks, J.H. Beno, A. M. Guenin, and D. Bresie, "Electromechanical Active Suspension Demonstration for Off-Road Vehicles at the University of Texas Center for Electromechanics," SAE Publication No. 2000-01-0102 and SP-1519, March 2000.

K.A. Dulaney, J.H. Beno, R.C. Thompson, "Modeling of Multiple Liner Containment Systems for High Speed Rotors," IEEE Transactions on Magnetics.  35:1 (January 1999): 334-339.

R.J. Hayes, J.P. Kajs, R.C. Thompson, J.H. Beno, "Design and Testing of a Flywheel Battery for a Transit Bus," SAE Publication No. 1999-01-1159, Society of Automotive Engineers, February 1999.

D.A. Weeks, J. H. Beno, D. Bresie, A. M. Guenin, "Design and Testing of Active Electromechanical Suspension Linear Actuator," SAE Publication No. 99-01-0730, Society of Automotive Engineers, February 1999.

K.T. Schuetze, J.H. Beno, W.F. Weldon, S.V. Sreenivasan, "A Comparison of Controller Designs for an Active, Electromagnetic, Off-road Vehicle Suspension System Traveling at High Speed" SAE Publication No. 980924, Society of Automotive Engineers, February 1998.

D. A. Weeks, J. H. Beno, D. A. Bresie, A. M. Guenin, "Control System for Single Wheel Station Heavy Tracked Vehicle Active Electromagnetic Suspension," SAE Publication No. 971087, Society of Automotive Engineers, February 1997.

F. B. Hoogterp, J. H. Beno, D. A. Weeks, "An Energy Efficient Electromagnetic Active Suspension System," SAE Publication No. 970385, Society of Automotive Engineers, February 1997.

B. T. Murphy, D. A. Bresie, J. H. Beno, "Bearing Loads in a Vehicular Flywheel Battery," SAE Publication No. 970213, Society of Automotive Engineers, February 1997.

D.A. Weeks, J. H. Beno, D. Bresie, A. M. Guenin, "Laboratory Testing of an Active Electromagnetic Near Constant Force Suspension (NCFS)," SAE Publication No. 971088, Society of Automotive Engineers, February 1997.

M. A. Pichot, J. M. Kramer, R. J. Hayes, R. C. Thompson, J. H. Beno, "The Flywheel Battery Containment Problem," SAE Publication No. 970242, Society of Automotive Engineers, February 1997.

J.H. Beno, et al, "Electromechanical Suspension for Combat Vehicles," SAE Publication No. 950775, Society of Automotive Engineers, February 1995.

J.H. Beno, "Three-Dimensional Rail-Current Distribution Near the Armature of Simple, Square-Bore, Two-Rail Railguns."  IEEE Transactions on Magnetics.  25:1 (January 1991): 106-111.

J.H. Beno and W.F. Weldon, "Active Current Management for Four-Rail Railguns."  IEEE Transactions on Magnetics.  25:1 (January 1991): 39-44.

J.H. Beno and W.F. Weldon, "Railgun Current Guard Plates:  Active Current Management and Augmentation."  IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science.  17:3  (June 1989): 422-428.

J.H. Beno and W.F. Weldon, "An Investigation into the Potential for Multiple Rail Railguns."  IEEE Transactions on Magnetics.  25:1 (January 1989): 92-96.

Alex Zielinski, J.H. Beno, and K.A. Jamison, "An Interferometric Measurement Technique for Railgun Structures." IEEE Transactions on Magnetics.  25:1 (January 1989): 632-637.

Patents

Constant Force Suspension, Near Constant Force Suspension, and Associated Control Algorithms.   U.S. Patent Number 5999868, issued December 7, 1999; (inventors:  Beno, Weeks, Weldon, Bresie, Guenin).

Railguns with Current Guard Plates.  U.S. Patent Number: 5138929, issued August 18, 1992; jointly held with W.F. Weldon.

Suspension-Related Systems and Methods.  U.S. Patent Pending, Application No: 11/368,317, March 3, 2006.  Notice of Allowance, dated 02/07/2011, received from U.S. Patent Office.

Book Chapters

Steering and Suspensions Technology, Society of Automotive Engineers SP1223, February 1997, Chapter Title:  "An Energy Efficient Electromagnetic Active Suspension System," (F. B. Hoogterp, J. H. Beno, D. A. Weeks, SAE Pub No. 970385, see listing under refereed publications).

SAE Publication 970242, "The Flywheel Battery Containment Problem," was cited by SAE as being "among the most outstanding published in the engines field in 1997" and selected to be included the SAE Journal of Passenger Cars.  Authors are M.A. Pichot, J.M. Kramer, R.C. Thompson, R.J. Hayes, and J.H. Beno.