Dr. Raymond C. Zowarka

Function: Associate Director

Biography

Dr. Zowarka joined UT-CEM in 1974.  He is an expert in the operation, control, modeling, and analysis of pulsed power systems.  He also has extensive experience with the design of diagnostics for railgun and pulsed power supplies.  Recent experience includes the design and control of high power custom generators for the operation of linear motor systems.

Dr. Zowarka has managed many projects at UT-CEM, including the design and construction of high performance railguns operating in high vacuum driven with both HPG/I, capacitor bank, and compulsator power supplies, the design and construction of high performance tactical electromagnetic launchers, the design of hypervelocity railgun powder deposition systems, the design of electromagnetic systems for geophysical exploration, and the simulation and design of Maglev systems.  Most recently he managed UT-CEM’s participation in an electromagnetic aircraft launch system for the Navy under subcontract to General Atomics.

Current Projects

* Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS): The purpose of this contract is to design, fabricate, and test an electromagnetic catapult system for Naval Aircraft Carrier, CVN21.  The current technology, steam, is being replaced with electromagnetics for better control of applied forces, improved reliability and maintainability, reduced manning workload, and increased operational availability.  UT-CEM specific role is to develop the power supplies for the electromagnetic catapult system.

* Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System – System Development and Demonstration: The purpose of this contract is to transfer the UT-CEM generator technology to industry.  UT-CEM is transferring generator technology to Kato Engineering who will be building the production machines for the next phase of the contract.

*American Maglev: Participated in the design, modeling, procurement, fabrication, and testing of a 1 MW linear motor for a maglev system

* Navy Railgun: Participated in trade studies, technical design, and proposal preparation for a Navy Railgun System

About Me

* Member of Aeroballistic Range Association

* Member and former Treasurer of Electromagnetic Launch Association

* Technical Committee Member of the 8th Symposium on Electromagnetic Launch Technology, 1996

* Session Chairman of the 7th Symposium on Electromagnetic Launch Technology, 1994

* Technical Committee Member for 5th Symposium on Electromagnetic Launch Technology, April 1990

* Participated in the RARDE/DARPA prefeasibility study on the Joint Research of Electromagnetic Launch Technology for Tactical Applications, November 1988

* Member of the Barrel Panel on the DARPA Electrical Energy Gun System Study chaired by David Hardison – The objective of the study was to determine the utility of electromagnetic and electrothermal gun systems for future tactical weapon systems, April 1988

* Working Group Chairman at Diagnostic Techniques Workshop, Tamarron, Colorado, March 24-27, 1987

* Technical Committee Member for the 3rd Symposium on Electromagnetic Launch Technology, April 1986

Education

* Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2002

* M.S., Electrical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1980

* B.S., Engineering Science, Trinity University, 1972

Patents Awarded

* High Performance Electromagnetic Railgun Launcher (with Damon A. Weeks, William F. Weldon, John H. Gully, Jim L. Upshaw, Mike L. Spann, and Dennis R. Peterson), US Patent #04884489, December 1989.

* Explosively Actuated Thermal Opening Switch (with Jim L. Upshaw, Jonathan J. Hahne, Richard J.Hayes, John P. Kajs, and Robert L. Sledge II), US Patent No. 5,360,999, November 1994.

* Welding Fixture (with James M. Weldon, Theodore A. Aanstoos, and William F. Weldon), US Patent No. 4,656,328, April 1987.

* Staged Opening Switch (with William F. Weldon and Ben M. Rech), US Patent No. 4,859,819, August 1989.

Patents Filed as Records of Invention

* Fabrication of Heat-Treated Laminations for High-Speed Rotors in Electrical Machines, (with Mike Lewis and Michael D. Werst), UT Tech ID OTC-2924-LEW, submitted October 2004, pending.

* Nine-Phase, Alternate Pole Connection for a Generator or Motor, (with Howard Jordan and Siddharth B. Pratap), UT Tech ID OTC-2926-JOR, submitted October 2004, pending.

Publications

* R.C. Zowarka, T.J. Hotz, J.R. Uglum, and H.E. Jordan, “Induction motor performance testing with an inverter power supply, Part 2,” 13th Electromagnetic Launch Technology Symposium, Potsdam (Berlin), Germany, May 22-25, 2006, IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 43, no. 1, January 2007, pp. 275-278 (PR 427).

* H.E. Jordan, R.C. Zowarka, T.J. Hotz, and J.R. Uglum, “Induction motor performance testing with an inverter power supply, part 1,” 13th Electromagnetic Launch Technology Symposium, Potsdam (Berlin), Germany, May 22-25, 2006, IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 43, no. 1, January 2007, pp. 242-245 (PR 406).

* K.R. Davey and R.C. Zowarka, “Useful techniques for field analysts in the design and optimization of induction motors,” IEEE Computational Electromagnetic Fields Conference, Miami, Florida, U.S.A., April 30-May 3, 2006 (PN 308).

* H.E. Jordan, R.C. Zowarka, and S.B. Pratap, “Nine-phase armature windings design, test, and harmonic analysis,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 41, no. 1, January 2005, pp. 209-302 (PR 348).

* M.T. Caprio, S.B. Pratap, W.A. Walls, and R.C. Zowarka, “Linear electric motors for aerospace launch assist,” 17th International Conference on Magnetically Levitated Systems and Linear Drives (MAGLEV 2002), Lausanne, Switzerland, September 2-6, 2002 (PN 264).

* M.D. Driga, R.C. Zowarka, R. Signorelli, and M. Ozdemir, “Hypervelocity plasma sprayer using railgun accelerators,” 29th IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science, Banff, Alberta, Canada, May 26-30, 2002 (PN 262).

* M.D. Werst, R.C. Zowarka, K. Jamison, and W. Hum, “Fieldable Electromagnetic Gun Design,” poster presentation only to the 11th EML Technology Symposium, Saint-Louis, France, May 14-17, 2002 (PR 311).

* M.D. Driga and R.C. Zowarka, “Hypervelocity powder deposition using pulsed power magnetic flux compression devices,” Digest of Technical Papers, 13th IEEE International Pulsed Power Plasma Science Conference (PPPS-2001), Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A., June 17-22, 2001, vol. 2, 1260-1263 (PN 255).

* M.D. Driga and R.C. Zowarka, “Hypervelocity powder deposition using pulsed power magnetic flux compression devices,” Pulsed Power Plasma Science, 2001, Digest of Technical Papers, vol. 2, June 17-22, 2001, pp. 1260-1263 (PR 317).

* J.R. Kitzmiller, et al., “Predicted vs. actual performance of a model scale compulsator system,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 37, no. 1, January 2001, pp. 362-366 (PR 276).

* B.T. Murphy, J.R. Kitzmiller, R.C. Zowarka, J.J. Hahne, and W.A. Walls, “Rotordynamics design and test results for a model scale compulsator rotor,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 37, no. 1, January 2001, pp. 310-313 (PR 273).

* C.E. Penney, T.J. Hotz, J.R. Kitzmiller, R.F. Thelen, and R.C. Zowarka, “Design and implementation of explosive opening switches in inductive circuits,” 10th EML Symposium, April 25-28, 2000, San Francisco, California (PR 278).

* R.C. Zowarka, J.R. Uglum, and J.L. Bacon, “A torque balanced flywheel system for intermediate power requirements,” 3rd International AECV Conference, Bonn, Germany, September 21-23, 1999 (PN 243).

* H.P. Liu, Y.L. Ting, R.C. Zowarka, and A. Alexander, “Electromagnetic and structural analyses of an integrated launch package,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol 35, no. 1, January 1999, pp. 74-78 (PR 254).

* R.C. Zowarka, et al., “Electromagnetic powder deposition experiments,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 35, no. 1, January 1999, pp. 268-273 (PR 249).

* J.L. Bacon, et al., “A new electromagnetic powder deposition system,” United Thermal Spray Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., September 15-18, 1997 (PR 231).

* J.L. Bacon, et al., “The diagnostic history of a new electromagnetic powder deposition system,” United Thermal Spray Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., September 15-18, 1997 (PR 230).

* R.S. Sledge, et al., “Arc initiation for the electromagnetic powder deposition gun,” United Thermal Spray Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., September 15-18, 1997 (PR 229).

* J.R. Uglum, et al., “Scaling analysis of the electromagnetic powder deposition gun,” United Thermal Spray Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., September 15-18, 1997 (PR 228).

* D.G. Davis, et al., “Multi-shot power supply using capacitors for an electromagnetic powder deposition (EPD) gun,” Digest of Technical Papers, 11th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A., June 29-July 2, 1997, vol. 2, pp. 1060-1065 (PN 235).

* R.C. Zowarka, H.D. Yun, and A. Alexander, “Railgun solid armature scale modeling,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 33, no. 1, January 1997, pp. 169-174 (PR 213).

* J.C. Shaff Jr., R.C. Zowarka, Jr., K. Davey, and J.M. Weldon, “The AMT Maglev test sled-EML weapons technology transition to transportation,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 33, no. 1, part 1, January 1997, pp. 379-383 (PR 474).

* R.C. Zowarka, et al., “Development of a 9 MJ Electric Gun System and Range,” Poster presented at the 8th Electromagnetic Launch Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, April 22-24, 1996 (PR 211).

* D. Zheng, K.R. Davey, R.C. Zowarka, and S.B. Pratap, “Pushing the limits of 2-D boundary element eddy current codes - connectivity,” International Journal of Numerical Modeling:  Electronic Networks, Devices, and Fields, vol. 9, 1996, pp. 115-124 (PR 367).

* R.C. Zowarka, “Armature scaling,” 13th Electric Launcher Association, Austin, Texas, U.S.A., October 9-11, 1995 (PN 230).

* R.C. Zowarka, et al., “Development of a 9 MJ electric gun system and range,” 12th Electric Launcher Association Meeting, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, U.S.A., September 13-15, 1994 (PN 220).

* R.C. Zowarka and J.J. Hahne, “Solid armature wear modeling,” 11th Electric Launcher Association Meeting, Huntington, West Virginia, U.S.A., September 14-16, 1993 (PN 216).

* R.C. Zowarka, M.D. Werst, and T.J. Hotz, “The plasma pressure in transitioned metal armatures and its structural implications on railguns,” 23rd AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference, Orlando Florida, U.S.A., July 6-9, 1993 (PN 212).

* J.A. Pappas, G.R. Headifen, J.M. Weldon, J.C. Wright, R.C. Zowarka, T.A. Aanstoos, J.H. Kajs, “Design of a 500 MJ, 5 MA Power Supply,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 29, no. 1, part 2, January 1993, pp. 1027-1032 (PR 397).

* R.C. Zowarka and J.P. Kajs, “Electromagnetic force, jerk, and electric gun projectile design,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 29, no. 1, January 1993, pp. 895-900 (PR 164).

* J.L. Upshaw, R.C. Zowarka, and T.A. Aanstoos, “Design of a dissipation circuit for a 560 MJ inductive storage supply,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 29, no. 1, January 1993, pp. 1076-1081 (PR 156).

* J.P. Kajs and R.C. Zowarka, “BUS high current battery model,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 29, no. 1, January 1993, pp. 1003-1008 (PR 155).

* R.L. Laughlin, J.L. Bacon, R.C. Zowarka, and J.H. Price, “Design, analysis, and fabrication of two lightweight, high L’ railguns,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 29, no. 1, January 1993, pp. 451-456 (PR 153).

* T.A. Aanstoos, R.C. Zowarka, and J.L. Upshaw, “Design and fabrication of a tandem, 5 MA initiate switch for the batter upgraded supply, “IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 29, no. 1, January 1993, pp. 901-906 (PR 152).

* R.C. Zowarka and R. Hayes, “Single short gun 9 MJ EM gun experiment,” 43rd Aeroballistic Range Association, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A., September 28-October 1, 1992 (PN 204).

* R.C. Zowarka, “Single shot 9 MJ experiment,” ELA Conference, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A., September 15-17, 1992 (PN 201).

* R.C. Zowarka and J.P.Kajs, “25 GW homopolar generator experiment,” Digest of Technical Papers, 8th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference, San Diego, California, U.S.A., June 16-19, 1991, p. 267 (PN 188).

* D.J. Wehrlen, J.H. Hahne, and R.C. Zowarka, “Commissioning of the explosively operated switches used at CEM-UT,” Digest of Technical Papers, 8th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference, San Diego, California, U.S.A., June 16-19, 1991, pp. 381-384 (PN 186).

* J.J. Hahne and R.C. Zowarka, “High current, high voltage bus design,” Digest of Technical Papers, 8th Pulsed Power Conference, San Diego, California, U.S.A., June 16-19, 1991, pp. 156-160 (PN 180).

* R.J. Hayes, R.L. Fuller, J.P. Kajs, R.L. Laughlin, and R.C. Zowarka, “Pulsed power accelerators at CEM-UT,” Digest of Technical Papers, 8th Pulsed Power Conference, San Diego, California, U.S.A., June 16-19, 1991, pp. 50-53 (PN 181).

* R.C. Zowarka, et al., “A new approach to a high efficiency inductive store,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 27, no. 1, January 1991, pp. 384-389 (PR 121).

* D.R. Peterson, et al., “Heavy-duty explosively operated pulsed opening and closing switches: reducing cost and turnaround time,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 27, no. 1, January 1991, pp. 369-373 (PR 117).

* W.F. Weldon, J.L Bacon, D.A. Weeks, and R.C. Zowarka Jr., “Stiff railguns,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 27, no. 1, January 1991, pp. 488-493 (PR 114).

* R.J. Hayes and R.C. Zowarka Jr., “Experimental results from CEM-UT’s single shot 9 MJ railgun,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 27, no. 1, January 1991, pp. 33-38 (PR 111).

* D.A. Weeks, W.F. Weldon, and R.C. Zowarka Jr., “Hypervelocity macroparticle accelerator experiments at CEM-UT,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 27, no. 1, January 1991, pp. 85-90 (PR 101).

* R.C. Zowarka, “Energy balances in pulsed power systems,” 8th Electromagnetic Launch Association, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, U.S.A., October 9-11, 1990 (PN 178).

* D.A. Weeks, W.F. Weldon, and R.C. Zowarka Jr., “Plasma armature railgun launcher simulations at The University of Texas at Austin,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 25, no. 1, January 1989, pp. 580-586 (PR 94).

* D.A. Weeks, W.F. Weldon, and R.C. Zowarka Jr., “Plasma armature railgun launcher simulations,” IEEE Transactions on Plasma, vol. 17, no. 13, June 1989, pp. 403-408 (PR 403).

* D.A. Weeks, R.C. Zowarka Jr., and J.R. Uglum, “Plasma armature characterization measurements performed at The University of Texas,” Proceedings, 7th IEEE Pulsed Power Conference, Monterey, California, U.S.A., June 11-14, 1989, pp. 632-636 (PN 154).

* C. Persad, et al., “Wear of Conductors in Railguns: Metallurgical Aspects,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 25, no. 1, January 1989 (PR 392).

* C. Persad, D.R. Peterson, and R.C. Zowarka Jr., “A composite solid armature consolidation by pulse power processing:  a novel homopolar generator application in EML technology,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 25, no. 1, January 1989, pp. 429-432 (PR 93).

* J.L. Upshaw, R.C. Zowarka Jr., R.W. Cook, and D.A. Weeks, “Design and development of extremely high velocity electromagnetic launch accelerators -- GEDI program,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 25, no. 1, January 1989, pp. 568-573 (PR 82).

* R.C. Zowarka, D.R. Peterson, J.H. Price, and W.F. Weldon, “9 MJ laboratory gun and range at The University of Texas at Austin,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 25, no. 1, January 1989, pp. 653-661 (PR 78).

* D.R. Peterson, et al., “Producing and gauging precision railgun bore,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 25, no. 1, January 1989, pp. 443-447 (PR 75).

* D.R. Peterson, et al., “Design and operation of a high-energy railgun facility,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 25, no. 1, January 1989, pp. 438-442 (PR 73).

* J.H. Price, et al., “Design and testing of solid armatures for large-bore railguns,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 25, no. 1, January 1989, pp. 467-473 (PR 66).

* J.H. Price, et al., “Design and testing of large-bore, ultra-stiff railguns,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 25, no. 1, January 1989, pp. 460-466 (PR 65).

* D.A. Weeks, W.F. Weldon, and R.C. Zowarka Jr., “Plasma armature railgun launcher simulations at The University of Texas at Austin,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 25, no. 1, January 1989, pp. 580-586 (PR 63).

* D.A. Weeks, E.P. Fahrenthold, W.F. Weldon, and R.C. Zowarka, Jr., “Design and testing of a laminated frame railgun,” 5th Meeting of the Electromagnetic Launcher Association, Auburn, Alabama, U.S.A., September 28-30, 1988 (PN 122).

* R.L. Laughlin, M.W. Ingram, and R.C. Zowarka, “Fabrication and testing of a 6 mH, 1.2 MA, 100 kv inductor,” 6th IEEE Pulsed Power Conference, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A., June 29-July 1 1987 (PN 114).

* D.A. Weeks, W.F. Weldon, and R.C. Zowarka, Jr., “Electromagnetic railgun launcher model testing simulation,” 3rd Meeting of the Electromagnetic Launcher Association, Tamarron, Colorado, U.S.A., March 22-23, 1987 (PN 108).

* A.Y. Wu, M.D. Driga, H.H. Woodson, and R.C. Zowarka Jr., “Simulation and predicted performance of the Balcones GEDI experiment, “IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. Mag-22, no. 6, November 1986, pp. 1817-1822 (PR 49).

* B.M. Rech and R.C. Zowarka Jr., “Design and construction of a two-stage opening switch,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. Mag-22, no. 6, November 1986, pp. 1706-1711 (PR 48).

* D.R. Peterson, D.A. Weeks, R.C. Zowarka, R.W. Cook, and W.F. Weldon,” Testing of a high performance, precision-bore railgun,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. Mag-22, no. 6, November 1986, pp. 1662-1668 (PR 46).

* R.L. Laughlin, J.H. Gully, K.E. Nalty, and R.C. Zowarka Jr., “System design of the ultrahigh velocity GEDI experiment,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. Mag-22, no. 6, November 1986, pp. 1578-1583 (PR 45).

* R.C. Zowarka, B.M. Rech, and K.E. Nalty, “Testing of a homopolar generator, energy storage inductor, opening-switch railgun system,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. Mag-22, no. 6, November 1986, pp. 1826-1832 (PR 44).

* R.C. Zowarka and W.F. Weldon, “Application of a friction model to electromagnetic launchers,” Aeroballistic Range Association's 37th Annual Meeting, Defense Research Establishment Valcartier Courcelette, P. Q. September 1986 (PN 109).

* R.C. Zowarka, W.F. Weldon, and T.A. Aanstoos, “Hypervelocity electromagnetic gun development at CEM-UT,” Air Ballistic Range Association Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A., October 1-4, 1985 (PR 34).

* D.R. Peterson, R.C. Zowarka, and B.M. Rech, “Switch development at CEM-UT,” IEEE Pulsed Power Conference, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A., June 10-12, 1985 (PR 33).

* M.D. Driga, et al., “Homopolar generator charged inductors,” IEEE Pulsed Power Conference, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A., June 10-12, 1985 (PR 31).

* J.L. Upshaw and R.C. Zowarka, “A coaxial radial opening switch for a distributed-energy-store rail launcher,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 20, no. 2, March 1984, pp. 320-323 (PR 17).

* K.E. Nalty, R.C. Zowarka, and L.D. Holland, “Instrumentation for EM launcher systems,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 20, no. 2, March 1984, pp. 328-331 (PR 14).

* R.C. Zowarka, “Physical scale modeling to verify energy storage inductor parameters,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 20, no. 2, March 1984, pp. 219-222 (PR 13).

* R.C. Zowarka, “Switching for an earth-to-space rail launcher,” 4th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A., June 6-8, 1983 (PN 93).

* R.C. Zowarka, “Design, fabrication, and testing of a liquid nitrogen-cooled aluminum inductor,” 4th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A., June 6-8, 1983 (PN 92). * T.M. Bullion, et al., “Five-megajoule homopolar upgrade,” 3rd IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A., June 1-3, 1981 (PN 70).

* B.M. Carder, et al., “Driving parallel flashlamps with a compensated pulsed alternator,” 14th Pulse Power Modulator Symposium, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., June 3-5, 1980 (PN 64).

* J.H. Gully, et al., “Rebuilding the five megajoule homopolar machine at The University of Texas,” 2nd IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference, Lubbock, Texas, U.S.A., June 12-14, 1979 (PN 54).

* T.M. Bullion, et al., “Testing and analysis of a fast discharge homopolar machine (FDX),” 2nd IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference, Lubbock, Texas, U.S.A., June 12-14, 1979 (PN 51).