Problem Solver
Peter Homer
Experienced and results-focused with strength in understanding issues, developing and implementing creative “win-win” solutions that provide quantifiable benefits. Innovative yet practical in my approach to solving difficult problems.
Areas Peter Homer is Knowledgeable in:
Systems engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, structures, mechanisms, loaded fabric structures, spacecraft, satellites, space suits, aerospace, vehicles, watercraft, composite materials, complex systems.
Techniques Peter Homer Uses:
Learn as much about the problem and current approaches as I can. Synthesize a succinct problem statement and goal. Conceive possible solutions through innovation, searching outside the field of the problem, and reconsideration of existing approaches. Evaluate concepts and down select the best approach(es) for detailed study and/or testing. Prototype and test. Learn from "failures". Seek outside assistance. Persist. This is a continuous process that constantly loops back on itself through many iterations of refinement.
Peter Homer's Problem Solving Skills:
- Aerospace engineering, structural, thermal control, deployments, mechanisms, satellites, spacecraft, R&D skunk works, vibration
- Aircraft design, aeronautical engineering, structures, composite materials, sheet metal, linkages, controls, fluid flow
- Computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), computer-aided machining (CAM), computer-aided analysis and engineering (CAE)
- Space suits, pressure suits, pressurized gloves, loaded fabric structures, personal protective equipment, hypobaric / vacuum
- Machine design, rotating machinery, accoustic attenuation, vibration reduction, mechanism design
- Watercraft, yacht design, hydrodynamics, sail design
- Cross pollinization, using ideas from outside the field, applying skills and knowledge to problems outside my fields
- Problem solving, innovation, invention, outside the box, brainstorming, concept evaluation and down selection
- Systems engineering, mechanical engineering, project management, design to cost, design for manufacturability, six sigma
- Prototype fabrication, machine shop. 4-axis CNC mill, lathe, plexiglas, rubber molding, sewiing, fiberglass, wood shop
Peter Homer's Problem Solving Experience:
- Advanced Space Suit Soft Shoulder. As an independent consultant working with a team under a NASA contract, I developed two new designs for the pressure garment (pressurized fabric structure) of a space suit, and fabricated prototype articles for testing. I participated in concept generation and evaluations, contributing two of three designs selected for further study. I performed detail design and fabrication of two test articles, supported pressurized testing at another location, and presented results at NASA design reviews. One issue that arose was the inexperience of the test team. I was called upon to assist in redesigning the test procedure and setup, develop a data reduction process, and get the test team ready for a customer visit, resulting in recognition by NASA of an "order of magnitude improvement". Both of the designs developed by me exceeded the performance requirements. NASA is continuing to evaluate for use in future space suits.
- Advanced Space Suit Glove. Working alone I designed, developed and fabricated an innovative new design for pressurized gloves as used in space suits. My design was tested head-to-head against the current U.S. space suit glove in a NASA-sponsored contest and proved to be better in strength, flexibility and manual dexterity, the three most important attributes. This project entailed understanding the underlying intricacies of loaded fabric structures and working in the vacuum environment of space; conceiving, developing and testing numerous designs; systems engineering; fabrication skills; and designing and building specialized test equipment and data acquisition systems. Several patents are pending from this work.
- A2100 Satellite Bus. While a Structure Design Engineer at General Electric (later, Lockheed Martin) I was part of that team that conceived, developed and implemented a flexibly configurable platform for commercial communications satellites that provided structural support, power, and thermal control. This was a new approach to satellite design at the time, when the standard practice was to design each new satellite from the ground up. I participated in design and systems trade studies, led the structure subsystem engineering design team, and developed the integration design for the first customer payload (electronic equipment packaging, antenna support and deployments, RF and electrical power distribution). This project utilized advanced composite materials. Several patents resulted from this work, including innovative fastening systems. Received General Manager's Award for this work. To date, over 30 satellites built on the A2100 spacecraft bus have been launched into orbit.
- Portable Generator Enclosure. As a mechanical design engineer at Grumman Aerospace's Product Development Center (aka "skunk" works) I conceived and designed an enclosure for military portable diesel-electric generators that provided protection from a nearby nuclear blast, and also suppressed the infrared (IR), thermal and acoustic signatures to inhibit detection by the enemy. This project entailed structural engineering; human factors design; collaborating with the customer, generator manufacturer, acoustic engineers and stress analysts during design development, and with shop technicians during fabrication of a full scale test article; and presentation at design reviews with the customer.
- Potato Chip Breakage. As an independent Solver with Innocentive.com, I developed a new potato chip package design to solve the problem of chip breakage during packaging and shipment. This project entailed conceiving of a new approach, fabricating and testing package samples to determine effectiveness while varying design parameters, and reporting the results. My design was selected by the Solution Seeker for award.