Ken Miles

Areas Ken Miles is Knowledgeable in:

Techniques Ken Miles Uses:

Ken Miles's Problem Solving Experience:

1. Problem two:
   To develop a method of removing blasted rock from the rock face of a mining tunnel quickly and efficiently. Current methods were to use shovels and wheelbarrows, which are slow not efficient.
   Solution two:
   I designed and made a prototype of a scraper/shovel that moved the blasted rock from the face onto a suspended skip to carry via an overhead rail, the waste rock to be dumped down a waste chute. The cleaning operation was a one man job, and the cleaning was accomplished in very much less time with much less labour. The machine needed to be refined and made far more robust to be a real success in the mines. I did not have the money to carry out this development.
2. Problem one:
   To construct a swimming pool at a very much cheaper price than ruling market prices.
   Solution one:
   I designed a construction method that eliminated the application of reinforced concrete as a shell and also the application of a marble plaster finish. I also unified the suction and delivery sides of the pool circulation system which made it much more compact and economical. The result was a cheap and durable swimming pool, and many thousands of pools using this method have been built.
3. Problem eight:
   To introduce a new class of motor racing into Zambia. The problem was that there were severe exchange control restrictions so importation of vehicles was not possible.
   Solution eight:
   I designed and built 30 formula Ford racing cars, which we sold to competitors. The engines and gearboxes were obtained locally as they were standard Ford and VW parts. The rolling chassis were made by us and the competitor bought them. The resultant racing class was extremely successful
4. Problem nine:
   To product a chair or settee that was modern in look but also economical.
   Solution nine:
   I designed and made a chain which was moulded from rigid polyurethane foam. The shape was any that we wished to design, and the costs were very good. As a result, the opposition copied my design and even today there are still a number of these chairs being used in reception places and offices.
5. Problem seven:
   To design and build a housing system that can be factory made and transported to the extremely remote areas of Botswana. There are no good roads and no material supply sources in these areas.
   Solution seven:
   I designed a modular system that was used for the erection of houses, clinics, schools in the remote areas. The panel system was manufactured in Gaborone and transported by truck to the various area. Our system was the preferred choice over a number of systems offered by large international organisations. The erection was quick and simple, and the design was such that it was maintenance free. No painting etc. This was in the early 70’s and was the fore runner of most of the modular panel systems in use today. To the best of my knowledge the buildings are still standing.
6. Problem six:
   To design and make an escalator hand rail cleaner that is not obstructive to human traffic and is automatic. Hand rails generate vast amounts of bacteria and infection and is a major problem. Current technology is expensive and obstructive to human traffic.
   Solution six:
   I designed a hand rail cleaner that fitted beneath an escalator and also cleans both pairs of the up and down moving hand rails at the same time. Other cleaners only clean one side, either up or down, at the same time and are mounted on then upper side of the handrails, thereby being an obstruction to human passengers. They are also expensive.
7. Problem five:
   To design and make a CVT automotive gearbox that has a stepless variation from the lowest ratio to the highest. There is currently no gearbox in the world that does this. My design is the first, and the potential is vast.
   Solution five:
   I designed a CVT gearbox using sprockets, chains and spur gears. The net result is that the change in ratio is smooth, stepless and not erratic in any way. It is the subject of a USPTO patent application. I believe it will have a major impact on the entire auto industry. I am currently seeking finance to make and test a prototype for demonstration purposes to potential clients such as Ford, Mercedes etc.
8. Problem four:
   To make flexible polyether foam that would not have a rounded top as like a loaf of bread. This rounded top is a major waste factor as full sheets cannot be cut from the block.
   Solution four:
   I designed a large block mould that enabled the foam to be made with a flat top, with no curvature at all. This was a world first. Also, the blocks we made were 2 mts plus high, which is almost twice the height of conventional blocks. Also, because of the production method, the density variation from top to bottom was less that 1 percent.
9. Problem three:
   To make a creel for the knitting industry that would eliminate all lint generated by the yarn being fed to the knitting head. This is a big problem when knitting with cotton yarn as it generates large amounts of lint, which infect the finished fabric and detract from the quality of the fabric. It is also a major fire risk.
   Solution three:
   I designed and made a closed creel with a fan that exhausted air from the closed cabinet and caused an airflow inwards to the inside of the creel. The air flowed over the yarn being fed to the outside guides of the creel down a narrow tube, which increased the speed of airflow and by so doing removed any lint that formed on the yarn as it was passing through the tube. The net result was that the yarn was almost 100% lint free. The working of the creel was observed by the CSIR ( Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) a South African government NGO, and gave it approval. I did not have the finance to file a patent.