Mechanical Failure Consultants: 16

William R. Acorn is founder of Acorn Consulting Services, LLC, an engineering firm. As a consulting mechanical engineer, Bill provides project analysis, forensic reconstructions and litigation support services relating to the design, delivery, and functioning of high-tech manufacturing facilities, semiconductor fabrication facilities, institutional laboratories, data centers, health care facilities and a variety of commercial buildings. He is a recognized expert in the evaluation of deficiencies in HVAC systems, cleanrooms, piping systems, refrigeration systems, construction defects, building and fire code compliance, and patent and trade secret disputes. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants.

Bill has more than 40 years of experience as a professional engineer and is a recognized expert in assessing, evaluating, remediating and providing testimony on complex project design, construction and operational matters. His consulting expertise has been influential in shaping approaches to code compliance and life safety in semiconductor and similar advanced technology facilities.

Certifications and Designations:

• Registered as a Professional Mechanical Engineer in the States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.
• Registered with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying NCEES (Certificate No. 6999)
• Fellow in the HVAC industry leading organization ASHRAE
• Visiting lecturer at the Arizona State University Del E. Webb School of Construction in Tempe, AZ
• Advisor to CREATE, ACE – Alliance for Construction Excellence and the IAB – Industry Advisory Board, all affiliated with ASU

Building Systems Analysis:

HVAC and Refrigeration Process and Power Piping Plumbing Systems Standard of Care in Design and Construction

Chemical Exposures in the Workplace Cleanroom Design and Performance Codes and Standards Patent and Trade Secret Disputes

Litigation Support: Bill’s pragmatic approach to both forensic and litigation consulting as well as project consulting is based on more than 40 years of real-world experience as a design professional, mentor and forensic analyst, as well as many years as an instructor in professional and academic settings. Represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of jurisdictions throughout the US and Asia. Bill’s ability to explain complex issues to non-technical audiences, including juries, mediators and judges, is a key to successfully solving your litigation challenges.

• Forensic Analysis
• Strategic Litigation Consulting
• Trial Demonstratives
• Expert Testimony

Acorn Consulting Services

Consulting Services: Services range from peer review to conceptual design to development of strategies and programs for expedited project delivery.

Bill frequently acts as an owner’s agent and mentor, functioning as an extension of the owner’s project team. On other projects, Bill serves as a subject matter expert assisting project delivery firms in their development of viable solutions and review of construction documents.

As a project consultant, Bill assures the project gets off to the right start and provides his expertise through completion and operation to maximize return on investment.

Consulting Expertise Includes:

• Project Design and Management Consulting
• Forensic Analysis and Litigation Consulting
• Mentoring & Advanced Education

Dr. Adam K. Aleksander, PhD, PE, CSP, has over 40 years of experience in the areas of Mechanical Engineering, Human Factors, and Safety Engineering. His consulting services include industrial projects related to utility and heavy industrial plant events, equipment failures, combustion, STG, chlorine, and material handling systems. Principal at ALEKSANDER & Associates and VP of an Energy Services firm, Dr. Aleksander has been a practicing engineer since 1972, focusing his Manufacturing, Consulting and Forensic investigations on Problem Definition and Root Cause Analysis of complex problems in confidential issues.

Dr. Aleksander has performed extensive research in his field of expertise. The author of numerous publications on Mechanical Engineering, Human Factors, and Safety Engineering, he has delivered lectures and presented seminars to such entities as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the International Academy of Forensic Sciences, and the National Academy of Forensic Engineers.

ALEKSANDER & Associates Services Include:

Investigative Engineering Accident / Incident Investigation Accident, Loss, & Exposure Evaluations Environmental Permitting & Reclamation Product Liability Risk Management & Safety	Preventive Engineering Accident / Incident Investigations Human - Machine Interaction & Ergonomics Research & Investigations RMP & PSM Work Site Evaluation
Safety / Ergonomics Industrial Ergonomics Risk Management, PSM, Loss Control Accident, Loss, & Exposure Evaluations	Consulting Engineering Engineering Design & Analysis OSHA & Regulatory Issues Industrial Forensics

View Dr. Aleksander's Expert Witness Profile.

ANNA is a mechanical and electrical engineering firm dedicated to Gas, Coal-fired, Hydroelectric, and Nuclear Power Generation. ANNA has global relationships that augment their ability to solve any power generation problem, no matter how specialized or complex.

Services Include:

• Design and Construction
• Startup, Troubleshooting, Modifications, and Additions
• Forensic and Expert Witness Services

Principal, Ole E. Haaland, PE, has thirty four years experience in power production, design, construction, and commissioning, with 30+ years managing people and projects.

Mr. Haaland is a registered professional engineer in Maryland and held a Senior Reactor Operator’s license at Indian Point #3 Nuclear Power Plant. His experience is in conventional, nuclear, and alternate fuel power plant mechanical and electrical systems management, design, construction, plant outage management, start-up, performance testing, and operation.

Mr. Haaland has performed as aProject Manager, Construction Manager, and Commissioning Manager for several Greenfield power projects and other prime movers around the globe. He has successfully engineered, estimated, planned, executed work, and provided troubleshooting services on electrical switchgear, voltage regulators, plant control and automation systems, steam turbines, hydro turbines, diesel generators, steam generators, isolation valves, engine exhaust systems, heat recovery systems, condensate polishers, feed water heaters, main condensers, and moisture separators.

View Ole Haaland's Expert Witness Profile.

Aviation Safety Consultants, LLC is a company designed to assist the aviation community with precise and specific Aviation Safety Consulting. Their clients include insurance companies, aviation flight schools, aircraft production companies, law firms, and fixed and rotary wing operators.

Consulting Services - Aviation Safety Consultants, LLC offers safety evaluations (audits) for aviation companies in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations and IS-BAO and HAI Standards. They teach and promote proven Risk Management practices. They specialize in Human Factors and Material Failure in Accident Investigations.

Aviation Safety Consultants, LLC also provides consulting services for industrial, construction, and motor vehicle accidents. Their experts include Flight Instructors, Airline Pilots, Air Traffic Control Specialist, A&P Mechanics, Metallurgy Engineers and Safety Personnel both from the military and civilian organizations.

Founder and Owner, Keith M. Cianfrani, MAS, CRSP, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, has over 30 years of aviation experience. He is a master army aviator, aviation safety officer, commercial pilot, instructor pilot, and was an accident investigator for the U.S. Army Safety Center.

Mr. Cianfrani is rated in both rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft. As a safety officer, he has managed safety programs in organizations with over 100 aircraft stationed throughout 5 states. He is currently an instructor for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Kansas State University. Mr. Cianfrani is also presently attending Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) as a PhD Student in Aviation Science. He writes the Safety and Training Column for Rotor and Wing Magazine.

Mr. Cianfrani is a certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and has also worked in the civilian, commercial aviation industry. He has been flying for companies such as Petroleum Helicopters, Damin Aviation, Keystone Helicopters, Island Helicopters, and Chopper 6 and Chopper 3 in Philadelphia. He also has experience in the flight for life, aero medical evacuation industry.

View Keith Cianfrani's Expert Witness Profile.

Capt. David G. Bacon, is a Maritime Consultant with over 30 years of experience providing exceptional customer service to clients from around globe. He has a United States Coast Guard Captains License (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel - unlimited tonnage). Capt. Bacon is the owner, operator, and captain of Wavewalker Charters. His vessel charters include fishing, cruising, eco-tours, whale watching, diving, kayaking, photography, oil seeps, and oil spills. He has decades of vessel operations experience with zero accidents and zero injuries. As the Founder and Executive Director of Softin, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing at-sea educational adventures for special-needs children and adults, Capt. Bacon has extensive knowledge of passenger safety orientation and creating/maintaining a safe environment for passengers, including special-needs passengers in for-profit and nonprofit (501c3) ventures. As the owner of two retail stores: Hook, Line, & Sinker Fishing Center and Guns of Santa Barbara, Capt. Bacon understands the value and importance of customer service.

Background - Capt. Bacon worked in corporate management with AT&T for nearly 20 years, serving as Manager of Technical Operations and Customer Support. He also served as President and CEO of Sea Cubed, Inc., developing, publishing, selling, and distributing quality nautical products and displays.

Freelance Writer - Capt. Bacon has published over 2,000 articles for various periodicals (both print and on-line) and continues as an active writer. His areas of editorial responsibilities (past and present) encompass technical, educational, advocacy, and entertainment. He has written for such publications as Pacific Coast Sportfishing, Western Outdoor News, www.noozhawk.com On-line News, and Fishing and Hunting News among many others.

Public speaking - Capt. Bacon has participated in approximately 85 engagements. He is a teacher at Santa Barbara Community college. He has over 15 years of experience hosting seminars, informational/motivational lectures, and presentations for civic organizations, trade shows, and clubs. He has been a speaker at the Parks and Recreation Department of Santa Barbara, and made radio guest appearances on Fish Talk Radio.

View Capt. Bacon's Expert Witness Profile.

• Over 35 years of experience in Mechanical / Structural Engineering & Design, Failure Analysis, Product Liability, Industural Asbestos,Pressure Vessel & Boiler analysis and evaluation of mechanical and structural components.
• Extensive trial experience. Has been involved in multi-million dollar cases. Areas involved included:

  
  

  - Piping & pipe supports - Structural failure of products - Failure analysis - Industrial asbestos - Seismic analysis - Fire protection - Pressure vessels

  - Tanks - Construction - Heat transfer analysis - Environmental qualification of equipment - Welding - Product design - Patent information

• Expertise in developing litigation rate-case exhibits and detailed supporting testimony, and in organizing case documentation into easy-to-use computer databases for trial use.

Finity Engineering, LLC comprises highly-accomplished engineers and industrial practitioners that work alongside leading researchers to provide design, analysis, consulting, and litigation support services. Associates are subject-matter experts in the areas of Automation, Mechatronics, Robotics, and Consumer Products.

Finity Engineering professionals have served scores of industry-leading companies and research institutes, and have developed and provided technical oversight for the implementation of hundreds of robotic, automation, and controls systems deployed within the facilities of high-profile end users. Collectively, Finity Engineering professionals are named inventors on over 60 patents and have founded dozens of successful entrepreneurial ventures, demonstrating pragmatic and marketable engineering innovation.

Clients Include: Alcoa, Apple, BMW, Boeing, Cargill, Caterpillar, Chernobyl, Cummins, Ford Motors, Fukushima, General Motors, Gestamp, Google, Honda, Hundai, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Johnson Controls, Kia Motors, Lockheed Martin, and many more.

Design, Analysis & Business Consulting Specialties:

Additive Manufacturing Aerospace Engineering Biomedical Engineering Consumer Product Design Control Systems Cranes Design Methodology Dynamics Electrical Engineering Failure Analysis Fluid Power / Hydraulics Haptics Hazard Analysis Image Processing Industrial Control Systems Industrial Design

Machine Design Machine Learning Machine Vision Manufacturing Mechanical Engineering Mechatronics Motion Control Optics Photogrammetry Product Design Rapid Prototyping Robotics Signal Processing Traction Control & Wheel Slip Vibrations Warnings

 Founder, Khalid Sorensen, PhD, is a highly accomplished technology leader in Automation, Mechatronics, Motion Control, Manufacturing, Machine Vision, and Human-Machine Interaction. He has over 20 years of experience developing and deploying world class, mechatronic, motion control, and automation solutions.

Dr. Sorensen has directed the development and implementation of 100s of complex, multi-disciplinary mechatronic systems for high-profile industry leaders including Toyota, Ford, Alcoa, Caterpillar, Boeing, NuScale, and many others, and high-profile facilities including Fukushima and Chernobyl.

Previously, Dr. Sorensen Founded a technology company where he invented and was the Chief Architect of Expertoperator^TM, Safemove^TM, Automove^TM, and Cranevision^TM – technology known within the primary metals, automotive, and heavy-equipment sectors for enhancing crane safety, productivity, and ease-of-use; Developed state-of-the-art, on-line, time-optimal trajectory synthesis software for Cartesian machines - key drivers in the acquisition of his company 5 years after inception by a global leader in automation.

View Dr. Khalid Sorensen's Expert Witness Profile.

Radhakrishnaiah Parachuru, PhD, is a Textile Engineer with an MS degree in Decision Sciences / Applied Statistics. A multidisciplinary scientist, Dr. Parachuru possesses more than 35 years of teaching, research, and industrial experience in Polymer, Fiber, Textile, Apparel, Carpet, and other related disciplines. 

Serving as the coordinator of industry and public support activities at Georgia Tech, Dr. Parachuru has completed more than 180 applied research projects for the benefit of all segments of the Textile and Allied industries. Projects completed fall in the following categories:

• Product / Process Optimization
• Technical Trouble Shooting
• Design and Evaluation of New Products
• Assistance for Product Diversification and Value Addition
• Evaluation of Products and Processes for Dispute Resolution and Litigation Support
• Training of Technical Staff
• Establishment of Quality Control Facilities and Routines
• Business Data Modeling and Analysis
• Miscellaneous Cost Saving Projects

Dr. Parachuru has also conducted basic research in the area of Textile Manufacturing and served as the main adviser of several graduate students who completed MS and PhD degrees in textile engineering. He has been an active member of Fiber Society, AATCC, ASTM and TQCA for nearly 30 years. Dr. Parachuru currently serves as an active member of several AATCC technical committees and also as chairman of the AATCC committee on statistics. His current research interests are in the area of medical and industrial textiles. 

Consultation Services - Dr. Parachuru offers technical consultation to manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. His services are broad-based and they cover the whole spectrum of traditional and non-traditional fiber products.  His services also cover raw materias, in-process materials, finished products and process technologies. Based on 35 years of teaching and research in textiles, ploymers, metals, cermaics and composite materials, he is uniquely positioned to define the contributions of raw materails, design parameters and manufacturing variables. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Parachuru has been qualified as a Fiber / Textile Expert in dozens of civil and criminal court cases. His experience covers federal, state, and county courts in multiple states within the United States.

Areas of Expertise:

Polymers Fibers Yarns Fabrics

Garments Carpets Nonwovens Textiles Technical Textiles

Roger W. Griffith, PE, has over 37 years of professional experience as a Mechanical Engineer in the design, maintenance, and operation of mechanical systems. He specializes in the areas of Plumbing, HVAC, and Fire Sprinkler Systems Design.

Background - As the principal of Griffith Engineering & Consulting for 23 years, his design experience with commercial and industrial projects include convention centers, schools, office buildings, condominiums, apartment buildings, hotels, churches, manufacturing facilities, medical buildings, restaurants, historic buildings, dormitories, fire halls, and maintenance facilities. Prior to that, Mr. Griffith worked at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as a mechanical engineer for 14 years. 

His roles at TVA included nuclear piping analyst, valve and heat exchanger specialist, maintenance engineer, and later maintenance supervisor at a fossil plant, and quality manager. His engineering roles included failure analysis of plant equipment. He also taught many courses on the subject of problem-solving and failure analysis for company employees.

Consulting Services:

HVAC Design Plumbing Design Hot Water Systems Design

Legionella Outbreaks HVAC Design Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Sprinkler System Design

View Roger W. Griffith's Expert Witness Profile.

Joseph A. LaRovere, CEM, has over 35 years of experience as a contractor, owner/operator, technician, and consultant to the construction industry with specialties in HVAC, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Energy Management and Control Systems. He works with clients that are experiencing operational issues, difficulty finding the right team members, need help with business processes, or just need an objective executive coach to help them get to the next level.

Business Consulting Services:

• HVAC Systems, air conditioning, heat pumps, chiller plants, heating hot water, boilers, air handlers, water source heat pumps, cooling towers, dedicated outside air, ventilation, and exhaust systems
• Energy management and control system, sequence of operation, energy management and building efficiency
• Domestic hot water systems, electric and gas boilers and water heaters, mixing valves and hot water recirculation systems
• System failures, equipment failures, maintenance issues, preventative maintenance, water treatment, forensic investigation, and remediation
• Project Management, Program Management, Project Accounting, and Scheduling consulting and analysis
• Contractor Evaluation, Contract Review, Contractor Standard of Care, Engineering Evaluation, Site Inspections, and Retro commissioning

Certifications:

• C.E.M. - Certified Energy Manager
• Honeywell Tridium Niagara AX
• Honeywell Tridium Niagara 4
• Johnson Controls Facility Explorer

View Joseph LaRovere's Expert Witness Profile.

Overhead Crane Consults, LLC, is an overhead crane consulting company. Although they do not build cranes or have any affiliation with crane builders, they help level the playing field between an inexperienced buyer and a very experienced seller. Overhead Crane Consults has extensive experience with Overhead Bridge Cranes, Gantry Cranes, Jib Cranes, Hoists, Monorails, and Crane Runway Systems. Services Include:

• Custom Crane Specification Writing
• Custom Crane Safety Programs
• Expert Witness Services

D. Larry Dunville has over 35 years of Overhead Crane experience. Mr. Dunville has built, installed, engineered, estimated, sold and serviced overhead bridge cranes. He has sat on the industry committees that wrote the crane specs for the steel industry, written articles, and taught professional architects and engineers about the special requirements to be aware of when designing buildings that will house overhead cranes. 

D. Larry Dunville's Video Introduction

In the early 90s, Mr. Dunville led the effort to become one of the first crane builders in the US to attain ISO9001 certification, which led directly to Dearborn Crane and Engineering winning the Indiana Governor's Quest For Excellence Award and the Indiana University Kelly School of Business Growth 100 two consecutive years. 

Business Experience - Mr. Dunville served as the Owner/President of Dearborn Crane & Engineering Co., a builder and installer of overhead cranes and crane runway systems, from 1975-2012. Mr. Dunville is the Owner/President of Digital Industrial Marketing, LLC (2014 to present) and Overhead Crane Consulting, LLC (2016 to present). Dennis Dunville is a regular public speaker for training sessions to professional and trade groups. He taught the overhead crane portion of the OSHA 10 & 30 hour course for the Northern Indiana NIOSHA office and overhead crane design classes to dozens of architects, engineers, and contracting firms. Mr. Dunville is a member of the AISE/AIST committee's #6 & #13 that wrote the overhead crane specs and the specs for metal buildings with cranes, for the US Steel industry and currently publishes crane installation, crane safety, and crane control articles for industry trade journals.

Larry is the former Executive Director of the Crane Certification Association of America and a member of the ASME/ANSI B30.2 Overhead and Gantry Cranes Committee, ASME/ANSI B30.16 Overhead Hoists, and ASME/ANSI B30.17 Overhead Cranes, Under Running , which writes the overhead crane safety specs for the US crane industry.

Overhead Crane Arizona Office 3606 N. Larrea Lane Tuscon, AZ 85750 Telephone: 574-210-8612

Overhead Crane Michigan Office 12666 Highland Shore Drive Sawyer, MI 49125 Telephone: 574-210-8612

View D. Larry Dunville's Expert Witness Profile.

Expert Background: Dr. Thomas L. Read is the Principal and CEO at A. Read Consulting, LLC. He received his PhD. from Stanford University in 1972 and has over 25 years of manufacturing experience in electronics, metallurgy, factory safety, failure analysis, glass fracture, glass failure and bottle failure. As a member of the electronics industry, he has earned process patents and has an extensive background in manufacturing techniques.

In parallel, Dr. Read has spent over twenty five years as a consultant to attorneys and engineers. He has given more than 100 depositions and has appeared in court numerous times.

Company Profile: Read Consulting, LLC is a full service laboratory providing services in the following areas:

Failure Analysis; Factory Safety and Personal Injury (including machine guards and manufacturing safety)

Glass Failure Analysis - Glass Fracture, Glass Failures and Bottle Failure

Metal and Ceramic Failure

Grinding Wheel Failures

Intellectual Property and Patent Disputes

Product Liability and Product Quality

Manufacturing Disagreements (such as Intellectual Property, Failed equipment and Contract Disputes)

Reverse Engineering

Since 1988, Real-World Forensic Engineering, LLC ("RWFE") has provided engineering services to industries and government labs, as well as litigation support to both plaintiff and defense attorneys practicing in many areas.

RWFE Areas of Expertise Include:

Components & Machinery Metallurgy & Corrosion Dynamics of Impact & Collisions Friction Analysis / Slips, Trips and Falls Intellectual Property & Patent Review Accident Reconstruction / Animation Computer Aided Design Education & Training

Electrocution & Switch Malfunction Grounding & Lightning Protection Lightning Impulse Testing Products and Premises Liability & Safety High-Voltage & Current Power Systems Bridge Design and Safety Fire & Explosion Cause and Origin And Much More...

At RWFE, we proudly distinguish ourselves by our Four C's:

CREDENTIALS. COMPETENCE. CREDIBILITY. COMMUNICATION.

Credentials:	B.S., M.S., M.Eng., M.B.A., J.D., and Ph.D. Degrees Licensed Professional Engineers in Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering Tenured University Professors and Professionals NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigators (CFEI) Licensed Master Electricians
Competence:	Over 80 Combined Years of Experience in Engineering R&D, Industry, Academia, Consulting, and Expert Witness Litigation Support Over 120 Combined Deposition and Court Testimonies
Credibility:	Internationally Recognized in Our Areas of Expertise More Than $19 Million in Peer-reviewed and Funded Research Grants Over 200 Combined Scientific Publications and Journal Articles
Communication:	Over 20 Different Undergraduate and Graduate-level University Courses Over 30 Invited Short Courses, Talks, and Lectures

Design Evaluation – Accident Investigation – Intellectual Property - Failure Analysis – Fire Cause & Origin – Component Testing - Computer Aided Drafting – Accident Animation - Expert Witness & Litigation Support

www.ExpertEngineering.com

Mechanical Engineer - Turbomachinery Expert. Gas turbine engines, steam turbines, jet engines, compressors, pumps, expanders, generators, cogeneration, combustion equipment, diesel engines, and reciprocating compressors. 

Failure analysis, stress analysis, mechanical design, design analysis, troubleshooting, performance analysis, durability assessment. Access to metallurgical laboratory. Experienced Expert witness. 

Please see our Service List at https://sbkushnick.com/servicelist.pdf for a concise description.

Bransford Pickett, PE, BSc, MScBA, has over 25 years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer. A California Registered Professional Engineer, Mr. Pickett holds a BSE from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a MScBA in Finance from San Diego State University. His Materials Handling and Engineering Consulting Services are offered to insurance and end user companies nationally and internationally. The combination of field expertise, engineering, and regulatory compliance experience provide Mr. Pickett's clients with a complete package of services. The depth and breadth of his expertise covers many successful design projects including commercial and military ships, many complex material handling activities, testing requirements of shipboard system, and development and implementation of compliance programs. Many of the major projects include first of a kind challenges such as the Exxon Valdez post - accident docking and structural repairs, commission testing of navy auxiliary ships’ equipment including fueling systems, the US Navy Shughart Class Container Ship Conversion program, as well as shaft and appurtenance handling on the US Navy Watson Class ships. Included in these projects were planned engineered multi - crane lifts that reached in excess of 400 tons. These projects focused on safe, economic, simple designs compliant with applicable state and federal regulations, and national standards.

Engineered Material Handling Design and Review:

• Services include single and multi-crane lift plans, material transport, and equipment testing. Design, review and analysis of supporting calculation of stresses imposed on lifting, supporting structure, and material handling equipment, and rigging gear. Equipment specification scope and review

Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering:

• Perform intact, damage and probabilistic damage stability, and structural analysis on marine structures including barges, ships, and complimentary structures in accordance with regulatory bodies; ABS, Federal or State government

Training and Compliance:

• Operator training compliance to National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, NCCCO, requirements for tower crane, mobile crane, overhead crane, articulating crane operator training and certification, signal person, and rigger certification
• Compliance covers applicable national and international standards that include the ABS, ASTM, ASM, ASME, ANSI, WSTDA, ALI, etc. and DIN, EN, FEM to list a few. National regulations include state and federal OSHA requirements as well as DOE, military specifications and standards

View Bransford Pickett's Expert Witness Profile.