Richard Murray, P.E. Mechanical Engineer & Industrial Machinery Expert

Richard Murray, Mechanical Engineer & Industrial Machinery Expert

Richard Murray is a Mechanical Engineer and industrial safety expert. His expertise is in machine design, automation, and guarding; manufacturing processes; and other complex mechanical devices and systems. Richard’s forensic casework involves machine and industrial safety issues, business interruption claims, and intellectual property disputes.

Starting his professional career as a machine shop technician, Richard worked as a machinist, weldor, and fabricator while earning his engineering degree. After graduation, he spent 17 years working in the design, integration, installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of custom industrial machinery; in the research and development of novel mechanical systems; and in academia instructing undergraduates in physics and engineering science.

Richard has amassed experience across a diverse range of machinery, industrial systems, and automation solutions. He has designed large and small equipment used in consumer products, industrial processes, and military applications.

Richard earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stony Brook University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and is a Certified Solidworks Professional (CSWP) in Mechanical Design. Richard holds multiple U.S. Patents, and he has been published in a variety of scientific and technical publications.

Engineering and Technical Experience

Core Technical Areas:
Kinematic and dynamic analysis of machinery, mechanisms, and mechanical devices; failure analysis and root-cause analysis (including human factors); identification and causality of defects / deficiencies in design, manufacturing, testing, maintenance, and operation of mechanical systems; manufacturing processes (including traditional and modern); impact, shock, and vibration; automation and industrial processes.

Specialty Expertise:
Automation Equipment: (including fully automated systems, operator-assisted systems, and robot-integrated systems); electrical and pneumatic actuators and motors (linear and rotary); cutters and blades; web handling and form-fill-seal packaging machinery; vacuum sealing; presses and die sets; welding and annealing equipment; sorting machines; conveyors, and material handling systems; machine safety, guarding, enclosures, interlocks, and emergency stops; robotic integration, mounting, end effector design, and motion planning.

Manufacturing Processes: including conventional and CNC drilling, tapping, milling, turning, and grinding; welding processes including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (“stick”), Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG/Heliarc), and Laser Beam Welding; oxy-acetylene welding, brazing, and cutting; heat treating; sawing; boring, and broaching; sheet metal fabrication.

Assembly Processes: including bolted and riveted joints, and joint design; fastener selection, torque specification, and loosening / tampering prevention; precision alignment techniques; press and shrink fitting; gaskets and seals; bonded joints (adhesives).

Materials: including selection and testing based on strength, thermal properties, wear resistance, fatigue resistance, elasticity, etc.

Analysis and design of frames and structures subjected to static and/or dynamic loads.

Analysis and Design of Machinery and Machine Elements: including stress and strain analysis; component failure prevention; linkages and cams; springs and flexures; bearings; gears and gear trains; clutches, brakes, couplings, and flywheels; power transmitting belts and chains; wire ropes and chains; shafts and axles; pressure and vacuum piping, fittings, and vessels.

Engineering Design: including concept generation and evaluation; optimization; Computer Aided Design (CAD); Design for Assembly and Design for Manufacturing; schematics, blueprints, and assembly instructions; specification of Limits and Fits and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).

Industrial Operations and Maintenance: Millwrighting, rigging, alignment, and balancing; preventive and predictive maintenance; heavy trucking, warehousing, and materials handling.

Specialized Industries and Processes: including medical device assembly and packaging; high-g shock and vibration hardening; computerized vision systems; research and development of novel mechanical systems; electrical and pyrotechnic initiation devices; energy harvesting; piezoelectric materials; design of experiments and laboratory apparatus.

Supervisory Experience

Supervise, train, and mentor junior engineers, machinists, and technicians in industrial and laboratory settings.

Project Management Experience

Author project proposals; develop, maintain, and monitor project budgets and schedules; vet and negotiate with suppliers; manage outsourced services (machining, welding, coatings, specialty processes); specify and source major capital equipment acquisitions; compose technical reports, patent applications, presentations, and marketing materials.

Professional Experience

Robson Forensic, Inc.

Associate

2022 to present

Provide technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony toward the resolution of commercial and personal injury litigation involving all types of machinery, mechanisms, and mechanical devices.

Coastal Carolina University
Department of Physics and Engineering Sciences

Teaching Associate

2016 to present

Instructor of Record for ENGR-102—Engineering Graphics Communication and ENGR-234—Engineering Mechanics I: Statics. In ENGR 102: Delivered a comprehensive curriculum ensuring that students can effectively communicate their design intents (or interpret the intents of others) throughout the engineering design process. In ENGR 234: Instructed students in the rigorous analysis of statically determinate systems. Focus was on efficient, systematic, and thorough analysis by presenting strategies to attack broad classes of physical systems.

Laboratory / Recitation Instructor for introductory physics courses. Provided focused instruction to individuals or groups performing in-class problem-solving and laboratory experiments. Worked with students to unwind misconceptions and gain a true understanding of the phenomena at hand, as well as demonstrated straightforward, systematic, and efficient approaches to solving problems and running experiments. The goal of these efforts was to impart the conceptual knowledge, computational skills, and general confidence needed for students to independently reach correct solutions to complex problems.

Solara Automation

Mechanical Engineer

2015 to 2016

Designed custom automated industrial workcells, usually including robots and machine vision. Principal Engineer on a variety of major projects, from spearheading conceptual design activities, to performing engineering analysis and detailed mechanical design. Worked closely with controls engineers, vision specialists, and robot programmers. Coordinated with shop foreman to oversee fabrication.

Dri Mark Products, Inc.

Engineering Consultant

2014 to 2015

Diagnosed and repaired mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems in a plant with 20+ automated assembly and packaging machines as well as 13 injection molding machines. Developed plans for modernizing the in-house machine shop. Evaluated company’s current maintenance, repair, and overhaul procedures and develop plans for improvement. Screened and interviewed candidates for machinist, mechanic, and technical positions.

Adaptive Manufacturing Technologies/Quick Pouch

Senior Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager

2013 to 2014

Generated conceptual and detailed designs of custom automatic loading and post-processing equipment to interface with the company’s standard line of form-fill-seal packaging machines. Executed high-level, mission-critical engineering tasks while directing junior engineers and drafters to complete more basic design work.

Omnitek Partners, LLC

2006 to 2019
Facility Security Officer (FSO) 2009 to 2019

Worked with the Department of Defense’s Defense Security Service to ensure company’s compliance with the National Industrial Security Program. Trained to identify threats and vulnerabilities to classified and proprietary information and materials. Conducted semiannual audits of company’s program and reported to Industrial Security Service representatives.

Senior Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager 2006 to 2013

Generated conceptual designs, detailed designs, and directed the manufacturing (in-house and outsourced) of a wide array of projects throughout their lifecycles in an innovation, research, and development laboratory dedicated to developing novel solutions to highly challenging or previously unaddressed technical problems, mainly under contract with the Department of Defense. Searched solicitation listings and authored technical proposals; conceptual design, analysis, modeling, detailed design, testing, implementation, publishing of results, and transitioning prototypes into production designs. Expertise in energy harvesting, inertia-driven mechanisms, high-G hardening, construction of laboratory and test equipment, and more generally the development and refinement of conceptual designs in novel mechanical systems.

Recruited, interviewed, and recommend job candidates. Trained and mentored machine shop and technical staff.

Adaptive Manufacturing Technologies

2003 to 2006
Mechanical Engineer 2005 to 2006

Worked with senior engineering staff to develop conceptual and detailed designs for custom automation machinery. Extensive use of Solidworks 3D modeling software. Worked with machinists and assembly mechanics to bring projects to completion. Maintained task lists, schedules, bills of materials, and participated in procurement.

Machine Builder 2003-2005

Mechanical and electrical construction and troubleshooting of complex automation machines. Performed welding and finishing of machine frames; wiring of electrical panels; conventional machining of parts (lathe, mill, surface, grinder); CNC machining of parts (writing g-code, CNC tooling and setup, program execution); building, mounting, aligning, plumbing, and wiring subassemblies; constructing and installing safety and guarding systems; troubleshooting completed machines; factory acceptance testing; readying machines for shipping.

J&S Precision Balancing/Analysis Technology Systems

Mechanical Technician

2002 to 2003

Executed corrective-action projects: repairing, aligning, and balancing rotary machinery that was found to be in poor condition by a vibration analyst. Mainly performed field service work with high-capacity air handlers, HVAC equipment, and industrial process machinery.

Straightline Transportation

Mechanical Technician / Owner

1997 to 2002

Operated and maintained a small fleet of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks and trailers in a family-owned business. Operated a wide range of manual and powered material handling equipment. Developed maintenance schedules and performed mechanical repairs to trucks, trailers, and equipment. Maintained Class-A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with endorsements for Hazardous Materials, Double and Triple Trailers, Tow Trucks, and Busses. Developed schedules and optimized logistics in a rapidly changing environment.

Professional Credentials

  • Licensed Engineer: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina
  • Certified Solidworks Professional (CSWP): Mechanical Design
  • Certified Solidworks Professional (CSWP): Advanced Drawing Tools
  • Solidworks Accredited Educator

Education

B.Eng., Mechanical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Continuing Education

  • OSHA 10 Hour General Industry, ClickSafety, 2022
  • Accelerated Welding Trades, Eastern Suffolk BOCES Milliken Technical Center, 2001
  • Machining and Manufacturing Workshop, Stony Brook University, 2000

Professional Memberships

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Conference Proceedings

Ervin, Matthew, Carlos Pereira, John Miller, Ronald Outlaw, Jay Rastegar, and Richard Murray. "High Frequency Supercapacitors for Piezo-based Energy Harvesting." In APS March Meeting Abstracts, vol. 2013, pp. Q1-317. 2013.

Jahangir Rastegar and Richard Murray. “Development of High-Efficiency Piezoelectric-Based Energy Harvesting Power Sources Using Motion-Doubling Mechanisms”. In: Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems. Vol. 56048. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 2013, V002T07A025.

Jahangir Rastegar and Richard Murray. “Novel Two-Stage Electrical Energy Generators for Low and Variable Speed Rotary Machinery”. In: Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems. Vol. 56048. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 2013, V002T07A024.

J Rastegar, R Murray, and M Bridge. “Energy harvesting device for power generation onboard gravity-dropped weapons”. In: Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2012. Vol. 8341. International Society for Optics and Photonics. 2012, p. 83411C.

J Rastegar, R Murray, and C Pereira. “Novel motion-doubling mechanism for improved piezoelectric energy harvesting performance”. In: Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2012. Vol. 8341. SPIE. 2012, pp. 516–523.

J. Rastegar, R. Murray, R. Tillinghast, C. Pereira, H.-L. Nguyen. “Energy harvesting from mortar tube firing impulse to supplement fire-control electronics battery”. In: Energy Harvesting and Storage: Materials, Devices, and Applications II. Vol. 8035. International Society for Optics and Photonics. 2011, p. 803516.

J. Rastegar, R. Murray, C. Pereira, H.-L. Nguyen. “Energy-harvesting power sources for gun-fired munitions”. In: Energy Harvesting and Storage: Materials, Devices, and Applications II. Vol. 8035. SPIE. 2011, pp. 269–277.

J. Rastegar, R. Murray, C. Pereira, H-L. Nguyen. “Energy-harvesting power sources for very-high-G gun-fired munitions”. In: Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2010. Vol. 7643. International Society for Optics and Photonics. 2010, p. 76430D.

Richard Murray and Jahangir Rastegar. “A Review of Three Patents Relating to the Development of Novel Inertia-Driven Mechanisms for Igniters On-Board Gun-Fired Munitions”. In: International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Vol. 44106. 2010, pp. 1217–1218.

J Rastegar and R Murray. “Development and commercialization strategy for piezoelectric energy-harvesting power sources for gun-fired munitions”. In: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies 2010. Vol. 7645. International Society for Optics and Photonics. 2010, p. 764502.

J Rastegar and R Murray. “Novel two-stage piezoelectric-based electrical energy generators for low and variable speed rotary machinery”. In: Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2010. Vol. 7643. SPIE. 2010, pp. 110–117.

Jahangir Rastegar and Richard Murray. “A Review of Two Patents Relating to Novel Energy Harvesting Techniques to Provide Electrical Power On-Board Gun-Fired Projectiles”. In: International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Vol. 44106. 2010, pp. 1213–1215.

R Murray and J Rastegar. “Novel Multi-Stage Inertia-Driven Delay and Switching Mechanisms”. In: International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Vol. 49040. 2009, pp. 781–787.

R Murray and J Rastegar. “Novel Two-Stage Electrical Energy Generators for Highly-Variable and Low Speed Linear or Rotary Input Motions”. In: International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Vol. 49040. 2009, pp. 789–796.

R Murray and J Rastegar. “Novel two-stage piezoelectric-based ocean wave energy harvesters for moored or unmoored buoys”. In: Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2009. Vol. 7288. SPIE. 2009, pp. 184–195.

J Rastegar and R Murray. “Novel two-stage piezoelectric-based electrical energy generators for low and variable speed rotary machinery”. In: Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2009. Vol. 7288. International Society for Optics and Photonics. 2009, 72880B.

J. Rastegar, R. Murray, C. Pereira, H.-L. Nguyen. “Event sensing and energy-harvesting power sources for gun-fired munitions”. In: Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2009. Vol. 7288. International Society for Optics and Photonics. 2009, 72880Z.

J. Rastegar, R. Murray, C. Pereira, H.-L. Nguyen. “Integrated Event Sensing and Energy-Harvesting Power Sources for Gun-Fred Munitions”. In: SPIE 16th Annual International Symposium on: Smart Structures and Materials and Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring. Vol. 7288. 2009, p. 34.

Jahangir S Rastegar and Richard T Murray. “Novel Two-Stage Electrical Energy Generators for Highly Variable and Low-Speed Linear or Rotary Input Motions”. In: International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Vol. 43260. 2008, pp. 533–540.

J Rastegar and R Murray. “Novel vibration-based electrical energy generators for low and variable speed turbo-machinery”. In: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies 2007. Vol. 6527. SPIE. 2007, pp. 297–304.

J. Rastegar, R. Murray, C. Pereira, H-L. Nguyen. “Novel impact-based peak-energy locking piezoelectric generators for munitions”. In: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies 2007. Vol. 6527. SPIE. 2007, pp. 285–290.

J. Rastegar, R. Murray, C. Pereira, H.-L. Nguyen. “Novel piezoelectric-based energy-harvesting power sources for gun-fired munitions”. In: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies 2007. Vol. 6527. SPIE. 2007, pp. 291–296.

Publications

M. H. Ervin, C. M. Pereira, J. R. Miller, R. A. Outlaw, J. Rastegar and R. T. Murray “Graphene-based and other electrochemical double layer capacitors for energy harvesting systems”. In: ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology 2.10 (2013), p. M3135.

J Rastegar, H Soroff, and RT Murray. “Development of an Automated Laser Debridement System for Cutaneous Injuries”. In: Journal of Medical Devices 2.2 (2008).

Richard Murray. “Energy-harvesting power sources for a wide range of applications”. In: SPIE Newsroom (Jan. 2007). DOI: 10.1117/2.1200707.0810.

Patents

  • Collision barrier device for projecting loads, U.S. Patent #7708324, Published May 4, 2010.
  • Programmable inertial igniters for gun-fired munitions, thermal batteries and the like, U.S. Patent #8061271. Published November 22, 2011.
  • Portable wheelchair lift, U.S. Patent #7395900, Published July 8, 2008.
  • Mechanical delay mechanisms for inertial igniters for thermal batteries and the like, U.S. Patent #7587980, Published September 15, 2009.
  • Multi-stage mechanical delay mechanisms for inertial igniters for thermal batteries and the like. U.S. Patent #7587979, Published September 15, 2009.
  • Axially compact and low-volume mechanical igniter for thermal batteries and the like. U.S. Patent #7832335, Published November 16, 2010.
  • Compact and low-volume mechanical igniter and ignition systems for thermal batteries and the like. U.S. Patent #9160009, Published October 13, 2015.
  • Dynamo-type lanyard operated event detection and power generators. U.S. Patent #9112390, Published August 18, 2015.
  • Electrical generators for use in unmoored buoys and the like platforms with low-frequency and time-varying oscillatory motions. U.S. Patent #8134281, Published March 13, 2012.
  • Generators for very-high-G energy harvesting. U.S. Patent #8525392, Published September 3, 2013.
  • Gravity dropped munition having energy harvesting device for power generation onboard munition. U.S. Patent #10030958, Published July 7, 2018.
  • Gravity dropped small weapon electronic safe arm fuze and energy harvesting device for power generation onboard gravity dropped weapons. U.S. Patent #9383180, Published July 5, 2016.
  • Inertial igniters with safety pin for initiation with low setback acceleration. U.S. Patent App. #12/794763, Published December 8, 2011.
  • Method for generating power in a gravity dropped munition. U.S. Patent 9976839, May 22, 2018.
  • Miniature safe and arm (S and A) mechanisms for fuzing of gravity dropped small weapons. U.S. Patent #8701558, Published April 22, 2014.
  • Modular, Deployable Weapon System Mount. U.S. Patent App. #12/607322, Published May 27, 2010.
  • Novel Electrical Generators For Use In Unmoored Buoys And the Like Platforms With Low-Frequency and Time-Varying Oscillatory Motions. U.S. Patent App. #13/925743, Published January 30, 2014.
  • Power generation devices and methods having a locking element for releasably locking an elastic element storing potential energy. U.S. Patent #9071171, Published June 30, 2015.
  • Setback and set-forward activated electrical switches. U.S. Patent #8748762, Published June 10, 2014.
  • Setback and set-forward initiated inertial igniters and activated electrical switches. U.S. Patent #8418617, Published April 16, 2013.
  • Speed-adaptive deployable boat-tailing cone for munitions for range extension. U.S. Patent #8487227, Published July 16, 2013.
  • Compact mechanical inertia igniters for thermal batteries and the like. U.S. Patent #8931413, Published January 13, 2015.
  • Electrical generators for low-frequency and time-varying rocking and rotary motions. U.S. Patent #8410667, Published April 2, 2013.
  • Multi-stage mechanical delay mechanisms for inertial igniters for thermal batteries and the like having a rotatable movable member, U.S. Patent #8191476, Published June 5, 2012.
  • Axially compact mechanical igniter for thermal batteries and the like. U.S. Patent 7437995, Published October 21, 2008.
  • Countermeasure flares. U.S. Patent #10330446, Published June 25, 2019.
  • Integrated power source and safety mechanisms for submunitions self-destruct fuze and the like. U.S. Patent #8281719, Published October 9, 2012.
  • Method for providing electrical energy to a self-destruct fuze for submunitions contained in a projectile. U.S. Patent #9341458, Published May 17, 2016.
  • Power supply for providing electrical energy to a self-destruct fuze for submunitions contained in a projectile. U.S. Patent #9791252, Published October 17, 2017.

v. 03/13/23

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