SIMULATION AND ANALYSIS SOLVES A HOT ISSUE

About

The company was founded in 1947 and is based in Richland, Mississippi. The Calvert Company Inc. operates as a subsidiary of AZZ Incorporated. AZZ/Calvert is a leading provider of Isolated Phase, Segregated Phase, Non-Segregated Phase bus systems and services. From the design and installation of new equipment to preventative maintenance, engineering studies and IPB upgrades, Calvert is a single-source partner.

The Challenge

Recently AZZ/Calvert had collected thermal images of high amperage isolated phase buses in operation which showed elevated temperatures at certain bus terminations. The thermal images showed hot spots. A better understanding of the overall distribution of electromagnetic fields and currents throughout the isolated phase bus system was needed to determine ways of mitigating the hot spot problem.

MEP Center's Role

An InnovateMEP Mississippi (a NIST MEP affiliate) team from Mississippi State University (MSU), composed of engineers from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) Extension, developed a complete three-dimensional electromagnetic/thermal simulation model. Using preliminary bus simulation results, InnovateMEP Center at MSU-CAVS-E, in conjunction with AZZ/Calvert, developed engineering solutions to the hot spot problem, and ran a number of additional models based on the resulting modifications proposed for the bus system. AZZ/Calvert took these results and implemented standard product designs that were key to securing a solution that lead to an increase in sales and cost savings.

Results

• $500,000 in increased sales
• $250,000 cost savings
• $116,000 investment in infrastructure and new products/processes

“InnovateMEP Center at MSU-CAVS-E and AZZ/Calvert have worked well as a team to solve several technical problems. Our relationship within Mississippi State University and InnovateMEP Center has been a unique and successful bridge between industry and functional experts in the academic community. This partnership has been a critical piece of AZZ taking our technical abilities and reputation to the next level.”

Kelly Warnock, General Manager