Harris J. Ryan

Harris J. Ryan Harris Joseph Ryan (January 8, 1866 – July 3, 1934) was an American professor of electrical engineering. He was elected in 1920 to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Ryan served as the American Institute of Electrical Engineers AIEE's president for a one-year term from 1923 to 1924, and the AIEE recognized his research on "High voltage high-tension Electric power transmission transmission of power" by the 1925 award of the Edison Medal. Quotes The power diagram indicator was produced as a feasible, inexpensive instrument to observe dielectric or similar stray power losses that occur in High voltage cable high-tension circuits. 1 A Cathode ray cathode-ray pointer is used to trace the power diagram. It is actuated Electrostatics electrostatically. The pressure of the high-tension circuit applied to “quadrants” causes a proportional displacement of the ray-pointer in one axis; the pressure drop between the terminals of a Capacitor#History condenser in series with the high-tension circuit is applied to the other pair of quadrants and gives the ray-pointer a quadrature velocity proportional to the current. The ray-pointer is thus made to trace a diagram that encloses an area proportional to the Electromotive force e.m.f.-current-time product. 2 Alternating current will produce a closed diagram or “card” having an area which is proportional to the energy of the circuit delivered per cycle. At constant frequency, therefore, the card-area measures the power applied in the circuit. The form of the card tells of many things besides the amount of power just as the Indicator diagram#History steam-engine indicator card does in steam engineering. A power diagram indicator for high-tension circuits Proceedings of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers 30 4 April 1911 511–535 10.1109/PAIEE.1911.6659700 The author describes a high voltage Potentiometer (measuring instrument) potentiometer which may be made at reasonable expense consisting of a water resistance potential distributor and a sparking probe Voltage potential difference detector. The water resistance consists of a column of water moving slowly through an ample length of garden hose, and tapping in points through which to connect the probe are provided by breaking the hose at regular intervals and connecting it with any of the plain metal connectors found on the market as “hose menders”. The high-voltage potentiometer Proceedings of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers 35 8 August 1916 10.1109/PAIEE.1916.6590137 The existing conditions in recent years have served to emphasize the importance of vast extensions pf the high-voltage power networks for the reclamation water powers, the conservation of fuel and to enhance the economic use of existing Power station#History power plants. Power engineering Power engineers have, therefore, been engrossed in comprehensive studies of all essentials that relate to a nation-wide extension of electric power service. In these studies power transmission engineers who know the status of high-voltage transformers, Swtichgear switch gear and Overhead_power_line#Insulators line insulators have acquired the conviction that a decided increase in line voltage may now be undertaken with safety in new projects when warranted by economic considerations. Researches in High-Voltage Insulation Electrical World 75 1 January 31, 1920 https://books.google.cg/books?id=C6svAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA254 254–256 (quote from p. 254) Quotes about Harris Joseph Ryan Biographical Memoir of Harris Joseph Ryan (1938) Ryan's first approach to the laboratory study of high voltage phenomena was in 1893 when he constructed at Cornell an oil immersed 30,000 volt transformer. This, on trial, promptly burned out and was replaced by one with air insulation. This was again rebuilt in 1899 for 90,000 volts and continued to give good service for many years thereafter. William F. Durand, Biographical Memoir of Harris Joseph Ryan 1868-1934 1938 XIX 285–306 https://www.nasonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ryan-harris-j.pdf (quote from p. 293) In recognition of Ryan's outstanding work in the field of high voltage Electric power transmission long distance transmission and as an evidence of the desire for its assured continuance, the leading public service companies of California together with manufacturers of electrical equipment, in 1923-24, provided funds for the establishment of a modern up-to-date high-tension laboratory at Stanford University where fundamental research in connection with these problems could be carried on in advance of the industry. This laboratory, with equipment complete and in working order, was opened in 1926, with demonstration of its capacity for producing and handling electricity under tensions up to 2,000,000 volts. In compliment to the man whose work was recognized by this splendid memorial, the laboratory has been given his name and is known as the Harris J. Ryan High Tension Laboratory. p.295 External links Category:1866 births Category:1934 deaths Category:Academics from the United States Category:Cornell University alumni Category:Cornell University faculty Category:Electrical engineers Category:Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences Category:People from Pennsylvania Category:Stanford University faculty