Richard Sayles, Ph.D.rick-sayles

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

The University of Maine
5711 Boardman Hall, Room 221
Orono, ME  04469-5711
(207) 581-2126; sayles@maine.edu

PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Brown University, 1981

External Engagements:

  • Access Technology, Bangor, ME, 1998
  • Central Maine Power, Augusta, ME, 1994
  • G.S. Edwards Co., Pittsfield, ME, 1989
  • Maine Yankee Atomic Power Co., Wiscasset, ME, 1987
  • Westinghouse Electric Co., Pittsburgh, PA, 1976
  • Naval Underwater Systems Center, Newport, RI, 1975

Teaching Areas: (More Information)

Statics; Strength of Materials; Fluid Mechanics & Fluid Mechanics II; Intro to the Finite Element Method

Research Areas: (Expanded View)

  • Approximate solutions for the viscous and thermal boundary layers on elongating surfaces.
  • Calibration of Photovoltaic Cells for use as Pyranometers.
  • Finite Element Analysis of Natural Convection Heat Transfer of a Horizontally Baffled Enclosure.
  • An Experimental Assessment of Parallel Heating Systems Coupled with Thermal Storage Media Installed within a Single, Highly Insulated Building Envelope.
  • A Finite Element Analysis of the Upper Jet Region of a Fiber Drawing Flow Field of a Temperature-Sensitive Material.

Principal Sponsors:

  • M.P., G. S. Edwards, Haines, Lundberg, Waehler Assoc., Duratherm Window Co.

Select Research / Collaboration Activities:

  • Approximate solutions for viscous and thermal boundary layers on elongating surfaces.
  • Approximate Solution for the Viscous Boundary Layer Flow Longitudinal to a Cylinder.
  • Interaction Between Radiation and Natural Convection Heat Transfer in a Horizontally Baffled Enclosure.
  • Calibration of Photovoltaic Cells for use as Pyranometers.

Select Publications / Conference Presentations:

  • “Approximate Solution for the Viscous Boundary Layer Flow Longitudinal to a Cylinder,” AIChE J., 36, No. 12, pp.1917-1919, 1990.
  • “Calibration of Photovoltaic Cells for use as Pyranometers” , Report to Central Maine Power Co., June 1989.
  • “Interaction Between Radiation and Natural Convection Heat Transfer in a Horizontally Baffled Enclosure”, with J. H. Poland, G. L. Lucarelli, and T. Norton; presented by Poland at the International Congress on Renewable Resources, Madrid, Spain, 1986.
  • “A Local Similarity Solution for the Viscous Boundary Layer Flow Longitudinal to a Cylinder, AIAA Journal, Vol. 22, No. 5 1984.
  • “A Finite Element Analysis of the Upper Jet Region of a Glass Fiber Drawing Flow Field”, with B. Caswell; presented at the Fifth International Symposium on Finite Elements and Flow Problems, Austin, Texas, 1984.

Professional Activities / Memberships:

  • ASME