Will Ayers

Experience

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  FGMI/Morrison Knudsen (at Fort Knox Mine)

  Jan 1996 - Jan 1999

  Plant I & E Tech

  Gained extensive experience troubleshooting medium and low voltage feed breakers, motors, VFDs, ground fault detectors, etc. doing it alone regularly as the only electrical tech on swing, graveyard and weekend rotational shifts. Regularly calibrated and troubleshot temperature, level, pressure, flow, and other instrumentation. Identified and completed numerous changes to the DCS/PLC control system. Transitioned into role from MK as Electrical Field Tech during four months of construction/start-up. Received GE LCI and AB PLC schooling. Show less

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  General Electric Automation Services

  Jan 2000 - Sept 2004

  Project Engineer

  Involved in all phases of the design, manufacture, and installation of propulsion and alarm systems for five Washington State ferries and the cruise ship EMPRESS OF THE NORTH. Designed three of their EOS control consoles. Performed testing and solved punch list items. Integrated USCG CFR, IEEE and ABS regulatory requirements into designs. Assisted with Failure Mode and Effect Analyses, Design Verification Test Procedures, and load and voltage drop calculations. Received GE DC2000 and Control System Toolbox schooling. Show less

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  Washington State Ferries (WSF)

  Sept 2004 - Jan 2016

  Electrical Engineer

  Worked in support of the Chief Naval Architect in scoping, specifying, and designing all phases of marine electrical systems. Oversaw manufacturer submittals and worked with shipyards during installation phases. Uncovered design disconnects and recommended solutions. Technical lead on MV TACOMA emergency repairs and modifications of 4160V propulsion switchboards after double arc flash event. Specified replacement surge arresters and voltage regulators with greatly improved features. After a control wiring failure 9 months later, recommended and implemented safety system wiring and relay logic changes. Guided organization towards hybrid options for MV HYAK, crafted RFI letter and wrote the bulk of RFP technical specifications. Investigated a wide variety of technologies including PWM drives, variable speed AC, DC power grids, ultracapacitors and various types of lithium-ion batteries. Designed all electrical contract drawings for the Subchapter T Keller Ferry. Utilized LTSpice to simulate 6-pulse SCR drive system aboard MV KLAHOWYA and stamped 45-page report regarding ripple current, load reactors, interpole air gaps, and shunting resistors. Oversaw a contractor’s arc flash study obtaining significant reductions after performing rotational inertia calculations. Designed four motor control centers for MV HYAK. Designed and troubleshot impressed current protective systems for five vessels. System designs involved propulsion, alarm and monitoring and datalogging systems. Created I/O point lists for three AMS systems. Wrote the specifications for MV ELWHA’s $1.5 million PCS control upgrade. Designed a PLC-based bilge valve control system for MV ELWHA. Received Basler DECS-100 training and modified setpoints onboard two vessels. Show less

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  Ayers Electrical Engineering

  Nov 2012 - Jan 2016

  Owner

  Built small business supplying marine electrical engineering services, including website creation, networking and marketing. Completed fault current and coordination studies for an "eco cruise ship” and a large shore-power system for another cruise ship, both to DNV rules. Prepared a report for a client’s ABS submittal concerning a large Ro-Ro cargo vessel.

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  Elliott Bay Design Group

  Jan 2016 - now

  Chief Electrical Engineer

  I excel in vessel electrical system studies, electrical system software modeling, and all levels of system design on a marine vessel. Highlights:• Led a team at EBDG to develop a comprehensive hybrid feasibility study for Washington State Ferries (WSF) and their largest Jumbo Mark II Class. Developed the life cycle cost analysis that helped justify funding to the legislature. Continue supporting WSF with frequent reviews of propulsion system integrator drawings and studies.• Developed purchase technical specifications, life cycle cost analyses and design drawings for a new large ferry design that will operate as plug-in hybrids making all-electric crossings on two very different routes. • Currently developing construction drawings and technical specifications for the conversion of a 70-car ferry to hybrid propulsion.• Supported scoping, feasibility and vendor RFIs/RFPs with over seven other passenger vessels to operate in hybrid or plug-in mode.• Developed arc flash studies that included vessel visits, equipment inspections and software modeling for six passenger/vehicle ferries for the Texas Department of Transportation• Investigated and performed a root cause analysis for a small propulsion system electrical fire on a large diesel-electric ferry.• Designed a solar powered electrical system onboard a very large wave making machine. • Supported client with a regulatory crisis regarding a non-existent failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and device verification test procedures (DVTP) for a just installed car ferry steering system. • Generated a fault current/coordination study and PSTP on very short notice to respond to a regulatory predicament for an inland waterways passenger vessel.• Worked with a shipyard and propulsion systems vendor on the design and construction of an 80m factory trawler.• Wrote four technical papers on hybrid propulsion and battery technology and have given ten such presentations at trade shows and conferences. Show less