Philip Beckley

Philip Beckley

Philip Beckley (born 25 May 1936) is a British physicist, author, and lecturer.

Education and career details

• 1947-1955 - Monmouth School
• 1955-1957 - Royal Air Force - Lecturer in Air Radar Techniques
• 1957-1960 - University of Southampton - B.Sc. Hons. Gen.
• 1960-1963 - Trainee Metallurgist in Steel Co. of Wales, Newport
• 1963 - Institute of Physics Honours in their Graduateship Examination (equivalent of first class Class Hons. Degree in Physics)
• 1963-1968 - Senior Physicist, Orb Works, Newport
• 1968-1983 - Principal Research Officer, British Steel Corporation
• 1969 - Ph.D. Degree (Cardiff)
• 1972 - D.Sc. Degree
• 1972 - Fellow of the Institute of Physics
• 1977 - Fellow of the Institute of Metals
• 1981 - Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers
• 1983-1991 - Manager, Technical and Research, B.S. Electricals, Newport
• 1991-1996 - Manager, Technical and Research, European Electrical Steels
• 1996 - Honorary life member of UK Magnetics Society
• 1996-2007 - Independent consultant, Lecturer, Author
• 1997 - Senior Member I.E.E.E.
• 1988 - European Ingineer
• 1998 - European Physicist
• 2006 - qualified as Chartered Scientist

His research interests are in various aspects of magnetic materials: measurement techniques, magnetic domain properties, production methods, on-line measurement systems, development of new electrical steels, radiation gauging systems. He promotes of public awareness of science and mentors graduating students at Cardiff University.

Awards and prizes

• 1968 - City and Guilds Insignia Award (for his thesis "Sensors for Automation")
• 1989 - Honorary Chairman, American Society of Metals (Magnetics)
• 1970 - Fellow of Institution of Radio and Electronic Engineers (now absorbed into I.E.E.)
• 1995 - Stokowiec prize and medal for work on high alloy silicon steels^[1]
• 1997 - Appointed visiting Professor (Electrical Engineering) at University College Cardiff
• 1998 - John Wilkinson Medal, Staffs ISI.
• 2006 - IEC Special Centenary Award for his contributions to Electrotechnical Standards Activities

Research contracts

Beckley directed various E.E.C. research grants valued at £0.5 million over the past 10 years. He directed two successful Teaching Companies on developments related to Electrotechnical Steels. He also took part in the Electrotechnical Section of a major D.T.I. Grant on energy efficient motors, which was valued at £2.5 million. He is approved referee to Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council on magnetics projects and a member of its Peer Revue College.

Publications and patents

Beckley published more than 85 scientific papers covering many aspects of magnetic materials, production methods, physics of electrotechnical steels, magnetic measuring systems, etc. Many of these represent author's "hands-on" work.

A range of patents covering aspects of magnetic measurement and electrotechnical steel production. Particularly rollable coatings, domain control in G.O. steel and novel steel for efficient motors.

Books

• P. Beckley, Electrical Steels - a handbook for producers and users, European Electrical Steels, Newport, UK 2000, ISBN 0-9540039-0-X^[2]
• P. Beckley, Electrical Steels for Rotating Machines, Institution of Electrical Engineers, London, UK, 2002, ISBN 0-85296-980-5
• P. Beckley, The Effective Engineer, 2008, Newport, UK, ISBN 978-0-9556552-0-3^[3]

Patents

• P. Beckley, Production of grain oriented steel, UK Patent 4652316, 24 March 1987^[4]
• P. Beckley, Measurement of magnetic properties of electrical steels using a search coil partially defined by a fluid electrolyte, US Patent 5365170, 15 November 1994^[5]
• Z. Soghomonium, H. Stanbury, P. Beckley, A. Moses, Hardness testing of steels, International Patent W095/12821, May 1998
• G. Woodman, D. Snell, P. Beckley, Coating apparatus, US Patent 6277196, 21 August 2001^[6]

Major scientific articles

• P. Beckley, et al., Impact of surface coating insulation on small motor performance, IEE Proceedings, Electrical Power Applications, Vol. 145, No 5, September 1998, pp. 409–413 (Invited Paper)
• P. Beckley, P. C. Y. Ling, The challenge of higher frequencies to solid steels, Invited paper, Illinois Institute of Technology, Magnetic Materials Conference, April 1999
• P. Beckley, Modern steels for transformers and machines, Invited paper for IEE Power Engineering Journal, 1999
• Z.Soghomonium, P. Beckley, A. Moses, On-line hardness assessment of CRML steels, American Society of Materials Conference, Chicago, October 1996
• P. Beckley, J. Z. Cao, G. H. Shirkoohi, Cross section, thickness and approach to ferromagnetic saturation, Illinois Institute of Technology, Soft Magnetic Materials Conference, May 1998
• P. Beckley, Industrial magnetic measurements, Invited paper given at SMM 14, September 1999
• P. Beckley, M. Arikat, Continuous Assessment of steel cross sectional area by a resistivity method, IIT Conference, Chicago, May 1996
• P. Beckley, Safety Systems for lifting Magnets, IIT Conference, Chicago, May 2000,
• P. Beckley, Single Sided Power Loss Testers, IIT Conference, May 2001
• P . Beckley, Composite teeth for large alternators, I.I.T. Conference, Chicago, May 2004
• P. Beckley, Magnet assessment of Austenite in high alloy steels, EMSA Conference, Cardiff, July 2004

References