Enabling World Changing Product Innovation

Most charging stations require hours to recharge a vehicle contributing to the limited viability of electric vehicles. When introduced, the ECOtality Blink DC Fast Charger was the fastest method for charging vehicles; it used intelligent, user-friendly features to intuitively and safely charge electric vehicles in under 30 minutes. ECOtality approached PADT to develop the Charge Dispensing Unit (CDU), the customer-facing part of the world’s first Blink DC Fast charger.  We utilized our in-house simulation expertise to assure reliable operation over a wide range of temperature, environmental, and operating conditions.

“PADT did a great job translating our prototype ideas into a fully-designed, manufacturable product. From multi-disciplinary engineering to project management to fabrication, PADT did it all. PADT worked collaboratively with our team to understand requirements and to solve technical hurdles in order to deliver a product that best fit our expectations.” – Garrett Beauregard, Senior VP of Engineering, ECOtality Inc.

RS Solutions was looking to develop a method to stop a wrong way driver (WWD) on the roadway ramp, by sending radio frequency (RF) waves into the engine compartment of the WWD vehicle.  In Phase I of the SBIR, RS Solutions demonstrated an RF system can successfully cause engine fault, which will stall the motor and require the driver to restart the engine.  Phase II of the SBIR expanded on the earlier work, looking to understand if this equipment could be effective across diverse vehicles and at differing speeds.  Along with consultation for engineering and test practices, PADT has been able to aid RS Solutions in several innovative developments during this Phase II effort.

“PADT came aboard on this project at an early conceptual stage to help RS Solutions win the Phase I SBIR and continued to support the project through our Phase II work. The team at PADT made valuable contributions to the projects through the entire process.”

– Jay Berens Owner and President, RS Solutions

Altius Space Machines has been developing a system that enables transfer of anhydrous ammonia propellant between orbiting spacecraft. Within this system, they have a mission-critical and complicated valve assembly. Altius needed to understand how this assembly would behave from a vibration standpoint during launch. Altius’ and PADT’s goal during this analysis was to understand the resonant natural frequencies along with the excited modes and their relative energy present during launch of the assembly.

“PADT delivered above and beyond what was expected and worked closely with our team to support the entire process rather than just handing off a finished product. The end result was a realistic vibration simulation model that agreed well with tests, and a complete understanding of the results and process. Will be reaching out again and recommending to others.”
– Keith Drake, Test, Prototype, Facilities, and Operations Manager, Altius Space Machines

OrthoSensor contacted PADT Medical in 2009 to aid with the development of their early-stage prototypes and regulatory activities. A true collaborative partnership was born, and PADT has continued to work with OrthoSensor throughout every stage of product design and development. During this period, Orthosensor has commercialized the first set of Intelligent Instruments and leveraged the technology to expand their product line. Their local engineering group continues to rent a suite of offices and a lab within the walls of PADT.
“PADT’s Design Team was instrumental in working with Orthosensor throughout the design and development activities of the Orthosensor Knee Balance. Their commitment and flexibility to our business needs allowed us to bring our product to market in a significantly shortened period of time.” – Juan C Fernandez, COO, Orthosensor Inc

Globalstar was searching for an engineering firm to design the next generation of their successful family of SPOT products. The global satellite messenger is required to work under demanding outdoor conditions, across a wide temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) and altitude range (-100 meters to +6500 meters). It has to be waterproof, durable, droppable, marine oriented, and RoHS compliant.
“PADT has been like an extension of our own design team and totally understood our unique product design constraints from the get go. Despite ever evolving product requirements and short design cycles, they managed to stick to their original schedule and provide a successful product design. Additionally, their ability to coordinate with our overseas manufacturing partner has proved invaluable for getting through the difficult last stages of high volume mass production.”
– Eric Blanchard, Senior Design Engineer, Globalstar Inc