A cryogenic pump produced by Barber-Nichols Inc. (BNI) is featured in NASA Tech Briefs because it uses composite materials to increase pump efficiency and reduce conductive heat leak. Several modifications were made to the design and operation of the extended-shaft cryogenic pump to increase the pumping efficiency. In general, cryogenic fluid pumping efficiency is limited…

Barber-Nichols’ founders, Bob Barber and Ken Nichols cut the cake at the company’s 40th-anniversary celebration. Barber and Nichols met while both were employed at Hamilton Sundstrand, decided to go into business for themselves in 1966, and specialized in turbine engineering. Since that time, the company has grown to 61 employees, has fully integrated engineering and…

Barber-Nichols was awarded a confidential contract for two LNG Vapor Return Compressors to be installed at one billion cubic foot/day import terminal and regasification plant. Commercial operations will commence in 2008, will improve natural gas supplies in the Southwestern United States, and will bolster the regional economy. Additionally, project managers are working extensively with regional…

Michael Costas, RS-68 Program Manager, and Brant Julian, SM&P Senior Manager with Rocketdyne Propulsion and Power’s Expendable Propulsion Programs recognized Barber-Nichols Inc. (BNI) for work well done on the RS-68 Engine.  The RS-68 powers America’s newest space launch vehicle, the Delta IV. BNI uses a high-quality Electrochemical Machining process to produce the engine’s turbopump nozzle rings. During…

In a U.S. House of Representatives special orders proceeding, Colorado Congressman Bob Beauprez recognized Barber-Nichols Inc. (BNI) for its work with the United States Navy and the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The U.S. Navy is developing a defensive countermeasure known as the Anti-Torpedo Torpedo (ATT) to protect its surface ships from torpedo…

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center recognizes Barber-Nichols Inc. (BNI) in its recently released Annual 2004 Research and Technology Report.  This report highlights research and technology and how it supports NASA’s overall goals to increase safety, reduce the cost of space access, and rapidly expand commercial markets by infusing spaceport technology into all facets of current and future…