Some things take time

When I first came to work at Sundstrand in 1969 in the Engineering department of Sundstrand Hydraulics, I was given a project that had been tried by several other engineers. The object was to take the two mini pumps, one which operated electrically and the other hydraulically and marry them in one pump. I put forth my best effort for many months with no success. Giving up I moved on to my real reason for being there, running the Engineering Laboratory. I continued to perform those duties until 1984, when I transferred into the Marketing and Sales department to become the Field Service Engineer. During this period the division was sold and became Suntec. Over the years I worked my way up to managing the department. My career there lasted until I retired in 2003.

After announcing my retirement, I was taking a tour of the plant with my designated replacement. He was a former employee of Sundstrand Hydraulics and familiar with its history. While standing at the transfer line, he said, “Your eyes just lit up”. I said I know how to make that pump. He asked, what pump. I said the one I was supposed to figure out 34 years ago.

I got a bucket and gathered up the parts and we took them into the Engineering Lab. After they were assembled, we put them on a test stand and the pump worked in both modes, hydraulic and electric. The information was turned over to the Engineering Department, suggested they call it the 30-06, and I basically forgot about it.

About six months later I got a call from Suntec’s chief Engineer. He was wondering if I had given my replacement any help on the 30-06 pump. It seems my replacement had applied for a patent on the pump. I replied that my replacement whose background was in business, couldn’t pour piss out of boot if the instructions were on the heel. I told him I didn’t care whose names they included on the patent but mine should be on the top.

Well, it is, and a copy of that patent hangs proudly on my wall. It only took me 34 years to find the answer.