High Load Low Weight Universal Flexible Infrastructure System

A standardized flexible infrastructure (FI) system streamlining heavy cabinet upgrades on US Navy destroyer class ships is needed. ADA Technologies proposes to develop a High-Load Low-Weight FI system with enhanced load bearing capability over existing systems by leveraging an innovative load bearing mounting bracket to provide localized load support enabling significant weight savings in the accompanying rail system. In Phase I, we will focus on design optimization through finite-element analysis to meet the specified load and weight requirements. Currently available FI systems will be evaluated based on load rating versus weight for comparison. The best features of each will be combined with the novel load bearing mounting bracket concept into a design that will improve upon the existing systems in four areas critical to Naval ship FI systems including: (1) improved modularity in the rail system and customizable mounting with easily installed cross members to accommodate irregular bolt patterns without adding height to the system, (2) simplified rail cross section for single process manufacturing, (3) weight-specific load bearing mounting brackets that add strength to the support structure as needed further minimizing the weight of the rails, and (4) finite-element optimization of strength to weight ratio.