Improved, Flexible Infrastructure Compatible, Open-Loop Air-Cooled Computer Rack / Cabinet

Global Technical Systems (GTS), prime contractor and lead design agent for the Common Processing System (CPS) offers innovative research and development for the cooling of electronic enclosures to the Navy in response to the need for an Improved, Flexible Infrastructure Compatible, Open-Loop Air-Cooled Computer Rack/ Cabinet. Traditional cooling methods for enclosures rely on liquid based heat exchangers and/or local fan assemblies to force air through components. Typical air cooled arrangements intake air from compartments in which they are located and return warmer air into the housing space. Conversely, closed loop liquid cooled enclosures make use of radiators to dissipate heat. Both approaches have detrimental impact to available rack space utilization for computing equipment and introduce unnecessary failure points. This proposal seeks to leverage the Flexible Infrastructure (FI) advancements developed for new ship construction that permit compartment reconfiguration while reducing energy consumption and lifecycle costs. The proposed Phase I study will analyze approaches to integration of the Advanced COTS Enclosure (ACE) with FI, and evaluate resulting design changes. Efforts will determine worst case heat dissipation and utilize the CPS payload to apply the innovative air cooled concept to characterize an active dampening system recommendation for prototype development in Phase II.