Passive Cooling for Aircraft Carrier Jet Blast Deflectors

In Phase I, the project team of American Maglev Technology of Florida (AMT) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) studied the feasibility of novel high-strength, high-conductivity, and lighter-weight Aluminum-Cerium (Al-Ce) decking combined structurally and thermally with a highly conductive graphite foam used in conjunction with phase-change material (PCM) to create a passive cooling solution to thermally protect the aircraft carrier flight deck. The new decking solution would be integrated with the jet blast deflector (JBD) system to eliminate the need for active cooling systems and realize a significant reduction in maintenance requirements. A much lighter-weight structure on the aircraft carrier itself will enable fuel savings and increased payload.ĀAt the end of the Phase II base period and two subsequent Option periods, AMT will have developed a prototype, passive JBD system for delivery and evaluation to determine its capability in meeting the requirementsĀspecified by the Navy.Ā During the base period, the project team will utilize and apply restricted dataĀto its preliminary models developed during Phase I. This will allow AMT and ORNL to update and validate the model, thereby increasing its fidelity. The JBD front and back surfaces will be evaluated, and the further effects of this heat sink structure on the back of the JBD will be considered. Magnesium content in the Al-Ce alloy will be analyzed, with a focus on heat treatment of lower-Mg content alloys. Thermal flow testing of additional Al-Ce infused graphite foam coupons will be executed using in-situ optical analysis of sub-scale PCM composite material constructed from layered Al-Ce alloy and PCM foam. This effort will enable rapid analysis of heat flow for different composite geometries, interface materials, and support structures and will allow the team to finalize PCM selection. At the end of the base period, the team will present a critical design review and manufacturing drawings to the Navy, along with detailed cost estimates for a full-scale JBD and JBD section to be fabricated during Option 1. In Option 1, AMT will coordinate the assembly of a section of JBD with Eck Industries, CFOAM, and HTS International, with testing and consulting from ORNL. At the conclusion of Option 1, the Navy will evaluate the subscale section of the JBD and testing results. If the Navy wishes to exercise Option 2, AMT and its partners will manufacture a second, ōbetaö prototype section of the JBD and install it in the field to perform a more robust testing program in coordination with the Navy for further validation of the novel, passive, deck-cooling concept. It is expected that the work completed by the project team during the 36-month Phase II period would provide the Navy and DoD with an effective, ready-to-implement solution that can be widely actualized during a Phase III program.