Aspen Systems, Inc. (ASI), develops electronics cooling systems for airborne, ground, and sea based applications where Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) is critical. Founded in 1984, ASI is a small business that specializes in cooling solutions for use in extreme environments and unique applications. More than 1,400 ECU-Chill™ 550 miniature vapor compression environmental control systems have been delivered for use in WIN-T applications and by U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in Afghanistan for thermal management in MRAPs. ASI’s Army cooling solutions ensure the commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics used in C4ISR and I2WD applications operate reliably and at peak performance. ASI is currently working on solutions for numerous other applications for the ECU-Chill product line. Aspen’s products utilize a miniature rotary compressor developed specifically by Aspen to create compact, lightweight systems to provide high efficiency cooling with minimal power use, meeting the challenges of the military’s demanding needs. ASI’s refrigeration technology maintains desired electronics temperatures while sealing enclosures from dust, sand, moisture and rain, enabling programs to use COTS electronics while meeting the military’s challenging mobility requirements.
Aspen Systems also develops custom military cooling solutions for stationary, portable, airborne and undersea applications. ASI systems support dismounted, forward base and command post installations. Application specific designs can be found on-board aerostat sensor suites, and are under development for SATCOM-OTM platforms, undersea antennae, and vehicle mounted applications. ASI collaborates with system developers, integrators and Government Program offices to develop solutions to optimize system performance and efficiency with minimum weight and volume impact.
Transit Case & Enclosure Electronics Cooling Systems
ASI’s Environmental Control Units (trademark name ECU-Chill) are designed for use in electronics enclosures and transit cases. These systems are typically used to maintain the enclosure temperature below 49°C (125°F) for rack mounted electronics systems with ambient temperatures up to 60°C (140°F). The ruggedized air conditioning systems provide a sealed and controlled temperature environment into mobile electronics enclosures. As a complete environmental control system, the ECU-Chill line provides heating as well as cooling, keeping systems running down to -40°C (-40°F).
ECU-Chill 550: NSN# 4120-01-590-1647
ECU-Chill 550 is a refrigeration system with a cooling capacity of 550 watts in a 125°F ambient environment. It weighs less than 20 pounds, meets all the requirements of MIL STD 810 and 461, and protects electronics from contamination while keeping them cool. The system uses 28V DC power and its only interface with the enclosure is the power cord and the mounting flange.
ECU-Chill 550
ECU-Chill 850 and ECU-Chill 1500 – Dec. 2011 Development Phase
ASI is developing two new ECU-Chill models, rated at 850 and 1500 watts of cooling capacity. These systems use the newly available 30% larger displacement compressor specifically designed to maximize the cooling capacity available within the 1.2 lb. compressor package. The 850 watt system is in the prototyping phase as of December 2011 while the 1500 watt system is in its initial design phase. The ECU-Chill 850 is designed to provide 850 watts of cooling to an enclosure in a 125°F ambient environment in a package weighing less than 30 pounds. ASI expects the 1500 watt system to weigh less than 45 pounds. Like other offerings in the ECU-Chill series, the 850 and 1500 will meet MIL-STD 810 and 461 requirements. They will run on 28V DC power, provide heat in low-ambient temperature conditions, and have completely self-contained control systems.
ECU-Chill 850
ECU-Chill 2000 – Dec. 2011 Demonstration Phase
The ECU-Chill 2000 environmental control system provides 2KW of cooling in an ambient environment of 54°C (130°F) while maintaining an internal environment of 27°C (80°F). This system is a complete transit case solution providing a 12 U rack-mounted electronics enclosure with superior cooling capacity. The unit operates with an AC compressor and is built in to a custom aluminum case for EMI protection, ideal for a trailer mount application. ECU-Chill 2000 will begin product qualification tests for MIL STD compliance and demonstrations in early 2012.
Custom Systems
ASI’s core competency is in the development of miniaturized cooling systems for both military and commercial applications. The development team at ASI has expertise in heat transfer, refrigeration system development and design, and can rapidly produce prototypes and field-ready cooling and environmental control units that meet military environmental specifications for operation on moving ground vehicles and airborne systems. ASI develops specialized refrigeration systems for air conditioning, circulating liquid, and direct refrigerant cold plate chillers. ASI’s commercial systems are used to support personal cooling needs, laser cooled platforms, and industrial electronic controls.
Custom SATCOM-OTM ECU