Appts. facilitating use of cots electronics in harsh environments

• Main Authors: ROBERT L. JENNINGS ET AL, DAVID L. VOS, RONALD J. FEDUKE
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 23.07.2003
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BLASTING; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; COLD ROOMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT COVERED BY ANY OTHERSUBCLASS; ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; HEATING; ICE-BOXES; LIGHTING; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PRINTED CIRCUITS; REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; REFRIGERATORS; WEAPONS

An apparatus is provided for permitting commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics to be utilized in harsh environments for which the COTS electronics are not designed, including environments having ambient temperature variations, ambient pressure variations, shock and vibration exposure, environmental contaminants and/or electromagnetic radiation which may be beyond the design specification of the COTS components. The device includes a sealed enclosure having racks or other suitable mounts for the COTS components and having an environmental controlled unit (ECU) which circulates a fluid such as air through the enclosure and through the mounts. The temperature in the enclosure is monitored and the ECU operated to heat or cool fluid passing therethrough to maintain temperature in the enclosure within the design limits of the COTS electronics. A flow channel for ambient fluid, which channel is sealed from the internally circulating fluid, may be provided for removing heat from a cooling unit of the ECU. The enclosure may also have shock mounts, thermal insulation and appropriate shielding to deal with other environmental concerns.