Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) fabric ducting and disposable filters will improve performance of ventilation systems and also reduce maintenance requirements. Identified and tested by the Naval Sea Systems Command Engineering Directorate (USA), these components are currently being evaluated in the Fleet.
In shipboard ventilation systems, existing metal ductwork can create "hot spots," causing circuit card failures in electronic spaces and poor air distribution in work and living spaces. The Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) textile ducting provides uniform air distribution and cooling to eliminate any hot spots. It also filters the air as it diffuses through the fabric, thereby reducing dust buildup in the electronics. When it gets dirty, the COTS textile ducting can be washed in the ship’s laundry. The textile ducting is lightweight, easy to install and remove for cleaning, reduces airflow noise, and easily permits temporary removal to accommodate installation of other equipment. Textile ducting is currently in service aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Bridge (AOE 10).
Disposable filters with a longer life between filter changes, and improved filter efficiency are also being sought. The improved air quality would lead to a cleaner and healthier shipboard environment. Replacing the Navy Standard Air Filters with commercially available disposable filters will eliminate entirely the requirement to wash filters. Disposable filters are currently being evaluated aboard USS Peleliu (LHA 5) and USS Constellation (CV 64), and further testing is planned for USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Learn more about improvements in ventilation systems and other initiatives at the
CI Labor website (by Petter Kristiansen).
More information: NAVSEA Mr. Jim Rhodes
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