The custom 400 Hz motor drive system supplied by Invention House allowed the container’s air conditioning system to operate anywhere in the world, on the road, and in the air. It accepted power supply at 50hz,60hz, or 400hz and delivered a steady 60hz to the compressor and fans.
NASA had very tight specifications on the allowable temperature and humidity excursions within the container, also known as the James Webb Telescope “cocoon.”
- The telescope, cocoon, air conditioners, and generators were mounted to a large custom flatbed semi-trailer.
- On the highway, diesel generators provided 60hz power while in the air the C5’s turbine alternators provided 400hz power. The James Webb telescope traveled to Europe where the supply is 50hz.
- Invention House provided 14kw and 2kw drives for the compressor and fans. The drives were custom engineered to withstand the vibration, temperature, and humidity extremes of being on a tractor trailer and in flight.