Archive : Adaptive Color and Environment (ACE) Shelter

Project Details

Fabric 1

Reversible Tan/Green PVC
Producer/Manufacturer: Seaman Corp.
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Engineer Name 1
Tom Lietz, Kyle Timmerman, Dussel Vondenhuevel

Engineer Company 1
Celina Tent, Inc

Design Name
Jeff Grieshop, Gabe Lehman

Design Company
Celina Tent, Inc

Fabrication Name
Celina Tent Inc.

Fabrication Company
Celina Tent, Inc

Subcontractor Name
Dr. Eric Lang

Subcontractor Company
UDRI, University of Dayton Research Institute

Project Manager Name
Rolfe Ashworth, Jill Roy

Project Manager Company
Celina Tent, Inc

Please describe the project specifications

Revolutionizing Shelter Solutions: The Adaptive Color and Environment (ACE) Shelter

In response to the U.S. Air Force’s Energy Efficient Small Shelter Systems (EESSS) proposal, our company developed an innovative shelter called the Adaptive Color and Environment (ACE) Shelter. The ACE measures 20’ wide x 33’ long and meets the rigorous demands of military and disaster response scenarios, offering unmatched energy efficiency and environmental adaptability. The patented ACE Shelter features a tan/green reversible PVC fabric that performs exceptionally in any environment. This unique fabric, combined with keder tensioned fabric technology, ensures superior thermal efficiencies and quick deployment. The reversible fabric allows for flexibility in erecting either a green or tan shelter, optimizing camouflage and adaptability in varying terrains.

The ACE Shelter features a durable anodized aluminum frame that is lighter to transport yet robust enough to withstand extreme conditions. The inclusion of rugged steel eave and apex joiners adds strength where it is needed most, ensuring the shelter's stability in high wind and snow load conditions. The shelter is rated for 90 MPH winds and 20 PSF snow load, making it highly resilient in various challenging environments. A reduction in arches provides an expanded multi-functional interior space with a spacious 7’ eave height. The unique frame incorporates tensioning purlins and keder fabric, ensuring uniform tautness, a consistent air gap, and even fabric stress distribution, enhancing overall durability and strength to withstand extreme weather conditions and climates.

The shelter's design includes a tensioned tan/green reversible external vestibule, providing privacy and climate control for occupants. This self-supported, tensioned fabric vestibule features two magnetic latch, self-closing hard doors and requires no additional bracing or guying. It is designed to withstand the same 90 MPH wind load and 20 PSF snow load as the main shelter. These features, along with high wind staking options, ensure that the shelter can withstand harsh weather conditions while maintaining a comfortable interior environment.

The highly energy-efficient ACE shelter achieves a 50 °F temperature difference with one 5-ton Environmental Control Unit (ECU) supplying two shelters when cooling. When heating, a temperature difference of 80 °F higher than ambient air is achieved with a 130k BTU/hr indirect fuel-fired heater supplying two shelters. This level of efficiency is critical in extreme climates, ensuring a comfortable and safe environment for occupants while reducing the energy footprint. This energy efficiency is achieved by utilizing our optional radiant barrier insulation panel between the outer fabric and liner fabric. Having this consistent air gap filled by the foil insulation has an added bonus of minimizing exterior noise interruptions. The inclusion of a keder tensioned fabric and liner supports and insulates better than competitors, enhancing overall comfort and efficiency.

The ACE Shelter is designed for rapid deployment, coupled with optional energy-efficient insulation packages, makes the ACE Shelter an essential and cost-effective solution for military and disaster response needs. Its innovative design, remarkable energy efficiency, and robust construction make it an ideal choice for military and emergency response applications.

The ACE Shelter is a game-changer in the field of portable, energy-efficient shelters. With the ACE Shelter, we continue to lead the way in delivering advanced shelter solutions that meet the evolving needs of today’s challenging environments.

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