Portable Server Rack with EMP Shielding for Field Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cybersecurity systems lack portability and EMP protection, making them vulnerable to data corruption and mission disruption due to large server racks that are slow to deploy and not resistant to electromagnetic pulses.

Innovation Solution

The Mobile Air Cybersecurity Kit (MACK) Box provides a portable, modular, and scalable data center system with integrated EMP protection, allowing for real-time network threat detection and analysis, featuring a suitcase-sized or briefcase-sized design that fits on commercial aircraft, with enhanced airflow and cooling, and EMP-hardened carrying cases for secure operation in harsh environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large server racks are used to house cybersecurity hardware, then sufficient network assessment capability is achieved, but portability and deployment speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork assessment capabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into multiple 1U or 2U server trays that can be independently configured and stacked within a single carrying case, transforming a monolithic large rack into modular units that maintain functionality while improving portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple server trays are nested vertically within a single carrying case, with each tray containing complete server functionality. This nesting approach consolidates what would traditionally require multiple large racks into a compact, portable unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If large server racks are shipped via commercial cargo, then hardware capacity is maintained, but deployment time increases due to shipping delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware capacityVSAvoiddeployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from horizontal expansion (large racks requiring cargo shipping) to vertical stacking (multiple trays in one case), enabling the system to fit within carry-on luggage dimensions and be transported rapidly by commercial passenger aircraft

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If standard server racks are used, then hardware functionality is achieved, but EMP protection is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware functionalityVSAvoidEMP vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The carrying case incorporates EMP shielding and Faraday cage design elements that preemptively protect the server trays from electromagnetic pulse damage before exposure occurs, neutralizing the harmful effect in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The carrying case combines conductive shielding materials with structural components to create a composite enclosure that provides both mechanical protection and EMP hardening, integrating multiple protective functions into a single structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the carrying case is made EMP hardened, then electromagnetic protection is improved, but case weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEMP protectionVSAvoidcase weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The EMP shielding is implemented using thin conductive layers and mesh structures rather than thick solid barriers, providing electromagnetic protection while minimizing the added weight of the shielding materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables rapid, secure, and reliable cybersecurity operations in the field, reducing shipping delays and protecting sensitive equipment from electromagnetic interference and pulses, while maintaining compatibility with legacy systems.

Implementation Method 1

The carrying cases employ an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) hardened case design, with several layers of protection, which also provides Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and TEMPEST shielding capabilities, thereby protecting sensitive equipment from emanating electromagnetic radiation (EMR)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

The MACK Box greatly enhances current legacy capabilities by being able to incorporate state-of-the-art, next-generation commercial technology for data collection in the field, while greatly improving the scalability of the system, and in parallel reducing and optimizing the form factor for maximum portability, and further providing a layered approach to EMP protection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11647614B2Portable data center and server rack system with integrated electromagnetic pulse protection

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 LATUPERISSA JOHN

AI summary

A portable server data center and server rack system, includes a carrying case sized to allow the carrying case to be carried onboard an aircraft. A server tray rack rail apparatus is disposed within the carrying case to accommodate a plurality of server trays that are slidable along the rack rail apparatus. Each of the server trays are capable of accommodating a motherboard section and its components, a power supply section and its components, and a cooling apparatus for the motherboard and power supply sections.