May 22, 2008:  Aspen Compressor Cited by Purdue University Researchers at Compressor Engineering Conference

19th INTERNATIONAL COMPRESSOR ENGINEERING CONFERENCE AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Researchers at the Cooling Technologies Research Center presented a paper entitled “EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF A MINIATURE ROTARY COMPRESSOR FOR APPLICATION IN ELECTRONICS COOLING” at Purdue University. The compressor tests were performed with refrigerant R134a for varying suction pressures, pressure ratios, and rotational speeds. For each test, the refrigerant mass-flow rate, power consumption, and suction/discharge pressures and temperatures are measured. Using the experimental data, the compressor volumetric and overall isentropic efficiencies and COP were determined. The volumetric efficiency ranged from 73% to 90% and the overall isentropic efficiency varied between 44% and 70% for pressure ratios between 2 and 3.5. For this range of pressure ratios, the estimated cooling capacity and COP varied from 163 to 489 watts and 2.1 to 7.4 respectively. The Aspen compressor tested here outperformed two other compressors that were also being evaluated for electronics cooling applications.

March 25, 2008:  Aspen Compressor Awarded New Contract from Department of Defense

CONTRACT FOR MINI-REFRIGERATION COMPRESSORS FOR MAN-PORTABLE COOLING

Somerset, Ky. --- The Department of Defense today awarded a follow-on contract for Aspen Compressor to further expand its production capability of rotary compressors for government and commercial markets. The contract valued at $2.345 million was intended to provide the necessary equipment to produce precision machined parts in-house rather than outsourcing them from vendors. This capability is expected to provide two major benefits to Aspen, one being the close control in the making of precision parts, and the second benefit in cost reduction.

DoD considers the mini-compressor developed by Aspen to be a ‘critical military component’, which must be produced domestically. There’s been a growing need within the Defense and Homeland Security Departments for body-mounted Personal Cooling Systems to complete critical missions in thermally stressful environments and for thermal management systems for high power electronics. Aspen’s mini-compressors fill a vital role in these areas.

September 14, 2007:  Aspen Compressor, LLC holds Plant Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

ASPEN COMPRESSOR, LLC OPENS MINI-COMPRESSOR MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN SOMERSET

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Cabinet for Economic Development officials today joined community leaders from Pulaski County to celebrate the opening by Aspen Compressor LLC of a mini-compressor manufacturing plant in Somerset. Governor Ernie Fletcher congratulated the company in a statement. “The location of Aspen Compressor will have a significant economic impact on the Somerset community, bringing high-quality employment opportunities to the region,” the Governor said.

The technology-based company, which manufactures miniature compressors for defense and civilian use, plans to supply its state-of-the-art products to original equipment manufacturers. The 19,400 square-foot plant, on Chappells Dairy Road, houses both manufacturing and lab space for research and development.

Aspen Compressor is an affiliate of Aspen Systems Inc. (ASI), which develops advanced technologies and products for energy, environmental and defense applications. ASI and its affiliates are global technology companies providing leading-edge solutions for defense, aerospace, law enforcement, chemical, oil and gas, and health care industries.

“The Somerset plant will be mass-producing the world’s smallest refrigeration compressor, which was developed over the past 10 years by the parent company, Aspen Systems Inc., of Massachusetts,” said company Chief Executive Officer Kang P. Lee. “These miniature compressors will become the basis for energy-efficient distributed cooling in contrast to space conditioning that we are used to today. Our products will be used in compact and often portable cooling systems for soldiers, chem-bio-nuclear cleanup crews, steel mill workers, law enforcement personnel, medical patients; microprocessors and electronics; and various small appliances, to name a few.”