Variable volume test chamber

US5637812A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Screening Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Peter D. Baker · Basingstoke, GB
• Robert Weinmann · Laguna Hills, US
• Robert Mercado · Lake Forest, US
• Christopher W. Nesselroad · Dana Point, US
• Lucy A. Baker · Lake Forest, US
• Gilbert J. Bastien · Corona, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 14, 1994
• Grant date: Jun 10, 1997
• Expiry date: Nov 14, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T292/0908
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A testing apparatus which has a test chamber located within a chamber frame. The apparatus includes a computer controlled ergonomic system which can vary the temperature of the test chamber. Within the test chamber is an adjustable ceiling that can be moved to vary the volume of the chamber. Extending around the outer edge of the ceiling is an inflatable seal which seals the chamber when the ceiling is moved to a new position. The ceiling and walls have a plurality of adjustable vents that direct fluid flow into the chamber. The doors of the apparatus are each constructed from an inner wall that is coupled to an outer wall by a plurality of floating joints. The floating joints allow the inner wall to contract or expand relative to the outer wall without creating a corresponding stress on the outer wall or the joints. To prevent an operator from prematurely opening a door after temperature cycling, the door locks are computer controlled so that the doors cannot be unlocked until the test chamber reaches an operator safe condition. The computer also prevents the ceiling from being adjusted until the front doors are opened and the table is pulled out of the chamber. One door also has …