U.S. patent application number 09/761987 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-18 for vibration compartment environmental control.
Invention is credited to Essenburg, Christopher J., Peterson, Clinton A..
Application Number | 20020092354 09/761987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25063808 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020092354 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peterson, Clinton A. ; et
al. |
July 18, 2002 |
VIBRATION COMPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Abstract
A testing apparatus is provided for testing a product in various
climatic conditions. The testing apparatus includes a testing
cabinet defining a first testing chamber for receiving the product
therein and a vibration chamber. A vibration table is positioned
within the testing apparatus and has an upper surface communicating
with the testing chamber and a lower surface. A plurality of
vibrators are operatively connected to the lower surface of the
vibration table and are disposed in the vibration chamber. A
climate control structure communicates with the vibration chamber
for controlling the environment thereof.
Inventors: |
Peterson, Clinton A.;
(Holland, MI) ; Essenburg, Christopher J.;
(Holland, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Peter C. Stomma
Jansson, Shupe, Bridge & Munger, Ltd.
245 Main Street, Suite M
Racine
WI
53403-1034
US
|
Family ID: |
25063808 |
Appl. No.: |
09/761987 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
73/663 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01M 7/02 20130101; B06B
1/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
73/663 |
International
Class: |
G01N 029/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A testing apparatus for testing a product, comprising: a testing
cabinet defining a first testing chamber and a vibration chamber; a
vibration table having a upper surface communicating with the
testing chamber and a lower surface; a plurality of vibrators
operatively connected to the lower surface of the vibration table
and being disposed in the vibration chamber; and a climate control
structure for controlling the environment in the vibration
chamber.
2. The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the climate control
structure includes a heating element communicating with the
vibration chamber for heating the vibration chamber to a
predetermined level.
3. The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the climate control
structure includes a cooling element communicating with the
vibration chamber for cooling the vibration chamber to a
predetermined level.
4. The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the climate control
structure includes a heating and cooling system communicating with
the vibration chamber, the heating and cooling system maintaining
the temperature in the vibration chamber at a predetermined
level.
5. The testing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the climate control
structure further includes a temperature sensor within the
vibration chamber for sensing the temperature therein.
6. The testing apparatus of claim 5 wherein the climate control
structure includes a controller operatively connected to the
temperature sensor and to the heating and cooling system, the
controller controlling the heating and cooling system in response
to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.
7. The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vibration chamber
is free from communication with ambient air outside the testing
cabinet.
8. The testing chamber of claim 1 wherein the climate control
structure controls the environment within the testing chamber and
wherein the climate control structure includes a first heating and
cooling system communicating with the vibration chamber for
maintaining the temperature in the vibration chamber at a
predetermined level and a second heating and cooling system
communicating with the testing chamber for varying the temperature
in the testing chamber to a predetermined level.
9. A testing apparatus for testing a product, comprising: a testing
cabinet defining a first testing chamber and a vibration chamber; a
vibration table having an upper surface communicating with the
testing chamber and a lower surface; a plurality of vibrators
operatively connected to the lower surface of the vibration table
and being disposed in the vibration chamber; a vibration chamber
heating and cooling system communicating with the vibration chamber
for maintaining the temperature in the vibration chamber at a
predetermined level; and a testing chamber heating and cooling
system communicating with the testing chamber for varying the
temperature in the testing chamber to a predetermined level.
10. The testing apparatus of claim 9 wherein the vibration chamber
heating and cooling system includes a heating element communicating
with the vibration chamber for heating the vibration chamber to a
predetermined level.
11. The testing apparatus of claim 9 wherein the vibration chamber
heating and cooling system includes a cooling element communicating
with the vibration chamber for cooling the vibration chamber to a
predetermined level.
12. The testing apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: a
temperature sensor within the vibration chamber for sensing the
temperature therein; and a controller operatively connected to the
temperature sensor and to the vibration chamber heating and cooling
system, the controller controlling the vibration chamber heating
and cooling system in response to the temperature sensed by the
temperature sensor.
13. The testing apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controller is
operatively connected to the testing chamber heating and cooling
system for controlling the same.
14. The testing apparatus of claim 9 wherein the vibration chamber
is free from communication with ambient air outside the testing
cabinet.
15. An improvement in a testing apparatus for testing a product,
the testing apparatus including a testing cabinet defining a first
testing chamber for receiving the product therein and a vibration
chamber; a vibration table having a upper surface communicating
with the testing chamber and a lower surface; and a plurality of
vibrators operatively connected to the lower surface of the
vibration table and being disposed in the vibration chamber, the
improvement comprising: a climate control structure communicating
with the vibration chamber for controlling the environment
therein.
16. The improvement of claim 15 wherein the climate control
structure includes a heating element communicating with the
vibration chamber for heating the vibration chamber to a
predetermined level.
17. The improvement of claim 15 wherein the climate control
structure includes a cooling element communicating with the
vibration chamber for cooling the vibration chamber to a
predetermined level.
18. The improvement of claim 15 wherein the climate control
structure includes a heating and cooling system communicating with
the vibration chamber, the heating and cooling system maintaining
the temperature in the vibration chamber at a predetermined
level.
19. The improvement of claim 18 wherein the climate control
structure further includes a temperature sensor within the
vibration chamber for sensing the temperature therein.
20. The improvement of claim 19 wherein the climate control
structure includes a controller operatively connected to the
temperature sensor and to the heating and cooling system, the
controller controlling the heating and cooling system in response
to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to testing equipment, and
in particular, to an environmental testing apparatus incorporating
a vibration table wherein the climate within the compartment which
houses the vibrators for the vibration table is controlled.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many types of devices undergo testing to improve the quality
and reliability of the devices. Typically, these types of devices
undergo a series of environmental tests under various combinations
of temperature, humidity, and other climatic conditions to insure
product reliability and performance in extreme environmental
conditions. Further, many of these devices undergo repetitive,
shock vibration testing to insure that the devices are not
adversely effected during normal operation.
[0003] In order to test their devices, manufacturers often utilize
an environmental testing apparatus which is capable of producing
rapid and extreme changes in temperature, humidity and other
climatic conditions. A prominent designer and manufacturer of such
environmental test apparatus is Thermotron Industries, Inc. of
Holland, Mich. In operation, the devices to be tested are
positioned within an environmental testing chamber in the testing
apparatus wherein the devices are exposed to extreme climatic
conditions.
[0004] Vibration testing is carried out by mounting the product to
be tested upon some sort of platform or table which communicates
with the environmental testing chamber and by then vibrating the
table using any type of vibrator. Examples of a vibration table and
the vibrators for vibrating the vibration table are shown in Wetzel
et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,732, assigned to the assignee of the
present invention and incorporated herein by reference. Typically,
in an environmental testing apparatus, the vibrators of the
vibration table are positioned in a vibration compartment which is
physically isolated from the environmental testing chamber.
However, the vibrators in the vibration compartment are still
partially exposed to the temperature extremes provided in the
environmental testing chamber. As such, it is possible that the
vibration means may be adversely effected, thereby reducing the
efficiency of the vibration table. Further, exposing the vibrators
to temperature extremes will lead to the expansion and contraction
of the components of the vibrators during operation. This expansion
and contraction of the components of the vibrators reduces the
useful life of the vibrators and may cause leaks at the connections
of the vibrators to a pneumatic source.
[0005] In order to minimize the effects of the temperature extremes
within the vibration compartment, vents are often provided within
the walls of the vibration compartment such that the interior of
the vibration compartment communicates with the ambient air outside
the environmental testing apparatus. By providing vents in the
walls defining the vibration compartment, the noise external of the
environmental testing apparatus is increased. Further, the vents in
the walls allow particulate matter and moisture to enter the
vibration compartment. Moisture within the vibration compartment
has a tendency to penetrate and to freeze in the vibrators, thereby
causing a decrease in the efficiency thereof. Heretofore, in order
to prevent the moisture from freezing in the vibrators, dry-air or
gaseous nitrogen was passed through the vibrators. This process of
passing dry-air or gaseous nitrogen through the vibrators adds to
the cost of the environmental testing apparatus. Therefore, it is
highly desirable to eliminate this process while still preventing
moisture from freezing in the vibrators.
[0006] Therefore, it is a primary object and feature of the present
invention to provide a testing apparatus wherein the temperature
within the compartment housing of the vibrators thereof is
controlled.
[0007] It is a further object and feature of the present invention
to provide a testing apparatus which discourages an accumulation of
moisture within the vibrators thereof.
[0008] It is a further object and feature of the present invention
to provide a testing apparatus which is simple to operate and less
expensive to manufacture than prior testing apparatus.
[0009] In accordance with the present invention, a testing
apparatus is provided for testing a product. The testing apparatus
includes a testing cabinet which defines a first testing chamber
and a vibration chamber. A vibration table has an upper surface
communicating with the testing chamber and a lower surface. A
plurality of vibrators are operatively connected to the lower
surface of the vibration table and are disposed in the vibrator
chamber. A climate control structure is provided for controlling
the environment in the vibration chamber. The climate control
structure includes a heating element communicating with the
vibration chamber for heating the vibration chamber to a
predetermined level. In addition, the climate controlling structure
includes a cooling element communicating with the vibration chamber
for cooling the vibration chamber to a predetermined level. A
temperature sensor is positioned within the vibration chamber for
sensing the temperature therein. A controller is operatively
connected to the temperature sensor and to the heating and cooling
elements. The controller controls the heating and cooling of the
vibration chamber in response to the temperature sensed by the
temperature sensor. It is contemplated that the vibration chamber
be free from communication with the ambient air outside the testing
cabinet.
[0010] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, a testing apparatus is provided for testing a product.
The testing apparatus includes a testing cabinet defining a first
testing chamber and a second vibration chamber. A vibration table
has an upper surface communicating with the testing chamber and a
lower surface. A plurality of vibrators are operatively connected
to the lower surface of the vibration table and are disposed in the
vibration chamber. A vibration chamber heating and cooling system
communicates with the vibration chamber for maintaining the
temperature in the vibration chamber at a predetermined level. In
addition, a testing chamber heating and cooling system communicates
with the testing chamber for varying the temperature in the testing
chamber to predetermined levels.
[0011] The vibration chamber heating and cooling system includes a
heating element communicating with the vibration chamber for
heating the vibration chamber to a predetermined level. In
addition, the vibration chamber heating and cooling system includes
a cooling element communicating with the vibration chamber for
cooling the vibration chamber to a predetermined level.
[0012] The testing apparatus also includes a temperature sensor
within the vibration chamber for sensing the temperature therein. A
controller is operatively connected to the temperature sensor and
to the vibration chamber heating and cooling system. The controller
controls the vibration chamber heating and cooling system in
response to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. The
controller may also be operatively connected to the testing chamber
heating and cooling system for controlling the same. It is
contemplated that the vibration chamber be free from communication
with ambient air outside the testing chamber.
[0013] In accordance with a still further aspect of the present
invention, an improvement is provided in the testing apparatus for
testing a product. The testing apparatus includes a testing cabinet
defining a first testing chamber for receiving the product therein
and a vibration chamber; a vibration table having an upper surface
communicating with the testing chamber and a lower surface; and a
plurality of vibrators operatively connected to the lower surface
of the vibration table and being disposed in the vibration chamber.
The improvement includes providing a climate control structure
communicating with the vibration chamber for controlling the
environment therein.
[0014] The climate control structure includes a heating element
communicating with the vibration chamber for heating the vibration
chamber to a predetermined level. In addition, the climate control
structure includes a cooling element communicating with the
vibration chamber for cooling the vibration chamber to a
predetermined level. A temperature sensor is positioned within the
vibration chamber for sensing the temperature therein. A controller
is operatively connected to the temperature sensor and to the
heating and cooling elements for controlling the heating and
cooling of the vibration chamber in response to the temperature
sensed by the temperature sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred
construction of the present invention in which the above advantages
and features are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be
readily understood from the following description of the
illustrated embodiment.
[0016] In the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an environmental testing
apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a testing apparatus in accordance with
the present invention is generally designated by the reference
numeral 10. Testing apparatus 11 is defined by sidewalls 12 and 14,
upper and lower walls 16 and 18, respectively, and a rear wall (not
shown). Inner surfaces 20 and 22 of sidewalls 12 and 14,
respectively, and inner surface 24 of upper wall 16 partially
define an environmental testing chamber 26 within testing apparatus
10. Inner surfaces 20 and 22 of sidewalls 12 and 14, respectively,
and inner surface 28 of bottom wall 18 partially define a vibration
compartment 30 within testing apparatus 10. As is conventional, a
door(s) (not shown) is provided for access to the interior of
environmental testing chamber 26 and vibration compartment 30. It
is noted, however, that sidewalls 12 and 14 and rear wall (not
shown) are free of any openings such as vents, louvers or the like,
so as to prevent communication between vibration compartment 30 and
the ambient air outside testing apparatus 10, for reasons
hereinafter described.
[0019] Heating element 32 is mounted to the inner surface 24 of
upper wall 16 so as to be in communication with the interior of
environmental testing chamber 26. In addition, heating element 32
is operatively connected to controller 38 through line 33. Cooling
element 34 is also mounted to the inner surface 24 of upper wall 16
so as to be in communication with environmental testing chamber 26.
Cooling element 34 is operatively connected to controller 38
through line 35. As is conventional, heating element 32 is provided
to heat environmental testing chamber 26 to a user desired level to
test the reliability and performance of a product 36 positioned
within environmental testing chamber 26. Cooling element 34 is
provided to cool environmental testing chamber 26 to a user desired
temperature in order to test the reliability and performance of
product 36. Temperature sensor 40 is positioned within
environmental testing chamber 26 and is operatively connected to
controller 38 by line 41 so as to allow controller 38 to monitor
the temperature within environmental testing chamber 26. Controller
38 controls activation of heating element 32 and cooling element 34
in response to the temperature sensed within environmental testing
chamber 26 by temperature sensor 40 so as to vary the climatic
conditions provided within environmental testing chamber 26 to user
desired levels.
[0020] Testing apparatus 10 further includes a vibration table 44
having an upper surface 46 communicating with environmental testing
chamber 26 and a lower surface 48 directed towards vibration
compartment 30. A flange 50 depends from the outer periphery of
vibration table 44. Flange 50 includes an outer surface 52 directed
towards the inner surfaces 20 and 22 of sidewalls 12 and 14,
respectively. Seals 54 and 56 are affixed to corresponding surface
20 and 22, respectively, of sidewalls 12 and 14, respectively, so
as to be aligned with outer surface 52 of flange 50. Seals 54 and
56 are provided to environmentally isolate vibration chamber 30
from environmental testing chamber 26 within testing apparatus
10.
[0021] A plurality of vibrators 58 extend between lower surface 48
of vibration table 44 and corresponding supports 60 within the
interior of vibration compartment 30. It can be appreciated that
vibrators 58 may be mounted to the lower surface 48 of vibration
table 44 in any suitable manner, at any of several locations, and
at any of one or more angles to lower surface 48 thereof. As is
conventional, vibrators 58 are provided to vibrate vibration table
44, and hence product 36, during testing. Vibrators 58 may take the
form of the vibrator fully described in Briggs et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 6,044,709, assigned to the assignee of the present invention
and incorporated herein by reference. It can be appreciated that
other constructions of vibrators 58 may be utilized without
deviating from the scope of the present invention.
[0022] Heating element 62 is interconnected to the inner surface 28
of bottom wall 18 and is in communication with vibration
compartment 30. Heating element 62 is operatively connected to
controller 38 through line 64. In addition, cooling element 66 is
interconnected to inner surface 28 of bottom wall 18 of testing
apparatus 10 and is in communication with vibration compartment 30.
Cooling element 66 is operatively connected to controller 38 by
line 68. Temperature sensor 70 is positioned within vibration
compartment 30 in testing apparatus 10 and is operatively connected
to controller 38 by line 72.
[0023] In operation, product 36 is rigidly connected to upper
surface 46 of vibration table 44. Vibrators 58 vibrate vibration
table 44 in a conventional manner. Heating element 32 and cooling
element 34 raise and lower the temperature in environmental testing
chamber 26 in order to test product 36 under various climate
conditions. Temperature sensor 40 allows controller 38 to monitor
the temperature within environmental testing chamber 26 such that
controller 38 selectively activates heating element 32 and/or
cooling element 34 to provide a user desired temperature within
environmental testing chamber 26.
[0024] In addition, temperature sensor 70 allows controller 38 to
monitor the temperature within vibration compartment 30. Controller
38 selectively activates heating element 62 and/or cooling element
66 in response to the temperature sensed by temperature sensor 70
so as to maintain the temperature within vibration compartment 30
at a generally constant level to insure maximum performance and
useful life of vibrators 58.
[0025] As described, vibration compartment 30 is isolated from the
ambient air outside testing apparatus 10. As such, the noise
generated by testing apparatus 10 is reduced since a substantial
portion of such noise is captured within the testing apparatus 10.
Further, since vibration compartment 30 does not communicate with
the outside ambient air, particulate matter and moisture is
prevented from entering vibration compartment 30.
[0026] It can be appreciated that the positions of heating element
32 and cooling element 34 may be varied. However, heating element
32 and cooling element 34 must communicate with the interior of
environmental testing chamber 26. Similarly, the positions of
heating element 62 and cooling element 66 may be varied. However,
heating element 62 and cooling element 66 must be in communication
with the interior of vibration compartment 30.
[0027] Further, as described, controller 38 is represented as a
single unit. However, it can be appreciated that multiple
controllers may be utilized without deviating from the scope of the
present invention.
[0028] Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated
as being within the scope of the following claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is
regarded as the invention.
* * * * *