U.S. patent application number 11/248065 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-02 for universal access port.
Invention is credited to Kevin D. Ewing, Robert K. Hayes, Clinton A. Peterson, James M. Schulze, Richard L. Walker.
Application Number | 20060021246 11/248065 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32468017 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060021246 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schulze; James M. ; et
al. |
February 2, 2006 |
Universal access port
Abstract
A universal access port includes a specific size opening that is
formed through a wall of a conditioning enclosure and located at a
specific distance from a floor or mounting surface. The opening is
preferably rectangular in shape, but other shapes may also be used.
When not in use, the universal access port is covered with a
sealing panel. Insertable devices may be efficiently inserted and
removed from the universal access port. A perimeter of the
insertable device is sized to be sealable inserted into the
universal access port. Each insertable device preferably seals with
an exterior and interior wall of the conditioning enclosure. Some
insertable devices include fixturing devices, windows, manual
manipulation devices, junction devices, hinged access doors, wire
access devices, temperature modifying devices or air circulation
devices.
Inventors: |
Schulze; James M.;
(Plymouth, MA) ; Ewing; Kevin D.; (Holland,
MI) ; Peterson; Clinton A.; (Holland, MI) ;
Walker; Richard L.; (Hudsonville, MI) ; Hayes; Robert
K.; (Fruitport, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JANSSON, SHUPE & MUNGER & ANTARAMIAN, LTD
245 MAIN STREET
RACINE
WI
53403
US
|
Family ID: |
32468017 |
Appl. No.: |
11/248065 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10310358 |
Dec 5, 2002 |
6976340 |
|
|
11248065 |
Oct 12, 2005 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
34/202 ;
374/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01D 5/35387 20130101;
G01D 11/24 20130101; B01L 1/02 20130101; G01D 5/35316 20130101;
G01N 17/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
034/202 ;
374/045 |
International
Class: |
F26B 25/06 20060101
F26B025/06; G01N 25/00 20060101 G01N025/00; F26B 19/00 20060101
F26B019/00 |
Claims
1. A modular system for stressing or modifying environmental
conditions of at least one item disposed in a first conditioning
enclosure, the system comprising: the first conditioning enclosure,
having an interior portion, a wall, and an opening through the wall
for accessing the interior portion; a second conditioning
enclosure, having an interior portion, a wall, and an opening
through the wall for accessing the interior portion; a damper
disposed between the interior portion of the first conditioning
enclosure and the interior portion of the second conditioning
enclosure; and a junction device structured for joining the
interior portions of the first and second conditioning enclosures
to one another.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the damper is manipulatable for
modulating an environment in the first conditioning enclosure.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first conditioning enclosure
is structured for performing a first conditioning function and the
second conditioning enclosure is structured for performing a second
conditioning function different from the first conditioning
function.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first conditioning function
includes setting an interior temperature of the first conditioning
enclosure to a first temperature, and wherein the second
conditioning function includes setting an interior temperature of
the second conditioning enclosure to a second temperature that is
different from the first temperature.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second conditioning
functions are each activatable when appropriate for testing the
item.
6. A method comprising: providing a conditioning enclosure having
an interior portion and at least one opening formed through a wall
thereof to access the interior portion, the first conditioning
enclosure structured for stressing or modifying an item inserted
into the interior portion; providing an auxiliary enclosure having
an interior portion and at least one opening formed through a wall
thereof to access the interior portion; providing at least one
damper; and joining the interior portion of the conditioning
enclosure with the interior portion of the auxiliary enclosure via
the opening of the conditioning enclosure, the damper, and the
opening of the second enclosure.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: setting an
environment within the interior portion of the conditioning
enclosure according to a first conditioning function; setting an
environment within the interior of the auxiliary enclosure
according to a second conditioning function; and adjusting a
testing of the item in the interior of the conditioning enclosure
by manipulating the damper.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first conditioning function
includes setting an interior temperature of the conditioning
enclosure to a first temperature, and wherein the second
conditioning function includes setting an interior temperature of
the auxiliary enclosure to a second temperature that is different
from the first temperature.
9. A method comprising: joining a plurality of conditioning
enclosures together, at least one of the conditioning enclosures
being structured for stressing or modifying an item inserted into
an interior portion thereof; setting an environment of each of the
plurality of conditioning units according to different respective
conditioning functions; and activating ones of the plurality of
conditioning units in order to increase conditioning capacity for a
test being performed on the item.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of
conditioning enclosures is a slave test chamber with respect to at
least one other of the plurality of conditioning enclosures.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/310,358, filed Dec. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat.
No. ______.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to conditioning
enclosures and more specifically to a universal access port for
conditioning enclosures, structured to receive numerous insertable
devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are several conditioning enclosures on the market,
which disclose an opening created in a side thereof. A conditioning
enclosure is defined as an oven, freezer, incubator, burn-in
chamber, environmental test chamber, shaker, or any other device
that stresses, modifies, or conditions an item inserted therein.
Pat. No. 4,854,726 to Lesley et al. discloses a thermal stress
screening system. An exposure chamber is connected to a cabinet
with a pair of insulated delivery hoses. Pat. No. 4,949,031 to
Szasz et al. discloses an environmental stress screening apparatus
for electronic products. A product carrier pallet is inserted into
an opening formed in an environmental test chamber. Pat. No.
5,147,136 to Hartley et al. discloses temperature cycling test
chambers. A portion of the wall is rotable between two different
test chambers.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a
universal access port formed in a side of a conditioning enclosure,
which has a specific size and shape to receive windows, wire access
devices, bulkhead connectors, manual manipulation devices, doors,
junction boxes, shelves, racks, drawers, blowers, slave test
chamber, and other insertable devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a universal access port for
conditioning enclosures, which receives standard sized insertable
devices, thus increasing the versatility of one or more
conditioning enclosures. At least one universal access port allows
a first conditioning enclosure to have expanded capacity by
connecting additional conditioning enclosures to the first
conditioning enclosure to retain the additional parts for testing.
The additional conditioning enclosure would be connected with a
junction device inserted into the universal access ports of each
conditioning enclosure.
[0006] The additional conditioning enclosures are used as auxiliary
units and their functionality need not be the same as the first
conditioning enclosure. For example, the capacity for performing
some types of temperature testing is increased without the cost of
additional conditioning enclosures having the same function as the
first conditioning enclosure. The universal access port also
provides modular assembly of a group of conditioning units each
having different functions. The function of each different
conditioning unit may be activated when appropriate.
[0007] Each universal access port includes a specific size opening
that is formed through a wall of a conditioning enclosure and
located at a specific distance from a floor or mounting surface of
the conditioning enclosure. The opening preferably has a
rectangular shape, but other shapes may also be used. When not in
use, the universal access port is covered with a sealing panel.
Insertable devices may be efficiently inserted and removed from the
universal access port, including the sealing panel. A perimeter of
an insertable device is sized to be sealably inserted into the
universal access port. Each insertable device preferably seals with
an exterior and an interior wall of the conditioning enclosure.
Some insertable devices include fixture devices, windows, manual
manipulation devices, junction devices, hinged access doors, wire
access devices, hydraulic connection devices, temperature modifying
devices, air circulation devices, gas insertion devices, blower
devices, or any other appropriate insertable device.
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide at least one universal access port in a conditioning
enclosure, each universal access port having a specific opening
size located a specified distance from a floor or mounting surface
of the conditioning enclosure.
[0009] Finally, it is another object of the present invention to
provide a plurality of insertable devices that are sized to be
inserted into a universal access port formed in a conditioning
enclosure.
[0010] These and additional objects, advantages, features and
benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the
following specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conditioning enclosure
with a universal access port in accordance with the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sealing panel for
insertion into a universal access port of a conditioning enclosure
in accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a sealing panel attached
to a universal access port of a conditioning enclosure in
accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a drawer device for
insertion into a universal access port of a conditioning enclosure
in accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a wire access device for
insertion into a universal access port of a conditioning enclosure
in accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an interior perspective view of a blower device
for insertion into a universal access port of a conditioning
enclosure in accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6A is an exterior perspective view of a blower device
for insertion into a universal access port of a conditioning
enclosure in accordance with the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a junction device for
insertion into universal access ports of two environmental test
chambers in accordance with the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a front view of a first conditioning enclosure
connected to a roll-up, walk-in conditioning chamber with a
junction device in accordance with the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a front view of three conditioning enclosures
connected together with two junction devices in accordance with the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a damper device for
insertion into a universal access port of one conditioning
enclosure and mating with two dampers on another conditioning
enclosure in accordance with the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conditioning enclosure
with two dampers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] With reference now to the drawings, there is shown a
perspective view of a conditioning enclosure 100 with a universal
access port 10. The universal access port 10 preferably includes an
opening 12 of a specific width "W" and height "H" formed through a
wall 102 of the conditioning enclosure 100. The universal access
port 10 is disclosed as having a rectangular shape, but other
shapes may also be used. Preferably, an interior peripheral flange
14 extends from an interior wall 102. Interior peripheral flange 14
surrounds the perimeter of the opening 12. A perimeter sealing
gasket 16 is attached to the interior peripheral flange 14.
Preferably, a perimeter sealing ridge 20 extends from a peripheral
wall 18 of opening 12. A bottom of opening 12 is located at a
height "H2" from a floor or mounting surface 104 of the
conditioning enclosure 100.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 2, when not in use, the universal
access port 10 is covered with a sealing panel 22. The sealing
panel 22 preferably includes a mounting plate 24, an insulated
insert 26, a panel perimeter sealing ridge 28, and a panel
perimeter sealing gasket 30. A plurality of mounting holes 32 are
formed near the perimeter of the mounting plate 24. A plurality of
fasteners 34 are inserted through the plurality of mounting holes
32 to retain the sealing panel 22 in the universal access port 10.
The insulated insert 26 extends from a back of the mounting plate
24. The insulated insert 26 preferably contains an equivalent
amount of insulation 36 found in the walls 102 of the conditioning
enclosure 100. The panel perimeter sealing ridge 28 is attached to
a perimeter of the insulated insert 26. The panel perimeter sealing
ridge 28 seals against the perimeter sealing gasket 16 and the
perimeter sealing ridge 20 seals against the panel perimeter
sealing gasket 30. One method of sealing the sealing panel 22 (and
other insertable devices) to the universal access port 10 is
disclosed; however other methods of sealing may also be used.
[0025] FIGS. 4-7 disclose sealing panels which have been modified
to form insertable devices. FIG. 4 discloses a drawer device 38. A
plurality of drawers 40 are slidably retained in the drawer device
38. The plurality of drawers 40 are capable of holding a plurality
of small parts for environmental testing. The plurality of parts
are placed in each drawer 40. A back of the drawer will be exposed
to an inside atmosphere of an environmental chamber. The plurality
of small parts are removed after the environmental testing has been
performed. The drawer device 38 includes all of the sealing and
attachment features of the sealing panel 22.
[0026] FIG. 5 discloses a wire access device 42. A plurality of
through passages 44 are formed through wire access device 42. Each
through passage 44 is sized to firmly receive a single sealing
insert 46. Each sealing insert 46 is preferably fabricated from
foam, but other materials may also be used. Each sealing insert 46
is capable of sealing around wires or other lines that need to be
run through the wall 102 of the conditioning enclosure 100. A round
through passage 44 is disclosed, but the through passage may also
have other shapes. Wire access device 42 includes all of the
sealing and attachment features of sealing panel 22.
[0027] FIGS. 6 and 6A disclose a blower device 48. Blower device 48
includes an air blower 50, an input port 51, an output port 53, and
an input duct 55. The air blower 50 includes a motor 57 and an air
impeller 59. An input duct (not shown) is preferably connected
between a source of conditioned air and input port 51. An output
duct (not shown) is preferably connected between the source of
conditioned air and the output port 53. The motor 57 turns a fan
inside the air impeller 59 to draw air from input port 51 through
input duct 55 to propel conditioned air substantially perpendicular
to the output port 53. The blower device 48 includes all of the
sealing and attachment features of sealing panel 22.
[0028] FIG. 7 discloses a junction device 52. The junction device
52 includes a mounting plate 54, a first insulated insert 56, a
second insulated insert 58, a first panel perimeter sealing ridge
60, a second perimeter panel sealing ridge 62, a first panel
perimeter sealing gasket 64, and a second panel perimeter sealing
ridge 66. The first insulated insert 56 extends from a first side
of the mounting plate 54 and the second insulated insert 58 extends
from a second side of the mounting plate 54. The first panel
perimeter sealing ridge 60 is attached to a perimeter of the first
insulated insert 56 and the second panel perimeter sealing ridge 62
is attached to a perimeter of the second insulated insert 58. The
first panel perimeter sealing gasket 64 is attached to the first
side of the mounting plate 54 and the second panel perimeter
sealing gasket 66 is attached to the second side of the mounting
plate 54. A through passage 68 is formed through the first
insulated insert 56, the mounting plate 54 and the second insulated
insert 58.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 8, the junction device 52 is used to
connect a first conditioning enclosure 106 to a roll-up, walk-in
conditioning enclosure 108. The first insulated insert 56 of the
junction device 52 is inserted into a universal access port of the
first conditioning enclosure 106 and a second insulated insert 58
of the junction device 52 is inserted into a universal access port
of the roll-up, walk-in conditioning enclosure 108. The
conditioning enclosures are pushed together to retain the junction
device 52.
[0030] With reference to FIG. 9, three conditioning enclosures are
connected in series with two junction devices. The first
conditioning enclosure 106 is connected to one side of a second
conditioning enclosure 110 with a first junction device 105 and a
third conditioning enclosure 112 is connected to the other side of
the second conditioning enclosure 110 with a junction device 107.
The second conditioning enclosure 110 includes at least two
universal access ports.
[0031] FIG. 10 discloses a damper device 70. Damper device 70
includes a first damper through passage 72, a second damper through
passage 74, and a sealing gasket 76. A first passage opening 78 is
formed through sealing gasket 76 to provide access to a damper
through passage 72. A second passage opening 80 is formed through
sealing gasket 76 to provide access to a damper through passage 74.
The damper device 70 includes all of the sealing and attachment
features of the sealing panel 22.
[0032] With reference to FIG. 11, a conditioning enclosure 114 is
disclosed with a first damper 116 and a second damper 118 disposed
on a side thereof. The damper device 70 is attached to the
universal access port of a first conditioning enclosure (not
shown). The conditioning enclosure 114 will be pushed against the
sealing gasket 76, such that the first passage opening 78 is
aligned with the first damper 116 and the second passage opening 80
is aligned with the second damper 118.
[0033] Several types of insertable devices are disclosed, but a
system may also include other types of insertable devices.
[0034] While particular embodiments of the invention have been
shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that changes and modification may be made without departing from
the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the
appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as
fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *