Test chamber and method

Abstract

To provide a test chamber that allows air in a test space to be exhausted by simple means under an explosion prevention environment, and to provide a ventilation method using the test chamber.SOLUTION: A test chamber includes a thermally insulated test space (12) for holding a test material, which can be sealed from an environment (33), and a temperature control device for room temperature control of the test space. The temperature control device is configured so as to achieve a room temperature in a temperature range of -50°C to 180°C, and includes a heating device and a cooling device. The test chamber includes a ventilation system (23) having a detector equipped with at least one gas sensor for detecting a cooling medium in the test space. The ventilation system includes a fan (24) and an exhaust duct (25).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and test chamber for air conditioning, particularly a temperature-controlled chamber, climate chamber, or the like. The test chamber comprises an insulated test space, capable of being sealed from the environment, for holding a test material, and a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space. The temperature control device is configured to achieve a room temperature in the test space ranging from minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius, and includes a heating device and a cooling device. The cooling device includes a cooling circuit with a refrigerant, a heat exchanger located in the test space, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion element, the refrigerant being a single hydrocarbon or a mixture of hydrocarbons. The test chamber includes a mechanical room physically separated from the test space, and the cooling circuit with a compressor is at least partially located in the mechanical room. [Background technology]

[0002] This type of test chamber is typically used to test the physical and / or chemical properties of objects, particularly devices. Examples include temperature or climate test cabinets, which can set the internal room temperature between -50°C and 180°C. Climate test cabinets additionally allow for the creation of desired climatic conditions, to which devices or test materials are exposed for a predetermined period of time. The room temperature of the test space holding the test material to be tested is typically controlled by an air circulation duct installed within the test space. The air circulation duct forms an air handling space within the test space, which contains heat exchangers for heating or cooling the air flowing through the air circulation duct or test space. A fan or ventilator draws air present in the space and directs it through the respective heat exchangers in the air circulation duct. This makes it possible to control the temperature of the test material or expose it to predetermined temperature changes. For example, during testing, the room temperature can vary between the maximum and minimum room temperatures of the test chamber. Such a test chamber is known from US Pat. No. 5,629,999.

[0003] The refrigerant used in the cooling circuit should have a relatively low CO2 equivalent value, that is, the global warming potential (GWP) should be as low as possible in order to avoid indirect damage to the environment when the refrigerant is discharged. As per the regulations, the refrigerant must not significantly contribute to ozone layer depletion or global warming. Essentially, this means that no fluoride or chloride should be used as a refrigerant, which is why natural refrigerants such as carbon dioxide (CO2) are an option. Low-GWP refrigerants are disadvantageous in that they tend to have significantly lower cooling capacity in terms of the temperature range related to the cooling circuit compared to relatively high-GWP refrigerants. While hydrocarbons are known to be usable as refrigerants, they are disadvantageous in terms of their high flammability. Flammability refers to the property of the refrigerant to react with ambient oxygen upon heat release. The refrigerant is flammable, especially when classified into fire classes C of the latest version of European Standard EN2, DIN378 classes A2, A2L, and A3 at the priority date of the present application. Since safety regulations may have to be complied with, the use of flammable refrigerants complicates the filling, transportation, and operation of the cooling circuit and the test chamber. The possibility of leakage occurring in the cooling circuit within the test space is an important issue because electrical resistance heaters and other electrical operating devices may be located within the test space as test materials. Therefore, an explosion may occur in case of leakage.

[0004] To take advantage of the advantages of flammable refrigerants over non-flammable refrigerants, it is necessary to prevent an explosion in the test space in the event of a leak. As in other comparable facilities, this can be achieved by a ventilation system that can be used to suction leaking refrigerant from the test space. However, for this purpose, the ventilation system must be suitable for use in an explosive atmosphere. Devices and protective systems that comply with the EU ATEX Directive, particularly the ATEX Equipment Directive 2014 / 34 / EU and / or the ATEX Workplace Directive 1999 / 92 / EG, as of the priority date of this application, are compliant in this respect. However, depending on the test cycle, the test space may be filled with air at temperatures ranging from -50°C to 180°C, and ATEX-compliant fans, which are essential for such ventilation systems, are not suitable for use at such temperatures. However, fans specifically designed for this purpose are not economical to manufacture, develop, and obtain the necessary ATEX certification due to the small number of units required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 0344397 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a test chamber and a ventilation method using the test chamber that allows air to be sucked from within a test space by simple means in an explosion-proof environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This object is achieved by a test chamber having the features of claim 1 or 7 and by a method having the features of claim 19 or 20.

[0008] The air conditioning test chamber of the present invention, particularly a temperature-controlled chamber, climate chamber, or similar test chamber, includes an insulated test space that can be sealed from the environment and that holds test materials, and a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space. The temperature control device is configured to achieve a room temperature in the test space ranging from minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius, and includes a heating device and a cooling device including a refrigerant, a heat exchanger in the test space, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion element. The refrigerant is a single hydrocarbon or a mixture of hydrocarbons. The test chamber includes a mechanical room physically separated from the test space, and the cooling circuit with the compressor is at least partially located within the mechanical room. The test chamber includes a ventilation system having a detector with at least one gas sensor for detecting the refrigerant within the test space, the ventilation system including a fan and an exhaust duct. The exhaust duct is connected to the test space so that the fan can transport air within the test space to the exhaust duct. The fan includes a fan motor and a fan impeller, the fan motor being disposed within an airtight enclosure.

[0009] The test chamber of the present invention allows the safe use of a single hydrocarbon or a mixture of hydrocarbons as a refrigerant in the cooling circuit, thereby taking advantage of the advantages of this type of refrigerant. During the test cycle, a higher room temperature is achieved in the test space, and the heating device heats the air in the test space. At the same time, the refrigerant stored in the heat exchanger is also heated, causing thermal expansion of the refrigerant within the heat exchanger. In the event of a leak, particularly if the heat exchanger in the test space has a leak, this thermal expansion means that the refrigerant can easily leak into the test space. Since air is typically present in the test space, an explosive atmosphere can easily form. This explosive atmosphere could, for example, cause an explosion in connection with the electrical resistance heating elements of an operable heating device. To prevent this, the test space is provided with a ventilation system that draws air into the test space. The ventilation system includes a gas sensor for detecting the refrigerant used in the cooling circuit. The gas sensor is positioned directly within, adjacent to, connected to, or adjacent to the test space so that any refrigerant leaking into the test space can be quickly detected. Furthermore, an exhaust duct is connected to the test space, allowing a fan to transport air from the test space to the exhaust duct and out of the test space. Make-up air from the environment can enter the test space through an opening, such as a pressure compensation device or an air supply duct, which are installed within the test space for this purpose. The fan itself consists of a fan motor and fan impeller, which are located within an airtight enclosure. This allows the use of fan motors that are not ATEX compliant. Overall, the ventilation system can be equipped for use in explosive environments by such simple means.

[0010] The enclosure described above may be formed of metal or sheet metal and can separate the fan motor from at least the exhaust duct, the test space, and / or the test space while maintaining airtightness. Therefore, although the fan can be arranged in the test space or the machine room, it is preferably arranged in the machine room. This is because arranging the fan in the machine room means that the fan is not exposed to the test environment in the test space. In addition, this also prevents refrigerant that may potentially leak into the test space from reaching the fan motor.

[0011] The temperature of the exhaust air in the exhaust duct may approximately match the room temperature in the test space. The fan motor is preferably configured such that the fan can transport air even if it is, for example, 180 degrees Celsius. The airtight enclosure of the fan motor can block the fan motor from the air carried into the exhaust duct or the hot plume of the air located around the fan motor. On the other hand, an ATEX-certified fan motor or fan cannot be used in this example. This is because these devices are typically guaranteed for a transport medium with a temperature of minus 20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius and do not apply to the inclusion of the room temperature in the temperature range of minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius realized in the test space.

[0012] The exhaust duct may connect to the test space through a first duct section and to the machine room through a second duct section, where the fan is located in the first duct section and another fan of the ventilation system is located in the other duct section. For example, the exhaust duct may be provided with another gas sensor located in the machine room and configured to detect the refrigerant in the machine room. In this example, the other fan can draw air into the machine room. For this purpose, another duct section may be provided in which another fan is located. In this way, it is possible to draw air from the test space and the machine room independently or simultaneously to prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere in the event of a leak.

[0013] The first and second duct sections may be connected to a common duct section of exhaust duct. In this example, the common duct section may run outside the test chamber or outside the housing of the test chamber or machinery room. In this manner, any pressurized exhaust duct may not be located inside the machinery room. In this example, the potentially explosive air-refrigerant mixture would be located in the common duct section outside the test chamber.

[0014] The other fan may be configured for use in explosive atmospheres, specifically in accordance with the ATEX Product Directive and / or the ATEX Workplace Directive. Since the room temperature in a machine room essentially corresponds to or is only slightly higher than the ambient air temperature, ATEX-certified fans or fan motors can also be used to ventilate the machine room.

[0015] Alternatively, the test chamber for air conditioning according to the present invention, particularly a temperature-controlled chamber, climate chamber, or similar test chamber, includes an insulated test space that can be sealed from the environment and that holds test materials, and a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space. The temperature control device is configured to achieve a room temperature in the test space ranging from minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius, and includes a heating device and a cooling device including a refrigerant, a heat exchanger in the test space, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion element. The refrigerant is a single hydrocarbon or a mixture of hydrocarbons. The test chamber includes a mechanical room physically separated from the test space, and the cooling circuit with the compressor is at least partially located within the mechanical room. The test chamber includes a ventilation system having a detector with at least one gas sensor for detecting the refrigerant within the test space, the ventilation system including a fan and an exhaust duct. The exhaust duct is connected to the test space so that a single fan can transport air from the mechanical room and the test space to the exhaust duct.

[0016] The test chamber according to the present invention also enables the test space to be ventilated by a ventilation system when the gas sensor detects a refrigerant used in a refrigerant or a cooling system in the test space. Since the exhaust duct is connected to the test space and the machine room, air is transported from the machine room and the test space to the exhaust duct by the operation of the fan. Therefore, the air from the test space and the machine room is mixed with each other. In the machine room, the air has a temperature that is approximately the same as or slightly higher than the ambient temperature. By mixing the air coming from the machine room and the air coming from the test space, the air coming from the test space, which has a very diverse temperature range, for example, from minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius, is mixed with the air coming from the machine room, and it is possible for the air to reach a temperature at which it does not require a fan configured for extreme temperatures in the exhaust duct. Since the exhaust duct is connected to the test space and the machine room, and a common fan is used for the test space and the machine room, it becomes possible to suck air in an explosion-proof environment by simple means.

[0017] As an example, the fan may be configured, in particular, in accordance with the ATEX product directive and / or the ATEX workplace directive for use in an explosive atmosphere. By mixing the air in the test space and the air in the machine room, it is possible to achieve a medium-temperature zone temperature in the exhaust duct, so an ATEX-certified fan that can be used at a temperature from minus 20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius can be used. This makes the ventilation system particularly cost-effective and easy to manufacture.

[0018] The exhaust duct may be connected to the test space through a first duct section and to the machinery room through a second duct section, and it may be the case that the first and second duct sections lead to a common duct section of the exhaust duct. In such an example, the fan is arranged within the common duct section. As an example, the first and second duct sections may merge upstream of the fan in the common duct section. The common duct section can also be placed directly downstream of the fan with respect to the housing of the test chamber or the machinery room, and as a result, a mixture of air and refrigerant that may be explosive will be located in the common duct section that is outside the test chamber.

[0019] The ventilation system may have a regulating valve arranged within the first duct section. The regulating valve can mix a certain amount of air drawn from the test space with a certain amount of air drawn from the machinery room in a controlled manner when the fan is operating. These amounts can be mixed such that they do not reach temperatures higher than 60 degrees Celsius and lower than minus 20 degrees Celsius at the fan. The regulating valve may be a simple flap or gate arranged within the first duct section. The regulating valve is preferably configured such that the volume flow rate within the first duct section can be varied as required.

[0020] The ventilation system may have at least one sensor, which may be arranged in the first duct section, the second duct section, and / or the supply duct of the ventilation system. The supply duct is connected to the test space, and the sensor may be a flow sensor and / or a temperature sensor. As a result, the volume flow rate and / or temperature of the air in the duct section in question can be measured. Based on the volume flow rate and temperature, the air in the test space and the machine room can be mixed as necessary to achieve the desired temperature in the common duct section and the exhaust duct. The ventilation system is basically also independent of the operation of the test space or the temperature control device for the test space, because the ventilation system has its own sensors. However, it is also possible to connect the ventilation system to the temperature control device so that the ventilation system processes the temperature of the air in the test space measured by the temperature control device.

[0021] The test chamber may be provided with a controller by which the temperature of the exhaust air in the common duct section can be controlled within a temperature range of minus 20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius. The controller may be configured such that the air coming from the test space and the air coming from the machine room are mixed to have such an effect. The mixing can be controlled by an adjustment valve that can be controlled by the controller, and the temperature and / or volume flow rate of each amount of air can be measured using sensors.

[0022] Advantageously, the fan may be arranged in the machine room. ATEX-compliant fans can be used and the fans can be arranged in the machine room. In that case, the ventilation system can be formed large in the test chamber. However, in principle, it is also possible to arrange the fan outside the machine room.

[0023] The ventilation system may have an air supply duct, which may be connected to the test space. At least one valve may be located both inside the air supply duct and inside the exhaust duct, but it is preferable to locate it immediately upstream and downstream of the test space. The air supply duct may be capable of connecting the test space to the environment. In this example, when the fan draws air from the test space, fresh air from the environment can flow into the test space through the air supply duct. To prevent air from flowing freely through the test space when the fan is not operating, valves may be located inside the air supply duct and, if present, the first duct section of the exhaust duct.

[0024] The valve may be at least one flap operable by a pressure difference. Each valve may be formed by a simple flap, also referred to as a pendulum flap, which opens automatically when a pressure gradient is created, for example by a fan.

[0025] The detector may include at least one other gas sensor located inside or adjacent to the machine room, the other gas sensor being airtightly separated from the test space. The other gas sensor can detect leaking refrigerant in the machine room in the event of a leak in the cooling circuit in the machine room. In this example, a ventilation system can be used to draw air from the machine room alone or simultaneously from the test space and the machine room. A valve box, in which a valve of the cooling device or cooling circuit is integrated, may be located in the machine room. The valve box may be open toward the machine room so that the refrigerant can exit the valve box in the event of a leak at this location. This leak can also be detected by the other gas sensor. The other gas sensor, i.e., the gas sensor located in the machine room, is preferably located at the bottom of the machine room. In this way, leaking refrigerant, i.e., hydrocarbons, which are heavier than air, can sink to the bottom and be reliably detected there. Potential openings in the machine room or test chamber housing may be located above the bottom of the machine room, for example 10 cm above, so that leaking refrigerant cannot leave the machine room undetected.

[0026] The refrigerant may be fluorinated hydrocarbon-free, flammable, and / or a single-substance refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant may be propane, ethane, ethylene, propylene, isobutane, butane, or the like. The refrigerant may be a mixture of hydrocarbons, i.e., a mixture of the above components, or a mixture of primarily hydrocarbons. Furthermore, the refrigerant may be non-fluorinated hydrocarbon. This allows compliance with future regulatory requirements for refrigerants and avoids the disadvantages of fluorinated hydrocarbons. The refrigerant may also be suitable for achieving room temperatures within the test space ranging from -40°C to 180°C, preferably from -70°C to 180°C, and particularly preferably from -85°C to 200°C.

[0027] The temperature control device can be configured to achieve a room temperature within a temperature range of minus 80 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius, preferably minus 100 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius, in the test space.

[0028] In a method according to the present invention for operating a test chamber for air conditioning, in particular a temperature control chamber, a climate chamber, or the like, the test chamber is a thermally insulated test space that can be sealed from the environment and holds a test material, and includes a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space. The temperature control device is configured to achieve a room temperature within a temperature range of minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius in the test space, and has a heating device and a cooling device including a cooling circuit with a refrigerant, a heat exchanger in the test space, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion element. The refrigerant is a single hydrocarbon or a refrigerant mixture of a plurality of hydrocarbons. The test chamber includes a machine room physically separated from the test space, and at least a part of the cooling circuit with the compressor is disposed in the machine room. The test chamber has a ventilation system having at least one detector with a gas sensor for detecting the refrigerant in the test space. The ventilation system includes a fan and an exhaust duct. The exhaust duct is connected to the test space such that the fan can transport the air in the test space to the exhaust duct. The fan includes a fan motor and a fan impeller, and the fan motor is disposed in an airtight enclosure. Regarding the advantageous effects of the method according to the present invention, reference is made to the description of the advantages of the test chamber according to claim 1 of the present invention.

[0029] In an alternative method for operating a test chamber for air conditioning, particularly a temperature controlled chamber, climate chamber, or similar test chamber, the test chamber comprises an insulated test space that can be sealed from the environment and for holding a test material, and a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space, the temperature control device being configured to achieve a room temperature in the test space in a temperature range of minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius, and having a heating device and a cooling device including a refrigerant, a cooling circuit with a heat exchanger, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion element in the test space, the refrigerant being a single hydrocarbon or a refrigerant mixture of multiple hydrocarbons, the test chamber comprising a mechanical room physically separated from the test space, in which the cooling circuit with the compressor is at least partially disposed, the test chamber comprising a ventilation system having a detector with at least one gas sensor for detecting the refrigerant in the test space, the ventilation system comprising a fan and an exhaust duct, the exhaust duct being connected to the test space so that a single fan can transport air in the mechanical room and the test space to the exhaust duct. With regard to the advantageous effects of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of the advantages of the test chamber according to claim 7 of the invention.

[0030] Furthermore, the ventilation system may be operated by a control device of the test chamber when the detector detects a refrigerant. The test chamber may have control devices for open-loop and closed-loop control of modules of the test chamber, such as temperature control devices, i.e., heating and cooling devices. For example, the ventilation system may be controlled using the control device. When the detector detects a refrigerant using a gas sensor, the control device may immediately turn on the ventilation system to evacuate the test space and / or machine room. Optionally, the gas sensor may also be used to detect the amount of refrigerant in the air. In this example, the ventilation system does not need to be turned on until there is a risk of an explosive atmosphere forming. Furthermore, the control device may also be used to turn off the temperature control device, including the heating and cooling devices, when a refrigerant is detected. This prevents continued refrigerant leakage from the cooling circuit and / or ignition of the refrigerant in the test space associated with the heating device. The control device may also be configured to signal an error when a refrigerant is detected. For example, the operator can be warned of erroneous operation by means of an acoustic and / or optical signal.

[0031] The test chamber control device described above can also be used to test the functionality of the ventilation system prior to operating the temperature control device. For example, the functionality of the ventilation system can be tested by first operating the ventilation system fans to ventilate the test space and / or machine room. In this way, when the temperature control device is turned on, the test space or machine room will be filled with air from the test chamber environment. Any gases or the like present there can be removed by using the ventilation system. An operator can then safely enter the test space, for example, to work with or place test materials in the test space.

[0032] Furthermore, at least one sensor that can be used to detect the movement of air in the exhaust duct may be provided in the exhaust duct, or in the first duct section, the second duct section, and / or other duct sections of the exhaust duct. As an example, the sensor may be a simple paddle switch. This sensor enables at least a simple functional test of the ventilation system. When power is applied to the test chamber, the function of the ventilation system can be tested first, prior to the main switch or relay supplying power to other modules or temperature control devices in the test space. Similarly, when the gas sensor detects the refrigerant and the ventilation system starts operating, the control device can execute an emergency shutdown of the test chamber and other modules.

[0033] Other advantageous embodiments of the method are also apparent from the description of the features of the dependent claims related to claims 1 and 7.

[0034] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the test chamber. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic partial perspective view of the test chamber. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the test chamber. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the test chamber.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0036] 1 and 2 show schematic diagrams of a test chamber 10 comprising a housing 11, within which a test space 12 and a machine room 13 are formed. A heat exchanger 14 of a cooling circuit (not shown) of the temperature control device of the test chamber 10 is arranged in the test space 12. A fan 15 can be used to circulate the air that has just passed through the heat exchanger 14 within the test space 12. A valve box 16, within which valves (not shown) of the cooling circuit are integrated, is arranged in the machine room 13. The valve box 16 opens into the machine room 13. A condenser 17 and a compressor 18 of the cooling circuit are also arranged in the machine room 13. Openings 19 and 20 are formed in the machine room 13 for ventilating the machine room 13. A gas sensor 22 of a detector (not shown) is arranged in the bottom 21 of the machine room 13. A ventilation system 23 is also arranged in the machine room 13. The ventilation system 23 includes a fan 24 and an exhaust duct 25, which is connected to the test space 12. When a refrigerant, particularly a single hydrocarbon or a mixture of hydrocarbon refrigerants, is detected in the test space 12 or the machine room 13 by a gas sensor (not shown) located within or adjacent to the test space 12, or by gas sensor 22, the fan 24 can transport air from the test space 12 to the exhaust duct 25.

[0037] The fan 24 includes a fan motor 26 and a fan impeller 27, the fan motor 26 being disposed within an airtight enclosure 28. The enclosure 28 is formed from sheet metal and is disposed within the machine room 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the ventilation system 23 includes another fan 29, a fan motor 30, and a fan impeller 27. 31It may also include other fans 29. The fan 29 enables ventilation of the machine room 13. The fan motor 26 may be a conventional fan motor and does not need to be configured to operate in an explosive atmosphere. On the other hand, the fan 29 is for use in an explosive atmosphere. The fans 24 and 29 are connected to a common duct section 32 of the exhaust duct 25. In this example, the common duct section 32 runs outside the housing 11 within the environment 33. As a result, there is a possibility of explosion be The mixture of refrigerant and air will be located outside the housing 11.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a test chamber 34 having a test space 35 and a machine room 36. The test chamber 34 is equipped with a ventilation system 37, and the ventilation system 37 has an exhaust duct 38 including a first duct section 39, a second duct section 40, and a common duct section 41. Further, a gas sensor 42 is disposed within the test space 35, and another gas sensor 43 is disposed within the machine room 36. As an example, the gas sensor 42 may be disposed outside the test space 35 and connected to the test space 35 through a duct. Further, an air supply duct 44 is provided through which air coming from the environment 45 is guided into the test space 35. Sensors 46, 47, and 48 are disposed inside the first duct section 39, the second duct section 40, and the air supply duct 44, respectively. The sensors 46, 47, 48 are flow sensors and / or temperature sensors and can measure the volumetric flow rate and / or the temperature of the local air. A flap 49, which can be operated by a pressure difference, is disposed within the first duct section 39, and a flap 50, which can be similarly operated, is disposed within the air supply duct 44. A fan 51 is disposed within the first duct section 39, and another fan 52 is disposed within the second duct section 40. The fan 51 has an enclosure 53 that hermetically blocks a fan motor (not shown).

[0039] If a leak occurs in the cooling circuit (not shown) in the test space 35 or the machine room 36, and a refrigerant, whether a single hydrocarbon or a mixture of hydrocarbon refrigerants, leaks, the gas sensors 42 and 43 can detect the leak. In this example, a control device (not shown) in the test chamber 34 activates the ventilation system 37 or the fans 51 and 52. A controller (not shown) in the control device can monitor the function of the fans 51 and 52 through sensors 46, 47, and / or 48. This type of functional test may be performed, particularly before the temperature management device of the test chamber 34 is activated. The fans 51 and 52 may be operated independently. In any example, the first duct section 39 and the second duct section 40 are connected to a common duct section 41, which is in turn connected to the environment 45. The flaps 49 and 50 may be formed from silicone and may be operable by pressure differential. Test volume 35 is sealed by flaps 49 and 50 when fan 51 is not operating. Fan 51 may be a conventional fan not specifically configured for use in an explosive atmosphere. Fan 52 is configured for use in an explosive atmosphere.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a test chamber 54 having a test space 55, a machine room 56, and a ventilation system 57. The ventilation system 57 includes an exhaust duct 58 with a first duct section 59, a second duct section 60, and an air supply duct 61. The first duct section 59 and the air supply duct 61 are connected to the test space 55. The second duct section 60 is connected to the machine room 56. The first duct section 59 and the second duct section 60 are connected to a common duct section 62 of the exhaust duct 58. A gas sensor 63 is disposed within the test space 55, and another gas sensor 64 is disposed within the machine room 56, and the gas sensors 63 and 64 are for detecting a refrigerant, in particular, a single hydrocarbon or a refrigerant mixture of a plurality of hydrocarbons. Further, sensors 65, 66, and 67 are disposed within the first duct section 59, the second duct section 60, and the air supply duct 61, and the sensors 65, 66, and 67 are for detecting the temperature inside the duct sections 59, 60, and the air supply duct 61, and / or the air flow, i.e., the volume flow rate. Further, flaps 68 and 69, for example, formed from silicon and which can be used to seal the test space 55, are disposed within the first duct section 59 and the air supply duct 61, respectively. The flaps 68 and 69 can be configured to open automatically as a result of a pressure gradient.

[0041] A fan 70, which can be used to transport or suck air outside the test space 55 and the machine room 56, is disposed within the common duct section 62. In particular, make-up air coming from the environment 71 can flow in through the air supply duct 61. The sucked air is discharged by the fan 70 through the common duct section 62 to the environment 71. The ratio of the air sucked from the test space 55 and from the machine room 56 is set or controlled by a regulating valve 72, and the regulating valve 72 is disposed within the first duct section. The regulating valve 72It is controlled by a controller (not shown) of a control device (not shown) of the test chamber 54. This control is performed using at least sensors 65 and 66. The temperature of the transported atmosphere and optionally the volumetric flow rate are measured in the first duct section 59 and the second duct section 60, and the temperature at the fan 70 is mixed using the regulating valve 72 located upstream of the fan 70 so that the temperature range in which the fan 70 is configured is not exceeded or fallen below. The fan 70 is configured to be used in an explosive atmosphere and is configured, for example, for a temperature range from 60 degrees Celsius to minus 20 degrees Celsius. The configuration of the ventilation system 57 as shown enables the use of the fan 70. The present disclosure also includes the following aspects. [Aspect 1] A test chamber (10, 34), in particular a temperature-controlled chamber, a climate chamber or the like, for air conditioning, the test chamber (10, 34) comprises an insulated test space (12, 35) that can be sealed from the environment (33, 45) and that is for holding a test material; and a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space, the temperature control device being configured to achieve a room temperature in the test space ranging from minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius, the temperature control device having a heating device and a cooling device including a refrigerant, a cooling circuit in the test space including a heat exchanger (14), a compressor (18), a condenser (17), and an expansion element, the refrigerant being one hydrocarbon or a refrigerant mixture of multiple hydrocarbons; the test chamber comprises a mechanical room (13, 36) physically separated from the test space, the cooling circuit including the compressor being at least partially located in the mechanical room; A test chamber (10, 34) characterized in that the test chamber comprises a ventilation system (23, 37) having a detector with at least one gas sensor (22, 42) for detecting a refrigerant in the test space, the ventilation system including a fan (24, 51) and an exhaust duct (25, 38), the exhaust duct connecting to the test space so that the fan can transport air from the test space into the exhaust duct, the fan including a fan motor (26) and a fan impeller (27), the fan motor being disposed in an airtight enclosure (28, 53). [Aspect 2] 2. The test chamber of claim 1, wherein the enclosure (28, 53) is formed from metal or sheet metal and the enclosure (28, 53) airtightly separates the fan motor (26) from at least the exhaust duct (25, 38), the test space (12, 35), and / or the machine room (13, 36). Aspect 3 The test chamber according to aspect 1 or 2, characterized in that the temperature of the exhaust air in the exhaust duct (25, 38) is substantially the same as the room temperature in the test space (12, 35). 〔Aspect 4〕 The exhaust duct (25, 38) is connected to the test space through a first duct section (39) and to the machine room (13, 36) through a second duct section (40), and the fan (24, 51) is arranged in the first duct section, and the other fan (29, 52) of the ventilation system (23, 37) is arranged in the other duct section, the test chamber according to any one of aspects 1 to 3. 〔Aspect 5〕 The test chamber according to aspect 4, characterized in that the first duct section (39) and the second duct section (40) are connected to a common duct section (32, 41) of the exhaust duct (25, 38). 〔Aspect 6〕 The test chamber according to aspect 4 or 5, characterized in that the other fan (29, 52) is configured in accordance with the ATEX equipment directive and / or the ATEX workplace directive so as to be used in an explosive atmosphere. 〔Aspect 7〕 A test chamber (54) for air conditioning, in particular a temperature control chamber, a climate chamber, or the like, wherein the test chamber (54) is an insulated test space (55) that can be sealed from the environment (71) and holds test materials, and a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space, the temperature control device being configured to achieve a room temperature in the temperature range of minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius in the test space, the temperature control device having a heating device and a cooling device including a cooling circuit having a refrigerant, a heat exchanger, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion element in the test space, the refrigerant being a single hydrocarbon or a refrigerant mixture of a plurality of hydrocarbons, the test chamber having a machine room (56) physically separated from the test space, and the cooling circuit having the compressor being at least partially arranged in the machine room, in the test chamber. A test chamber (54) characterized in that the test chamber is equipped with a ventilation system (57) having a detector with at least one single gas sensor (63) for detecting a refrigerant in the test space, the ventilation system including a fan (70) and an exhaust duct (58), the exhaust duct connecting the machine room and the test space so that the fan can transport air from the machine room and the test space into the exhaust duct. Aspect 8 8. The test chamber of claim 7, wherein the fan (70) is configured for use in an explosive atmosphere, in particular in accordance with the ATEX Product Directive and / or the ATEX Workplace Directive. Aspect 9 9. The test chamber of claim 7 or 8, wherein the exhaust duct (58) is connected to the test space (55) through a first duct section (59) and to the machine room (56) through a second duct section (60), and the first duct section and the second duct section are connected to a common duct section (62) of the exhaust duct, and the fan (70) is disposed within the common duct section. Aspect 10 A test chamber according to any one of aspects 7 to 9, characterized in that the ventilation system (57) comprises a regulating valve (72) in the first duct section (59). Aspect 11 11. The test chamber according to any one of aspects 7 to 10, wherein the ventilation system (57) has at least one sensor (65, 66, 67) arranged in the first duct section (59), the second duct section (60), and / or an air supply duct (61) of the ventilation system, the air supply duct being connected to the test space (55), and the sensor being a flow sensor and / or a temperature sensor. Aspect 12 12. The test chamber of any one of aspects 7 to 11, wherein the test chamber (54) comprises a controller configured to control the temperature of the exhaust air in the common duct section (62) to a temperature range of minus 20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius. Aspect 13 A test chamber according to any one of aspects 1 to 12, characterized in that the fan (24, 51, 70) is located in the machine room (13, 36, 56). Aspect 14 The ventilation system (23, 37, 57) has an air supply duct (44, 61) connected to the test space (12, 35, 55), and at least one valve is arranged in the air supply duct and the exhaust duct (25, 38, 58), preferably immediately upstream and downstream of the test space. The test chamber according to any one of Aspects 1 to 13. 〔Aspect 15〕 The test chamber according to Aspect 14, wherein the valve is at least one flap (49, 50, 68, 69) that can be operated by a pressure difference. 〔Aspect 16〕 The detector includes at least one other gas sensor (43, 64) in the machine room (13, 36, 56), and the other gas sensor is separated from the test space (12, 35, 55) while maintaining airtightness. The test chamber according to any one of Aspects 1 to 15. 〔Aspect 17〕 The test chamber according to any one of Aspects 1 to 16, wherein the refrigerant does not use fluorinated hydrocarbons, is flammable, and / or consists of a single substance. 〔Aspect 18〕 The test chamber according to any one of Aspects 1 to 17, wherein the temperature control device is configured to achieve a room temperature within a temperature range of -80 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius, preferably -100 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius, in the test space (12, 35, 55). 〔Aspect 19〕 A method for operating a test chamber (10, 34), in particular for air conditioning, such as a temperature control chamber, a climate chamber, or the like, wherein the test chamber is a thermally insulated test space (12, 35) that can be sealed from the environment (33, 45) and holds a test material, and a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space, the temperature control device being configured to achieve a room temperature in the temperature range of minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius in the test space, the temperature control device having a heating device and a cooling device including a cooling circuit with a refrigerant, a heat exchanger (14), a compressor (18), a condenser (17), and an expansion element in the test space, the refrigerant being one hydrocarbon or a refrigerant mixture of a plurality of hydrocarbons, the test chamber having a machine room (13, 36) physically separated from the test space, and the cooling circuit with the compressor being at least partially arranged in the machine room, wherein the refrigerant in the test space is detected using at least one gas sensor (22, 42) of a detector of a ventilation system (23, 37) of the test chamber, a fan (24, 51) of the ventilation system being used to transport air in the test space to an exhaust duct (25, 38) of the ventilation system, the exhaust duct being connected to the test space, the fan comprising a fan motor (26) and a fan impeller (27), and the fan motor being arranged in an airtight enclosure (28, 53). [Aspect 20] A method for operating a test chamber (54), particularly for air conditioning, such as a temperature control chamber, a climate chamber, or the like, wherein the test chamber is an insulated test space (55) that can be sealed from the environment (21) and holds a test material, and comprises a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space, the temperature control device being configured to achieve a room temperature in the temperature range of minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius in the test space, the temperature control device having a heating device and a cooling device, the cooling device including a cooling circuit with a refrigerant, a heat exchanger, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion element in the test space, the refrigerant being one hydrocarbon or a refrigerant mixture of a plurality of hydrocarbons, the test chamber comprising a machine room (56) physically separated from the test space, and the cooling circuit with the compressor being at least partially arranged in the machine room, wherein the refrigerant in the test space is detected using at least one gas sensor (63) of a detector of a ventilation system (57) of the test chamber, and a fan (70) of the ventilation system is used to transport air in the machine room and the test space to an exhaust duct (58) of the ventilation system, the exhaust duct being connected to the machine room and the test space. [Aspect 21] The method according to aspect 19 or 20, characterized in that a controller of the test chamber (10, 34, 54) is used to operate the ventilation system (23, 37, 57) when the detector detects a refrigerant. [Aspect 22] The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 21, characterized in that a control device of the test chamber (10, 34, 54) is used to test the function of the ventilation system (23, 37, 57) prior to operation of the temperature control device.

Claims

1. A test chamber (10, 34) for air conditioning, wherein the test chamber (10, 34) is an insulated test space (12, 35) that can be sealed from the environment (33, 45) and holds test materials, and a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space, the temperature control device being configured to achieve a room temperature in the temperature range of minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius in the test space, the temperature control device having a heating device and a cooling device, the cooling device including a refrigerant, a heat exchanger (14), a compressor (18), a condenser (17), and an expansion element in the test space, the refrigerant being one hydrocarbon or a refrigerant mixture of a plurality of hydrocarbons, the test chamber having a machine room (13, 36) physically separated from the test space, the cooling circuit having the compressor being at least partially arranged in the machine room, in the test chamber, the test chamber having a ventilation system (23, 37) having at least one detector with a gas sensor (22, 42) for detecting refrigerant in the test space, the ventilation system including a fan (24, 51) and an exhaust duct (25, 38), the exhaust duct being connected to the test space such that the fan can transport air from the test space into the exhaust duct, the fan having a fan motor (26) and a fan impeller (27), the fan motor being arranged in an airtight enclosure (28, 53), characterized by the test chamber (10, 34).

2. The test chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that the enclosure (28, 53) is formed of metal or sheet metal and the enclosure (28, 53) separates the fan motor (26) from being airtight from at least the exhaust duct (25, 38), the test space (12, 35), and / or the machine room (13, 36).

3. The test chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature of the exhaust air in the exhaust duct (25, 38) is substantially the same as the room temperature in the test space (12, 35).

4. The exhaust duct (25, 38) is connected to the test space through a first duct section (39) and to the machine room (13, 36) through a second duct section (40), and the fan (24, 51) is disposed within the first duct section, and the other fan (29, 52) of the ventilation system (23, 37) is disposed within the other duct section, the test chamber according to claim 1.

5. The test chamber according to claim 4, characterized in that the first duct section (39) and the second duct section (40) are connected to a common duct section (32, 41) of the exhaust duct (25, 38).

6. The test chamber according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the other fan (29, 52) is configured to be used in an explosive atmosphere.

7. A test chamber (54) for air conditioning, the test chamber (54) being an insulated test space (55) that can be sealed from the environment (71) and holds test materials, and a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space, the temperature control device being configured to achieve a room temperature in the temperature range of minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius in the test space, the temperature control device having a heating device and a cooling device, the cooling device including a refrigerant, a heat exchanger, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion element in the test space, the refrigerant being one hydrocarbon or a refrigerant mixture of a plurality of hydrocarbons, the test chamber including a machine room (56) physically separated from the test space, the cooling circuit including the compressor being at least partially disposed within the machine room, in the test chamber, the test chamber having a ventilation system (57) having at least one detector having a single gas sensor (63) for detecting refrigerant in the test space, the ventilation system including a fan (70) and an exhaust duct (58), the exhaust duct being connected to the machine room and the test space such that the fan can transport air from the machine room and the test space into the exhaust duct, the test chamber (54).

8. The test chamber according to claim 7, characterized in that the fan (70) is configured to be used in an explosive atmosphere.

9. The test chamber according to claim 7, characterized in that the exhaust duct (58) is connected to the test space (55) through a first duct section (59) and to the machine room (56) through a second duct section (60), and the first duct section and the second duct section are connected to a common duct section (62) of the exhaust duct, and the fan (70) is arranged in the common duct section.

10. The test chamber according to claim 9, characterized in that the ventilation system (57) has an adjustment valve (72) in the first duct section (59).

11. The test chamber according to claim 9, characterized in that the ventilation system (57) has at least one sensor (65, 66, 67) arranged in the first duct section (59), the second duct section (60), and / or the air supply duct (61) of the ventilation system, and the air supply duct is connected to the test space (55), and the sensor is a flow sensor and / or a temperature sensor.

12. The test chamber according to claim 9, characterized in that the test chamber (54) has a controller configured to control the temperature of the exhaust air in the common duct section (62) within a temperature range of minus 20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius.

13. The test chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the fan (24, 51, 70) is arranged in the machine room (13, 36, 56).

14. The test chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the ventilation system (23, 37, 57) has an air supply duct (44, 61) connected to the test space (12, 35, 55), and at least one valve is arranged in the air supply duct and the exhaust duct (25, 38, 58).

15. The test chamber according to claim 14, characterized in that the valve is at least one flap (49, 50, 68, 69) operable by a pressure difference.

16. The detector comprises at least one other gas sensor (43, 64) in the machine room (13, 36, 56), and the other gas sensor is separated from the test space (12, 35, 55) in an airtight manner. The test chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and claims 7 to 12, characterized in that.

17. The refrigerant does not use fluorinated hydrocarbons, is flammable, and / or is a refrigerant composed of a single substance. The test chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and claims 7 to 12, characterized in that.

18. The temperature control device is configured to achieve a room temperature in the temperature range of minus 80 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius in the test space (12, 35, 55). The test chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and claims 7 to 12, characterized in that.

19. A method of operating a test chamber (10, 34) for air conditioning, wherein the test chamber is a thermally insulated test space (12, 35) that can be sealed from the environment (33, 45) and holds a test material, and a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space, the temperature control device being configured to achieve a room temperature in the temperature range of minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius in the test space, the temperature control device having a heating device and a cooling device including a refrigerant, a heat exchanger (14), a compressor (18), a condenser (17), and an expansion element in the test space, the refrigerant being one hydrocarbon or a refrigerant mixture of a plurality of hydrocarbons, the test chamber having a machine room (13, 36) physically separated from the test space, the cooling circuit with the compressor being at least partially disposed in the machine room, the refrigerant in the test space being detected using at least one gas sensor (22, 42) of a detector of the ventilation system (23, 37) of the test chamber, the fan (24, 51) of the ventilation system being used to transport air in the test space to an exhaust duct (25, 38) of the ventilation system, the exhaust duct being connected to the test space, the fan comprising a fan motor (26) and a fan impeller (27), and the fan motor being disposed in an airtight enclosure (28, 53). Claim 20 A method of operating a test chamber (54) for air conditioning, wherein the test chamber is an insulated test space (55) that can be sealed from the environment (71) and holds a test material, and a temperature control device for controlling the room temperature of the test space, the temperature control device being configured to achieve a room temperature in the temperature range of minus 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius in the test space, the temperature control device having a heating device and a cooling device including a refrigerant, a heat exchanger, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion element in a cooling circuit in the test space, the refrigerant being one hydrocarbon or a refrigerant mixture of a plurality of hydrocarbons, the test chamber having a machine room (56) physically separated from the test space, the cooling circuit with the compressor being at least partially arranged in the machine room, and the refrigerant in the test space being detected using at least one gas sensor (63) of a detector of a ventilation system (57) of the test chamber, the fan (70) of the ventilation system being used to transport air in the machine room and the test space to an exhaust duct (58) of the ventilation system, the exhaust duct being connected to the machine room and the test space.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that a controller of the test chamber (10, 34, 54) is used to operate the ventilation system (23, 37, 57) when the detector detects a refrigerant.

22. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that a control device of the test chamber (10, 34, 54) is used to test the function of the ventilation system (23, 37, 57) prior to operation of the temperature control device.

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