Environmental Chamber Duct Design for Uniform Temperature Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Environmental conditioning equipment with large chambers face challenges in achieving uniform temperature distribution, leading to significant temperature gradients that affect the reliability and repeatability of simulated environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
The equipment incorporates a duct system with strategically arranged air flow openings along its sides, which tapers inwardly and features adjustable slidable plates to control airflow, ensuring uniform airflow symmetry and improved temperature distribution within the chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If conventional air distribution systems are used in large chambers, then the chamber can accommodate large test samples, but significant temperature gradients develop that compromise testing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution system is segmented into multiple ducts arranged in a grid pattern across the chamber floor, with each duct containing multiple air flow openings. This segmentation allows air to be distributed from multiple locations simultaneously, reducing temperature gradients across large chamber volumes while maintaining reliable testing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct system incorporates adjustable air flow openings that can be locally modified to optimize air distribution in different chamber regions. Each duct section can have its air flow characteristics adjusted independently, allowing local adaptation to achieve uniform temperature distribution throughout the entire large chamber volume.
2Reliability
If air flow openings are distributed along the duct length, then temperature uniformity improves, but the duct structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is divided into multiple sections along its length, with air flow openings distributed at regular intervals. This segmentation approach achieves uniform temperature distribution by releasing air at multiple points rather than a single location, while the modular sectioned design actually simplifies construction and adjustment compared to a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow openings incorporate adjustable parameters such as variable opening sizes and adjustable deflectors that can be modified to optimize air distribution. These parameter changes allow a relatively simple duct structure to achieve complex temperature uniformity goals through flexible adjustment rather than structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly reduces temperature gradients, enhancing the uniformity of air temperature distribution and improving the reliability and repeatability of environmental testing conditions, especially in large chambers.
Implementation Method 1
an air-moving apparatus for directing air into the chamber and a duct. The duct is in fluid communication with the plenum at its proximal end
Implementation Method 2
Each of the side walls has a plurality air flow openings configured to direct air outwardly from the sides of the duct and form an air flow area that decreases along the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
An environmental conditioning equipment having a chamber, and method of directing fluid through the chamber, includes a chamber, a plenum and an air-moving apparatus for directing air into said chamber via the plenum, and a duct. The duct is formed from a base wall and opposed side walls forming two sides of the duct. Each of the side walls has a plurality air flow openings configured to direct fluid outwardly from the sides of said duct and form air flow areas that decrease is size along the longitudinal axis of the duct.