Insulated Temperature Chamber With Directed Airflow for Faster Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard temperature chambers inefficiently transition between set temperatures due to metal liners acting as thermal loads and lack of air direction to the device being tested, leading to increased testing time and costs.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-controlled enclosure system utilizing an open-loop temperature source connected via flexible extender or directly to the chamber, featuring highly efficient thermal insulation, interchangeable manifolds for air distribution, and a self-closing cable feed-through module to optimize temperature uniformity and reduce thermal loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If standard temperature chambers use metal liners for structural support, then the chamber maintains structural integrity, but the metal liners act as thermal loads that significantly increase the time to transition between set temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metal liner from the chamber structure and replaces it with an insulated wall assembly consisting of outer and inner walls with insulation material therebetween. This extraction eliminates the thermal mass problem caused by metal liners while maintaining structural integrity through the insulated wall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the chamber walls by introducing insulation material between outer and inner walls, creating a multi-layer wall structure that reduces thermal conductivity and minimizes thermal loads during temperature transitions.
2Device complexity
If standard temperature chambers circulate air in a closed loop without directing air to the device, then the system maintains simple air circulation, but the device being tested does not receive adequate temperature-controlled air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air circulation system into distinct functional zones: an plenum chamber for air distribution, manifold assemblies with multiple outlets for targeted delivery, and a test chamber for device placement. This segmentation enables effective temperature control while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a plenum chamber and manifold assembly as intermediary components between the air source and the device being tested. These intermediaries distribute temperature-controlled air uniformly to the device while keeping the overall system design simple and maintainable.
3Loss of energy
If standard temperature chambers use complex insulation designs, then thermal performance improves, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies insulation material locally between the outer and inner walls at specific locations where thermal loss is most critical, rather than using uniform complex insulation throughout. This targeted approach minimizes heat loss while keeping manufacturing simple and cost-effective.
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
The system minimizes heat loss, reduces thermal loads, and enhances thermal response, allowing for faster temperature changes and uniformity, thereby reducing testing time and costs across various temperature chamber configurations.
Implementation Method 1
thermal insulation material formed on side surfaces of the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a source of temperature-controlled fluid is used as an open-loop temperature source for controlling the temperature within a temperature chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature chamber in which a device is tested is connected to a temperature-controlled air source for controlling temperature of the chamber. The temperature chamber includes thermal insulation formed on side surfaces of the chamber. A universal manifold adaptor for directing the temperature-controlled air directly to a device being tested is connected to the chamber. The temperature chamber also includes an exhaust system. A self-closing cable feed-through module is connected to an outer surface of the chamber. The feed-through module includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein cables are fed through the first and second portions into the chamber in a first position and the first and second portions form a leak tight seal around the cables in a second position.