Test chamber with a pull out table that has a brake and stops that limit the movement of the table

• US 5,513,538 A
• Filed: 03/15/1995
• Issued: 05/07/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Screening Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Screening Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Baker, Peter D., Nesselroad, Christopher W., Weinmann, Robert H. Jr., Baker, Lucy A., Bastien, Gilbert J., Mercado, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LARKIN, DANIEL SEAN
• Application Number:
  US08/404,352
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 73/865.6, 73/571, 73/663, 73/665, 128/202.12, 128/205.26, 312/1, 422/104, 422/294, 422/295, 422/307, 52/573.1, 52/802, 52/803, 52/810, 70/92, 70/279, 292/92, 292/DIG. 65, 292/DIG. 71, 248/439, 108/177, 108/189
• US Class Current: 73/865.6
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 1/00 Enclosures; Chambers provided with manipulation devices or glove boxes B25J21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 7/02 Vibration-testing by means of a shake table
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 99/002 Thermal testing flaw detection G01N25/72
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/65 Emergency or safety
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0908 Emergency operating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5159 Emergency exit

Abstract

A testing apparatus which has a test chamber located within a chamber frame. The apparatus includes a computer controlled ergonomic system which can vary the temperature of the test chamber. Within the test chamber is an adjustable ceiling that can be moved to vary the volume of the chamber. Extending around the outer edge of the ceiling is an inflatable seal which seals the chamber when the ceiling is moved to a new position. The ceiling and walls have a plurality of adjustable vents that direct fluid flow into the chamber. The doors of the apparatus are each constructed from an inner wall that is coupled to an outer wall by a plurality of floating joints. The floating joints allow the inner wall to contract or expand relative to the outer wall without creating a corresponding stress on the outer wall or the joints. To prevent an operator from prematurely opening a door after temperature cycling, the door locks are computer controlled so that the doors cannot be unlocked until the test chamber reaches an operator safe condition. The computer also prevents the ceiling from being adjusted until the front doors are opened and the table is pulled out of the chamber. One door also has an override button that allows the operator to open the door from the inside of the test chamber. Additionally, the testing apparatus includes a vibration table which can be pulled to a position outside of the test chamber. The table has a brake and shock absorbers that prevent an undesirable shock to the test parts when moving the table into and out of the test chamber.

Claims

1. A test chamber, comprising:

a housing that contains an inner chamber;

a table located within said inner chamber and coupled to said housing so that said table can be pulled out of said housing;

a brake that is coupled to said table, said brake prevents movement of said table when engaged and allows movement of said table when disengaged; and

,

a handle that can be moved between a first position which engages said brake and a second position which disengages said brake.

2. The test chamber as recited in claim 1, further comprising a stop that prevents said table from being detached from said housing.

3. The test chamber as recited in claim 1, further comprising a retractable wheel that supports said table when said table is pulled out of said inner chamber.

4. The test chamber as recited in claim 3, wherein said table has a follower that cooperates with a track.

5. The test chamber as recited in claim 4, wherein said follower is coupled to said wheel by a linkage arm, said track has a step that rotates said follower and moves said wheel between retracted and extended positions.

6. The test chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a door that provides access to said inner chamber, said door having a lock that can be operated from within said inner chamber.

7. The test chamber as recited in claim 6, wherein said lock is coupled to a computer that maintains said lock in a closed position until said inner chamber is in a safe condition.

8. A test chamber, comprising:

a housing that contains an inner chamber;

a track located within said inner chamber;

a table located within said inner chamber and coupled to said housing so that said table can be pulled out of said housing;

a stop that prevents said table from being detached from said housing, and,

a follower that is attached to said table and cooperates with said track to guide said table.

9. The test chamber as recited in claim 8, further comprising a brake coupled to a handle that allows movement of said table when said handle is rotated.

10. The test chamber as recited in claim 8, further comprising a retractable wheel that supports said table when said table is pulled out of said inner chamber.

11. The test chamber as recited in claim 10, wherein said follower is coupled to said wheel by a linkage arm, said track has a step that rotates said follower and moves said wheel between retracted and extended positions.

12. The test chamber as recited in claim 11, further comprising a brake coupled to a handle that allows movement of said table when said handle is rotated.

13. The test chamber as recited in claim 8, wherein said housing includes a door that provides access to said inner chamber, said door having a lock that can be operated from within said inner chamber.

14. The test chamber as recited in claim 13, wherein said lock is coupled to a computer that maintains said lock in a closed position until said inner chamber is in a safe condition.