Multiple-blower relative humidity controlled test chamber
First Claim
1. In an accelerated weathering apparatus having a test chamber, a specimen support, a light source powered by a power source controlled by a ballast, a pair of chamber air temperature sensors disposed before and after the test chamber, a black panel temperature sensor, an air heater, and a dual blower system for drawing and circulating fresh and recirculated air, said dual blower system including a fresh air blower and a recirculation air blower, a method for controlling both air and black panel temperatures within the test chamber, said method comprising:
- (a) selecting a desired irradiance;
(b) selecting a desired chamber air temperature and a desired black panel temperature;
(c) sensing the chamber air temperature;
(d) sensing the black panel temperature within the test chamber;
(e) comparing the sensed chamber air temperature the selected chamber air temperature;
(f) comparing the sensed black panel temperature to the selected black panel temperature; and
(g) in response to comparing steps (e) and (f), adjusting a speed of at least one of the fresh air blower and the recirculation air blower.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An accelerated weathering apparatus includes a test chamber (30), a specimen supporting means (34), a light source (60) powered by a power source controlled by a ballast, at least one chamber air temperature sensor (26), a black panel temperature sensor (36), and a multiple blower system and control means (52). A first blower (12) draws and circulates outside or fresh air and as second blower (46) optionally draws recirculated air into an air mixing duct. The speeds of the fresh air and recirculated air blowers are independently regulated and controlled by a blower controller based on the chamber air temperature and black panel temperature, respectively. In addition, a humidifier (18) and humidity controller (20) regulates humidity within the system as required.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. In an accelerated weathering apparatus having a test chamber, a specimen support, a light source powered by a power source controlled by a ballast, a pair of chamber air temperature sensors disposed before and after the test chamber, a black panel temperature sensor, an air heater, and a dual blower system for drawing and circulating fresh and recirculated air, said dual blower system including a fresh air blower and a recirculation air blower, a method for controlling both air and black panel temperatures within the test chamber, said method comprising:
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(a) selecting a desired irradiance;
(b) selecting a desired chamber air temperature and a desired black panel temperature;
(c) sensing the chamber air temperature;
(d) sensing the black panel temperature within the test chamber;
(e) comparing the sensed chamber air temperature the selected chamber air temperature;
(f) comparing the sensed black panel temperature to the selected black panel temperature; and
(g) in response to comparing steps (e) and (f), adjusting a speed of at least one of the fresh air blower and the recirculation air blower. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of accelerated weather testing a specimen within a testing apparatus having a test chamber, a specimen supporting means, irradiance sources, chamber air temperature sensor, a black panel temperature sensor, a fresh air blower, a recirculation air blower, a control means for controlling the fresh and recirculation air blowers, and a humidifier and humidity control means, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting a desired (i) irradiance, (ii) chamber air temperature (CAT), (iii) black panel temperature (BPT), and (iv) relative humidity;
(b) irradiating the specimen in accordance with the selected irradiance;
(c) drawing fresh air into the testing apparatus with the fresh air blower at an initial fresh air blower speed (SF);
(d) adding humidity to the fresh air;
(e) heating the humidified, fresh air;
(f) circulating the heated, humidified, fresh air through the test chamber;
(g) sensing the CAT of the air as it exits the test chamber;
(h) sensing the BPT as the air exits the test chamber; and
(i) recirculating a portion of the air exiting the test chamber with the recirculation air blower at an initial recirculation air blower speed (SR) such that it mixes with fresh air drawn in by the fresh air blower. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An accelerated weathering apparatus comprising:
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a test chamber;
a specimen supporting means for supporting specimens within the test chamber;
a light source disposed within the test chamber for producing light in the test chamber;
a power source for powering the light source;
a ballast means connected to the light source for controlling the amount of power the light source receives from the power source;
a duct system through which air circulates within the weathering apparatus, said duct system including;
an air mixing duct in which fresh air and recirculated air mix;
a chamber inlet duct disposed between the air mixing duct and a first end of the test chamber; and
an exhaust duct disposed between a second end of the test chamber and an exhaust;
at least one test chamber air temperature sensor disposed in at least one of the chamber inlet duct and the exhaust duct;
a black panel temperature sensor disposed adjacent the specimen supporting means for measuring one of black panel temperature (BPT) and black standard temperature (BST); and
a multiple blower system which circulates air through the test chamber, said multiple blower system including;
a fresh air blower which draws room air into the air mixing duct through a fresh air inlet;
a recirculation air blower which optionally draws air from the exhaust duct into the air mixing duct through a recirculation inlet; and
a blower controller which controls the fresh air blower speed (SF) and the recirculation air blower speed (SR). - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification