Control of the UV radiation sources for a weathering apparatus on the basis of the averaged radiation intensity

• US 7,544,948 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2005
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATLAS Material Testing Technology GmbH (Ametek Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ATLAS Material Testing Technology GmbH (Ametek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rudolph, Bernd, Borner, Bernhard, Schonlein, Artur, March, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta; David P
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOOSALIS, FANI POLYZOS
• Application Number:
  US11/195,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20060049360A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• Field of Search: 250/372, 250/252.1, 250/504.R, 250/492.1, 250/493.1, 250/395, 250/505.1, 250/494.1
• US Class Current: 250/372
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 17/004 to light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters

Abstract

The radiation power emitted from the UV radiation sources (2) in a weathering apparatus is controlled such that the radiation power of each of the radiation sources (2) is measured in a predetermined spectral range of the radiation emitted from the radiation sources, with the spectral range being chosen such that the measured radiation power is representative of the radiation power in the UV, an averaged radiation power is calculated from the measured radiation powers, and the averaged radiation power is used for controlling the electrical power to be supplied to the radiation sources (2). In particular, the control process can be carried out in such a way that the same electrical power, within a predetermined tolerance bandwidth, is supplied to each of the radiation sources (2), and the averaged radiation power is kept constant over time at a desired nominal value.

Claims

1. Method for controlling the UV radiation sources in a weathering apparatus, comprising

providing a plurality of UV radiation sensors each arranged for measuring the radiation power of one of the radiation sources, wherein the number of the UV radiation sensors is the same as the number of the UV radiation sources;

measuring radiation power of each of the radiation sources in a predetermined spectral range of the radiation emitted from the radiation sources, with the spectral range being chosen such that the measured radiation power is representative of the radiation power in the UV,

calculating an averaged radiation power from the measured radiation powers by summing the radiation powers of all radiation sources measured by the respective radiation sensors and dividing the sum by the number of the radiation sources, and

controlling the electrical power to be supplied to the radiation sources in accordance with the averaged radiation power.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein

the electrical power is controlled such that the averaged radiation power remains constant over time.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

the control process is carried out in such a way that the same electrical power, within a predetermined tolerance bandwidth, is supplied to each of the radiation sources.

4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

an averaged radiation power is calculated from measured radiation powers at regular time intervals.

7. Weathering apparatus having a weathering chamber, having UV radiation sources and having an arrangement for controlling the UV radiation sources, according to claim 4.

8. Weathering apparatus according to claim 7, comprising further

it has a weathering chamber in which the radiation sources and the sensors are accommodated,

and wherein the radiation sources are arranged along a first wall of the weathering chamber, and the samples to be weathered are arranged along a second wall, which is opposite the first wall, and

the UV sensors are fitted to a third inner wall, which connects the first wall and the second wall, and in particular are inserted into openings in the third wall.

9. Weathering apparatus according to claim 8, wherein

the samples to be weathered are held by the second wall or a holding plate.

5. Arrangement for controlling the UV radiation sources in a weathering apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of UV radiation sensors for measurement of the radiation powers of the UV radiation sources in a spectral range of the radiation emitted from the radiation sources, wherein the number of the UV radiation sensors is the same as the number of the UV radiation sources, with the spectral range being chosen such that the measured radiation power is representative of the radiation power in the UV,

a monitoring device for calculating an averaged radiation power from the measured radiation powers by summing the measured radiation powers of all radiation sources and dividing the sum by the number of the radiation source, and for production of control signals for the electrical power to be supplied to the radiation sources.

6. Arrangement according to claim 5, wherein

each radiation source is connected to a power supply device, and each power supply device has a control input which is connected to an output of the monitoring device.

10. Weather apparatus having a weathering chamber having UV radiation sources and having an arrangement for controlling the UV radiation sources according to claim 5.