Expanded Thermal Vacuum Testing Capabilities
at Experior Laboratories
Experior Labs has expanded its TVAC testing capabilities by adding two new 9.3 ft3 ExploraVac chamber systems from Ideal Vacuum Products. Through direct collaboration with Ideal Vacuum, we arrived at a custom design for the chambers suited for a variety of our customer’s needs beyond standard high vacuum testing.
Thermal control is achieved through a 22” x 22” aluminum thermal platen, with a grid of threaded holes to mount test articles for conductive thermal transfer. 5kW cartridge heaters and direct LN2 injection give a thermal range of -190C to 375C, with a max ramp rate of ~8°C/min. Additionally, a thermally controlled shroud consisting of black oxidized aluminum panels covers the ceiling and side walls of the chamber. The shroud allows for the creation of a uniform thermal radiation environment for enhanced temperature control and stability, particularly for test configurations where direct thermal conduction is limited. Ideal Vacuum’s thermal control software also offers several advanced features for automating thermal profiles, such as the use of multiple different thermocouple control locations, and applying AND/OR conditions for step advancement using a variety of possible inputs (pressure values, temperature readings from various locations, auxiliary signals, etc.)
Using a turbomolecular high vacuum pump, the chambers can reach an ultimate vacuum pressure of 5*10-7 Torr. In addition to high vacuum testing, the chambers are capable of performing low-vacuum altitude testing through the use of a sophisticated pressure control system. Electronic butterfly valves moderate purge gas injection and vacuum flow, allowing for precise control of pressure/altitude setpoints and transitions within the low vacuum regime. Furthermore, oversized roughing pumps allow the chambers to achieve very high pump-down rates – fast enough to meet the requirements for Rapid Decompression testing per MIL-STD-810H (ambient to above 40,000 ft altitude in less than 15 seconds). Purge gas injection can also be used to place a small positive pressure on the chamber, for testing altitude points up to a few thousand feet below sea level.
Two large ISO-200 ports are available to be used for various feedthrough requirements, and are pre-instrumented with 40X thermocouples as well as 40X wire leads to be used as needed. A number of other feedthrough plates are available featuring pin connectors, fluid ports, RF connectors and more, and newly customized plates can always be created to meet the specific needs of a test. The front door of the chamber features an ISO-250 fused silica viewport with an LED ring, giving a clear view of the test taking place inside.
