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The 3600-cubic-foot chamber common has interior dimensions of 11′ 11″ wide x 21′ 6″ deep x 14′ high, providing clear usable workspace. The floor is specifically designed to withstand 150 psi in a cyclic load condition while undergoing temperature transitions from -90°F to 185°F, humidity, rain, and solar exposure through several cycles a day.
The cyclic load is provided by an MTS actuator that connects to a device capable of penetrating the roof section in any one of eight separate or multiple locations. The actuator attaches to a structural test frame that connects to a deep foundation, providing undisturbed loading or impact cycles to a specimen inside the chamber. This frame is ultimately capable of withstanding an actuator that generates 150 kip of force. This load applies to a specimen undergoing variations of environmental tests prescribed by MIL 810 F and ASTM C666-05a.
The inside chamber houses testing capabilities in addition to the MTS actuator, including rain, blowing rain, freezing rain, high temperatures, low temperatures, humidity, and specimen immersion. The rain system consists of 10 possible manifolds, each with five nozzles. All manifolds are individually height-adjustable and include shut-off valves for each nozzle. The blowing rain system operates with a VFD fan motor that distributes air across a 4′ x 4′ section with a rain manifold designed specifically for this unit. The rain and submersion system is conditioned with a 12-hp refrigeration compressor to cool the water and a 48-kW resistance heater to heat it. The high-temperature and low-temperature conditions are controlled using 60-kW electric resistance heaters and six cascaded 30-hp refrigeration compressors, respectively. Humidity is generated using a 48-kW multi-stage atmospheric vapor generator, providing precise humidity control from 20% to 95% RH, limited by a minimum dew point of 4°C and a maximum dry bulb temperature of 60°C. Higher and lower humidity levels are possible, but controlled stability is critically affected by minor environmental changes.
The full range of controls for this chamber is handled by a product developed by Russells Technical Products known as VS-1. This software manages environmental trending and collects data 24 hours a day. The data is easily exportable to Excel. The software includes product safeguards to prevent the test item from being exposed to a more volatile environment than prescribed in the test plan.
The chamber is also designed with future expansion in mind. The controls and electrical layout follow an advanced solar simulation system, capable of generating the full spectrum of light for both UV and heat load testing. A liquid nitrogen boost is built into the system for future advanced rapid freezing techniques. Additionally, provisions exist for salt fog testing within a capsule inside the chamber, with controls designed to adapt to this as well. Both the solar system and the salt fog tests are developed to accommodate items as large as full tactical Humvees. The control cabinet also includes space for necessary equipment to signal these items and room for upgrading data collection methods.
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