Facility 237: 7' X 8' Diffusion-Pump Vacuum

 

Description: This is a horizontal loading thermal vacuum test chamber equipped with a viewport to accommodate an external solar simulator. An overhead rail is available for mounting purposes and stainless steel tubes are available for hanging thermal blankets. The facility is used for thermal vacuum and thermal balance testing, and baking out test items.

 

Mode of Operation: The test item is craned or hand carried onto the payload cart positioned at the chamber door. Typically, the payload is instrumented and connected to GSE prior to rolling it into the chamber. Ground support equipment cabling is connected through the penetration plates and ambient functional checks are performed. Prior to solar testing, it is normal to perform an alignment check of the test item with the external simulator.

 

Chamber evacuation is provided by a rotary piston mechanical pump and an oil diffusion pump. Rapid pump down can also be performed. A sliding gate main valve allows chamber access while the pumping systems are established.

 

Parameters:

Test pressure:                                 <1x10-5 Torr (<2x10-7 psi)

Shroud temperature:

            GN2 mode:                           -140°C to +125°C (-220°F to +257°F)

            LN2 mode:                           -190°C (-310°F)

 

Diffusion pump speed for N2:       25,000 l/s (53,000 cfm)

 

Physical Characteristics:

Test volume:                                  2.13 m dia x 2.44 m L (7’ x 8’)

Payload support:                           44” x 76” cart – 584 kg (1288 lb) capacity

                                                         43.5” x 80” cart – 729 kg (1607 lb) capacity

Crane capacity:                              4,536 kg (5 ton)

Viewport dimensions:                   31cm dia (12”) quartz window

Std. electrical feedthroughs:        61-pin, 37-pin, 7-pin, 4-pin, RF

 

 

Integral Instrumentation:

Pressure:                                     Convectron - atm to 10-3 Torr

                                                     Ion gauge - 10-3 Torr to ultimate

Payload temperature:               126 channels

Contamination monitors:       TQCM, scavenger plate, cold finger, res. gas analyzer

 

Auxiliary Equipment: Heater racks and thermal conditioning units (TCUs) are available to control auxiliary heater panels, cryopanels and baseplates. The portable solar simulator can be used with this chamber.

 

Rental Rate:  Inquire