GB283539A - Apparatus for testing the effect of weather upon objects - Google Patents

Abstract

283,539. Jameson, C. W. Jan. 13, 1927, [Convention date]. Testing physical qualities of materials.-Comprises apparatus in which a specimen is exposed to weather conditions produced artificially including water spraying apparatus, a heat generating lamp which also produces light rays such as ultra violet rays, and means for producing a humid atmosphere. This apparatus is contained in an upper cylindrical compartment 2 supported on a lower rectangular chamber 1 containing the motor mechanism and part of the regulating apparatus. The objects, for instance steel plates 3, under test are detachably supported upon a positioner formed by upper and lower rings 4, 5 connected by rods 6. The positioner is rotated 'oy an electric motor 19 through worm gear 20, 21, shaft 23, worm gear 24, 25, spur gear 26 - - 29 and a shaft 30 having a spider 5<1> that carries the ring 5. Several tiers of radially directed water ejecting nozzles 31 are provided and are connected with headers 32 - - 35 connected with compartments in a tank 44 to which water is carried by a pipe 45. The compartments are arranged in cascade so that the water issues from all nozzles under the same pressure. The nozzles are arranged on an arc coaxial with the positioner. A centrally arranged arc lamp 46 is provided, and the steel plates 3 are shielded from the arc lamp while being sprayed by an arcuate plate 47. This shield is continued to form one wall of a cooling tank 54. Access to the test plate 3 is provided by doors 50, 51 in the compartment 2. Water from a compartment in the tank 44 is supplied to the tank 54 the outer wall of which is lower than the inner wall so that water falls in a thin curtain to the bottom of the compartment 2. A blast fan 55 driven from a motor 19<1> supplies air through a conduit 56 into a chamber 58 containing canvas curtains dipping into water. The cool air is passed through a conduit 62 into an arcuate chamber 63 and through a slot into the chamber 2. A hinged valve 66 in the conduit 56 is controlled by a thermo-motive device including a piston 65 in a cylinder 65<1> containing fluid which expands under heat to move the piston and through a flexible shaft 81 lever 83, link 84, and bell-crank 85 to move a mercury switch 77 which makes the circuit of a solenoid 72 the armature of which through linkage closes the valve 66. The neighbourhood of the doors 50, 51 is kept cool by air from a chamber 90 supplied by a fan 92. Currernt is supplied from the generator 73 and master switches 99, 94, 74, 95 are provided for the motors, the lamps and the solenoid respectively. Pipes 104, 109 drain from the chambers 2 and 58 into a tank 105 through strainers 106, 110. A hand-wheel 111 is provided for positioning the shaft 30 independently of the motor, provision being made for disconnecting the necessary gear wheels. Thermometers are provided in the chamber 2.