JP4756700B2 - Environmental test equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an environmental test apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus capable of supplying a heat medium adjusted to a predetermined temperature to a sample side.

Conventionally, as disclosed in FIG. 11 of Patent Document 1 below, a cooling device capable of cooling the heat medium (brine) in the tank and a heating means capable of heating the heat medium are provided. There is an environmental test apparatus that cools by supplying a heat medium whose temperature is adjusted by means to the sample side to be tested.
JP 2003-269809 A

  In the above-described conventional environmental test apparatus, the heat medium stored in the tank is adjusted to a temperature suitable for supply to the sample side and supplied. Therefore, if the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample side changes, the temperature of the entire heat medium in the tank must be changed to that temperature, and the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample side must be changed quickly. Was difficult. Therefore, it is difficult to test a conventional environmental test apparatus such as a fuel cell by maintaining a sample that changes in temperature by several tens of degrees Celsius within a few seconds as a result of power generation. There was also a problem that the accuracy of the test was lowered.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an environmental test apparatus capable of adjusting the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample side quickly and accurately.

The invention according to claim 1, which is provided to solve the above-described problem, is an environment in which a heat medium adjusted to a predetermined temperature is supplied to the sample side so that the temperature of the sample satisfies a predetermined condition. A high-temperature tank and a low-temperature tank capable of storing a heat medium, heating means capable of heating the heat medium stored in the high-temperature tank, and cooling capable of cooling the heat medium stored in the low-temperature tank. Means, and a heat medium circulation channel capable of circulating a heat medium between the sample side and the high temperature tank and / or the low temperature tank, and the heat medium circulation channel includes the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank. It has a heat medium forward path that can supply the heat medium stored in the tank to the sample side, and a heat medium return path that can return the heat medium from the sample side to the high-temperature tank and low-temperature tank. High temperature heat medium, A low-temperature heat medium taken out from the hot tank are mixed at a predetermined ratio, it is set to one, characterized in that can be supplied to the sample side through the heating medium forward.

  The environmental test apparatus of the present invention includes a high temperature tank and a low temperature tank, and mixes a heat medium adjusted in temperature in the high temperature tank and a heat medium adjusted in temperature in the low temperature tank at a predetermined ratio. The temperature of the heat medium supplied to can be adjusted. Therefore, according to the environmental test apparatus of the present invention, the temperature of the heat medium can be changed quickly and accurately so as to match the test conditions.

Here, when the test is performed using the environmental test apparatus as described above, the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample side and heat exchange on the sample side are performed, and then the high-temperature tank side and the like are connected via the heat medium return path. There is a demand to perform the test by adjusting the difference between the temperature of the heat medium returning to the low temperature tank side and satisfying a predetermined condition. As a result of investigations by the present inventors in response to such a request, in order to adjust the temperature difference, it is possible to adjust the circulation amount of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation channel based on the set value of the temperature difference. It turns out to be desirable.

Therefore, based on such knowledge, the invention described in claim 1 can set the temperature difference between the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample side and the temperature of the heat medium coming out of the sample side. Another feature is that the circulation amount of the heat medium in the heat medium circulation passage is adjusted based on the set value.

  According to such a configuration, an environmental test apparatus that can test a sample by accurately adjusting the temperature difference between the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample side and the temperature of the heat medium output from the sample side to a set value. Can be provided.

The invention according to claim 2 is an environment that can be adjusted so that the temperature of the sample satisfies a predetermined condition by supplying a heat medium adjusted to a predetermined temperature to the sample side, similarly to the invention according to claim 1. A high-temperature tank and a low-temperature tank capable of storing a heat medium, heating means capable of heating the heat medium stored in the high-temperature tank, and cooling capable of cooling the heat medium stored in the low-temperature tank. Means, and a heat medium circulation channel capable of circulating a heat medium between the sample side and the high temperature tank and / or the low temperature tank, and the heat medium circulation channel includes the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank. It has a heat medium forward path that can supply the heat medium stored in the tank to the sample side, and a heat medium return path that can return the heat medium from the sample side to the high-temperature tank and low-temperature tank. High temperature heat medium and low temperature A low-temperature heat medium that has been removed from click are mixed at a predetermined ratio, it is set to one, characterized in that can be supplied to the sample side through the heating medium forward.

Here, when the test is performed using the environmental test apparatus as described above, the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample side (forward temperature) is set to a predetermined temperature, and from the sample side to the high temperature tank side or the low temperature tank. There is a demand to perform a test by adjusting the temperature of the heat medium returning to the side (return temperature) to satisfy a predetermined condition. As a result of the study by the present inventors based on such a demand, in such a case, the forward temperature is set by adjusting the circulation amount of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation channel based on the set value of the temperature difference. It has been found that the return temperature can be accurately adjusted while maintaining a predetermined temperature.

  Therefore, based on such knowledge, the invention described in claim 2 is based on the temperature of the heat medium returning from the sample side to the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank through the heat medium return path, and circulating the heat medium in the heat medium circulation channel. It is also characterized by the amount being adjusted.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to provide an environmental test apparatus that can adjust test conditions so that the heat medium that has finished heat exchange with the sample satisfies a predetermined temperature condition.

The invention according to claim 3 is based on the set value of the temperature of the heat medium to be supplied to the sample, the high-temperature heat medium taken out from the high-temperature tank and the low-temperature heat medium taken out from the low-temperature tank. an environmental test apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that by mixing with the derived mixture ratio can be supplied Te.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to provide an environmental test apparatus that can accurately adjust the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample to the set value.

In the invention according to claim 4 , a pressure feeding means capable of pressure feeding the heat medium circulating between the sample and the sample is connected in the middle of the heat medium circulation flow path, and the pressure feeding means is a pressure feeding device having different pressure feeding capabilities. a a plurality, the pumping device is an environmental test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation flow path.

  In the environmental test apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of pumping apparatuses having different pumping capacities connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation passage are employed as the pumping means for pumping the heat medium. Therefore, in the environmental test apparatus of the present invention, the resolution of the pumping capability of the pumping means is high, and the pumping amount of the heat medium can be adjusted with high accuracy. Moreover, in the environmental test apparatus of this invention, the pumping capability of a pumping means can be changed smoothly.

  In addition, as described above, by adjusting the circulation amount of the heat medium in the heat medium circulation channel, the temperature (return temperature) of the heat medium returning from the sample side to the high temperature tank or the low temperature tank side or the sample side is supplied. The temperature difference between the temperature of the heating medium (forward temperature) and the return temperature can be adjusted so as to satisfy a predetermined condition. Therefore, according to the environmental test apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to accurately perform a test in which the return temperature or the temperature difference between the return temperature and the return temperature must be adjusted.

  Here, in the above-described environmental test apparatus of the present invention, a high temperature heat medium and a low temperature heat medium are mixed and the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample side is adjusted. Unlikely, it may be difficult to accurately adjust the flow rate ratio (mixing ratio).

Therefore, the invention according to claim 5 provided on the basis of such knowledge is that the heat medium forward path includes a high temperature heat medium extraction pipe capable of extracting the heat medium from the high temperature tank, and a low temperature capable of extracting the heat medium from the low temperature tank. The environmental test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the low-temperature heat-medium extraction pipe has an opening diameter larger than that of the high-temperature heat-medium extraction pipe. It is.

  According to such a configuration, even when the viscosity of the heat medium on the high temperature tank side and the heat medium on the low temperature tank side are different due to the temperature difference, the flow rate ratio (mixing ratio) of both heat mediums can be accurately adjusted. Can do.

In the invention according to claim 6 , there is a confluence where the high-temperature heat medium taken out from the high-temperature tank and the low-temperature heat medium taken out from the low-temperature tank are joined in the middle of the heat medium outgoing path. the flow direction downstream of the heat medium than an environmental test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the heat medium temperature adjustable temperature control means.

  According to such a configuration, even if the heat medium derived from the high-temperature tank or the low-temperature tank toward the sample side changes in temperature due to heat radiation or the like before reaching the sample side, it can be corrected. Therefore, according to the environmental test apparatus of the present invention, the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample side can be accurately adjusted.

  Here, the environmental test apparatus of the present invention described above has a high-temperature tank, a low-temperature tank, and a heat medium circulation system including a heat medium circulation channel, and gas is mixed in this circulation system. there is a possibility. As a result of investigations by the present inventors, it has been found that if gas is mixed in the circulation system, there is a possibility that a test accuracy may be lowered due to this influence.

Therefore, the related invention proposed based on such knowledge has a high temperature tank, a low temperature tank, and a heat medium circulation system including a heat medium circulation channel, and the high temperature tank, the low temperature tank, and the heat medium. At least one of the circulation channels is provided with exhaust means that opens the circulation system to the outside air and can release the gas existing in the circulation system toward the outside air.

  According to such a configuration, the gas present in the circulation system can be released toward the outside air by the exhaust means. Therefore, according to the environmental test apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of problems such as a decrease in test accuracy due to the presence of gas in the circulation system.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the environmental test apparatus which can adjust the temperature of the heat medium supplied to a sample side quickly and accurately can be provided.

  Next, the environmental test apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The environmental test apparatus 1 is adjusted to a predetermined temperature with respect to the workpiece heat exchange unit 100 provided in the sample W in order to adjust the temperature of a test object (sample W) such as a fuel cell installed in the temperature-controlled room R. A heating medium (brine) can be supplied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the environmental test apparatus 1 includes tanks 10 and 20, a refrigerator 30, a heat medium circulation channel 50, and the like. The tank 10 is for storing a heat medium heated to a high temperature (high temperature tank). The tank 20 is for storing a heat medium cooled to a low temperature (low temperature tank). In this embodiment, the heat medium heated to 90 ° C. is stored in the tank 10, and the heat medium cooled to −40 ° C. is stored in the tank 20.

  The tanks 10 and 20 have the same capacity. In addition, the sum of the capacities of the tanks 10 and 20 is a heat medium that can be circulated per unit time with the sample W side via the heat medium circulation passage 50 that will be described in detail later when the environmental test apparatus 1 is operated. It is about the same as the maximum value of the total amount. In the present embodiment, the capacities of the tanks 10 and 20 are 10 to 20 [liters], respectively, whereas the total amount of the heat medium that can be circulated through the heat medium circulation passage 50 during the operation of the environmental test apparatus 1 is 10. [L / min] or less. Therefore, when the environmental test apparatus 1 starts operation, almost all of the heat medium in the tanks 10 and 20 is replaced every unit time.

  The tanks 10 and 20 have exhaust means 11 and 21, respectively. The exhaust means 11 and 21 have pipes communicating with the inside of the tanks 10 and 20, respectively, and are configured such that valves 11a and 21a are attached in the middle thereof. The valves 11a and 21a are normally closed. By opening the valves 11a and 21a, the gas present in the tanks 10 and 20 can be discharged from the top side. The tanks 10 and 20 are provided with heaters 12 and 22 (heating means), and by operating them, the heat medium stored inside can be heated.

  Cooling circuits 13 and 23 (cooling means) are connected to the tanks 10 and 20, respectively. The cooling circuit 13 cools the heat medium by heat exchange between the heat medium stored in the tank 10 and cooling water supplied from the outside. Specifically, the cooling circuit 13 is for cooling the heat medium stored in the tank 10 side.

  The cooling circuit 13 has a heat exchanger 15, a primary cooling side outgoing path 16 a and a primary cooling side return path 16 b are connected to the primary side thereof, and a secondary cooling side outgoing path 17 a and a secondary cooling side return path are connected to the secondary side. 17b is connected. The cooling primary side outward path 16 a is connected to a water supply source (not shown) and is a flow path for supplying the cooling water supplied from the water supply source to the heat exchanger 15. The cooling primary return path 16b is a flow path for discharging the cooling water supplied to the heat exchanger 15 through the cooling primary side forward path 16a to the outside. A valve 16c is provided in the middle of the cooling primary side return path 16b, whereby the flow rate of the cooling water flowing into the primary side of the heat exchanger 15 can be adjusted.

  Further, the cooling secondary side forward path 17a and the cooling secondary side return path 17b are connected so as to connect the secondary side of the heat exchanger 15 and the tank 10, respectively. A pump 17c is provided in the middle of the cooling secondary side forward path 17a. The cooling circuit 13 operates the pump 17 c and supplies the heat medium in the tank 10 to the secondary side of the heat exchanger 15, thereby supplying the heat medium to the cooling water supplied from the water supply source to the primary side. It can be cooled by heat exchange.

  On the other hand, the cooling circuit 23 is for cooling the heat medium stored in the tank 20 side. The cooling circuit 23 includes a refrigerator 30 and a heat exchanger 25, and connects the primary side of the heat exchanger 25 and the refrigerator 30 with a cooling primary side forward path 26a and a cooling primary side return path 26b, The secondary side of the exchanger 25 and the tank 20 are connected by a cooling secondary side forward path 27a and a cooling secondary side return path 27b.

  The refrigerator 30 is similar to a conventionally known one, and is configured to be able to cool the refrigerant circulating between the heat exchanger 25 via the cooling primary side forward path 26a and the cooling primary side return path 26b. . A valve 26c is provided in the middle of the cooling primary side outgoing path 26a.

  The cooling secondary side forward path 27 a is a flow path for supplying a heat medium from the tank 20 side to the secondary side of the heat exchanger 25, and the cooling secondary side return path 27 b is a secondary path of the heat exchanger 25. This is a flow path for returning the heat medium cooled by the heat exchanger 25 from the side toward the tank 20. A pump 27c is provided in the middle of the cooling secondary side outgoing path 27a. The cooling circuit 23 operates the pump 27c to supply the heat medium in the tank 20 to the secondary side of the heat exchanger 25, and supplies the refrigerant cooled by the refrigerator 30 to the primary side of the heat exchanger 25. Thus, the heat medium on the tank 20 side can be cooled to a predetermined temperature.

  A heat medium circulation channel 50 is connected to the tank 10 and the tank 20. The heat medium circulation channel 50 is a channel for circulating the heat medium between the tank 10 and the tank 20 and the work heat exchange unit 100. The heat medium circulation channel 50 includes a heat medium forward path 51 that supplies a heat medium from the tanks 10 and 20 toward the work heat exchange unit 100 (sample W), and a tank 10 from the work heat exchange unit 100 (sample W) side. , 20 is roughly divided into a heat medium return path 52 for returning the heat medium to the side and a bypass flow path 53.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the heat medium forward path 51 has a confluence M in the middle, and the high temperature side forward path 60 and the low temperature side forward path 61 are provided on the upstream side in the flow direction of the heat medium, that is, on the tanks 10 and 20 side. Have. The heat medium forward path 51 has a collective forward path 65 on the downstream side in the flow direction of the heat medium with respect to the junction M, that is, on the work heat exchange unit 100 side.

  The high temperature side forward path 60 is a pipe line connected to a position on the bottom side of the tank 10 and has a flow rate adjusting valve 62 in the middle. The low temperature side forward path 61 is a pipe line connected to a position on the bottom side of the tank 20 and has a flow rate adjusting valve 63 in the middle. The opening diameter of the low temperature side forward path 61 is larger than the opening diameter of the high temperature side forward path 60 connected to the tank 10. The high temperature side forward path 60 and the low temperature side forward path 61 are joined at the junction M.

  The collective outgoing path 65 is a flow path in which the heat medium that has flowed out of the tanks 10 and 20 through the high-temperature-side outgoing path 60 and the low-temperature-side outgoing path 61 flows and flows from the junction M to the workpiece heat exchange unit 100 (sample W ) It extends toward the side. In the middle of the collecting forward path 65, a pressure feeding means 66, a temperature adjusting means 67, a valve 68, a flow meter 69, and the like are provided.

  The pumping means 66 is constituted by a combination of a plurality of pumps 66a, 66b, 66c (pumping devices) (three pumps in the present embodiment). The pumps 66a to 66c are constituted by rotary pumps, and have different pumping capacities. Specifically, the pumps 66a to 66c are each constituted by a gear pump. In this embodiment, the pump 66a has a pumping capacity of 8 [liter / min], the pump 66b has a pumping capacity of 2 [liter / min], and the pump 66c has a pumping capacity of 1 [liter / min]. What you have is adopted. As shown in FIG. 1, the pumps 66 a to 66 c are connected in parallel to the collective outgoing path 65.

  A temperature adjusting means 67 is provided on the downstream side in the flow direction of the heat medium with respect to the pressure feeding means 66, that is, on the work heat exchange unit 100 side. In the present embodiment, a heater is employed as the temperature adjusting means 67, and thereby, the temperature drop of the heat medium during the flow downstream of the junction M can be compensated. A valve 68 is provided on the downstream side of the pressure feeding means 66. A flow meter 69 is provided downstream of the valve 68 in the heat medium flow direction. The flow meter 69 is a so-called mass flow meter, and a Coriolis type is adopted in this embodiment.

  The collective outgoing path 65 is connected to the inlet 100a of the workpiece heat exchange unit 100 for adjusting the temperature of the sample W installed in the temperature-controlled room R. A forward temperature detection means 70 capable of detecting the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the workpiece heat exchanging unit 100 is provided in the middle of the confluence channel 65 and in the constant temperature chamber R and immediately before the inlet 100a. It has been.

  On the other hand, the heat medium return path 52 is a flow path for returning the heat medium heat-exchanged in the workpiece heat exchange section 100 on the sample W side toward the tanks 10 and 20 side. The heat medium return path 52 is roughly divided into a collective return path 80, a high temperature side return path 81, and a low temperature side return path 82 connected to the outlet 100 b of the work heat exchange unit 100.

  Return temperature detection means 83 is provided in the middle of the return path 80 at a position adjacent to the outlet 100b in the temperature-controlled room R. The collective return path 80 is branched at a branch point D into a high temperature side return path 81 connected to the tank 10 and a low temperature side return path 82 connected to the tank 20. The high temperature side return path 81 and the low temperature side return path 82 are connected to positions above the high temperature side outward path 60 and the low temperature side outward path 61 with respect to the tanks 10 and 20, respectively.

  A bypass flow path 53 is connected so as to connect between the collective forward path 65 of the heat medium forward path 51 and the collective return path 80 of the heat medium return path 52. A valve 90 is provided in the middle of the bypass flow path 53. The bypass flow path 53 is used as an auxiliary for controlling the flow rate of the heat medium flowing toward the sample W via the collective forward path 65. That is, for example, when the pumping capacity of the pumping means 66 becomes unstable for some reason, the valve 90 provided in the bypass channel 53 is opened and closed. As a result, a part of the heat medium flowing through the collective forward path 65 shortcuts the work heat exchange unit 100 provided on the sample W side and flows from the collective forward path 65 side to the collective return path 80 side. The flow rate of the flowing heat medium is adjusted.

Then, operation | movement of the environmental test apparatus 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated. When environmental tester 1 starts operating, heaters 12, 22 and cooling circuit 13, 23 is actuated, the thermal medium in the tank 10 is adjusted to a high temperature, the heat medium in the tank 20 is adjusted to a low temperature The In the present embodiment, the heat medium in the tank 10 is heated to 90 ° C., and the heat medium in the tank 20 is cooled to −40 ° C.

More specifically, the heat medium present in the tank 10 is heated by the heaters 12 to a predetermined temperature. Further, when the heat medium existing in the tank 10 is higher than a predetermined temperature, the pump 17c provided in the cooling circuit 13 is operated, and the cooling secondary side forward path 17a and the cooling secondary side return path 17b are operated. Through the secondary side of the heat exchanger 15. Thereby, the heat medium in the tank 10 is cooled by heat exchange with water supplied from the external water supply source to the primary side of the heat exchanger 15 in the heat exchanger 15, and the temperature of the heat medium is finely adjusted.

On the other hand, the heat medium present in the tank 20 is sucked out to the secondary side of the heat exchanger 25 through the secondary side forward path 27a by the pump 27c provided in the cooling circuit 23 described above. Then, the heat medium is cooled to a predetermined temperature in the heat exchanger 25 by heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating between the refrigerator 30 and the primary side of the heat exchanger 25, and then returned to the tank 20 side. Return. Further, if the heat medium in the tank 20 is in the lower temperature than the predetermined temperature, heaters 22 is operated, the temperature of the heat medium is finely adjusted.

  When a test is performed on a test object (sample W) such as a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine by the environmental test apparatus 1, the heat medium is supplied to the work heat exchange unit 100 in a state where the temperature and the flow rate are adjusted. . More specifically, when the test is performed by the environmental test apparatus 1, the pumps 66 a to 66 c constituting the pressure feeding unit 66 are activated, and the flow rates provided in the high temperature side forward path 60 and the low temperature side forward path 61. The regulating valves 62 and 63 are opened.

  Here, the pumping capabilities of the pumps 66 a to 66 c are appropriately distributed and adjusted according to the amount of the heat medium to be supplied to the workpiece heat exchange unit 100 attached to the sample W. More specifically, as described above, the pump 66a employed in the present embodiment has a pumping capacity of 8 [liter / min], and the pump 66b has a pumping capacity of 2 [liter / min]. The pump 66c has a pumping capacity of 1 [liter / min]. In the present embodiment, when pumping the heat medium, three pumps with different pumping capacities arranged in parallel are appropriately operated. Therefore, the pumping means 66 can adjust the pumping amount of the heat medium with high resolution by appropriately adjusting the output of the pump 66c having a low pumping capacity. Further, the pressure feeding means 66 can smoothly change the flow rate even when the flow rate of the heat medium is changed.

  The opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 62 and 63 is adjusted according to the temperature of the heat medium to be supplied to the workpiece heat exchanging unit 100 (hereinafter referred to as the forward temperature Tg if necessary). That is, the environmental test apparatus 1 adjusts the opening ratio of the flow rate adjusting valves 62 and 63 to adjust the mixing ratio of the high-temperature heat medium sent from the tanks 10 and 20 and the low-temperature heat medium, thereby exchanging workpiece heat. The temperature of the heat medium supplied to the unit 100 can be adjusted. Specifically, the temperature of the heat medium in the tank 10 is adjusted to 90 ° C., and the temperature of the heat medium in the tank 20 is adjusted to −40 ° C. When the total flow rate of the heat medium supplied to the workpiece heat exchanging unit 100 side is 10 [liter / minute], the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valves 62 and 63 is 5 [liter / minute] on the high temperature side forward path 60. By adjusting the low temperature side forward path 61 so that the heat medium flows at a flow rate of 5 [liter / min], the forward temperature Tg can be adjusted to 65 ° C.

  The environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a plurality of operation modes, and can be operated in an operation mode arbitrarily selected according to a test method of a test object (sample W) such as a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine. It is. More specifically, the environmental test apparatus 1 has a plurality of operation modes such as a constant flow rate / forward temperature mode and a constant temperature difference mode as its operation mode.

  The constant flow rate / forward temperature mode is an operation mode in which the heat medium is supplied at a constant flow rate while maintaining the temperature (forward temperature) of the heat medium supplied to the workpiece heat exchanging unit 100 constant. . When the environmental test apparatus 1 operates in the constant flow rate / forward temperature mode, the pumping capability of the pumping means 66 is feedback-controlled based on the flow rate of the heat medium detected by the flow meter 69 and is maintained constant.

  When operating the environmental test apparatus 1 in the constant flow rate / forward temperature mode, the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the workpiece heat exchange unit 100 from the inlet 100a (hereinafter referred to as the forward temperature Tg as required) is constant. The temperature is adjusted so that More specifically, the opening ratio of the flow rate adjusting valves 62 and 63 is adjusted based on a set value of the forward temperature Tg set as a test condition (hereinafter referred to as the forward set temperature Tsg as necessary). As a result, the high-temperature heat medium and the low-temperature heat medium derived from the tanks 10 and 20 are merged and mixed at the junction M according to the opening ratio of the flow rate adjusting valves 62 and 63, and adjusted to a predetermined temperature. It becomes a state. Thereafter, the heat medium that has passed through the junction M flows through the collecting forward path 65 toward the sample W side. Here, the heat medium flowing through the collective path 65 may radiate heat while flowing through the collective path 65 to lower the temperature. In this case, the temperature adjusting means 67 provided in the middle of the collecting forward path 65 is operated to finely adjust the temperature of the heat medium.

  As described above, the heat medium flowing through the collecting forward path 65 flows from the inlet 100a side into the workpiece heat exchanging unit 100 attached so as to be able to exchange heat with the sample W. The heat medium introduced into the workpiece heat exchanging unit 100 flows out of the outlet 100b to the collective return path 80 after undergoing heat exchange with the sample W.

  The heat medium flowing through the collective return path 80 is divided into a high temperature side return path 81 and a low temperature side return path 82 at a branch point D provided in the middle, and returns to the upper side of the tanks 10 and 20, respectively. The heat medium returned to the tanks 10 and 20 is heated or cooled in the same manner as described above, and adjusted to a predetermined temperature. While the environmental test apparatus 1 operates in the constant flow rate / forward temperature mode, the heat medium stored in the tanks 10 and 20 continues to circulate in this way.

  In the constant temperature difference mode, the temperature of the heat medium returning to the tanks 10 and 20 from the outlet 100b of the work heat exchange unit 100 attached to the sample W side (hereinafter referred to as necessary) is returned as the environmental test apparatus 1 is operated. This is an operation mode in which operation is performed such that the difference between the temperature Tb) and the going temperature Tg (hereinafter referred to as temperature difference ΔT as required), that is, ΔT = | Tb−Tg |. Also in the case of operating in the constant temperature difference mode, the opening ratio of the flow rate adjusting valves 62 and 63 is adjusted as described above, the heat medium is led out from the tanks 10 and 20, and the high temperature heat medium to be mixed and the low temperature medium are mixed. The mixing ratio with the heat medium is adjusted, whereby the forward temperature Tg of the heat medium is adjusted to the forward set temperature Tsg.

  On the other hand, when the operation is performed in the constant temperature difference mode, the temperature difference ΔT is set as a test condition, and based on this, the set value of the return temperature Tb of the heat medium (hereinafter referred to as the return set temperature Tsb as necessary). Is derived). Therefore, when operating in the constant temperature difference mode, this detected temperature is based on the detected temperature of the return temperature detecting means 83 provided in the collective return path 80 that constitutes the heat medium circulation flow path 50, and the detected return temperature Tsb described above. The outputs of the pumps 66a to 66c constituting the pressure feeding means 66 are feedback-controlled so that While operating in the constant temperature difference mode, the environmental test apparatus 1 continues to operate as described above and continues to circulate so that the temperature difference ΔT of the heat medium becomes constant.

  As described above, the environmental test apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the heat medium circulation channel 50 in addition to the tank 10 for storing a high-temperature heat medium and the tank 20 for storing a low-temperature heat medium. . Then, the high-temperature heat medium taken out from the tank 10 and the low-temperature heat medium taken out from the tank 20 are mixed at a predetermined ratio, and the work heat exchanging unit 100 and the tank 10 are connected via the heat medium circulation channel 50. The heat medium can be circulated with the tank 20. Therefore, according to the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the temperature of the heat medium supplied toward the sample W side can be changed quickly and accurately so as to match the test conditions.

  In the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the high-temperature heat medium in the tank 10 and the low-temperature heat medium in the tank 20 based on the forward set temperature Tsg that is the set value of the temperature of the heat medium to be supplied to the sample W. Is set, and the opening ratio of the flow rate adjusting valves 62 and 63 is adjusted based on this mixing ratio. Then, the high-temperature heat medium and the low-temperature heat medium are mixed at the above-described mixing ratio and fed toward the sample W side. Therefore, according to the environmental test apparatus 1, the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample W (forward temperature Tg) can be accurately adjusted to the set value.

  In addition, when the environment test apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment selects the constant temperature difference mode as the operation mode, the temperature difference ΔT between the return temperature Tg and the return temperature Tb with respect to the workpiece heat exchange unit 100 provided on the sample W side. The output of the pressure feeding means 66 is feedback-controlled based on the set value, and the amount of circulation of the heat medium in the heat medium circulation passage 50 is adjusted. In addition, when the return temperature constant mode is selected as the operation mode, the environmental test apparatus 1 performs feedback control on the output of the pressure feeding means 66 based on the temperature detected by the return temperature detection means 83, and The circulation amount of the heat medium is adjusted. For this reason, in the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the constant temperature difference mode or the constant return temperature mode is selected as the operation mode, the temperature difference ΔT or the return temperature is not changed without changing the forward temperature Tg to the sample W side. Tb can be adjusted with high accuracy.

  Here, the pumping means 66 employed in the present embodiment has a configuration in which a plurality of gear pumps (pumps 66a to 66c) having different pumping capabilities are arranged in parallel. Therefore, the pressure-feeding means 66 has a high resolution of the pressure-feeding capacity, and can smoothly change the flow rate. Therefore, according to the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the temperature difference ΔT of the heat medium and the return temperature Tb can be changed quickly and accurately according to the test conditions.

  In this embodiment, the example which employ | adopted what is called a gear pump was illustrated as pump 66a-66c, However, This invention is not limited to this, For example, pumps, such as a screw pump and a tubing pump, are also suitable as pumps 66a-66c. Can be adopted. Even when these pumps are employed as the pumps 66a to 66c, the flow rate of the heat medium can be adjusted easily and accurately as in the case where the gear pump is employed.

  Further, when pumps such as gear pumps, screw pumps, and tubing pumps are employed as the pumps 66a to 66c, there is almost no variation in the discharge pressure due to the output variation unlike when a centrifugal pump is employed. Therefore, if a gear pump or the like is employed as the pumps 66a to 66c, the output fluctuation, that is, the pressure fluctuation accompanying the flow fluctuation of the heat medium hardly occurs, and the test accuracy of the environmental test can be further improved.

  As described above, the environmental test apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can perform the test of the sample W by operating in a plurality of operation modes such as the constant flow rate / forward temperature mode and the constant temperature difference mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the environmental test apparatus 1 may not be implemented for one or more of these operation modes, or may be operable in other operation modes.

  Further, as described above, in the environmental test apparatus 1, the heat medium forward path 51 has the high temperature side forward path 60 that can take out the heat medium from the tank 10 and the low temperature side forward path 61 that can take out the heat medium from the tank 20. However, the opening diameter of the low temperature side forward path 61 is larger than the opening diameter of the high temperature side forward path 60. Therefore, the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a very large temperature difference between the high-temperature heat medium and the low-temperature heat medium as described above. And the flow rate ratio (mixing ratio) of the low-temperature heat medium can be adjusted with high accuracy.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the sizes of the opening diameters of the high temperature side forward path 60 and the low temperature side forward path 61 are different in consideration of the difference in the viscosity of the heat medium due to the temperature difference is illustrated. It is not limited to this, The opening diameter of both may be substantially the same.

  The environmental test apparatus 1 described above has a junction M where the high-temperature heat medium taken out from the tank 10 and the low-temperature heat medium taken out from the tank 20 join in the middle of the heat medium forward path 51, and more than this. On the downstream side in the flow direction of the heat medium, that is, on the sample W side, temperature adjusting means 67 capable of adjusting the temperature of the heat medium is provided. For this reason, for example, due to circumstances such as the piping length of the collecting forward path 65 being long, the temperature of the heat medium mixed and adjusted at the junction M until reaching the sample W side through the collecting forward path 65 is increased by heat radiation or the like. Even if it changes, this can be fine-tuned. Therefore, according to the environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample W side can be adjusted with higher accuracy.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the temperature adjusting means 67 provided with the heater is provided in the middle of the collecting forward path 65 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration without the temperature adjusting means 67 is provided. It is good. Further, the temperature adjusting means 67 may be configured not only to heat the heat medium but also to cool it.

  The environmental test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a heat medium circulation system including the tank 10, the tank 20, and the heat medium circulation channel 50. Further, by opening the valves 11a and 21a of the exhaust means 11 and 21 provided in the tank 10 and the tank 20, the circulation system is opened to the outside air, and the gas existing in the circulation system is directed to the outside air. It can be in a releasable state. Therefore, the environmental test apparatus 1 has a problem that the flow meter 69 erroneously detects that gas is mixed in the circulation system, and the flow rate of the heat medium fluctuates unnecessarily. Can be suppressed.

  Note that the exhaust means 11 and 21 described above are merely examples of a configuration for discharging the gas mixed in the circulation system, and instead of either or both of the exhaust means 11 and 21. Alternatively, a configuration capable of discharging other gases may be employed. Further, the environmental test apparatus 1 may not include either or both of the exhaust means 11 and 21.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the bypass flow path 53 that bypasses the collective forward path 65 and the collective return path 80 is provided as a part of the heat medium circulation flow path 50 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the bypass channel 53 is not provided.

  Although the environmental test apparatus 1 shown in the above embodiment includes the work heat exchange unit 100 attached to the sample W, the present invention is not limited to this. More specifically, the environmental test apparatus 1 is configured not to include the workpiece heat exchanging unit 100, and the heating medium return path 51 and the heating medium return path 52 constituting the heating medium circulation path 50 are directly connected to the sample W. The heating medium forward path 51 and the heating medium return path 52 may be connected to a temperature control device such as a heat exchanger or a radiator separately attached to the sample W.

  Since the above-described environmental test apparatus 1 has the high temperature side return path 81 and the low temperature side return path 82 connected to the top side of the tanks 10 and 20, even if gas is included in the heat medium returning from the sample W side. The possibility that this gas is mixed in the heat medium flowing from the tanks 10 and 20 toward the sample side W is low.

  More specifically, the gas is generally lighter than an ethylene glycol aqueous solution or the like used as a heat medium. Therefore, if the gas enters the tanks 10 and 20, the gas tries to rise up the tanks 10 and 20. However, since a heat medium such as an ethylene glycol aqueous solution has a high viscosity, once a gas is mixed in the heat medium, it tends to be difficult to escape from the heat medium. Therefore, if the high temperature side return path 81 and the low temperature side return path 82 are connected to the bottom side of the tanks 10 and 20, the heat medium returning to the tanks 10 and 20 via the high temperature side return path 81 and the low temperature side return path 82 If gas is contained in the gas, there is a high possibility that the gas will circulate between the sample W side and the tanks 10 and 20 without escape from the heat medium.

  However, in the environmental test apparatus 1 described above, the high temperature side return path 81 and the low temperature side return path 82 are connected to the top side of the tanks 10 and 20. Further, in the environmental test apparatus 1, the cooling secondary return paths 17b and 27b connected to the heat exchangers 15 and 25 for cooling the heat medium in the tanks 10 and 20 are connected to the cooling secondary outward paths 17a and 27a. Connected upward. That is, in the tanks 10 and 20, the heat medium is formed so as to flow from the upper side to the lower side. Therefore, even if gas is mixed in the heat medium returning to the tanks 10 and 20 via the high temperature side return path 81 and the low temperature side return path 82, the heat medium is not supplied until the sample W side is supplied next. There is a high possibility that gas will escape to the top side of the tanks 10 and 20.

  That is, in the environmental test apparatus 1, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing from the upper side to the lower side in the tanks 10 and 20 (referred to as the in-tank flow rate V) is the speed at which bubbles rise in the heat medium (bubble rise speed v). ), I.e., V <v, it is possible to prevent the bubbles from circulating through the heat medium circulation channel 50 while being mixed in the heat medium. Therefore, the environmental test apparatus 1 is less likely to cause a problem that is a concern due to gas being mixed into the heat medium.

  Further, in the environmental test apparatus 1, the liquid level of the heat medium stored in the tanks 10 and 20 is such that the high temperature side return path 81, the low temperature side return path 82, and the cooling secondary side return paths 17 b and 27 b are relative to the tanks 10 and 20. It is good also as a structure which gives an alarm etc. so that a heat carrier may be supplemented on the condition that it becomes lower than the connected position. With this configuration, the heat medium leaks when the heat medium circulation channel 50 is attached or detached when the sample W is exchanged, so that a large amount of gas exists in the tanks 10 and 20, or the gas is Mixing in the heat medium can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the high temperature side return path 81 and the low temperature side return path 82 are arranged on the top side of the tanks 10 and 20, that is, the high temperature side forward path 60 and the low temperature side forward path 61 in order to reduce the possibility of gas being mixed into the heat medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the connection positions of the high temperature side return path 81 and the low temperature side return path 82 are set to the high temperature side outward path 60 and the low temperature side outbound path. It is good also as a structure arrange | positioned below the connection position of 61. FIG. Moreover, you may add the structure which can prevent mixing of the gas into a heat medium separately, or can remove the mixed gas.

  As described above, the environmental test apparatus 1 shown in the present embodiment quickly and rapidly determines the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample W side (forward temperature Tg) and the temperature of the heat medium output from the sample W side (return temperature Tb). Since the temperature can be adjusted with high accuracy, a sample such as a fuel cell whose temperature conditions change rapidly during a test can be suitably used as the sample W. Moreover, the environmental test apparatus 1 is used not only for performance tests of fuel cells and the like, but also for performance tests of wafers and internal combustion engines that are materials for manufacturing semiconductor elements, or for samples in an environment with rapid temperature changes. It is also possible to use it for the so-called cold shock test carried out.

It is a circuit system diagram with which the environmental testing apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention is provided.

1 Environmental test equipment 10 Tank (High temperature tank)
11, 21 Exhaust means 12 Heater (heating means)
20 tanks (low temperature tank)
23 Cooling circuit (cooling means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Heat-medium circulation flow path 51 Heat-medium forward path 52 Heat-medium return path 62,63 Flow control valve 65 Collective forward path 66 Pumping means 66a-66c Pump (pumping apparatus)
69 Flowmeter 70 Outward temperature detection means 80 Collective return path 81 High temperature side return path 82 Low temperature side return path 83 Return temperature detection means 100 Temperature control device

Claims (6)

An environmental test apparatus capable of adjusting a temperature of a sample to satisfy a predetermined condition by supplying a heat medium adjusted to a predetermined temperature to the sample side,
A high-temperature tank and a low-temperature tank capable of storing a heat medium;
Heating means capable of heating the heat medium stored in the high-temperature tank;
Cooling means capable of cooling the heat medium stored in the low-temperature tank;
A heat medium circulation channel capable of circulating the heat medium between the sample side and the high temperature tank and / or the low temperature tank;
The heat medium circulation flow path can return the heat medium stored in the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank to the sample side, and the heat medium can be returned from the sample side to the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank. A heating medium return path,
And high-temperature heat medium taken out from the hot tank, and the low temperature heat medium taken out from the cold tank and mixed at a predetermined ratio, Ri can be supplied der the sample side through the heating medium forward,
The temperature difference between the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the sample side and the temperature of the heat medium coming out of the sample side can be set,
An environmental test apparatus characterized in that the circulation amount of the heat medium in the heat medium circulation passage is adjusted based on the set value of the temperature difference . An environmental test apparatus capable of adjusting a temperature of a sample to satisfy a predetermined condition by supplying a heat medium adjusted to a predetermined temperature to the sample side,
A high-temperature tank and a low-temperature tank capable of storing a heat medium;
Heating means capable of heating the heat medium stored in the high-temperature tank;
Cooling means capable of cooling the heat medium stored in the low-temperature tank;
A heat medium circulation channel capable of circulating the heat medium between the sample side and the high temperature tank and / or the low temperature tank;
The heat medium circulation flow path can return the heat medium stored in the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank to the sample side, and the heat medium can be returned from the sample side to the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank. A heating medium return path,
And high-temperature heat medium taken out from the hot tank, and the low temperature heat medium taken out from the cold tank and mixed at a predetermined ratio, Ri can be supplied der the sample side through the heating medium forward,
An environmental test apparatus characterized in that the circulation amount of the heat medium in the heat medium circulation flow path is adjusted based on the temperature of the heat medium returning from the sample side to the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank via the heat medium return path . The high-temperature heat medium taken out from the high-temperature tank and the low-temperature heat medium taken out from the low-temperature tank are mixed at a mixing ratio derived based on the set value of the temperature of the heat medium to be supplied to the sample. it can be supplied Te environmental testing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in. A pumping means capable of pumping the heat medium circulating between the sample and the sample is connected in the middle of the heat medium circulation channel.
The pumping means has a plurality of pumping devices having different pumping capabilities,
The pumping device, the environment test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that connected in parallel to the heat medium circulation flow path. The heat medium forward path has a high temperature heat medium outlet pipe capable of taking out the heat medium from the high temperature tank, and a low temperature heat medium outlet pipe capable of taking out the heat medium from the low temperature tank,
Opening diameter of the low-temperature heat medium extraction tube, environmental testing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein greater than the opening diameter of the high temperature heat medium take-out tube. In the middle of the heating medium outbound path, there is a junction where the high-temperature heat medium taken out from the high-temperature tank and the low-temperature heat medium taken out from the low-temperature tank meet.
The environmental test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a temperature adjusting unit capable of adjusting a temperature of the heat medium on a downstream side in the flow direction of the heat medium from the junction.

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