What is A Thermal Vacuum Chamber And How Does It Work?

What is a Thermal Vacuum [https://www.dghuanyi.com/thermal-vacuum/] chamber (TVC)?A thermal vacuum chamber is a device primarily used to simulate ambient space conditions. The most common applications for TVCs involve satellite performance testing, thermal cycling control, and testing components, subsystems, and entire satellites in a fully controlled environment. These tests accurately replicate space conditions by simultaneously controlling two environmental parameters: pressure and temperature.The Importance of Satellite TestingVacuum conditions simulate the unique environment of ambient space where heat exchange can occur: through radiation and conduction. It is crucial to conduct pre-launch testing under all conditions that could potentially harm satellite performance. If a satellite's operating conditions in space are not checked beforehand, the most common risk is freezing or overheating of the satellite components themselves.It is also important to remember that satellites experience pressures below 10 millibars.Most component damage in space is caused by solar radiation not filtered by the atmosphere (AM0 - Air Mass 0). Depending on the orbital conditions the satellite must navigate, the heat exchange rate can be higher or lower. Some satellites orbit for 90 minutes, reaching temperatures of approximately 150 degrees C in sunlight and -190 degrees C during a solar eclipse.

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The design is thermally analyzed using thermal models, then validated and tested. Huanyi has developed a series of thermal vacuum chambers (TVCs), leveraging its extensive experience in applying several technologies to environmental test simulations.

How does a thermal vacuum chamber [https://www.dghuanyi.com/tvac-test-chamber-spcae-thermal-vacuum-test-chamber-product/] work?

1. External Body

The external body of the test volume (container) is constructed from high-quality stainless steel. Its design is supported by FEM (finite element method) analysis to optimize the steel thickness while withstanding the pressure differential between the internal and external environments. Welding and surface finishes are optimized to minimize leaks and outgassing, making it possible to achieve deep vacuum conditions.

2. Thermal Field

The TVC's test volume is a thermally regulated stainless steel cylinder, called a shroud, that transfers heat to the device under test (DUT) through radiation from its inner surface. Two disc-shaped heat shields enclose the cylinder at each end to achieve a uniform temperature field around the device under test (DUT). The shield consists of two laminated sheets separated by a gap of several millimeters. This gap serves as a channel for the thermal fluid of the thermal power generation system. A specialized black paint is applied to this surface, resulting in a coating with high emissivity (>0.9) and low RML (recovered mass loss



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