Abstract: A gaseous-fluid environmental sensor having a gaseous-fluid flow system that defines a flow path coupling an intake port to an exhaust port. The gaseous-fluid flow system includes a blower and a flow sensor. The blower includes a motor and the flow sensor is for sensing a flow parameter. The gaseous-fluid environmental sensor further includes a controller electrically coupled to the flow sensor and the motor. The controller is configured to drive the motor with a first commutation sequence and to drive the motor with a second commutation sequence different than the first commutation sequence. The controller is further configured to select the first commutation sequence and the second commutation sequence based on the sensed flow parameter. Also discloses is a method for controlling the gaseous-fluid environmental sensor.

Abstract: A gaseous-fluid environmental sensor having a gaseous-fluid flow system. The gaseous-fluid flow system, in one construction, includes a blower to move the gaseous fluid from an intake port to an exhaust port via a flow path. The gaseous-fluid environmental sensor further includes a controller coupled to a particle count sensor. The controller determines whether the particle count sensor has a fault based on the particle count sensor not sensing a particle or a cosmic ray in a time period.

Abstract: A gaseous-fluid environmental sensor having a gaseous-fluid flow system. The gaseous-fluid flow system includes a blower to move the gaseous fluid from a inlet intake port to an outlet exhaust port via a flow path. The blower includes a motor, which can have a fluid dynamic bearing. The gaseous-fluid environmental sensor further includes a flow sensor to sense a parameter relating to a flow of the gaseous fluid through the flow path and provide a signal based on the parameter, and a controller coupled to the flow sensor. The controller controls the blower based on the signal.

Abstract: A gaseous-fluid environmental sensor having a gaseous-fluid flow system that defines a flow path coupling an intake port to an exhaust port. The gaseous-fluid flow system includes a blower and a flow sensor. The blower includes a motor and the flow sensor senses a flow-related parameter. The gaseous-fluid environmental sensor further includes a battery, an electrical sensor sensing an electrical power-related parameter, and a controller electrically coupled to the electrical sensor, the flow sensor, and the motor. The controller is configured to generate a composite drive waveform having a first component based on the sensed flow-related parameter and a second component based on the sensed electrical power-related parameter. The controller is further configured to drive the motor using the composite drive waveform. Also disclosed is a method of controlling the gaseous-fluid environmental sensor.

Abstract: In operating a vibration testing system, a table is provided with a plurality of distinct regions, and each of the plurality of distinct regions is provided with at least one vibrator of the plurality of vibrators and at least one accelerometer of the plurality of accelerometers. Target vibration strengths are set for each region, and the vibrators are operated. Local vibration strength is measured at each distinct region with the corresponding accelerometer(s) of the plurality of accelerometers. A signal corresponding to each of the measured local vibration strengths is provided to a controller. An individual vibrator control signal is calculated for each distinct region based on the corresponding measured local vibration strength and the corresponding target vibration strength. The individual control signals are provided from the controller to control the vibrator(s) of each distinct region to achieve the target vibration strength at each of the distinct table regions.

Abstract: A test chamber that is capable of operating in a mode where the temperature of the chamber is efficiently cooled without removing a substantial amount of moisture from the air. In one aspect, the test chamber includes a structure defining a work space having air, and a temperature control system (e.g., a refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator valve). The temperature control system includes a heat exchanger (e.g., an evaporator) positioned to communicate with the air in the work space, a source of cold fluid (e.g., a compressed, condensed, and throttled refrigerant) coupled to the heat exchanger, a source of hot fluid (e.g., compressed refrigerant gas) coupled to the heat exchanger, and a controller for controlling a mixture of cold fluid and hot fluid entering the heat exchanger (e.g., by adjusting a cold fluid valve and/or a hot fluid valve).

Abstract: In operating a vibration testing system, a table is provided with a plurality of distinct regions, and each of the plurality of distinct regions is provided with at least one vibrator of the plurality of vibrators and at least one accelerometer of the plurality of accelerometers. Target vibration strengths are set for each region, and the vibrators are operated. Local vibration strength is measured at each distinct region with the corresponding accelerometer(s) of the plurality of accelerometers. A signal corresponding to each of the measured local vibration strengths is provided to a controller. An individual vibrator control signal is calculated for each distinct region based on the corresponding measured local vibration strength and the corresponding target vibration strength. The individual control signals are provided from the controller to control the vibrator(s) of each distinct region to achieve the target vibration strength at each of the distinct table regions.

Abstract: A thermal cycling system includes a structure defining a load space, a heating assembly positioned to heat to the load space, and a cooling assembly positioned to cool the load space. The cooling assembly includes a refrigeration circuit and a banking circuit. The refrigeration circuit has a compressor, a refrigeration condenser, a first refrigeration evaporator in direct thermal communication with the load space, a second refrigeration evaporator in parallel with the first evaporator, and primary refrigerant circulating throughout the refrigeration circuit. The banking circuit is gravity fed and includes a banking condenser, a banking evaporator positioned to cool the load space, and a banking refrigerant circulating throughout the banking circuit. The banking condenser includes a collection reservoir to store liquid banking refrigerant and is in thermal communication with the second refrigeration evaporator.

Abstract: A particulate filtration device having a cleaning assembly including the cleaning nozzle that accelerates gas toward the downstream surface of the filter media. The cleaning nozzle comprises an inlet portion defining a converging inlet path, a throat portion defining a narrowest portion of the nozzle, and an outlet portion defining a diverging path and ending at an exit edge. The inlet portion, throat portion, and outlet portion collectively create an inner surface of the nozzle. The nozzle defines a centerline and an exit half angle relative to the centerline, and the exit half angle is about ten degrees. The nozzle has a throat area at the throat portion and an exit area at the exit edge. A ratio of the exit area to the throat area is about 1.4. A portion of the inlet portion adjacent the throat portion has a throat inlet radius, and a portion of the outlet portion adjacent the throat portion has a throat outlet radius. The throat outlet radius is larger than the throat inlet radius.

Abstract: A particulate filtration device comprising filter media having upstream and downstream surfaces, a gas-moving device for moving gas through the filter media from the upstream surface toward the downstream surface, and a cleaning assembly including a blow pipe having a plurality of cleaning nozzles for directing a flow of cleaning gas toward the filter media. A first one of the cleaning nozzles comprises a structural characteristic (e.g., throat size, exit angle, exit size) that is different than a second one of the cleaning nozzles. In one embodiment, the filter media comprises a filter bag corresponding with each nozzle, and both the first one and the second one of the cleaning nozzles are spaced substantially the same distance from the corresponding filter bag. The cleaning assembly can also include a plurality of blow pipes (e.g.

Abstract: An environmental sensor including an inlet and an outlet such that a flow of fluid moves from the inlet to the outlet, a particle detection portion to detect particles in the fluid, and a controller connected to the particle detection portion. The environmental sensor can be in communication with a data acquisition system (e.g., via a wireless access point) to form a particle counting system. Also disclosed are methods of operating the environmental sensor and methods of operating the particle detection system.

Abstract: A method of operating a vibratory testing apparatus is disclosed including providing a table frame with at least one vibrator attached thereto and attaching the at least one vibrator to a solenoid valve, wherein an input of the solenoid valve is connected to a pneumatic air supply and an output of the valve is connected to the vibrator. The solenoid valve is connected to a controller and a first control signal is sent from the controller to the solenoid valve for opening the valve and allowing a first burst of air to the vibrator thereby causing the vibrator to vibrate the table frame at a first amplitude. Then a second control signal is sent from the controller to the solenoid valve for opening the valve and allowing a second burst of air to the vibrator thereby causing the vibrator to vibrate the table frame at a second amplitude.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vibrator table apparatus includes a primary table member driven by at least two vibrators, having upper and lower surfaces and defining x and y axes. The improvement of this embodiment includes at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the primary table member defining an opening for each of a first plurality of substantially parallel channels and an opening for each of a second plurality of substantially parallel channels substantially perpendicular to the first plurality of channels.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention a method of monitoring individual vibrators in a pneumatic vibration testing system is disclosed. The method includes providing a pneumatic vibration testing system including at least one vibrator, where each vibrator is connected to a pressurized air system through an output of a valve. Pressurized air is then supplied at a known pressure to an input of the valve. When that air is supplied to the valve the valve releases air in measured bursts to the vibrator and the pressure between the valve and the vibrator is monitored. The pressure between the valve and the vibrator is compared to the known pressure, which indicates if the vibrator is failing or has failed. In preferred embodiments, the testing system includes a plurality of vibrators and an equal plurality of valves, each vibrator is connected to the pressurized air system through a single associated valve.

Abstract: A portable microbial gaseous-fluid sampler includes a gaseous-fluid flow system at least partially supported by a structure. The gaseous-fluid flow system includes a gaseous-fluid intake portion having an intake port, a blower in fluid communication with the intake port, and a gaseous-fluid exhaust portion having an exhaust port. The sampler can further include an exhaust filter operable to substantially filter a totality of the gaseous fluid flowing through the sampler prior to exhausting the gaseous fluid. The sampler also can include a control system operable to control at least gaseous-fluid flow through the sampler, and a remote sampling head.

Abstract: A baffle for use with an environmental sensor such as a particle counter. The environmental sensor includes a housing and an inlet. The inlet has an axis and defines a first cross-sectional area with respect to the axis. The baffle includes a bullet configured to be positioned adjacent to the inlet along the axis. The bullet has a second cross-sectional area with respect to the axis that is between about seventy-five percent smaller than the first cross-sectional area and about three-hundred percent larger than the first cross-sectional area. In some constructions, the baffle substantially reduces interference from external light sources without substantially inhibiting the transport of particles entrained in the fluid to be analyzed by the environmental sensor.

Abstract: An environmental sensor including an inlet and an outlet such that a flow of fluid moves from the inlet to the outlet, a particle detection portion to detect particles in the fluid, and a controller connected to the particle detection portion. The environmental sensor can be in communication with a data acquisition system (e.g., via a wireless access point) to form a particle counting system. Also disclosed are methods of operating the environmental sensor and methods of operating the particle detection system.

Abstract: A thermal cycling system includes a structure defining a load space, a heating assembly positioned to heat to the load space, and a cooling assembly positioned to cool the load space. The cooling assembly includes a refrigeration circuit and a banking circuit. The refrigeration circuit has a compressor, a refrigeration condenser, a first refrigeration evaporator in direct thermal communication with the load space, a second refrigeration evaporator in parallel with the first evaporator, and primary refrigerant circulating throughout the refrigeration circuit. The banking circuit is gravity fed and includes a banking condenser, a banking evaporator positioned to cool the load space, and a banking refrigerant circulating throughout the banking circuit. The banking condenser includes a collection reservoir to store liquid banking refrigerant and is in thermal communication with the second refrigeration evaporator.

Abstract: A particulate filtration device comprising filter media having upstream and downstream surfaces, a gas-moving device for moving gas through the filter media from the upstream surface toward the downstream surface, and a cleaning assembly including a blow pipe having a plurality of cleaning nozzles for directing a flow of cleaning gas toward the filter media. A first one of the cleaning nozzles comprises a structural characteristic (e.g., throat size, exit angle, exit size) that is different than a second one of the cleaning nozzles. In one embodiment, the filter media comprises a filter bag corresponding with each nozzle, and both the first one and the second one of the cleaning nozzles are spaced substantially the same distance from the corresponding filter bag. The cleaning assembly can also include a plurality of blow pipes (e.g.

Abstract: A method of operating a vibratory testing apparatus is disclosed including providing a table frame with at least one vibrator attached thereto and attaching the at least one vibrator to a solenoid valve, wherein an input of the solenoid valve is connected to a pneumatic air supply and an output of the valve is connected to the vibrator. The solenoid valve is connected to a controller and a first control signal is sent from the controller to the solenoid valve for opening the valve and allowing a first burst of air to the vibrator thereby causing the vibrator to vibrate the table frame at a first amplitude. Then a second control signal is sent from the controller to the solenoid valve for opening the valve and allowing a second burst of air to the vibrator thereby causing the vibrator to vibrate the table frame at a second amplitude.