Patent ID: 6824306
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A test apparatus for evaluating thermal properties of a test specimen, comprising:a chamber; a cold mass tank located within the chamber, said cold mass tank having a cavity adaptable for receiving a quantity of liquid, said cold mass tank also having a contact surface adaptable for contacting a first side of the test specimen positioned within said chamber, with the chamber having a contact surface adaptable for contacting a second, oppositely disposed side of the test specimen; a quantity of bulk insulation material surrounding the cold mass tank; a passageway assembly extending through the chamber, bulk insulation material and into the cold mass tank for introducing a quantity of liquid fluid into the cold mass tank and subsequently expelling boiled-off gas from the cold sass tank cavity, whereby the thermal performance of the test specimen is determined; and a plurality of spaced-apart and parallel extending compression rod assemblies located within the chamber, each compression rod assembly comprising an elongated spring rod and an elongated extension tube having confronting end portions extending within a connecting sleeve and engaging opposite ends of a compression spring, wherein each compression rod assembly is disposed such that one end portion engages the chamber and an opposite end portion engages the cold mass tank for pressing the cold mass tank against the specimen with a predetermined and controllable level of force.