Environmental conditioning methods and apparatus for improved materials testing: rapidcon and rapidair

Methods and apparatus for effecting sample-specific cycles for the environmental conditioning of material samples, such as cotton samples, prior to testing; and for the environmental conditioning of testing laboratory space, a sub-space or "oasis zone" within the testing laboratory space and/or a test zone within a testing machine. A sensor measures at least one material property of the sample, such as moisture content of a cotton sample. Based on the material property, a sample-specific conditioning cycle is determined and effected by driving through the sample a gas flow conditioned as to at least one parameter which affects properties of the sample, such as a temperature, relative humidity, and volume per unit time, and all of which are relevant in the case of a cotton sample. The determined conditioning cycle is a cycle which causes the sample to be conditioned to an optimum state for testing, and includes a sequence of time intervals in which sequence at least one of the selected parameters varies from one time interval to the next. A combination sample conditioning and air conditioning machine includes an environmental chamber for conditioning a sample for testing, and conditioned air discharge ports for directing conditioned air to the testing laboratory space, the oasis zone, and the test zone, as well as a return air port. Gas flow conditioning apparatus directs conditioned gas flows through the environmental conditioning chamber and out through the conditioned air discharge port.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The apparatus and methods disclosed herein are applicable, in general, to 
the field of material property testing, more specifically to the area of 
environmental conditioning of material samples or of laboratory space and 
instrument test zones wherein testing takes place, and most specifically, 
for the preferred embodiment, rapid environmental conditioning of cotton 
fiber, yarn, or fabric samples and the laboratories or test zones of 
instruments in which they are tested. 
It is well known that the conditions or state of samples undergoing 
material property testing strongly affect test results. Rigorous and 
reproducible sample preparation are critical to obtaining precise and 
accurate test results. Major factors in sample preparation are the 
precision and accuracies of environmental conditions in which these steps 
take place. It is also well known that environmental conditions in the 
testing zones of materials property testing laboratories or instruments 
can strongly affect test results. This fact is generally important for 
fiber testing, and particularly critical for cotton, and other natural 
fibers, and for rayon, and other man-made fibers. Methods and apparatus 
for controlling testing zone environmental conditions are described in 
several U.S. patents of the first-named inventor herein and others, and in 
other published literature, briefly discussed below. 
The prior disclosures are based in part on a recognition that it is 
environmental conditions within testing zones that must be accurately, 
precisely, cost-effectively, or optimally controlled, rather than 
environmental conditions in the testing laboratory. Embodiments are 
disclosed which enable realization of improved environmental conditions 
within the testing zones. Thus, Shofner U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,781, Leifeld 
et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,522, and Shofner et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,450, 
the entire disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by 
reference, disclose improvements for the textile fiber materials 
processing machine step known as carding. Shofner U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,781 
and Shofner et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,868, the entire disclosures of which 
are hereby expressly incorporated by reference, disclose embodiments 
relating to fiber testing instruments. Shofner et al U.S. Pat. No. 
5,910,598, International Application No. PCT/US 95/13796 published May 17, 
1996 as International Publication No. WO 96/14262, and Shofner et al U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,676,177, the entire disclosures of which are hereby expressly 
incorporated by reference, disclose improvements for textile weaving 
machines. Shofner et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,194, the entire disclosure of 
which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference, discloses optimal 
process control methods for spinning machines. 
The subject invention is primarily disclosed in the context of improvements 
in environmental control methods and apparatus for fiber testing, which 
are representative of materials testing in general. Accordingly provided 
next is a brief background information relating to "rapid conditioning," a 
sample preparation step for instrument classification of cotton for HVI 
testing. Facilitating and improving this sample preparation step is an 
objective of the subject invention. Commercial embodiments of such rapid 
conditioning apparatus may be called "RapidCon." Another objective of the 
invention is to advantageously combine sample conditioning with laboratory 
space and instrument test zone environmental conditioning. Commercial 
embodiments of such multiple purpose apparatus which provides air 
conditioning of external laboratory space and rapid conditioning of 
internal test samples may be called "RapidAir." 
Various United States Department of Agriculture papers describe a major 
improvement in fiber testing methods, known as "rapid conditioning," 
wherein sample condition times are reduced from 72 or 48 hours to 15 
minutes or less. Examples are J. L. Knowlton and Roger K. Alldredge, 
"Experience with Rapid Conditioning of HVI Samples," Beltwide Cotton 
Conference, San Diego, Calif., January 1994; and Darryl W. Earnest, 
"Advancements in USDA Cotton Classing Facilities," Engineered Fiber 
Conference, Raleigh, N.C., May 1996. 
Before this "rapid conditioning," for more than seventy-five years, certain 
fiber, yarn, or fabric tests have been conducted under so-called "Standard 
Laboratory Environment" or ASTM conditions of 65% relative humidity and 
70.degree. F. (21.degree. C.) dry bulb temperature. Since what matters 
most, for good test results, is not conditions in the lab but conditions 
in the samples (and within the testing zones) at the time of testing, the 
various ASTM methods for fiber, yarn, or fabric samples further include 
the requirement that the samples to be tested be stored or "conditioned" 
in the standard environment for 72 hours prior to testing in the standard 
environment. This storage time presumably allows the samples to "reach 
equilibrium." It is noted that samples so conditioned are passively 
equilibrating, and that equilibrium usually refers to sample moisture 
content. Moisture content is the weight of water in the sample as a 
percentage of the dry weight of the sample. For cotton, equilibrium 
moisture content MC is about 7.3% at 65% RH, 70.degree. F. (21.degree. 
C.). 
It should however be noted that moisture content is only one fiber, yarn, 
or fabric material property measurement whose equilibrium value is of 
interest. Others include tenacity and length (for fibers), and such 
material properties are much more important for selling, buying and using 
the fibers than is moisture content. We emphatically note that moisture 
content affects other fiber material properties, and is therefore an 
important control variable, but is not as important for marketing or 
utilization purposes. 
Whereas equilibration times of 72 hours yield the best and most consistent 
test results, such periods are unacceptably long in today's intensely 
competitive and information-hungry marketplace. It is therefore critically 
important that the tests be executed accurately and precisely, that is, 
with minimal bias or random errors. But testing before equilibria in the 
tested properties are reached can disastrously (in profit/loss terms) 
reduce accuracy and precision. (We note that equilibrium times are 
different for different materials test parameters.) 
Recognizing the severe conflict between promptly available results versus 
good (precise and accurate) results, the United States Department of 
Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service, Cotton Division, began 
investigations in the early 1990's into actively and rapidly conditioning 
cotton samples. These investigations were remarkably successful and proved 
that well-conditioned laboratory air could be actively drawn through HVI 
samples (as opposed to passive or diffusional mass and heat transfer), 
which active conditioning or "rapid conditioning" enabled samples to reach 
moisture content or strength equilibrium in less than about 15 minutes. 
The Knowlton et al and Earnest literature references cited above provide a 
description. "Rapid conditioning" is now employed in most of the fourteen 
USDA/AMS cotton classing offices. 
In our efforts to extend USDA results to small instrument classing 
operations having one to four HVIs (versus twenty to forty), and not 
having well-conditioned laboratories, we discovered that simply drawing 
65%, 70.degree. F. (21.degree. C.) air through the samples for 15 minutes 
yielded unacceptable test results for dry and wet samples, and that 
unacceptably long conditioning times were required to achieve good 
results. We also found that sample type and size affected test results and 
conditioning times. Still further, we found that samples having a moisture 
content near 7.3% did not require much, if any, rapid conditioning. And, 
on a practical economic basis, we found that many small laboratories could 
not afford expensive laboratory or test zone environmental controls. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide for complex, 
sample-specific conditioning cycles which optimize test results and 
minimize active conditioning times. 
Another object of the invention is to combine, in one cost-effective 
machine, internal sample conditioning and external air conditioning 
capability for laboratory space and instrument test zones. 
In overview, a general aspect of the invention is a method for processing 
materials in a machine, where the materials are conditioned for subsequent 
testing. The materials are presented to a measurement station, where one 
or more material properties are measured. From a machinery model, an 
environmental conditioning cycle is determined in advance which causes the 
materials to be processed into an optimum state for either concurrent or 
subsequent testing, the environmental conditioning cycle relating to 
temporal and spatial characteristics of one or more environmental 
parameters which control the material properties. 
The materials are transported and presented to an environmental 
conditioning zone. Within the environmental conditioning zone a gas flow 
is deliberately applied to the materials, the gas flow being conditioned 
by one or more parameters which control the material properties, and with 
the application cycle for each of the one or more controlling parameters 
having been previously determined. The materials are tested in one or more 
subsequent machine steps. 
In accordance with a more particular aspect, the invention provides a 
method for conditioning a sample of cotton fiber for testing. The method 
includes the steps of measuring sample moisture content and, based on the 
measured moisture content, determining a conditioning cycle and effecting 
the conditioning cycle by driving a conditioned gas flow through the 
sample, the conditioned gas flow being conditioned as to at least one 
parameter selected from the group consisting of temperature, relative 
humidity, volume per unit time, and time duration. Preferably, the 
determined conditioning cycle is a cycle which causes the sample to be 
conditioned to an optimum state for testing, and includes a sequence of 
time intervals, in which sequence at least one of the selected parameters 
varies from one time interval to the next. In accordance with the method, 
sample moisture content may be measured prior to determining and effecting 
the conditioning cycle, or sample moisture content may be measured 
concurrently with determining and effecting the conditioning cycle. 
In one embodiment, a plurality of samples of cotton fiber are similarly 
measured and similarly conditioned, for example twenty-four samples in a 
perforated-bottom sample tray are similarly measured and similarly 
conditioned. 
The invention also provides a corresponding machine for conditioning a 
sample of cotton fiber for testing. The machine includes a sensor for 
measuring sample moisture content, and a controller for determining a 
conditioning cycle based on measured moisture content. Gas flow 
conditioning apparatus effects the conditioning cycle by driving a 
conditioned gas flow through the sample, the conditioned gas flow being 
conditioned as to at least one parameter selected from the group 
consisting of temperature, relative humidity, volume per unit time, and 
time duration. Preferably, the controller determines a conditioning cycle 
which causes the sample to be conditioned to an optimum state for testing. 
The conditioning cycle may include a sequence of time intervals during 
which sequence at least one of the selected parameters varies from one 
time interval to the next. 
In accordance with another aspect, the invention provides a method for 
conditioning a sample of fiber for testing. The method includes the steps 
of measuring at least one property of the fiber sample selected from the 
group of properties consisting of weight, moisture content, nep content, 
trash content, fiber tenacity, fiber strength, fiber length, calorimetric 
properties, air flow permeability properties, near-infrared reflectance, 
and imaged characteristics. Based on the measured fiber property, a 
conditioning cycle is determined, and effected by driving a conditioned 
gas flow through the sample. The gas flow is conditioned as to at least 
one parameter selected from the group consisting of humidity, temperature, 
static pressure, pressure fluctuations, velocity, velocity fluctuations, 
gas composition, radioactive particle concentration, and time duration. 
Preferably, the determined conditioning cycle is a cycle which causes the 
fiber sample to be conditioned to an optimum state for testing. The 
determined conditioning cycle includes the specification of temporal and 
spatial characteristics of at least one gas flow parameter which affects 
properties of the fiber sample. The conditioning cycle may include a 
sequence of time intervals during which sequence at least one of the 
selected parameters varies from one time interval to the next. 
The sample property may be measured prior to determining and effecting the 
conditioning cycle, or the sample property may be measured concurrently 
with determining and effecting the conditioning cycle. 
The invention additionally provides a corresponding machine for 
conditioning a sample of fiber for testing. The machine includes a sensor 
for measuring at least one property of the sample selected from the group 
of properties consisting of weight, moisture content, nep content, trash 
content, fiber tenacity, fiber strength, fiber length, calorimetric 
properties, air flow permeability properties, near-infrared reflectance 
and imaged characteristics. There is a controller for determining a 
conditioning cycle based on the at least one property of the sample, and 
gas flow conditioning apparatus for effecting the conditioning cycle by 
driving a conditioned gas flow through the sample. The conditioned gas 
flow is conditioned as to at least one parameter selected from the group 
consisting of humidity, temperature, static pressure, pressure 
fluctuations, velocity, velocity fluctuations, gas composition, 
radioactive particle concentration and time duration. 
Preferably, the controller determines a conditioning cycle which causes the 
fiber sample to be conditioned to an optimum state for testing. The 
conditioning cycle determined by the controller incudes the specification 
of temporal and spatial characteristics of at least one gas flow parameter 
which affects properties of the fiber sample. The conditioning cycle may 
include a sequence of time intervals during which sequence at least one of 
the selected parameters varies from one time interval to the next. 
In accordance with yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for 
conditioning a sample of material for testing. The method includes the 
steps of measuring at least one material property of the sample and, based 
on the material property, determining a conditioning cycle and effecting 
the conditioning cycle by driving through the sample a gas flow 
conditioned as to at least one parameter. Preferably, the determined 
conditioning cycle is a cycle which causes the sample to be conditioned to 
an optimum state for testing. The determined conditioning cycle includes 
the specification of temporal and spatial characteristics of at least one 
gas flow parameter which affects properties of the samples. The 
conditioning cycle may include a sequence of time intervals, during which 
sequence at least one of the parameters varies from one time interval to 
the next. The material property may be measured prior to determining and 
effecting the conditioning cycle, or the material property may be measured 
concurrently with determining and effecting the conditioning cycle. 
The invention provides a corresponding machine for conditioning a sample of 
material for testing. The machine includes a sensor for measuring at least 
one material property of the sample, and a controller for determining a 
conditioning cycle based on the material property. Gas flow conditioning 
apparatus is provided for effecting the conditioning cycle by driving 
through the sample a gas flow condition as to at least one parameter. The 
controller determines a conditioning cycle sample to be conditioned to an 
optimum state for testing. The conditioning cycle includes the 
specification of temporal and spatial characteristics of at least one gas 
flow parameter which affects properties of the sample. The conditioning 
cycle includes a sequence of time intervals during which sequence at least 
one parameter varies from one time interval to the next. The material 
property may be measured prior to determining and effecting the 
conditioning cycle, or the material property may be measured concurrently 
with determining and effecting the conditioning cycle. 
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a combination sample 
conditioning and air conditioning machine including an environmental 
conditioning chamber within the machine for conditioning a material 
sample. The machine has at least one conditioned air discharge port for 
directing conditioned air to at least one of the zones selected from the 
group consisting of a testing laboratory space, an oasis zone within the 
testing laboratory space, and a test zone within a testing machine. At 
least one return air port collects air from at least one of the zones. The 
combination machine additionally includes gas flow conditioning apparatus 
for directing conditioned gas flows through the environmental conditioning 
chamber and out through the conditioned air discharge port. Control 
elements within the machine adjust the gas flows through the ports. 
In accordance with another aspect, the combination machine additionally 
includes a sensor for measuring at least one property of the material 
sample, and a controller for determining a conditioning cycle based on the 
measured property. The gas flow conditioning apparatus effects the 
conditioning cycle by driving through the sample a gas flow conditioned as 
to at least one parameter. Preferably, the controller determines a 
conditioning cycle which causes the sample to be conditioned to an optimum 
state for testing. 
Aspects of the subject invention were disclosed in a paper by Michael D. 
Watson, Robert S. Baird and Frederick M. Shofner, "Australian and American 
Experience with RapidCon.TM.," presented at the Beltwide Cotton 
Conferences, New Orleans, La., Jan. 9, 1997.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and right side views of a sample conditioning 
machine 10 having three identical, vertically-organized stages 12 upon 
which sit perforated bottom sample trays 14. For High Volume Instrument 
(HVI) cotton classing samples, the sample trays 14 are preferably 
32.times.32.times.6 inches (81.times.81.times.15 cm), constructed of 
light-weight yet strong cardboard or plastic, and have about 25% or more 
of their bottom areas perforated with holes (not shown). The holes 
restrain or hold the samples, while permitting relatively unrestricted air 
flows. A preferred tray bottom consists of 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) thick 
perforated aluminum having 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) holes with 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) 
centerline spacing (staggered). Typically twenty four HVI samples, each 
weighing about 0.25 to 0.75 pounds (0.113 to 0.340 kg), are placed in a 
6.times.4, side-by-side and closely spaced configuration within each tray 
14. Yarn, fabric or other material samples may similarly be placed in 
sample tray 14. 
A stick-man operator 16 in FIG. 2 suggests general size and proportions of 
a machine 10 having a height of 72 inches (183 cm) and a depth of 34 
inches (86 cm). Width seen in FIG. 1 is about 54 inches (137 cm). FIG. 2 
also suggests how the operator 16 loads sample trays 14 into sample 
conditioning machine 10 from sample preparation space 18. Upon loading 
trays 14, operator 16 selects the appropriate conditioning cycle with 
switch 23 and then presses start switch 22, whereupon machine 10 initiates 
and automatically executes a sample conditioning cycle. The manner in 
which sample specific conditioning cycles are chosen, either manually or 
automatically, is described more fully hereinbelow. The apparatus and 
methods enabling such cycles are one aspect of the invention. 
Upon completion of the sample conditioning cycle, annunciator light bar 25 
flashes. The operator 16 then pushes sample trays 14 onto a rack 24, which 
sits in testing laboratory space 20. The next batch of sample trays 14 may 
then be loaded, whereupon the operator 16 again selects the appropriate 
sample conditioning cycle with switch 23 and presses start switch 22 to 
initiate that cycle. 
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a horizontally-organized sample conditioning machine 30, 
also having three processing stages 34, 35, 36 for sample trays 14. Gas 
flow conditions may be different or the same for the stages 34, 35, 36. 
Conditioning cycle selection procedures and sample conditioning processing 
rates are identical for machine 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and machine 30 of 
FIGS. 3 and 4. 
Machine configuration 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and machine configuration 30 of 
FIGS. 3 and 4, serve to condition material samples according to 
sample-specific conditioning cycles, details of which are described 
hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 7. 
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, an additional function is served by an 
integrated sample conditioning and air conditioning machine 40. Sample 
preparation space 18 and testing laboratory space 20 are typically divided 
by wall 26. It is usually not essential that sample preparation space 18 
be well-conditioned. Testing laboratory space 20 must be well-conditioned, 
with standard environmental conditions, as described in the prior art 
background. Rigidly controlled testing laboratory 20 conditions, coupled 
with rigidly-controlled internal test zone conditions 46, are advantageous 
in terms of costs and performance, and this is enabled by the integrated 
machine 40 of the invention. Test zone environmental control using movable 
conditioning apparatus is described in the above-incorporated Shofner et 
al U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,868. The apparatus of the invention can provide the 
conditioned gas flows for such test zone 46 environmental controls and for 
testing laboratory space 20. 
In FIG. 6, conditioned sample tray 14 delivery 41 is into laboratory space 
20, which space 20 is conditioned entirely or partly by air distributed 
from supply ductwork 42. Conditioned gas flows 220 in duct 42 are provided 
by machine 40, as are conditioned flows 43 in duct 44 for internal 
environmental controls in one or more test zones 46 in testing instrument 
48. Testing instrument 48 may test fibers, yarn, fabric, or other 
materials. For fiber testing, to which this preferred embodiment is 
directed, testing instrument 48 may be High Volume Instrument (HVI), an 
Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS), or a RapidTester as disclosed in 
Shofner et al U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,264 and 5,929,460. HVI instruments are 
manufactured by Zellweger Uster Inc., Knoxville, Tenn., U.S.A.; and by 
Premier Polytronics Limited, Coimbatore, India. AFIS is manufactured by 
Zellweger Uster Inc. RapidTester is manufactured by Premier Polytronics 
Limited. 
A sub-space 20A of testing laboratory space 20, termed herein an "oasis 
zone" 20A, is of particular practical importance; the accuracy and 
precision of environmental conditions in this sub-space 20A may be much 
more rigidly and cost-effectively controlled. Outside oasis zone 20A, 
conditions may be relaxed. Once conditioned internally by sample 
conditioning machine 40, the samples remain in rigidly-controlled 
environments of the oasis zone 20A or test zone(s) 46 until testing is 
finished. "Oasis Zones" 20A are particularly cost-effectively enabled by 
the subject invention. 
Conditioned gas flows supplied to lab space 20 (including the oasis zone 
20A) and test zone 46 by, typically, well-insulated ducts 42, 44, are 
returned 204 to sample conditioning and air conditioning machine 40 
through return air grill(s) 45A. Well known but unshown air conditioning 
elements such as filters, dampers, and the like are used as necessary. In 
some cases, return air ducts are advantageous. Supply ducts 42, 44 and 
various grills 45, turning vanes 47, seals 49, and other such air supply 
and air return components chosen to meet particular, sample-specific air 
conditioning requirements, are well known in the art. 
There are two interrelated aspects of the invention, Sample-Specific 
Conditioning Cycles, and Combined Sample Conditioning and Zone Air 
Conditioning, which are described next below. 
Sample-Specific Conditioning Cycles 
Our investigations into the various equilibrium processes associated with 
material sample conditioning and subsequent testing have revealed 
conditioning times and test result qualities that are dependent on sample 
size, sample type, beginning sample state, ending sample state, 
sensitivity of measured material property to environmental conditions, and 
the like. Using a cotton fiber example, small samples of Acala varieties 
which begin conditioning at 6% moisture content require far less 
conditioning time than large samples of Pima varieties beginning at 3% 
moisture content. For cotton marketing purposes, HVI strength (i.e. 
tenacity) and length affect buy-sell-utilization decisions more strongly. 
Whereas realizing equilibrium moisture content is important, we have found 
that it is far more important for the sample-conditioning functions of the 
invention to achieve higher precision and accuracy in strength and length 
measurements, and with shorter conditioning times. 
FIG. 7 discloses an embodiment of sample-specific conditioning apparatus, 
applicable to either the machine 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, or to the machine 30 
of FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 7, a perforated-bottom sample tray 14, holding 
perhaps twenty-four cotton classing samples, each weighing about 0.25 to 
0.75 pounds (0.113 to 0.340 kg), sits within sample environmental 
conditioning chamber 50. Sample chamber 50 is defined on the top and 
bottom by separator plates 52, 54, on the sides by walls 56, 58, and on 
the front and back by unshown doors, or in preferable practice, the fronts 
and backs of sample trays 14, which can be arranged for adequate sealing 
to minimize unwanted air flow losses or entries. Accordingly, it will be 
appreciated that each of the conditioning stages 12 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 
in FIGS. 3 and 4 is in fact an essentially isolated environmental chamber 
wherein conditioning air flows enter 53 and leave 55 via entrance conduit 
57 and exit conduit 59, respectively. Entering 53 and leaving 55 air flow 
parameters are measured by sensors 101, 102 and sample characteristics are 
measured prior to loading or during processing, or both, by sample sensors 
104. Air flow parameter sensors 101, 102 include humidity, temperature, 
static pressure, velocity, and the like and particularly include sensors 
for the set of parameters listed in the above-incorporated Shofner et al 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,450. Sample sensors 104 include sensors for sample 
weight, moisture content, calorimetric properties, near-infrared 
reflectance (NIR), image analysis, and the like. 
Sample property sensing is preferably made prior to conditioning (i.e. 
beginning state) but may also be performed concurrently or subsequently 
(ending state), to achieve more rigid control. Algorithms in 
microcontroller 100 can be adjusted to yield "tighter" controls according 
to adaptive control system methodologies. As a full extension, each of the 
plurality of samples may be measured and conditioned independently, when 
the results justify the increased costs. In usual practice, each of the 
plurality of samples is sufficiently like the others that average 
measurements are adequate to control average conditions in the entering 
air flow 53. 
Environmental conditions in entering gas flow 53 are controlled by 
conventional air conditioning elements 60 preferably arranged as seen 
schematically in FIG. 7. For twenty-four samples, weighing about 0.5 pound 
(0.227 kg) each, in tray 14 (described above), volumetric air flow is 
about 600 ft.sup.3 /min (17 m.sup.3 /min) when the pressure difference 
across the samples is 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) water column. Dust filter 61, 
atomizer nozzle humidifier 62, fan 64, driven by motor 65, steam nozzle 
humidifier 68, finned cooling coil(s) 70, electrical heater element 72, 
and their respective control elements 63, 67, 69, 71, 73, are sized to 
condition flows of this magnitude and character for each stage 12. Three 
such stages 12 are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 (vertically organized) and 
in FIGS. 3 and 4 (horizontally organized). 
Described next is a procedural example which completes the explanation of a 
method enabled by apparatus as in FIG. 7. Those skilled in the art can 
readily create simpler or more complex cycles therefrom. 
Incoming samples are placed in trays 14. The sample type, net sample 
weight, beginning moisture and subsequent test(s) desired are measured 
either manually or automatically, at one or more measuring stations, and 
entered into microcontroller 100, along with other sample-specific inputs 
via unshown keypad/display into I/O ports 110. The operator next presses 
the start/stop switch 22 as described above, whose binary input (contact 
closure) enters at I/O port 112. Microcontroller 100 then causes the 
sample-specific conditioning cycle program to execute control of the 
system 40 environmental conditioning elements (such as humidifier 68) via 
I/O ports such as I/O ports 113 and 210. The result of such complex, 
sample-specific environmental controls is improved test results for 
samples in trays 14 within isolated environmental conditioning chamber 50. 
FIG. 8 shows the resulting cycle temporal waveforms 120 for entering air 
relative humidity (RH) 122, dry bulb temperature (T) 124, and negative 
static pressure (suction) (.DELTA.P) 126, including typical set-point 
values for intervals T1 and T2, for a dry (e.g., less than 4%) Acala 
variety. Thus during interval T1 of 8 minutes, entering air RH is 80% at a 
temperature of 85.degree. F. (29.degree. C.) and a suction of 1 inch (2.54 
cm) water column. During interval T2 of 6 minutes, entering air RH is 
reduced to 65% at a reduced temperature of 70.degree. F. (21.degree. C.), 
with increased suction of 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) water column. The total 
cycle time T1+T2 is 14 minutes. It will be noted that the environmental 
conditions during interval T2 are the usual "standard" conditions. 
Were these Acala samples to have moisture content of 6%, the cycle 
automatically selected by microcontroller 100 could omit the T1 portion. 
Were the samples to be dry Pima, the T1 portion of the cycle could be 
doubled in time duration. Were the samples to be wet Acala (9%), the 
relative humidity (RH) 112 set point 121 would be a relatively low 50% 
during the T1 portion of the cycle. 
Importantly, and in summary and conclusion of this section, we have found 
that such sample-specific conditioning cycles produce superior HVI test 
results, the primary objective, and good moisture contents, and are, on 
average, faster. Further, yarn samples, fabric samples or material samples 
in general may be placed on stage 12, in tray 14, within isolated 
environmental chamber 50 for conditioning in accordance with the method 
disclosed herein. 
Combined Sample Conditioning and Zone Air Conditioning 
Another major objective of the invention is to provide cost-effective 
environmental conditioning for laboratory space 20, especially for the 
sub-space identified as "Oasis-Zone" 20A in FIG. 6 and for one or more 
test zone environments 46 in one or more testing instruments 48, in 
economic combination with sample conditioning, all by one machine 40 
serving thereby, multiple purposes. 
Sample conditioning functions are seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 to be internal 
to machine 40 within isolated environmental chamber 50. Whereas 
environmental conditioning functions are enabled internally to machine 40 
by conditioning apparatus 60 and control system apparatus 100, supply air 
flows are directed externally to laboratory space 20, 20A or instrument 
test zones 46 by ducts 222 (or, for clarity, ducts 42, 44 in FIG. 6). 
Thus, there is an economical combination for multiple purposes resulting 
from the isolated environmental chamber 50, and methods are implemented 
for enabling sample-specific conditioning cycles internally within chamber 
50, with simultaneous control of external lab space 20 or sub-space 20A or 
test zone(s) 46. 
Our discovery, and developments therefrom, began with recognition that the 
environmental parameters or conditions associated with sample conditioning 
could, by proper design and controls, be made compatible with 
environmental parameters or conditions associated with laboratory space or 
test zone conditioning. Two practical embodiments are disclosed herein, 
described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, respectively. 
In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the negative pressure (suction) in exit 
conduit 59 is for example in the range of 0.5 to 5 inches (1.27 to 12.7 
cm) water column, and is typically around 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm) 
water column. Such suctions are satisfactory for drawing return air 204 
from laboratory space 20 into inlet grill 43 (FIG. 6), through recited 
above but unshown filters or dampers, and into return air conduit 200. 
Damper 206, actuated by driver 208 under the control of microcontroller 
100 through one of control signal lines 210, and damper 202 operate in 
concert to realize desired suctions in return conduit 200 and exit conduit 
59. Fan 64, whose motor 65 is powered by a variable frequency inverter, is 
adjusted in speed to realize desired suction in negative plenum 214 so 
that dampers 202 and 206 can realize desired suctions in conduits 59 and 
200. 
Similarly, we designed for positive plenum 216 pressures in the range of 
0.2 to 2 inches (0.508 to 5.08 cm) water column. "Fine-tuning" adjustments 
by dampers 218, 219 enable satisfactory pressures for sample conditioning 
entering air 53 and for supply air 220 moving in duct 222. Supply air flow 
220 in supply duct 222 may be split into two or more flow components 
moving in laboratory space supply duct 42 and instrument test zone supply 
duct 44 (FIG. 6). Representative volumetric supply flow rates are 2500 
ft.sup.3 /min (70 m.sup.3 /min) in duct 42 and 500 feet ft.sup.3 /min (14 
m.sup.3 /min) in duct 44. 
The environmental parameters or conditions of gas flows supplied by ducts 
42 and 44 may be equal to each other and to entering air flow 55 
conditions, and such equality is achieved by simply splitting the air 
flowing from positive plenum 216 into three flows by use of dampers as 
described above: 600 ft.sup.3 /min (17 m.sup.3 /min) for sample entry 53 
in conduit 57, 500 ft.sup.3 /min (14 m.sup.3 /min) in duct 44, and 2500 
ft.sup.3 /min (70 m.sup.3 /min) in duct 42. Whereas such flow splitting is 
straightforward and results in equality of environmental conditions in 
each of the respective flow components, and is useful in many 
installations, each air flow component may be further conditioned, after 
splitting, to achieve desired, different environmental parameters in said 
component. To clarify and illustrate, RH in plenum 216 could be 80%, 
enabling 65% set points to be achieved in laboratory space 20 and test 
zone 46. Electrical resistance reheater 230 under the control of sensors 
101 and microcontroller 100 could elevate the temperature and thereby the 
RH of entering air to 65%. These approaches to realizing different 
environmental conditions for the multiple flows having multiple purposes 
may be extended for all environmental parameters by appropriate use of 
additional control elements 60 under control of microcontroller 100. 
Finally, FIG. 9 discloses another practical embodiment, with somewhat 
different air flow paths compared to the embodiment of FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, 
sample inlet air flow 53 is derived from the positive plenum which also 
provides external conditioning air flow. In FIG. 9, sample inlet air flow 
353 is derived from the return air flow 204, which return air flow 204 is 
the same in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9. 
In FIG. 9, dampers 306 and 202 realize proper suction and flows, as before. 
Humidifier 362 including control valve 363 actuated by signal line 313, 
and such other air conditioning elements as desired, condition the sample 
inlet air flow 353, as before. All conditioning elements, such as 
conditioning apparatus 60 and the various dampers, are controlled by 
microcontroller 100, as before. 
The configuration example of FIG. 9 is typical for apparatus we intend to 
call "RapidAir." 
In conclusion, whereas it may appear to be complicated, cumbersome, and 
restrictive to attempt this combination of elements for multiple 
conditioning purposes, we have found that the combination can achieve 
superior HVI test results, particularly regarding the important 
"oasis-zone" 20A impact, and the laboratory space 20 air conditioning 
costs can be half these associated with a separate laboratory space 20 air 
conditioner. To reiterate, our discovery began with recognition that the 
environmental parameters for the various purposes were reasonably 
compatible at the outset of our developments. 
While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and 
described herein, it is realized that numerous modifications and changes 
will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood 
that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and 
changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.