Climatics Test Chamber Blowers
Barber-Nichols Inc. (BNI) is the world's leading supplier of high speed blowers used in climatic test chambers. These environmental test chambers are often used to test satellites which endure temperatures that alternate between 150°C and -185°C (300° F and -300° F). BNI's blowers circulate nitrogen gas between these temperature extremes for months at a time so satellite electronics can be tested prior to launch.
The blower pictured at left shows one of Barber-Nichols' climatic test chamber blowers. The impeller housing (located below the mounting flange is typically mounted inside an insulated box while motor and bearings (located above the mounting flange) is open to the atmosphere. The blower impeller and motor rotor both turn on a single shaft which is extremely stable at high speeds. The shaft rotates on a pair of high precision, grease-packed ball bearings that have a relatively long life and can easily be replaced. The blower has no dynamic seal and is thus completely closed and hermetic; the working fluid can not leak out of the system. The aluminum motor housing has an outer fluid jacket for the circulation of water/glycol that cools the motor and bearings during hot operation and warms them during cold operation. The motor is driven by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) which provides a wide head/flow range.
BNI's Climatic Test Chamber Blowers Are Also:
- Serviceable without being disconnected from the cryogenic plumbing
- Inherently explosion proof due to their hermetic design
- Scalable for larger or small custom applications
BNI has designed and manufactured climatic test chamber blowers with power levels reaching 100 hp, flow rates as great as 2500m3/hr (1500 acfm), and head rise as great as 1500 m (5000 ft). BNI's climatic test chamber blowers are being used around the world for satellite testing. Some end users include NASA, Lockheed Martin, Space Systems Loral, Angelantoni, and Air Liquide. Additionally, these blowers can be used for other applications including ventilation, vapor return (LNG terminals), and fuel cell air and anode recirculation. Thank you for your interest in Barber-Nichols and we hope that we can put our experience and expertise to work for you.