New climatic chamber at WTD 51 completed
The new climatic chamber at the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Engineer and General Field Equipment (WTD 51) has been completed and will be available for regular use in test campaigns from July 2008 onwards.
With a surface of 6.0 x 4.0 m and a height of 3.5 m, it can accommodate a 100-foot container or a smaller vehicle (e.g. protected command and functional vehicles or WIESEL 2) at extreme temperatures and the humidity levels of all climatic zones according to STANAG 4370 AECTP 200 for testing purposes.
Via a window in the climatic chamber, the test specimens can be observed during the tests. The climatic chamber can be entered through an airlock during a test in order to change the test set-up or the specimen without any impact on the set climate in the chamber. Vehicles can be tested with their engines running as the chamber has a conditioned air supply for the engine’s combustion air as well as an exhaust evacuation system. Cable passageways in the climatic chamber’s shell facilitate easy monitoring and recording of measured values outside the climatic chamber.
In order to complete the range of tests that can be carried out in the chamber, a solar simulation system will soon be installed.
| Capacity | 84 m³ |
|---|---|
| Test chamber dimensions | 6,0 m x 4,0 m x 3,5 m (D x W x H) |
| Door | 4,0 m x 3,5 m (W x H) |
| Temperature range without climate | –55 °C bis 80 °C |
| Temperature range with climate | 10 °C bis 80 °C (at 3-95% relative air humidity) |
| Temperature cycle | 1 K/min |
