containment chambers
“The problem was to be able to test
the strength of the materials in a
perfectly uniform atmosphere”
100020527517_1A_TVI2__CALTIMI SAuTpSp_.inCdLdIM A1TS.indd 1 0264/0/096/2/2001199 1 21:25:318
AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM // SHOWCASE 2020 157
1974
Climats, created
1 air flow covering the
9 sides of an object
4 alcoves each
housing a satellite
6 temperature sensors
per satellite
4 regulation loops
120 kW installed
power to maintain an
even temperature
5-30% savings
using the energy
recovery system
2°C/min
customer, ArianeGroup and the final user,
OneWeb to use his chambers. “The
problem was to be able to test the strength
of the materials in a perfectly uniform
atmosphere on all nine sides of the
satellite. I spent quite a few hours blowing
into a trapezoid cup before finding the
solution.”
A ONE-OF-A-KIND CHAMBER
The problem was tricky. Indeed, it was
impossible to work with several air flows -
they would collide and become
uncontrollable. Not to mention that they
would never be perfectly similar to each
other. So how can the characteristic nine
sides of the OneWeb satellite be exposed to
an even temperature from a single, nonmobile
source? “I can tell you that the idea
was very quickly registered with the
national industrial property institute,”
Marc says. “It was not really from fear of
being copied, because it’s a one-off item
that only has an interest for OneWeb
satellite shapes. It was for the principle. To
keep the paternity of the general idea.” In
their final form, each chamber contains
four alcoves that each contain a satellite.
Even more than the cleverness of the
idea, it is the dexterity of the software
designed and used by Climats which is
highlighted. The company uses Spirale, its
climate equipment management
programme. Developed internally over the
past 20 years, this specific software and
hardware ecosystem allows all
customizations. Graphics, automation,
acquisition, regulation can all be added,
removed or altered depending on customer
requirements. The software has also been
used to act on wine tank fermentation, to
record weather events, in private home
automation and has even been used to
control an anoxic processing machine for
the works of art at the Grenoble Museum.
FROM BORDEAUX TO THE KENNEDY
SPACE CENTER
Beyond the engineering, Climats also won
over ArianeGroup and OneWeb by its
international possibilities. Thanks to its
membership of the Schunk Foundation,
present in 29 countries including the USA,
the French company can work on the other
side of the world. The nine confinement
chambers were installed by Foundation
employees supervised by Climats
engineers. “This on-site presence is very
important because these quality control
chambers are tailor made,” explains Marc.
The installation had to be monitored
and staff trained to maintain it in Florida.
“If there are problems, the Schunk
Foundation after sales departments can
work alone, supported by French engineers
for the more sensitive issues. There is no
need for transatlantic flights to make a
repair. A single call is enough.”\\
Regis Perraux is sales and marketing director at
Climats
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