Environmental growth chamber

Claim 2

An improved method of circulating conditioned air through an environmental growth chamber of the type defining a generally horizontally extending test zone and including a housing provided with condition modifying means for maintaining the air in the housing at predetermined conditions of temperature and humidity, said method comprising the steps of (a) continuously withdrawing air from the chamber at a first elevation vertically spaced from the test zone; (b) continuously passing the withdrawn air through the condition modifying means and, thereafter, conducting it to a second elevation vertically spaced from the test zone on the side opposite the point from which it was withdrawn; and, (c) readmitting the conditioned air to the chamber at said second elevation in at least two horizontal streams arranged to produce a horizontal rotation of the air in the chamber as it passes from the second elevation to the first elevation.

Claim 3

The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said first elevation is below said second elevation.

Claim 4

The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said streams are directed to meet in nearly overlapping relationship angle of between 70* and 90*.

Claim 5

The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said streams are directed generally along adjacent walls of said chamber.

Claim 6

The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said streams are directed in generally parallel opposed relationship.

Claim 7

The method as defined in claim 1 wherein all of said air withdrawn at said first elevation is readmitted at said second elevation.

Claim 8

The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said streams are each of approximately equal crOss section and velocity.

Claim 9

In an environmental growth chamber of the type having a housing defining a closed chamber providing a horizontal test zone and including condition modifying means for maintaining predetermined conditions of temperature and humidity in said chamber, the improvement comprising: first means for continuously withdrawing a predetermined quantity of air from the chamber at a first elevation vertically spaced from the test zone, second means for conducting the quantity of air through the condition modifying means; and, third means for conducting the air from the condition modifying means to a second elevation vertically spaced from the test zone on the side opposite the first elevation, the third means further including means for supplying the air back to the chamber in at least two generally horizontal streams arranged to impart a horizontal rotation to the air as it moves through the chamber from the second elevation to the first elevation.

Claim 10

In an environmental growth chamber of the type having a housing defining a closed chamber providing a horizontal test zone and including condition modifying means for maintaining predetermined conditions of temperature and humidity in said chamber, the improvement comprising: first means for continuously withdrawing a predetermined quantity of air from the chamber at a first elevation vertically spaced from the test zone, second means for conducting the quantity of air through the condition modifying means; and, third means for conducting the air from the condition modifying means to a second elevation vertically spaced from the test zone on the side opposite the first elevation, the third means further including means for supplying the air back to the chamber in at least two generally horizontal streams arranged to impart a horizontal rotation to the air as it moves through the chamber from the second elevation to the first elevation.

Claim 11

Apparatus of claim 8 wherein said last mention means directs the air so that the streams are in overlapping relationship.

Claim 12

Apparatus of claim 8 wherein said last mention means directs the air in two parallel streams each inclined at an angle relative to an opposite sidewall of the chamber.

Claim 13

Apparatus of claim 10 wherein the last mentioned means directs the air so that the streams are in overlapping relationship.