The dry nitrogen atmosphere below the environmental chamber allows us to precisely adjust the relative humidity, upwards, and easier to add water in this case. We choose to control the temperature then manually adjust the humidity by adding small quantities of water to the environment by vaporization. The vaporized water is quickly and evenly distributed throughout the chamber by a circulation fan. The integrated shutter mechanism prevents the sample from precooling before it is rapidly frozen.
1. Temperature & Humidity Sensor: Sends temperature & humidity data to controller.
2. Baffle Comb: Allows used to transfer frozen sample to be transferred to the plunge freezer’s “Work Platform” without allowing the Dewar gas to enter the chamber while shutter is closed.
3. Shutter: Keeps the controlled atmosphere inside the Chamber till the sample is to be frozen. It also can prevent pre-cooling of the sample. (Not shown)
4. Heating & Vaporizer: This provides a good portion of the heat load. It also serves to vaporize added water if the humidity is too low.
5. Vertical Mounting Bar: Serves to anchor the Chamber to the Cryo Workstation.
6. TEC (Thermo Electric Cooler): This assembly has a solid state device at its center that heats & cools depending on the polarity of the voltage applied. Used for addition heating and cooling but its main function is to lower humidity if the humidity is too high.
7. Shutter Re-set: Plunger is pressed in firmly to lock the shutter in the closed position.
8. Water Tube: Is used to introduce tiny amounts of water into the Heating/Vaporizer assembly if the humidity inside the chamber is too low. (Not shown)
1. Controller: Used to maintain temperature inside of the chamber and MONITOR Humidity only.
2. Heat/Cool Selector Switch: Allows user to select additional heating for the chamber or cooling which can be
used to reduce the humidity in the chamber.
3. Aux Heating/Vaporizer Mode Switch: Simple on-off switch to turn on the vaporizing chamber, rapidly adding water vapor to the environment.
