The AQM 65 has a thermal management system (TMS) to maintain a stable internal temperature irrespective of ambient temperature changes.
The internal set-point temperature is typically 30.0 ± 0.5 oC, but this can be changed to better suit the external temperature conditions.
Compressor
The internal temperature is maintained using a fridge compressor for cooling and resistive heaters for warming. The AQM 65 has thick insulation foam to minimize heat transfers through the wall and the outer shell has a high-performance reflective coating to minimize solar incidence.
The compressor is located on the bottom of the enclosure behind a protective shield and can be removed if needed. Temperature-controlled air is passed into the compressor heat exchanger through vents in the bottom of the enclosure. Air is then passed behind the back plate and then out a vent at the top of the inside of the enclosure.
Air-conditioned air is constantly circulated in the enclosure. Air comes in to the enclosure at the top and exits through vents at the bottom.
System manager module
A system manager module is used to measure the internal temperature and control the compressor and heaters to maintain a constant internal temperature.
The system manager module also connects to the external temperature and relative humidity sensor, which is located underneath its enclosure. This sensor is capable of measuring temperature down to -40 oC and above 50 oC with an accuracy of ±0.3 oC. Its relative humidity range is 0 to 100 % with an accuracy of ± 2 %.
The system manager module is above and to the left of the embedded PC.
Note: The switch on the side of the system manager module has no function and is deactivated.