Specimen heater and control system for accelerated weathering test apparatus

An accelerated weathering test apparatus of the type used to concentrate solar radiation upon test specimens operatively coupled to a target board, including a reflecting solar concentrator operatively coupled and disposed in opposition to the target board and adapted for adjusting an operating temperature of the test specimens, the accelerated weathering test apparatus comprising:

• a heating element that transfers energy to the test specimens, the heating element operatively coupled to the apparatus;
• a temperature sensor operatively coupled to at least one of the test specimens for generating a test signal representative of the operating temperature of the test specimens;
• and
• a controller for generating a temperature set point connected to the temperature sensor and responsive to the test signal for selectively controlling a power level applied to the heating element in order to control a rate at which energy is transferred to the test specimens, the rate being generally decreased when the operating temperature of the test specimens is greater than the temperature set point, and the rate being generally increased when the operating temperature of the test specimens is less than the temperature set point, and the rate being generally maintained constant when the operating temperature of the test specimens is substantially equal to the temperature set point.