Thermostat and testing machine provided with the same

Abstract

A thermostat includes a plate body, a heat insulator, and an electric heater. The plate body defines a cavity therewithin. The plate body has on its bottom two openings, which communicate with the cavity and function as a cooling medium inlet and a cooling medium outlet, respectively. The outer periphery of the plate body is covered with the heat insulator. That prevents heat intrusion and/or dissipation from the outer periphery of the plate body in transferring heat between the mounting face and a heat transfer medium within the cavity. That reduces the thermal influence on the mounting face, thereby ensuring more uniform temperature distribution on the mounting face.

1 . A thermostat comprising:
 a plate body having a mounting face on which an article is placed or held, further having an outer periphery, and defining a cavity into which a heat transfer medium is to be introduced; and   a heat insulator covering the outer periphery of the plate body,   the thermostat being adapted to adjust temperature of the mounting face at predetermined temperature by introduction of a heat transfer medium into the cavity.   
   
   
       2 . The thermostat as defined in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the plate body is of a flat columnar shape with a top face and a side face,   the top face constituting the mounting face, and   the side face constituting the outer periphery.   
   
   
       3 . The thermostat as defined in  claim 1 ,
 further comprising a heater for increasing temperature of the mounting face.   
   
   
       4 . The thermostat as defined in  claim 2 ,
 further comprising a heater for increasing temperature of the mounting face.   
   
   
       5 . The thermostat as defined in  claim 4 ,
 wherein the heater is provided in thermal contact with the bottom of the plate body.   
   
   
       6 . A testing machine provided with the thermostat as defined in  claim 1 , and having a medium introducing section for introducing a heat transfer medium, which is at a predetermined temperature, into the cavity. 
   
   
       7 . A testing machine provided with the thermostat as defined in  claim 2 , and having a medium introducing section for introducing a heat transfer medium, which is at a predetermined temperature, into the cavity. 
   
   
       8 . A testing machine provided with the thermostat as defined in  claim 3 , and having a medium introducing section for introducing a heat transfer medium, which is at a predetermined temperature, into the cavity. 
   
   
       9 . A testing machine provided with the thermostat as defined in  claim 4 , and having a medium introducing section for introducing a heat transfer medium, which is at a predetermined temperature, into the cavity. 
   
   
       10 . A testing machine provided with the thermostat as defined in  claim 5 , and having a medium introducing section for introducing a heat transfer medium, which is at a predetermined temperature, into the cavity.