New Unimotive model range for the automotive industry

Precise, responsive and stable temperature control for material tests and test benches

Temperature control is a critical factor during stress and load testing during the development of alternative drive solutions, batteries, materials and other vehicle components. This testing often dictates that the heat transfer fluid (HTF) used is a water-ethylene glycol mixture.

To address these applications, Huber has expanded their portfolio to include temperature control systems designed and tested specifically for use with water-ethylene glycol over the temperature range of -45°C to 95°C for the automotive industry.

Based on the proven Unistat technology, developed by Huber over 40-years ago, this technology operates with a very low volume of HTF, uses plate heat exchangers for efficient thermal transfer and has a sealed fluid system. This results in very short “time to temperature” times, extremely responsive, stable, accurate and repeatable temperature control.

The Unimotive series comprises of five units with up to 35 kW cooling capacity and 24 kW heating capacity. The models are fitted with a magnetically coupled, speed-controlled pump with a maximum flow of 145 l/min and pressure up to 5.5 Bar.

Volume flow control for validated measurement results

The Flow Control Cube (FCC) was developed for flow rate measurement and control. This optional addition to the Unimotive devices is available in two options: either as a space-saving version being mounted on top of the temperature control system or fitted with castors and placed directly on the floor. In both variants, the bypass, flow meter, interfaces etc. are housed in a compact stainless-steel module.

Flow measurement is carried out with magnetic-inductive flow meters or via a turbine flow sensor and operates over the range of 0.2 l/min to 95 l/min depending on the model.
Unimotive devices can be individually configured and adapted to various test situations or integrated into existing test benches. Various sensors, expansion vessels, pumps and data interfaces are available as accessories to adapt to every application complexity.
Custom designed solutions for demanding applications where e.g. high pressures are required, or aggressive fluids are being used, can be designed and built. They incorporate a system separation design method splitting the primary and secondary circuit and thermally coupling them through an external heat exchanger.

All Unimotive models are operated using a touchscreen controller which supports the most common data communication protocols (including Profibus, Modbus, TCP, Ethernet, OPC-UA, RS232, USB) enabling easy integration into automated industrial environments.
The Unimotive devices can also be used as an alternative to, or to supplement/widen the temperature range of environmental chambers. One advantage here is the increased responsiveness of the temperature control, meaning the target temperature can be quickly and precisely achieved under varying thermal conditions in the test specimen. A combination of the Huber temperature control system plus an environmental chamber also enables simultaneous control of the test specimen temperature as a function of the ambient temperature.

In addition to the Unimotive systems, Huber offers a wide range of other temperature control solutions for applications from -125 to +425 °C. The Unistat product family includes more than 70 basic models with cooling capacities up to 130 kW. In addition to closed circulation thermostats, the product range consists of chillers and heating / cooling circulators with open baths as well as calibration baths, heat exchangers and customised special devices.