Anechoic Chamber Door Seal at a U.S. Air Force Base
We redesigned and replaced an aging inflatable seal system for a massive anechoic
chamber door, ensuring complete sound isolation and improved durability. Learn more.
Industry Background
Anechoic chambers are specialized facilities designed to be completely shielded from any outside electromagnetic interference, which is essential for testing electronic systems on sensitive military equipment. These highly controlled environments block outside electronic radio signals and absorb the internal radio frequencies generated to ensure precise testing conditions. Minimizing downtime and optimizing usage become critical to the U.S. military's testing abilities.
Project Details
Client: U.S. Air Force Base
Requirement: To redesign and replace an aging inflatable seal system for a massive anechoic chamber door, ensuring complete electromagnetic isolation and improved durability.
The Challenge
The client needed an updated continuous sealing solution for a massive 250x70-foot chamber door, which takes 15 minutes to open and close. Key challenges included:
- Installing a series of three continuous seals that inflate against the closed chamber door completely sealing all RF signals within a controlled electromagnetic (EM) environment.
- Maintaining the facility's integrity, which is large enough to house the largest fully assembled US aircraft.
- Demonstrating long-term durability as the original seal, first installed by Seal Master Corporation in the early 1990s, had lasted decades with only periodic repairs before requiring full replacement.
The Solution
Seal Master Corporation developed a newly molded EPDM inflatable seal with a G-1 cross-section featuring a taller extended bead, ensuring an enhanced fit and improved sealing capabilities. The solution included:
- Material Upgrade: Switching to EPDM provided superior durability and resistance to wear over time.
- Triple-Seal System: A series of three seals were installed to guarantee maximum EM isolation.
- Proven Longevity: The first installation lasted decades, and a similar system at another Air Force base demonstrated even longer-lasting performance with the updated design.
- Efficient Seal Activation: Once inflated, the seals expand and strike against the massive door, allowing for much larger tolerances or gaps. The three-seal design creates redundancy throughout the entire surface.
The Results
The upgraded fabric-reinforced inflatable seal system helped provide a shielded barrier, ensuring the anechoic chamber met strict testing standards. The improved EPDM material increased durability, reducing long-term maintenance needs. The successful implementation led to additional installations at other Air Force bases, reinforcing our reputation for delivering high-performance sealing solutions for specialized defense applications.
Visit our industry applications pages for more information on our aerospace and defense sealing solutions.
Need help with your project?
If you’re working on a project of your own and struggling to find the right solution, our engineering team can work with you to solve any problem.