3100 Series Pressure Sensor for SCBA Systems
December 13, 2021
Human safety is the top priority when working in oil fields or underground mines. Providing fresh air to workers in these environments relies on several critical systems working correctly to ensure no harm comes to them. The worker will put on a SCBA (or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) device over their face and mouth. This keeps the bad air out and allows the worker to breathe only fresh air from the oxygen supply tank. What is critical to the SCBA system is monitoring the pressure in the oxygen supply tanks. The tanks can hold only a certain amount of air, so informing the worker of the remaining time is crucial. Pressure sensors are mounted near the tank to monitor its pressure. The worker has a handheld device (dongle) that displays to them both the amount of time used and the amount of time left. Constantly monitoring the pressure can also send a signal to the system that the pressure is getting low and trigger a loud alarm to the user if the tank is running low. Oil fields and underground mines are very rough environments. Equipment is bumped around, dropped, and not handled delicately.
Challenge
Finding a rugged pressure sensor that can provide an accurate signal even when exposed to a high number of cycles, as well as be airtight to prevent leaks.
Since the workers rely on the air to survive, a leaking supply system is not an option. When dealing with gases (such as air or oxygen), the molecules are very small and tend to leak easily through any gaps in the plumbing or piping system. The entire system must be leak-free, ensuring that all the air the tank can store is available to the worker and not lost to the atmosphere. Also, many of these applications have a high number of repetitive cycles. The pressure sensor must be able to withstand these repetitive cycles and exhibit a long lifespan to prevent premature failure.
Solution
3100 Series Pressure Sensors
The 3100 Series Pressure Sensors use no internal O-rings in the chamber that holds the media (air, oxygen, etc.). O-rings can break down due to exposure to extreme temperatures, cleaning chemicals, and over time, causing leaks. The stainless-steel pressure ports and sensing diaphragms are laser-welded together to make an air-tight, leak-proof seal. This will prevent leaks today as well as in the years to come. Able to operate up to +125 °C and with a 100 million cycle lifetime, the 3100 Series Pressure Sensors are a perfect fit for providing continuous feedback of coolant pressure in your Solid-State Pressure Regulator application.
Adding the 3100 Series Pressure Sensors to your Solid-State Pressure Regulator application is a significant asset, ensuring your equipment has a long life and low maintenance requirements.
Features
- Exceptional Long-Term Stability = No need for costly field calibration or replacement
- Thermally compensated = Consistent performance under wide temperature conditions
- Stainless Steel body = Able to withstand harsh chemicals and gases
- Sealed to IP67 = heavy water spray, power-washing
- Enhanced RFI, EMI, and ESD Protection = Clear uninterrupted signal in harsh electrical environments
- Computer Controlled Calibration = High 1:1 Interchangeability from unit to unit
- Passes 20G Vibration test and IEC Free Fall test = Rugged design to handle excessive shock and vibration conditions