PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER-BASED SYSTEM AND USER INTERFACE FOR AIR SAMPLING IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS

摘要

A system and method for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment. The system and method includes automatic adjustment of mass flow rates and duration of vacuum connections (either via time elapsed or indirectly by volume) based on rates set by an operator. Additionally, the system and method enables users to monitor and control aspects of the system via network-connected devices. Additionally, the system enable a vacuum pump to be disconnected from power in response to a physical emergency button, a software-based emergency stop button available on network connected devices, and an automatic power disconnection in response to an abnormal mass flow reading that could potentially impact the vacuum pump.

主权项

1. A system for sampling air at multiple locations in a controlled environment comprising:
a plurality of air sampling devices configured to monitor and test a volume of air within a controlled environment; a plurality of vacuum connections, each of the plurality of vacuum connections configured to receive the volume of air from one of the plurality of air sampling devices; a plurality of flow control valves, each of the plurality of flow control valves configured to control a mass flow rate of the volume of air received by one of the vacuum connections; a plurality of flow sensors, each of the plurality of flow sensors configured to sense the mass flow rate of the volume of air received by one of the vacuum connections; a flow center including a programmable logic controller (PLC) configured to monitor and control the mass flow rate of air received by the plurality of vacuum connections; and an operator interface terminal including a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to monitor and control the mass flow rate of air received by the plurality of vacuum connections.