The Plasma Booth Equivalency Device (Plasma BED) was developed for the Plasma and Thermal Spray
Coatings Industry as an easy to use device which allows the user to verify and correct
the flow data of embedded rotameters and pressure critical orifice type flowmeters. The
purpose of the device is to assist the end user in achieving correct flow rates of the
gases to ensure conforming processes. The Plasma BED has six embedded flowmeters
calibrated to common ranges and pressure used in the industry. The meters utilize
Laminar technology, with embedded and discrete differential pressure, absolute pressure
and temperature sensors to obtain measurements within the laminar region to determine
mass flow rates. The embedded microprocessor provides a software based STP calculation
that automatically compensates for changes in process temperature and pressure. The
response time of these inherently linear devices is better than 10 milliseconds, with
an accuracy of +/-1% of full scale, allowing the end user to quickly and reliably adjust
the pressures and temperatures of their gas lines to achieve the desired flow rates.
All six units have a dynamic display that is accessible via the face of the unit. These
displays allow for push button tare, simultaneous readings on mass flow rate, volumetric
flow rate, pressure and temperature, as well as an identity screen mode that confirms
the date of manufacture and calibration. The unit also provides the process data for the
units via RS-232 output, which is readable by any device with serial connectivity
(PC, some PDAs, laptops). This RS-232 signal allows the end user to capture process data
for analysis and historical purposes.
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