Digitizing the NYSCF Array Gas Pressure Controllers

I developed a prototype architecture for replacing manual gas-pressure adjustment with continuous electronic sensing and closed-loop control. The system was designed to regulate pressure while maintaining controlled oxygen and carbon-dioxide concentrations for the NYSCF Array.

System Architecture

• Integrated pressure, CO₂, and O₂ sensing through analog inputs and I²C communication.
• Mapped controller outputs to three proportional valves for CO₂, O₂, and N₂ flow.
• Designed a compact CAD housing to position and protect the gas-sensing hardware.

Control Approach

The public prototype firmware runs a PID pressure loop with separate PI corrections for CO₂ and O₂. Remaining flow demand is assigned to nitrogen, and all valves close when sensor data fails, becomes stale, or pressure exceeds the safety limit.