Open AccessAutomated Piston Gauge Calibration System
Author(s) -
Julia Scherschligt,
Christina D. Cross,
John Quintavalle,
Yuanchao Yang,
Robert G. Driver,
Katie Schlatter,
Douglas A. Olson
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ncsl international measure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2381-0580
pISSN - 1931-5775
DOI - 10.1080/19315775.2017.1335587
Subject(s) - nist , calibration , suite , computer science , software , systems engineering , mechanical engineering , engineering , control engineering , reliability engineering , operating system , physics , geography , quantum mechanics , archaeology , natural language processing
Piston gauges or pressure balances are important primary standards for the realization of the SI unit of pressure, the pascal. Because of their long-term stability, they are also used as secondary or working standards in the dissemination of the pressure scale. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) operates and maintains a calibration service for these devices, and has recently undertaken a modernization effort. Following a preliminary investigation into the feasibility of using transducers as instantaneous in-situ transfer standards, we now present the results of a near fully automated calibration system. This effort includes the design, building, and validation of an automated gas-handling manifold, and the development of a new software suite. The new system demonstrates an expanded uncertainty on the order of 1 in 10 5 , comparable to the traditional system, but offers a five-fold decrease in calibration turnaround time.