York Instrument CPC8000-H Precision Hydraulic High-Pressure Controller

Overview

The York Instrument CPC8000-H is a precision hydraulic high-pressure controller engineered for metrological-grade pressure generation, regulation, and calibration in industrial and metrology laboratory environments. Based on a dual-stage servo-controlled hydraulic actuation architecture, the CPC8000-H generates stable, programmable output pressures up to 160 MPa (23,200 psi) using incompressible fluid media—primarily mineral-based hydraulic oil or deionized water. Unlike electromechanical or piezoelectric pressure sources, this controller operates entirely pneumatically: clean, dry compressed air (typically 6–8 bar) powers its pilot-stage valves and servo actuators, eliminating electrical hazards and enabling intrinsic safety in high-energy hydraulic test cells. Its core function is to serve as a factory reference standard for automated calibration of high-pressure transducers, deadweight testers, digital pressure gauges, and strain-gauge-based sensors compliant with ISO 5725, ASTM E74, and EN 868-5. The absence of onboard power electronics ensures long-term drift stability and immunity to electromagnetic interference—critical attributes for GLP-compliant calibration workflows.

Key Features

• Three configurable pressure ranges: 60 MPa, 100 MPa, and 160 MPa—selectable via mechanical range module interchange without firmware reconfiguration.
• Control stability of ±0.003 % Full Scale (FS) over 24-hour continuous operation, verified under ISO/IEC 17025-accredited environmental conditions (20 ± 0.5 °C, <45 % RH).
• Stated accuracy of ±0.01 % FS (k = 2), representing total measurement uncertainty encompassing linearity, hysteresis, repeatability, thermal zero shift, long-term drift (<0.005 % FS/year), and reference standard traceability to PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) certified primary standards.
• Pneumatic-only operation: requires only clean, oil-free, desiccated compressed air (ISO 8573-1 Class 2:2:2); no mains power, batteries, or internal electronics at the pressure generation stage.
• Modular fluid path design supports rapid medium exchange—hydraulic oil (ISO VG 32), water-glycol blends, or custom-compatible fluids (e.g., fluorinated oils for aerospace applications) upon request and validation.
• Integrated mechanical zero-balance system with manual fine-tuning screw allows in-situ zero-point verification and compensation without disassembly or external tools.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CPC8000-H is compatible with all standard high-pressure interface fittings (e.g., DIN 3852-E, SAE J1926, NPT 1/4″, BSPP G1/4″) and accommodates both metallic (stainless steel 1.4404/316L, Inconel 718) and elastomer-sealed test specimens. It meets mechanical safety requirements per PED 2014/68/EU (Category IV, Group 2 Fluids) and carries CE marking with Declaration of Conformity. For calibration laboratories operating under ISO/IEC 17025:2017, the controller’s documented uncertainty budget, traceable calibration certificate (including temperature coefficient data), and maintenance log template support full audit readiness. It is routinely deployed in accredited facilities performing calibrations to ISO 10012 (Measurement management systems) and supporting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when integrated with validated SCADA or LIMS platforms.

Software & Data Management

While the CPC8000-H operates autonomously in analog mode, optional digital integration is supported via 4–20 mA and 0–10 V analog I/O, RS-485 Modbus RTU, and Ethernet/IP interfaces. York Instrument provides the optional CPC-Control Suite v3.2—a Windows-based configuration and logging application enabling step-ramp programming, real-time pressure/temperature trending, automatic pass/fail reporting per ISO 17025 clause 7.8.3, and export of CSV/Excel-formatted calibration records with embedded metadata (operator ID, ambient conditions, reference standard ID). Audit trails include timestamped parameter changes, calibration event logs, and firmware revision history—all retained for ≥10 years per GLP retention guidelines.

Applications

• Primary and secondary calibration of pressure transmitters, strain-gauge sensors, and piezoresistive elements used in nuclear coolant loops, deep-well drilling instrumentation, and hydrogen fuel cell stack monitoring.
• Static and cyclic fatigue testing of high-pressure vessels, composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs), and cryogenic piping systems per ASME BPVC Section VIII Div. 3 and ISO 11439.
• Zero- and span verification of digital manometers during in-house quality control audits prior to field deployment.
• Reference source for inter-laboratory comparison studies organized by national metrology institutes (NMIs) and EURAMET key comparisons.
• Hydraulic actuation control in materials testing machines (e.g., universal testing frames) requiring sub-0.01 % pressure fidelity across load-hold phases.

FAQ

Does the CPC8000-H require electrical power to generate pressure?

No. Pressure generation and regulation are fully pneumatic; only the optional digital interface modules require low-voltage DC power.
Can it be used with water as the pressure medium for calibration of water-based hydraulic systems?

Yes—provided water is deionized (conductivity <1 µS/cm) and filtered to ≤5 µm; York Instrument supplies stainless-steel wetted parts and EPDM-free seals optimized for aqueous media.
What is the recommended recalibration interval?

Annually under normal use; every six months if operated >6 hours/day or subjected to >10,000 pressure cycles/year, per ISO 10012 guidance.
Is remote pressure ramping supported?

Yes—via Modbus RTU or Ethernet/IP commands; ramp rates from 0.01 to 50 MPa/min are programmable with acceleration/deceleration profiles.
How is traceability to national standards maintained?

Each unit ships with a UKAS-accredited calibration certificate referencing PTB or NIST-traceable primary standards, including full uncertainty budget and temperature sensitivity coefficients.