Multi-channel pressure control systems and methods

A pressure control system, comprising:

• a pump;
• a first pressure control channel comprising:
• at least one first inlet receiving pressurized fluid from the pump;
• a pressure channel controller comprising:
• at least one first proportional valve configured to reduce or increase a pressure of the pressurized fluid within the first pressure control channel;
• and
• at least one first vent valve coupled to at least one vent orifice and configured to reduce the pressure of the pressurized fluid within the first pressure control channel;
• a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller that controls the pressure channel controller comprising the at least one first proportional valve and the at least one first vent valve;
• at least one outlet connecting the first pressure control channel to a first pressure channel of a device, such that the pressurized fluid may flow from the first pressure control channel into the first pressure channel;
• at least one first sensor configured to measure at least one first property of the pressurized fluid within the first pressurized control channel;
• at least one first channel controller configured to:
• control the pressure of the pressurized fluid within the first pressure channel by reading the at least one first property of the pressurized fluid within the first pressure channel and controlling the at least one first proportional valve and the at least one first vent valve;
• receive a first target pressure and a first target duration;
• based on a first starting pressure of the first pressure control channel, compute a first pressure step change and a first default step duration for the first pressure step change, wherein the first step default duration is less than or equal to the first target duration;
• divide the first pressure step change into at least two first substeps,
• wherein a sum of the pressure changes for each first substep is equal to the first pressure step change;
• compute a default first substep duration for each first substep;
• compute at least one first delay, such that a sum of the at least one first delay and the default first substep durations of the at least two first substeps is equal to the first target duration;
• and
• implement the at least one first delay and the at least two first substeps, such that the pressure of the pressurized fluid within the first pressure channel changes from the first starting pressure to the first target pressure in a time equal to the first target duration.

A pressure control system, comprising:

• a plurality of pressure channels, each pressure channel receiving pressurized fluid;
• and
• for each pressure channel, a respective pressure channel controller comprising:
• at least one first proportional valve configured to reduce or increase a pressure of the pressurized fluid within a first pressure control channel;
• and
• at least one first vent valve coupled to at least one vent orifice and configured to reduce the pressure of the pressurized fluid within the first pressure control channel;
• a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller that controls the pressure channel controller comprising the at least one first proportional valve and the at least one first vent valve;
• wherein the pressure channel controller is configured to:
• control the pressure of the pressurized fluid within the pressure channel by reading at least one property of the pressurized fluid within the pressure channel and controlling the first proportional valve and the first vent valve;
• receive a target pressure and a target duration;
• based on a starting pressure of the pressure channel, compute a pressure step change and a default step duration for the pressure step change, wherein the default step duration is less than or equal to the target duration;
• divide the pressure step change into at least two substeps, wherein a sum of pressure changes for each substep is equal to the pressure step change;
• compute a default substep duration for each substep;
• compute at least one delay, such that a sum of the at least one delay and the default substep durations of the at least two substeps is equal to the target duration;
• and
• implement the at least one delay and the at least two substeps, such that the pressure of the pressurized fluid within the pressure channel changes from the starting pressure to the target pressure in a time equal to the target duration.