Patent ID: 6853946
Filing Date: 2005-02-08
Classification: A01K,G01F

Abstract:
1. A system for monitoring and controlling the environment in a rack having a plurality of cages for housing a plurality of laboratory animals, the rack receiving an input air flow from an external air supply unit through an input conduit, and exhausting an air flow output from an output conduit, said system comprising: a supply air system coupled to the input conduit for monitoring and controlling the input air flow to the rack in an input air flow direction, said supply air system comprising: a flow tube, through which the air flows; an air flow sensor located within said flow tube for determining the air flow rate taken at a location along the input air flow direction, and for providing an indication of said flow rate; a first air flow stabilizer located within said flow tube at a location upstream from said flow sensor, for stabilizing the air flowing to the air flow sensor; a second air flow stabilizer located within said flow tube at a location downsstream from said flow sensor, for stabilizing the air flowing to the air flow sensor; an air flow controller located downstream from said second air flow stabilizer for controlling the air flow through the flow tube; and a microcontroller for receiving said indication of said determined air flow rate from said air flow sensor and monitoring said air flow to the rack; wherein said microcontroller controls the position of said air flow controller such that the air flow rate is controlled.