Controller for regulating airflow in rodent containment system

• US 7,734,381 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2007
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovive, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Innovive, Inc.
• Inventors: Perazzo, Thomas M., Conger, Dee L., Cannell, Asa
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Ramesh B
• Application Number:
  US11/695,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20080236506A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 700275-277, 700/301, 119418-419, 119/448, 454/61, 454/238, 454/245, 702/138, 702/140
• US Class Current: 700/301
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/031 Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0356 Feeding or drinking devices associated with cages for poultry A01K31/005, A01K31/17, A01K39/00; for birds A01K31/06

Abstract

Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages, modular rack units and controllers. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems. The single-use animal containment cages contain controllers that regulate airflow or air pressure and have a user interface and processor.

Claims

1. A controller that regulates airflow in a rodent containment system comprising:

a user interface comprising an air pressure setpoint input function, and

a processor that balances an output of an air supply blower and air exhaust blower simultaneously with increases or decreases in a fan speed signal for the one or more blowers based on the setpoint and an air pressure signal from one or more sensors in the rodent containment system.

2. The controller of claim 1, further comprising an audible alarm that is activated when a sensed air pressure deviates at a specified increment from the set level.

3. The controller of claim 1, wherein increasing or decreasing the speed of one or more fans comprises delaying the increase or decrease of the speed of one or more fans after the controller senses and compares the pressure, with an amount of the delay of the increase or decrease configured to prevent substantial swings in airflow.

4. A controller that regulates airflow in a rodent containment system comprising:

a user interface comprising an air pressure setpoint input function, and

a processor, configured to receive one or more signals from one or more air pressure sensors disposed in an air supply conduit or an air exhaust conduit of the system, compare the sensed air pressure to a set level and increase or decreases the speed of one or more fans in the blower assembly until the air pressure reaches the set level.

5. The controller of claim 4, further comprising an audible alarm that is activated when a sensed air pressure deviates at a specified increment from the set level.

6. The controller of claim 4, wherein increasing or decreasing the speed of one or more fans comprises delaying the increase or decrease of the speed of one or more fans after the controller senses and compares the pressure, with an amount of the delay of the increase or decrease configured to prevent substantial swings in airflow.