An Environmentally-Controlled Extended-Use Small Animal Hypobaric Chamber,
Abstract
An environmentally-controlled extended-use small animal hypobaric chamber has been designed to study small laboratory animals at low barometric pressures for long periods of exposure. The rectangular chamber (91.4 x 71.1x 50.8 cm) is constructed of aluminum plate and acrylic resin, with a volume of 32.3 cc3. A computer/data acquisition control unit provides for controlling and collecting data on pressure, temperature and relative humidity (RH) for an indefinite period of time. Altitude simulation is achieved using a two-stage, air-cooled vacuum pump with a displacement of 30 cc3/min. The pressure within the chamber is controlled by an incremental throttling valve in the vacuum line. Temperature (0-100 C) is measured with a platinum thermometer and is accomplished by using a remote-controlled constant temperature circulating bath. RH (20-80%) is measured with a sulfonated polystyrene resistance grid with pre-conditioned air being supplied to the chamber using the purge air ventilation system. Saturation is controlled by modulating air through a moisture condensing tube or a water-jacketed aerator. Drinking water and electrical feed-throughs are passed into the chamber using airtight bulkhead adapters. Combined long-term environmental simulations were conducted at 380 and 522 + or - 2 Torr, temperature at 21 + or - 2 C and RH 50 + or - 5% for 3 weeks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 21, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA153735
Entities
People
- A. Cymerman
- J. A. Devine
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine