Self-Pressurized Bladder Tank: A two-camber gas side pressure tank maintains water system pressure and provides the force to move water from the drinking water tank through the system to the cage. As water is used, a flexible diaphragm collapses across the water volume while the gas side expands. The quantity of the water remaining in the tank is monitored via a water pressure transducer.
Pressure Regulator: A pressure regulator maintains downstream water pressure to the drinking water manifold.
Drinking Water Manifold: Water flows in the manifold assembly and via a solenoid into a 0.5-ml accumulator. When consumption reduces accumulator pressure sufficiently, a pressure switch initiates a refill of the accumulator. When water pressure in the accumulator rises sufficiently, a high pressure switch stops water flow until the next consumption-initiated cycle. A count is registered and sent to the data system each time this cycle is carried out. If there is a loss of electrical power or a failure of a solenoid valve or pressure switch, water can be made available to the cage by manually pulling out a small knob on the affected valve. In this mode, water is made available to the cage but no electrical signals indicate water consumption.
Lixit Valves: A lixit provides a "water ball" in the cage, which is replenished as the animal tongues the spigot. Lixits are mounted on a service bar located within the cage side wall.
Specifications
Dimensions: N/A
Weight: N/A
Power: Approx 12 W/activated solenoid plus portion of data system power
Water Capacity: 9.5 l
Data Acquisition
Water consumption
Related Ground-Based Hardware
Fill and Bleed Cart: The cart is used to fill, drain, and dry, and bleed air from the RAHF drinking water system on the ground prior to use of the system.
· Dalton, B.P., G. Jahns, J. Meylor, N. Hawes, T.N. Fast, and G. Zarow: Spacelab Life Sciences-1 Final Report. NASA TM-4706, August 1995.
Missions Flown 1996-2003
Neurolab/STS-90
