System for implementing the respiratory calorimetry function of large animals and method thereof

Abstract

This invention relates to a system for measuring the respiratory calorimetry of large animals, comprising an artificial climate chamber, a controller, and a ventilation fan. The artificial climate chamber serves as the activity area for the test animals, used to regulate and simulate environmental conditions and monitor animal status. The controller is connected to the artificial climate chamber to coordinate the environmental simulation, collect physiological and behavioral data of the animals, and collect gas concentration measurements. The ventilation fan is connected to the ventilation and sampling pipeline of the artificial climate chamber to drive ventilation. The system and method for measuring the respiratory calorimetry of large animals using this invention accurately simulate various animal growth environmental conditions, resolving measurement errors caused by evaporation and splashing from large animal drinking troughs. The structure of the timed and quantitative feeder, feed trough, and weighing sensor provides dual verification of animal feed intake, resolving feed intake measurement errors. The use of a dry-wet separation sewage system solves the problem of metabolic measurement errors caused by air leakage at the sewage outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of animal husbandry, and more particularly to the field of large animal physiological metabolism detection equipment, specifically to a system and method for realizing the function of respiratory calorimetry in large animals. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional methods for detecting respiratory metabolism in large animals suffer from several problems, including insufficient airtightness of the chamber, low precision in controlling environmental parameters, large measurement errors due to evaporation and spillage of feed and water or waste, difficulty in cleaning animal feces, and easy leakage during waste disposal. These issues make it difficult to stably simulate the animal's growth environment and accurately obtain respiratory metabolic data. Existing equipment often cannot uniformly control environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and light. Gas detection often uses a single-channel detection mode, lacks a reference calibration mechanism, and has insufficient accuracy in metabolic calculations. At the same time, the automation level of data acquisition and analysis is low, making it difficult to meet the needs of efficient, accurate, and stable detection of energy metabolism in large animals. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a system and method for realizing the function of respiratory pyrography in large animals that is easy to operate, has small measurement error, and is widely applicable.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the system and method for realizing respiratory calorimetry in large animals according to the present invention are as follows: The system for measuring respiratory calorimetry in large animals is characterized by comprising an artificial climate chamber, a controller, and a ventilation fan. The artificial climate chamber serves as the activity area for the test animals, used to regulate and simulate environmental conditions and monitor animal status. The controller is connected to the artificial climate chamber to coordinate the environmental simulation, collect physiological and behavioral data of the animals, and acquire gas concentration measurements. The ventilation fan is connected to the ventilation and sampling pipelines of the artificial climate chamber to drive its ventilation.

[0005] Preferably, the artificial climate chamber includes an environmental control unit, a feed, water, and weight monitoring unit, a ventilation and sampling pipeline, and a dry-wet separation and sewage discharge system. The ventilation and sampling pipeline is distributed around the waistline of the artificial climate chamber and is raised to a certain height above the ground. The environmental control unit, the feed, water, and weight monitoring unit, and the dry-wet separation and sewage discharge system are all installed inside the artificial climate chamber. The environmental control unit is used to simulate the temperature, humidity, wind speed, and light environment required for animal growth. The feed, water, and weight monitoring unit is used to monitor the animal's feed intake, water intake, and weight in real time. The dry-wet separation and sewage discharge system is used to collect and discharge animal feces while ensuring the airtightness of the chamber.

[0006] Preferably, the environmental control unit includes a circulating fan, a lighting system, a warm water spray device, and a constant temperature and humidity air conditioner. The circulating fan is installed on one side of the wall of the artificial climate chamber at a certain height above the ground, and the speed and direction of the circulating fan are adjustable to simulate natural wind and mix indoor air. The lighting system is installed on the top of the artificial climate chamber and its brightness is adjustable. The warm water spray device is installed in the upper right corner of the artificial climate chamber and its water temperature is adjustable. The constant temperature and humidity air conditioner is installed on the wall of the artificial climate chamber to regulate the indoor temperature and humidity.

[0007] Preferably, the feeding and drinking weight monitoring unit includes a feeding trough and a weighing sensor, a water nozzle, a water meter, a weight weighing platform, and a timed and quantitative feeder. The feeding trough and the weighing sensor are connected to the timed and quantitative feeder for timed and quantitative feeding and real-time monitoring of animal feed intake. The water nozzle is connected to the water meter for real-time monitoring of animal water intake. The weight weighing platform is installed in front of the feeding trough, the weighing sensor, and the water nozzle for real-time monitoring of animal weight.

[0008] Preferably, the dry-wet separation sewage system includes an upper mesh plate, a four-stage solid-liquid separator, and a sewage pump. The dry-wet separation sewage system collects the waste from the upper mesh plate into the four-stage solid-liquid separator and discharges the liquid portion through the sewage pump.

[0009] Preferably, the artificial climate chamber also includes an electrically operated controlled atmosphere sliding door, which is connected to the controller host and controlled to open and close the door.

[0010] Preferably, the controller host includes a central controller, an environmental controller, a gas analyzer and controller, a weight acquisition device, and a hard disk recorder. The central controller is connected to a computer for data uploading and command issuance. The environmental controller is connected to the environmental control unit of the artificial climate chamber for unified control of various environmental parameters. The gas analyzer and controller is connected to the ventilation and sampling pipelines and ventilation fans of the artificial climate chamber for synchronous detection of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations entering and exiting the artificial climate chamber using a reference mode. The weight acquisition device is connected to the food and water weight monitoring unit for collecting weight data. The hard disk recorder is connected to the camera in the artificial climate chamber for storing monitoring video inside the artificial climate chamber. The environmental controller, gas analyzer and controller, weight acquisition device, and hard disk recorder are all connected to the central controller.

[0011] Preferably, the gas analysis and controller includes a first set of oxygen concentration sensors, a first set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors, a second set of oxygen concentration sensors, and a second set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors. The first set of oxygen concentration sensors and the first set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors are used to detect the oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration in the gas discharged from the artificial climate chamber. The second set of oxygen concentration sensors and the second set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors are used to simultaneously detect the oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration in the ambient air entering the artificial climate chamber, serving as a reference channel.

[0012] Preferably, the gas analysis and controller calculates animal respiratory metabolic parameters based on a reference mode: based on the difference in oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration between the artificial climate chamber and the outside, as well as the ventilation flow rate, the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of the animal are calculated, thereby assessing the animal's energy metabolism level.

[0013] Preferably, the environmental controller is connected to the circulating fan, lighting system, hot water spray device and constant temperature and humidity air conditioner, for unified setting and control of wind speed, wind direction, light, spray water temperature, temperature and humidity.

[0014] The method for implementing respiratory pyrography in large animals using the aforementioned system is characterized by the following steps: (1) The oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the ambient air entering the artificial climate chamber and the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the gas discharged from the artificial climate chamber are measured simultaneously by two sets of oxygen concentration sensors and carbon dioxide concentration sensors in the gas analyzer and controller. (2) Calculate the oxygen concentration difference and carbon dioxide concentration difference between the indoor and outdoor artificial climate chambers; (3) Calculate the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of the animal based on the oxygen concentration difference and carbon dioxide concentration difference and the ventilation flow rate driven by the ventilation fan. (4) Assess the animal’s energy metabolism level based on the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.

[0015] Preferably, the method includes the following steps before the measurement begins: Set the ventilation flow rate and sampling flow rate; The oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration sensors in the gas analyzer and controller were calibrated using standard gases. The feeding trough, weighing sensor, and weight weighing platform in the artificial climate chamber were zeroed and calibrated using standard weights.

[0016] The system and method for achieving respiratory thermometry in large animals, as described in this invention, solves the problem of large metabolic measurement errors caused by insufficient airtightness by employing a relatively sealed artificial climate chamber with ventilation fans. By adding a lighting system, circulating fan, and constant temperature and humidity air conditioning within the artificial climate chamber, various animal growth environments can be accurately simulated. The addition of a water meter in the pipeline accurately measures animal water consumption, eliminating measurement errors caused by evaporation and splashing from large animal water troughs. The use of a timed and quantitative feeder, feed trough, and weighing sensor provides dual verification of animal feed intake, eliminating measurement errors caused by feed waste. The adoption of a dry-wet separation sewage system solves the problem of difficult cleaning of animal feces and urine in the large chamber, while also addressing metabolic measurement errors caused by air leakage at the sewage outlet. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system for realizing the respiratory calorimetry function of large animals according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To more clearly describe the technical content of the present invention, the following description is provided in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0019] The system for realizing respiratory pyrography of large animals according to the present invention includes an artificial climate chamber, a controller host, and a ventilation fan. The artificial climate chamber is the activity area for the test animals, used to adjust and simulate environmental conditions and monitor the animal's condition. The controller host is connected to the artificial climate chamber and is used to coordinate the environmental simulation of the artificial climate chamber, collect physiological and behavioral data of the animals, and collect gas concentration measurements. The ventilation fan is connected to the ventilation and sampling pipeline of the artificial climate chamber and is used to drive the ventilation of the artificial climate chamber.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the artificial climate chamber includes an environmental control unit, a feed, water, and weight monitoring unit, a ventilation and sampling pipeline, and a dry-wet separation and sewage discharge system. The ventilation and sampling pipeline is distributed around the waistline of the artificial climate chamber and is positioned at a certain height above the ground. The environmental control unit, the feed, water, and weight monitoring unit, and the dry-wet separation and sewage discharge system are all installed inside the artificial climate chamber. The environmental control unit is used to simulate the temperature, humidity, wind speed, and light environment required for animal growth. The feed, water, and weight monitoring unit is used to monitor the animal's feed intake, water intake, and weight in real time. The dry-wet separation and sewage discharge system is used to collect and discharge animal feces while ensuring the airtightness of the chamber.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the environmental control unit includes a circulating fan, a lighting system, a warm water spray device, and a constant temperature and humidity air conditioner. The circulating fan is installed on one side of the wall of the artificial climate chamber at a certain height above the ground, and the speed and direction of the circulating fan are adjustable to simulate natural wind and mix indoor air. The lighting system is installed on the top of the artificial climate chamber and its brightness is adjustable. The warm water spray device is installed in the upper right corner of the artificial climate chamber and its water temperature is adjustable. The constant temperature and humidity air conditioner is installed on the wall of the artificial climate chamber to regulate the indoor temperature and humidity.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the feeding and drinking weight monitoring unit includes a feeding trough and a weighing sensor, a water nozzle, a water meter, a weight weighing platform, and a timed and quantitative feeder. The feeding trough and the weighing sensor are connected to the timed and quantitative feeder for timed and quantitative feeding and real-time monitoring of animal feed intake. The water nozzle is connected to the water meter for real-time monitoring of animal water intake. The weight weighing platform is installed in front of the feeding trough, the weighing sensor, and the water nozzle for real-time monitoring of animal weight.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dry and wet separation sewage system includes an upper mesh plate, a four-stage solid-liquid separator and a sewage pump. The dry and wet separation sewage system collects the sewage from the upper mesh plate into the four-stage solid-liquid separator and discharges the liquid portion through the sewage pump.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the artificial climate chamber further includes an electrically operated controlled atmosphere sliding door, which is connected to a controller host and the door is opened and closed by the controller host.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller host includes a central controller, an environmental controller, a gas analyzer and controller, a weight acquisition device, and a hard disk recorder. The central controller is connected to a computer for data uploading and command issuance. The environmental controller is connected to the environmental control unit of the artificial climate chamber for unified control of various environmental parameters. The gas analyzer and controller is connected to the ventilation and sampling pipelines and ventilation fans of the artificial climate chamber for synchronous detection of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations entering and exiting the artificial climate chamber using a reference mode. The weight acquisition device is connected to the food and water weight monitoring unit for collecting weight data. The hard disk recorder is connected to the camera in the artificial climate chamber for storing monitoring videos inside the artificial climate chamber. The environmental controller, gas analyzer and controller, weight acquisition device, and hard disk recorder are all connected to the central controller.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas analysis and controller includes a first set of oxygen concentration sensors, a first set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors, a second set of oxygen concentration sensors, and a second set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors. The first set of oxygen concentration sensors and the first set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors are used to detect the oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration in the gas discharged from the artificial climate chamber. The second set of oxygen concentration sensors and the second set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors are used to simultaneously detect the oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration in the ambient air entering the artificial climate chamber, serving as a reference channel.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas analysis and controller calculates animal respiratory metabolic parameters based on a reference mode: based on the difference in oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration between indoors and outdoors in the artificial climate chamber, as well as the ventilation flow rate, the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of the animal are calculated, thereby assessing the animal's energy metabolism level.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the environmental controller is connected to the circulating fan, lighting system, hot water spray device and constant temperature and humidity air conditioner, for uniformly setting and controlling wind speed, wind direction, light, spray water temperature, temperature and humidity.

[0029] The method of the present invention for realizing respiratory pyrography of large animals using the above-described system includes the following steps: (1) The oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the ambient air entering the artificial climate chamber and the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the gas discharged from the artificial climate chamber are measured simultaneously by two sets of oxygen concentration sensors and carbon dioxide concentration sensors in the gas analyzer and controller. (2) Calculate the oxygen concentration difference and carbon dioxide concentration difference between the indoor and outdoor artificial climate chambers; (3) Calculate the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of the animal based on the oxygen concentration difference and carbon dioxide concentration difference and the ventilation flow rate driven by the ventilation fan. (4) Assess the animal’s energy metabolism level based on the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the following steps before the measurement begins: Set the ventilation flow rate and sampling flow rate; The oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration sensors in the gas analyzer and controller were calibrated using standard gases. The feeding trough, weighing sensor, and weight weighing platform in the artificial climate chamber were zeroed and calibrated using standard weights.

[0031] The large animal respiratory pyrometric system is used to measure the respiratory metabolism of large animals such as pigs, cattle, and sheep. It can precisely control the temperature, humidity, wind speed, and light within the chamber to simulate an artificial environment. It can control and measure water intake and food consumption; and by exchanging air at a certain flow rate, it calculates the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of animals or humans by measuring the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the environment and extracted from the chamber, thereby assessing the animal's respiratory metabolic status.

[0032] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the large animal respiratory thermometry system consists of an artificial climate chamber, a controller host, a ventilation fan, a computer, and its supporting programs.

[0033] Artificial climate chambers are activity areas for test animals and can simulate various environmental conditions.

[0034] The circulating fan is installed on one side of the wall, 1.5 to 2 meters above the ground. The wind speed and direction are adjustable to simulate natural wind. It also has the function of mixing indoor air.

[0035] The lighting system is installed on the top of the artificial climate chamber, and the brightness is adjustable.

[0036] The warm water spray device is installed in the upper right corner of the artificial climate chamber, and the water temperature is adjustable.

[0037] The temperature and humidity of the room are regulated by a constant temperature and humidity air conditioner.

[0038] The artificial climate chamber is equipped with feeding troughs and weighing sensors, which are connected to a timed and quantitative feeder. This allows for timed and quantitative feeding and real-time monitoring of animal feed intake.

[0039] The artificial climate chamber is equipped with water taps, and the tap pipes are connected to a water meter, which can monitor the animals' water consumption in real time.

[0040] A weight-weighing platform is installed in front of the feeding trough, weighing sensor, and water tap to monitor the animal's weight in real time.

[0041] The artificial climate chamber is located approximately 1.6 meters above the ground, with a ring of ventilation and sampling pipelines distributed around it. The pipelines have multiple openings, enabling multi-point ventilation and sampling.

[0042] The artificial climate chamber uses an electrically operated controlled atmosphere sliding door, which is controlled by a central controller. This makes opening and closing the door convenient and ensures airtightness.

[0043] The artificial climate chamber employs a dry-wet separation sewage system. Animal feces and urine are collected by an upper mesh panel in a four-stage solid-liquid separator, while the liquid portion is ultimately discharged by a sewage pump. A key feature of this system is that it achieves sewage discharge while maintaining airtightness.

[0044] The controller host has a built-in central controller, environmental controller, gas analyzer and controller, weight acquisition unit and hard disk recorder.

[0045] The central controller is connected to the computer and is mainly responsible for communicating with the computer, uploading the collected data to the computer, and sending instructions from the computer to the environmental controller, gas analyzer and controller, weight acquisition unit and hard disk recorder.

[0046] The environmental controller is connected to the circulating fans, lighting system, warm water spray, and constant temperature and humidity air conditioning in the artificial climate chamber. It can uniformly set and control wind speed, wind direction, lighting, spray water temperature, humidity, and temperature.

[0047] The gas analyzer and controller integrates a sampling controller, oxygen concentration sensor, carbon dioxide concentration sensor, and sampling pump. The gas analyzer and controller is connected to the ventilation and sampling pipeline of the artificial climate chamber, with ventilation driven by a ventilation fan. A sampling pipeline branches off from the ventilation pipeline and connects to the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration sensors to detect the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the exhaust gas. The sampling pipeline is driven by the sampling pump. The gas analyzer and controller also contains another set of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration sensors to monitor the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the ambient air entering the artificial climate chamber in real time.

[0048] The weight collector connects to the feed trough and water meter in the artificial climate chamber to record the animals' feeding and drinking in real time.

[0049] The hard disk recorder stores surveillance video recordings, which can be displayed on the monitoring screen in real time.

[0050] The workflow of this invention is as follows: (1) The controller host works with the computer and its supporting program to control the operation of the electronic components of the equipment and collect sensor signal data.

[0051] (2) Gas concentration analysis adopts a reference mode: There are two sets of oxygen and carbon dioxide sensors in the gas analyzer and controller. One set is used to measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the exhaust gas in the artificial climate chamber; the other set simultaneously measures the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the ambient air entering the artificial climate chamber, serving as a reference channel. The oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration differences between the artificial climate chamber and the outside are used to calculate the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production based on the ventilation flow rate, thereby assessing the animal's energy metabolism level.

[0052] (3) The data is analyzed and processed in the program, and a test report is output.

[0053] The program testing and analysis process of this invention: (1) Experiment Management: Enter the main interface and click "Experiment Management" to create new experiments, search and modify experimental information.

[0054] (2) Experiment settings: Click “Experiment settings” on the main interface to enter the experiment settings interface.

[0055] (2.1) Set flow rate: You can set the ventilation flow rate and the sampling flow rate.

[0056] (2.2) Gas sensor calibration: The oxygen concentration sensor and carbon dioxide concentration sensor in each gas analyzer and controller can be calibrated using standard gas.

[0057] (2.3) Weighing sensor calibration: Standard weights can be used to zero and calibrate the water, food and weight sensors in each channel chamber.

[0058] (3) Sampling: Return to the main interface and click "Start Sampling" to start sampling. (4) Data analysis: (4.1) Enter the “Data Analysis” module, click “Open File”, and select the experimental data to be opened (by default, it is saved in the EMRData folder under the root directory of the installation disk).

[0059] (4.2) Click "Draw" to display the plotted chart and data under the "Basic Parameters" tab of "Original Data". Click the indicator name on the right side of the chart to show or hide the curve of that indicator. Scroll the mouse wheel to zoom in or out of the display area, left-click to select the area of ​​interest to zoom in, and right-click to move to change the display area.

[0060] (4.3) Click “Draw Change Curve” to display the change trend of each indicator under the “Change Curve” tab.

[0061] (4.4) Click the “Intake Analysis” tab, enter the time interval, and click “Plot” to draw curves for food intake, water intake, and weight, as well as event markers. Select a region on the curve, right-click, and then click the “Analyze” button to perform a summary analysis of that region. The analysis data is displayed in the right window. You can also right-click and select “Export Image”.

[0062] (4.5) Click the “Gas Analysis” tab to analyze oxygen concentration, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide concentration, carbon dioxide production, RER and EE.

[0063] The technical solution of this invention is specifically designed for large animals and large enclosures. It describes in detail the enclosure structure, ventilation, temperature control, humidity control schemes, flow detection and gas concentration detection schemes, as well as feeding, drinking and weight measurement schemes.

[0064] The technical solution of this invention can also achieve multi-channel sampling, currently up to 8 channels, one of which is a reference channel, which needs to be connected to the controller host and multiple cabins.

[0065] The technical solution of the present invention uses a reference mode for gas analysis. The reference mode employs two or more sets of parallel gas concentration sensors, and environmental sampling and respiratory sampling are carried out simultaneously to calculate the concentration difference, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production in real time.

[0066] The advantages of the reference mode are: 1) Shorter overall testing time and higher data abundance. Switching modes requires switching between channels, which results in the loss of data during the switching period. The reference mode, on the other hand, can start sampling and detection directly, with no data loss in each channel and the data being aligned in time.

[0067] 2) Avoiding deviations caused by asynchronous measurements. In the switching mode, the environmental reference value and the respiratory sampling value are not measured simultaneously. However, the reference mode measures the environmental reference value and the respiratory sampling value simultaneously, avoiding the influence of fluctuations in the ambient gas concentration on the measurement.

[0068] Reference mode can avoid measurement deviations caused by switching. When a gas concentration sensor switches to different gas sources, the gas concentration, temperature and humidity change and there is a certain response time, which will cause measurement data deviations. Reference mode does not have the data fluctuations caused by switching.

[0069] Furthermore, food intake, water consumption, and body weight are important metabolic indicators. Currently, there are no publicly available technical solutions for large animal metabolic chambers. The feed troughs and water bottles commonly used in laboratory animals such as mice are not suitable for large animals, otherwise, frequent opening of the door to add feed would be necessary. The feeding device, weighing device, drinking water pipe, and water meter used in this invention can achieve continuous feeding and water supply, avoiding waste and inaccurate measurement, while also avoiding frequent opening of the door to add feed and interrupting the experimental process.

[0070] The technical solution of this invention allows for combined analysis of animal metabolic levels with feed intake, water consumption, feeding behavior, and drinking behavior. This is of great significance in nutritional and behavioral research.

[0071] Large chamber wastewater is typically discharged directly through sewage pipes, or there is no wastewater discharge system at all, requiring manual cleaning. This invention designs a dry-wet separation wastewater discharge system, reducing the workload of manual cleaning. Simultaneously, a unidirectional wastewater pump ensures the overall sealing of the chamber, preventing air leakage from affecting metabolic measurements.

[0072] The technical solution of this invention adopts top air intake for ventilation and sampling points, with the air inlet at the top of the cabin, which is also a multi-point air intake. Multiple sampling and ventilation are carried out along the waistline to avoid damage by animals, and stainless steel pipes are used.

[0073] The feeding trough in this invention is equipped with a weighing sensor, and the water pipe has a water meter, which can measure the amount of food and water consumed by the animals. The invention also includes a weighing platform in front of the feeding trough and water nozzle, allowing animals to stand on the platform while feeding to measure changes in their weight.

[0074] For the specific implementation scheme of this embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0075] It is understood that the same or similar parts in the above embodiments can be referred to each other, and the contents not described in detail in some embodiments can be referred to the same or similar contents in other embodiments.

[0076] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means at least two.

[0077] Any process or method description in the flowchart or otherwise herein can be understood as representing a module, segment, or portion of code comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing a particular logical function or process, and the scope of the preferred embodiments of the invention includes additional implementations in which functions may be performed not in the order shown or discussed, including substantially simultaneously or in reverse order depending on the functions involved, as will be understood by those skilled in the art to which embodiments of the invention pertain.

[0078] It should be understood that various parts of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the above embodiments, multiple steps or methods can be implemented in software or firmware stored in memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution device. For example, if implemented in hardware, as in another embodiment, it can be implemented using any one or a combination of the following techniques known in the art: discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing logical functions on data signals, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) having suitable combinational logic gates, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0079] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the methods in the above embodiments can be implemented by a program instructing related hardware. The corresponding program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it includes one or a combination of the steps of the method embodiments.

[0080] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present invention can be integrated into a processing module, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into a module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0081] The storage media mentioned above can be read-only memory, disk, or optical disk, etc.

[0082] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0083] The system and method for achieving respiratory thermometry in large animals, as described in this invention, solves the problem of large metabolic measurement errors caused by insufficient airtightness by employing a relatively sealed artificial climate chamber with ventilation fans. By adding a lighting system, circulating fan, and constant temperature and humidity air conditioning within the artificial climate chamber, various animal growth environments can be accurately simulated. The addition of a water meter in the pipeline accurately measures animal water consumption, eliminating measurement errors caused by evaporation and splashing from large animal water troughs. The use of a timed and quantitative feeder, feed trough, and weighing sensor provides dual verification of animal feed intake, eliminating measurement errors caused by feed waste. The adoption of a dry-wet separation sewage system solves the problem of difficult cleaning of animal feces and urine in the large chamber, while also addressing metabolic measurement errors caused by air leakage at the sewage outlet.

[0084] In this specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. A system for implementing a respiratory calorimetry function for large animals, characterized in that, The system includes an artificial climate chamber, a controller host, and a ventilation fan. The artificial climate chamber serves as the activity area for the test animals, used to regulate and simulate environmental conditions and monitor the animal's condition. The controller host is connected to the artificial climate chamber and is used to coordinate the environmental simulation within the artificial climate chamber, collect physiological and behavioral data of the animals, and collect gas concentration measurements. The ventilation fan is connected to the ventilation and sampling pipelines of the artificial climate chamber and is used to drive the ventilation of the artificial climate chamber.

2. The system for performing a respiratory calorimetry function on a large animal of claim 1, wherein, The artificial climate chamber includes an environmental control unit, a feed, water, and weight monitoring unit, ventilation and sampling pipelines, and a dry-wet separation and sewage discharge system. The ventilation and sampling pipelines are distributed around the waistline of the artificial climate chamber and are positioned at a certain height above the ground. The environmental control unit, feed, water, and weight monitoring unit, and dry-wet separation and sewage discharge system are all installed inside the artificial climate chamber. The environmental control unit is used to simulate the temperature, humidity, wind speed, and light environment required for animal growth. The feed, water, and weight monitoring unit is used to monitor the animal's feed intake, water intake, and weight in real time. The dry-wet separation and sewage discharge system is used to collect and discharge animal feces while ensuring the airtightness of the chamber.

3. The system for performing a respiratory calorimetry function on a large animal of claim 2, wherein, The environmental control unit includes a circulating fan, a lighting system, a warm water spray device, and a constant temperature and humidity air conditioner. The circulating fan is installed on one side of the wall of the artificial climate chamber at a certain height above the ground, and the speed and direction of the circulating fan are adjustable to simulate natural wind and mix indoor air. The lighting system is installed on the top of the artificial climate chamber and the brightness is adjustable. The warm water spray device is installed in the upper right corner of the artificial climate chamber and the water temperature is adjustable. The constant temperature and humidity air conditioner is installed on the wall of the artificial climate chamber to regulate the indoor temperature and humidity.

4. The system for performing a respiratory calorimetry function on a large animal of claim 2, wherein, The feeding and drinking weight monitoring unit includes a feeding trough and a weighing sensor, a water nozzle, a water meter, a weight weighing platform, and a timed and quantitative feeder. The feeding trough and the weighing sensor are connected to the timed and quantitative feeder for timed and quantitative feeding and real-time monitoring of animal feed intake. The water nozzle is connected to the water meter for real-time monitoring of animal water intake. The weight weighing platform is installed in front of the feeding trough, the weighing sensor, and the water nozzle for real-time monitoring of animal weight.

5. The system for enabling the respiratory calorimetry function of large animals according to claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned dry-wet separation sewage system includes an upper mesh plate, a four-stage solid-liquid separator, and a sewage pump. The dry-wet separation sewage system collects the waste through the upper mesh plate into the four-stage solid-liquid separator, and discharges the liquid portion through the sewage pump.

6. The system for realizing respiratory calorimetry in large animals according to claim 2, characterized in that, The artificial climate chamber also includes an electrically operated controlled atmosphere sliding door, which is connected to the controller host and controlled to open and close the door.

7. The system for realizing respiratory pyrography in large animals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller host includes a central controller, an environmental controller, a gas analyzer and controller, a weight acquisition device, and a hard disk recorder. The central controller is connected to a computer for data uploading and command issuance. The environmental controller is connected to the environmental control unit of the artificial climate chamber for unified control of various environmental parameters. The gas analyzer and controller are connected to the ventilation and sampling pipelines and ventilation fans of the artificial climate chamber for synchronous detection of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations entering and exiting the artificial climate chamber using a reference mode. The weight acquisition device is connected to the food and water weight monitoring unit for collecting weight data. The hard disk recorder is connected to the camera in the artificial climate chamber for storing monitoring video inside the artificial climate chamber. The environmental controller, gas analyzer and controller, weight acquisition device, and hard disk recorder are all connected to the central controller.

8. The system for realizing respiratory calorimetry in large animals according to claim 7, characterized in that, The gas analysis and controller includes a first set of oxygen concentration sensors, a first set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors, a second set of oxygen concentration sensors, and a second set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors. The first set of oxygen concentration sensors and the first set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors are used to detect the oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration in the gas discharged from the artificial climate chamber. The second set of oxygen concentration sensors and the second set of carbon dioxide concentration sensors are used to simultaneously detect the oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration in the ambient air entering the artificial climate chamber, serving as a reference channel.

9. The system for realizing respiratory calorimetry in large animals according to claim 7, characterized in that, The gas analysis and controller calculates animal respiratory and metabolic parameters based on a reference mode: it calculates the animal's oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production based on the difference in oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration between the artificial climate chamber and the outside, as well as the ventilation flow rate, thereby assessing the animal's energy metabolism level.

10. The system for realizing respiratory calorimetry in large animals according to claim 7, characterized in that, The environmental controller is connected to the circulating fan, lighting system, hot water spray device and constant temperature and humidity air conditioner, and is used to uniformly set and control wind speed, wind direction, light, spray water temperature, temperature and humidity.

11. A method for realizing respiratory pyrography in large animals based on the system described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: (1) The oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the ambient air entering the artificial climate chamber and the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the gas discharged from the artificial climate chamber are measured simultaneously by two sets of oxygen concentration sensors and carbon dioxide concentration sensors in the gas analyzer and controller. (2) Calculate the oxygen concentration difference and carbon dioxide concentration difference between the indoor and outdoor artificial climate chambers; (3) Calculate the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of the animal based on the oxygen concentration difference and carbon dioxide concentration difference and the ventilation flow rate driven by the ventilation fan. (4) Assess the animal’s energy metabolism level based on the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.

12. The method for realizing respiratory pyrography in large animals according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method, before the measurement begins, includes the following steps: Set the ventilation flow rate and sampling flow rate; The oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration sensors in the gas analyzer and controller were calibrated using standard gases. The feeding trough, weighing sensor, and weight weighing platform in the artificial climate chamber were zeroed and calibrated using standard weights.

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