Aurora Scientific 206A User manual

page 1

Olfactometer

206A

Publish Date: 3/2/2017

Manual Version 1.1

www.AuroraScientific.com

Olfactometer Instruction Manual

Model: 206A

page 2

Aurora Scientific

25 Industry Street

Aurora, ON, Canada L4G1X6

Tel: 1-905-727-5161

Toll Free (N. America): 1-877-878-4784

Fax: 1-905-713-6882

Email: techsupport@aurorascientific.com

Web Site: www.AuroraScientific.com

CAUTION

Maximum operating pressure is 30 psig (207 kPa). Do not exceed the maximum pressure ratings. Injury

could result from use at higher pressures. Damage to the 206A may occur at pressures above the

maximum rated pressure.

Olfactometer Instruction Manual

Model: 206A

page 3

Revision History

Date

Version

Number

Document Changes

20-Feb-2017

1.0

Initial Draft

3-Mar-2017

1.1

Added Chapter 8 Appendix Serial Communication Commands

Olfactometer Instruction Manual

Model: 206A

page 4

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 6

1.1 ....Scope and Purpose................................................................................................................................................. 6

1.2 ....Process Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 6

2 Quick Start Guide ............................................................................................................................. 7

2.1 ....Instrument Setup ................................................................................................................................................... 7

2.1.1 Installation of the 206A Olfactometer ............................................................................................................... 9

2.1.2 Using the 206A Olfactometer........................................................................................................................... 10

2.1.3 Cleaning and Shutdown .................................................................................................................................... 11

3 General Operating Procedure ........................................................................................................ 13

3.1 ....Theory of Operation............................................................................................................................................. 13

3.2 ....Odor Pulse Characteristics................................................................................................................................... 15

3.3 ....Instrument Setup ................................................................................................................................................. 16

3.3.1 Unpacking the Instrument................................................................................................................................ 16

3.3.2 Initial Equipment Setup .................................................................................................................................... 18

3.4 ....Loading a Vial ....................................................................................................................................................... 19

3.4.1 Insertion of Teflon hoses through Vial Septum............................................................................................... 19

3.4.2 Filling and Installing a Vial................................................................................................................................. 20

4 Control Software ............................................................................................................................ 21

4.1 ....Software Setup..................................................................................................................................................... 21

4.2 ....Getting Started..................................................................................................................................................... 21

4.2.1 Configure the Vials ............................................................................................................................................ 21

4.2.2 Deliver an Odor ................................................................................................................................................. 22

4.3 ....Menus ................................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.3.1 File Menu........................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.3.2 Config Menu ...................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.3.3 Help Menu ......................................................................................................................................................... 24

4.4 ....Main Control Window.......................................................................................................................................... 24

4.4.1 Status Indicators................................................................................................................................................ 25

4.4.2 Controls ............................................................................................................................................................. 25

Olfactometer Instruction Manual

Model: 206A

page 5

4.5 ....System Configuration Window............................................................................................................................ 27

4.5.1 Controls ............................................................................................................................................................. 27

4.6 ....Advanced Status and Control Window ............................................................................................................... 29

4.7 ....Sequencer Window.............................................................................................................................................. 30

4.7.1 Sequencer Controls........................................................................................................................................... 31

4.8 ....Random Sequence Generator ............................................................................................................................. 33

4.8.1 Generate Random Sequence Controls............................................................................................................. 33

5 Calibration and Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 36

5.1 ....Calibration ............................................................................................................................................................ 36

5.1.1 Calibration of Mass Flow Controllers ............................................................................................................... 36

5.2 ....Maintenance ........................................................................................................................................................ 37

5.2.1 Recommended Daily Maintenance .................................................................................................................. 37

5.2.2 Recommended Monthly Maintenance ............................................................................................................ 37

6 Performance Guarantee, Technical Support, Warranty and Repair Information........................... 39

6.1 ....Performance Guarantee ...................................................................................................................................... 39

6.2 ....Technical Support ................................................................................................................................................ 39

6.3 ....Technical Support Contact Information and Return Shipping Addresses......................................................... 39

6.4 ....Warranty............................................................................................................................................................... 40

6.5 ....Returning Products to Aurora Scientific for Repair ............................................................................................ 41

7 Specifications ................................................................................................................................. 42

8 Appendix –Serial Communication Commands .............................................................................. 44

8.1 ....Commands............................................................................................................................................................ 44

8.1.1 Valve .................................................................................................................................................................. 44

8.1.2 Vial ..................................................................................................................................................................... 45

8.1.3 MFC.................................................................................................................................................................... 45

8.1.4 findModules ...................................................................................................................................................... 46

8.1.5 Identify............................................................................................................................................................... 46

8.1.6 Final.................................................................................................................................................................... 46

8.1.7 Temp .................................................................................................................................................................. 46

Olfactometer Instruction Manual

Model: 206A

page 6

1Introduction

1.1 Scope and Purpose

The 206A Olfactometer is an instrument designed to deliver a series of odor concentrations in a precisely

controlled fashion. Careful fluid design of the instrument ensures that odors released have a well-defined

“square” profile with minimal delay between activation of the valve and the arrival of the odor at the

subject location. Odor releases are repeatable and precise. The basic instrument provides 4 scent vials

which can be increased in sets of 4 to provide 4, 8 or 12 vials.

1.2 Process Overview

The 206A Olfactometer is a system comprised of several parts.

1. Mass Flow Controllers to precisely control the flow through all parts of the system.

2. Vials for odorant storage that can be individually addressed to release a variety of different odors

or odors of varying concentrations.

3. Valve manifolds that control which vial is being used for the odor release. Valve manifolds are

available in 4 vial modules that can be easily added to a system to expand the total number of

vials from 4 to 8 or a maximum of 12.

4. A Mixing valve to combine flows.

5. A Final valve to direct the flow to the experiment or to the exhaust.

6. Control circuitry for the above system.

7. Control software for Windows.

Olfactometer Instruction Manual

Model: 206A

page 7

2Quick Start Guide

This quick start guide will provide you with basic information that will allow you to get your new 206A

Olfactometer up and running as quickly as possible.

2.1 Instrument Setup

The 206A Olfactometer is shipped in 1 or more boxes depending on how many extra vial modules you

have purchased. Unpack all boxes included with the shipment and check the contents against the list

provided below. If there are any issues with what you received, please contact Aurora Scientific as soon

as possible.

Item

Description

206A Mass Flow Controller (MFC) Subassembly

MFC Subassembly consisting of 3 mass flow controllers,

main controller circuit board, inlet manifold and

installed fittings.

206A Odor Vial Subassembly

Odor vial subassembly consisting of 2 inline manifold

valves and the holders for 4 odor vials. Note: the 206A

Odor subassembly is shipped already attached to the

206A Mass Flow Controller Subassembly.

206A Mixing Valve Subassembly

Mixing valve subassembly consisting of the mixing valve

mounted on a plate with installed tube fittings. Note:

the 206A Mixing Valve subassembly is shipped already

attached to the 206A Odor Vial subassembly.

206A Final Valve Subassembly

Final valve subassembly consisting of the final valve

with installed tube fittings. Note: the 206A Final Valve

subassembly is shipped separate from the Mass Flow

Controller, Odor vial and Mixing valve subassemblies.

206A Accessory Subassembly

Accessories for 206A including: Teflon hose 1/16” OD,

Teflon hose 1/8” OD, spare inert fittings for 1/16” tube,

spare inert fittings for 1/8” tube, 4 vials with septa,

septa puncture tool, 4mm supply tube, 4mm one-touch

tube fitting for supply tube, power supply, power cord,

USB cable, software disk, extension cable for

connecting the Final Valve to the 206A.

Table 1-1: Items included with a 206A Olfactometer

Olfactometer Instruction Manual

Model: 206A

page 8

The following is a list of several items required in order to use the 206A Olfactometer. These items are

not included with the 206A.

Required Items

Description

Clean/Dry Air Source

A source of clean and dry air is required by the 206A. This air

can be supplied by various means including: high pressure gas

bottle, lab air supply or a compressor. When using either lab air

or a compressor you may also require an air dryer, air filter and

a charcoal filter to remove odors from the air.

Air Dryer, Air Filter, Charcoal Filter

If the air source is lab air or a compressor then moisture,

particles and odors may need to be removed from the air prior

to entering the 206A. The Mass Flow Controllers must have

clean, dry air or permanent damage could result. This extra

equipment is not required if using a high pressure gas bottle as

the air source.

Upstream Air Regulator

The Mass Flow Controllers, valves, tubing and fittings that are

used in the 206A all have maximum pressure ratings. A

regulator must be installed upstream of the 206A to control the

inlet pressure. Inlet pressure must be in the range 5-30 psig

(35-207 kPa). DO NOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRESSURE

RATING OF 30 psig (207 kPa).

Animal Nose Cone or Other Odor Delivery

Fitting

The outlet of the Final valve should be piped to an animal nose

cone or other fitting designed to deliver the odor to the subject.

The Final Valve uses ¼-28, 1/8” inert fittings on the ports. In

most cases the nose cone should include a method of

terminating a 1/8” OD (outside diameter) Teflon tube.

Mount for Final Valve

The Final valve includes tapped holes on the bottom of the valve

(4-40UNC). The Final Valve should be mounted to a plate or

other fixation device to keep it in place near the animal.

Mount for 206A Olfactometer

The 206A Olfactometer includes rubber feet on the bottom of

each subassembly. The Olfactometer can be placed on a flat,

level surface or it can be hung off the back of the test chamber

by use of the included hooks designed into each part. A

horizontally mounted length of 20mm x 20mm aluminum

extrusion is ideal for mounting the 206A using the built-in

hooks.

Exhaust Vent

The 206A Olfactometer continuously releases odor through the

Final valve Exhaust port while in use. To prevent a buildup of

odor in the test facility the exhaust from the Final valve should

be piped to an exhaust vent.

Table 1-2: Required items not included with a 206A Olfactometer

NOTE: Maximum operating pressure is 30 psig (207 kPa). Do not exceed the maximum pressure

ratings. Injury could result from use at higher pressures. Damage to the 206A will occur at

pressures above the maximum rated pressure.

Olfactometer Instruction Manual

Model: 206A

page 9

2.1.1 Installation of the 206A Olfactometer

1. The 206A Olfactometer is shipped assembled and should either be placed on a flat, level surface

on the attached rubber feet or mounted using the included hooks on a horizontally mounted

length of 20mm x 20mm aluminum T-Slotted extrusion. (McMaster-Carr part number 5537T101).

2. Install the included software on a Windows PC.

a) Insert the software install CD into the PC which should launch the installer.

b) Follow the on-screen wizard to complete the installation.

c) Following successful completion of the installation you should see a new icon on the desktop

that can be used to launch the software.

3. Once the software is installed then connect the USB port on the MFC Controller circuit board to a

USB port on the PC.

4. Pipe the air supply to the 206A Olfactometer. (For the purposes of this quick start guide we will

assume that you are using a high pressure air cylinder as your air source and therefore there is no

requirement for drying, filtering or removing odors from the air source.)

a) Attach the included 1/8” NPT to 4mm one-touch adapter to the outlet of a two stage

regulator. Use Teflon tape to seal the 1/8” NPT threads prior to screwing the fitting into the

regulator.

b) Attach the regulator to the gas cylinder.

c) Push one end of the supplied 4mm blue air tubing into the one-touch fitting on the regulator

and the other end into the inlet manifold fitting on the MFC subassembly. Note: depending

on the distance between the gas cylinder and the 206A you could cut the 4mm tubing to an

appropriate length.

d) Attach the Mixing Valve outlet to the Final Valve “Scent In” inlet using the supplied 1/8”

Teflon tubing and the supplied ¼-28 inert fittings.

e) Attach the Exhaust bulkhead fitting (located on the Mixing valve plate) to the Final Valve “Air

In” inlet by inserting one end of the 1/8” Teflon tubing into the one-touch fitting and using a

supplied ¼-28x1/8” port fitting to attach the tubing to the Final Valve.

f) Attach the Final Valve electrical cable to the Final Valve circuit board either directly or by

using the valve extension cable supplied with the accessories.

g) Attach the Final Valve “Animal” outlet (normally closed) to the experiment using 1/8” Teflon

tubing and the appropriate inert fittings supplied.

h) Attach the Final Valve “Exhaust” outlet (normally open) to the exhaust using 1/8” Teflon

tubing and the appropriate inert fittings supplied.

5. Plug the power supply into the 206A Mass Flow Controller (MFC) circuit board and, using the

supplied power cord, plug the AC adapter into an appropriate AC outlet.

6. Open the valve on the air cylinder and set the pressure on the regulator to 30 psig (207 kPa).

7. Check the tubing for air leaks.

Olfactometer Instruction Manual

Model: 206A

page 10

2.1.2 Using the 206A Olfactometer

1. Place a small amount of the chosen liquid odorant(s), with or without a solvent, in each of the

vials to be used. Ensure that only a small amount of odorant is placed in the vial.

NOTE: THE ODORANT LIQUID LEVEL IN THE VIAL MUST BE LOWER THAN THE SHORT TUBE IN THE

SEPTUM OF THE VIAL LID.

This is to ensure that only gaseous odors are injected into the olfactometer. If the short tube is in

the liquid, then liquid will be run through the olfactometer. This level of contamination may not

be able to be cleaned out of the olfactometer and may necessitate replacing the valve manifold

and associated tubing. Screw the vial onto the lid and place the vial in the circular cutout.

2. Launch the 206A Control Software by clicking on the launch icon located on the desktop.

3. Configure the vials.

a) Click on Config>Configure System to open the System Configuration window. Note: if

Odorants are already configured and you want to replace them then first click on the Clear

Vials button at the bottom left of the Vial table data entry box.

b) Click on line 1 and then click on the Add New Odorant button and type in the name of the

odorant.

c) Click on the Add New Solvent button and type in the name of the solvent.

d) Enter the Odorant Volume Concentration in Liquid in the box shown. Note: this is the

volumetric concentration of the odorant in the solvent. If you are not using a solvent then

you should set the Odorant Volume Concentration in Liquid to 100%.

e) Click on the Set Selected Vial button and you should see the odorant, solvent and

concentration appear in the Vial table above.

f) Follow the same procedure to enter all odorants required by the study. Note: the 206A will

auto detect the number of vials connected to the olfactometer and then grey out all vial

numbers not present.

g) Next enter the Odor Flow Stabilization Delay in seconds (this is the time that it takes an odor

to flow from a vial to the Final Valve). This time is normally in the 5-60 second range

depending on the system flowrate specified and the length of tubing between the Mixing

Valve and the Final Valve. If you find that during the first few releases the concentration is

changing then you probably have the Odor Flow Stabilization Delay set too short. If this is the

case increase this time.

h) Set the Total System Flow Rate in sccm (standard cubic centimeters per minute). This is the

sum of the odor flow plus the dilution flow. Note: the maximum flow is limited to 950 sccm.

i) Click on the Save Config button to save the current configuration to a file.

j) Click on the OK button to set the vials and return the user to the main screen.

4. There are two operating modes for the software, option 1 is a manual control mode and option 2

is a sequence control mode:

Option 1 –Manual Mode

a) On the Home window click on the drop down arrow next to the Select Odor box.

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