A DRINKING SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a drinking system for example for livestock comprising a dosing system for dosing of at least one additive. The invention further relates to the use of such a drinking system. The invention also relates to a method for improving a drinking system for example for livestock comprising a dosing system.

Claims

1. A drinking system for livestock comprising a dosing system for dosing of at least one additive into a pressurized fluid line, wherein the dosing system comprises a metering pump configured to be connected to an additive supply line, a back pressure regulator having an outlet arranged to be connected to the pressurized fluid line, and a connecting line connecting an outlet of the metering pump with an inlet of the back pressure regulator, wherein the back pressure regulator is configured to provide a connecting line pressure in the connecting line which is higher than the fluid line pressure in the pressurized fluid line.

2. The drinking system according to claim 1, wherein the dosing system further comprises a flow detector for detecting a flow of fluid in the pressurized fluid line, wherein the detector is configured to activate the metering pump if fluid flow in the pressurized fluid line is detected and/or to deactivate the metering pump if no or substantially no fluid flow in the pressurized fluid line is detected.

3. The drinking system according to claim 2, wherein the flow detector comprises a flow meter, preferable the flow meter is a water meter which is connected to the metering pump by a reed switch.

4. The drinking system according to claim 1, wherein the metering pump is a solenoid-driven metering pump.

5. The drinking system according to claim 1, wherein the dosing system further comprises a fluid line section to be connected to the pressurized fluid line.

6. The drinking system according to claim 5, wherein the fluid line section comprises connectors provided on its inlet and outlet ends for connecting the fluid line section in a fluid connection with the pressurized fluid line.

7. The drinking system according to claim 1, wherein the dosing system further comprises an injection valve configured for injecting the additive(s) in the fluid flowing in the pressurized fluid line.

8. The drinking system according to claim 7, wherein the back pressure regulator outlet is arranged to be connected to the pressurized fluid line via the injection valve.

9. The drinking system according to claim 1, wherein the dosing system comprises a mounting apparatus having a mounting mechanism for mounting the dosing system to an object, for example a wall, wherein the mounting apparatus further comprises a support plate for carrying the metering pump and the back pressure regulator.

10. The drinking system according to claim 1, wherein the drinking system comprises the pressurized fluid line which is part of a tap water network.

11. The drinking system according to claim 1, wherein the drinking system comprises a nutritional supplement tank having an outlet connected to an additive supply line for providing a fluid connection between the nutritional supplement tank and the metering pump of the dosing system.

12. Use of a drinking system according to claim 1.

13. Use of a drinking system according to claim 12, wherein the pressurized fluid line is a line in a tap water network.

14. Use of a drinking system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one additive comprises a nutritional supplement, for example a liquid nutritional supplement.

15. Method for improving a drinking system for livestock by incorporating a dosing system for dosing of at least one additive into a pressurized fluid line, wherein the dosing system comprises a metering pump configured to be connected to an additive supply line, a back pressure regulator having an outlet arranged to be connected to the pressurized fluid line, and a connecting line connecting an outlet of the metering pump with an inlet of the back pressure regulator, wherein the back pressure regulator is configured to provide a connecting line pressure in the connecting line which is higher than the fluid line pressure in the pressurized fluid line.

Description

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a drinking system 100 for example for livestock or at least a portion of the drinking system 100. The drinking system 100 comprises a dosing system 1 for dosing of at least one additive into a conduit/line 3. The line 3 transports a liquid comprising water. The dosing system 1 further comprises a metering pump 5 having an inlet 7 connected to an additive supply line 7, a back pressure regulator 11 having an outlet 13 arranged to be connected to line 3, and a connecting line 15 connecting an outlet 17 of the metering pump 5 with an inlet 19 of the back pressure regulator 11.

[0018] A back pressure regulator 11 is a device configured to maintain a defined pressure upstream of itself (at its own inlet 19).

[0019] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the dosing system 1 further comprises an injection valve 21 configured for injecting the additive(s) in the liquid flowing in the line 3. The inlet 23 of the injection valve 21 is directly connected to the outlet 13 of the back pressure regulator 11, wherein the outlet 25 of the injection valve 21 is directly connected to line 3. In other words, the back pressure regulator outlet 13 is connected to the pressurized fluid line 3 via the injection valve 21.

[0020] The dosing system 1 further comprises a flow detector 31 for detecting a flow in the line 3, wherein the detector 31 is configured to activate the metering pump 5 if flow in the line 3 is detected and/or to deactivate the metering pump if no or substantially no flow in the line 3 is detected. The flow detector 31 comprises a flow meter, for example a water meter. The flow detector 31 is connected to the metering pump 5 by a reed switch 35. The metering pump 5 is a solenoid-driven metering pump. A solenoid-driven metering pump has excellent continuous running characteristics and a drive which is virtually wear-free. In addition, such a pump further requires no lubricated bearings or shafts such that the maintenance and repair costs are very low.

[0021] The dosing system 1 further comprises a fluid line section 33 to be connected to the line 3 by connectors 37, 39 provided on its inlet and outlet ends for connecting the fluid line section 33 in a fluid connection with the line 3. Connector 39 is a three way connector connected to the line 3, the fluid line section 33 and the injection valve 21.

[0022] The dosing system 1 also comprises a mounting apparatus 41 having a mounting mechanism (not shown) for mounting the dosing system 1 to an object, for example a wall (not shown), wherein the mounting apparatus 41 further comprises a support plate 43 carrying the metering pump 5, the back pressure regulator 11, the injection valve 21, the fluid line section 33 and the flow detector 31.

[0023] The drinking system 100 comprises a nutritional supplement tank (not shown) having an outlet connected to an additive supply line 9 for providing a fluid connection between the nutritional supplement tank and the metering pump 15 of the dosing system 1.

[0024] By installing a back pressure regulator 11 it is possible to provide a constant or non-varying upstream pressure of, for example greater than 5 bar, such that the pump 5 is able to deliver a constant release of additive(s). In the drinking system 100, the back pressure regulator 11 is configured to provide a connecting line pressure in the connecting line 15 which is higher than the fluid line pressure in the line 3. By providing a pressure in the connecting line which is higher than the pressure in the pressurized fluid line, for example higher than the maximum pressure in the line 3 under normal operating conditions, the metering pump 5 is able to function independently of the pressure of the liquid in the line 3. The pressure in the line 3 is for example 1-5 bar.

[0025] The additive is a substance added to the fluid in relatively small amounts, wherein the substance may be a nutritional supplement, for example a liquid nutritional supplement, to be added into a liquid for drinking, for example tap water, flowing in line 3.