ANIMAL WATERING STATION

Abstract

Animal watering stations having a liquid piping system including watering lines, a supply line, and a return line. The supply line supplying liquid simultaneous to all watering lines and the return line returning of liquid to a liquid reservoir. In this way, a circulation of the liquid can be realized in at least parts of the liquid piping system and on the other hand the parallel fluidic circuit of the watering lines enables an easy adapting of the liquid pressure at the drinking valves.

Claims

1. A watering station with multiple drinking valves for removal of liquid by animals, the watering station comprising: a liquid piping system including at least one watering line, at least one supply line, and at least one return line, the at least one watering line being associated with drinking valves and having a liquid reservoir, wherein the at least one supply line simultaneously supplies liquid to the watering lines in parallel with the at least one return line returning at least a portion of the liquid to the liquid reservoir.

2. The watering station of claim 1, wherein the supply line and the return line are joined together to form a circulation line for the liquid.

3. The watering station of claim 2, wherein the ends at one liquid supply side of the watering lines are connected fluidically to the common supply line and the return line is connected to a downstream end of the supply line.

4. The watering station of claim 1, wherein the liquid inlet ends of the watering lines are connected to the supply line and the opposite liquid outlet ends of the watering lines are connected directly or across a collecting line to the return line.

5. The watering station of claim 1, wherein the supply line can be fed with the liquid from the liquid reservoir.

6. The watering station of claim 1, wherein the liquid can flow from the return line into the liquid reservoir.

7. The watering station of claim 1, wherein a pump is arranged in the return line before the liquid reservoir.

8. The watering station of claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir is formed by at least one liquid reservoir tank, and the liquid in the liquid reservoir tank can be filled from a liquid source.

9. The watering station of claim 8, wherein the liquid in the liquid reservoir tank can be filled from a liquid source to a maximum level upon reaching a minimum level.

10. The watering station of claim 1, wherein at least the supply line and the return line are situated at least partly above the maximum liquid level of the liquid in the liquid reservoir.

11. The watering station of claim 1, wherein at least the supply line and the return line are situated at least partly above the level of the watering lines.

12. The watering station of claim 1, wherein at least the supply line situated higher than the watering lines are connected fluidically by riser pipes and downpipes to opposite ends of the watering lines arranged alongside and at a distance from one another.

13. The watering station of claim 4, wherein the supply line is connected by a respective downpipe to the inlet ends of the watering lines and the downstream ends of the watering lines are connected to the collecting line.

14. The watering station of claim 1, wherein the liquid pressure at the drinking valves can be predetermined by the height difference of the watering lines with the drinking valves and the higher liquid level in the liquid reservoir.

15. The watering station of claim 1, wherein the liquid pressures at the drinking valves of the watering lines can be determined by the liquid level in the liquid reservoir.

16. The watering station of claim 1, wherein at least the supply line can be vented.

17. The watering station of claim 4, wherein at least the collecting line can be vented.

18. The watering station of claim 16, wherein at least the supply line is laid such that at least one point forms a highest point and the supply line can be vented at this at least one highest point.

19. The watering station of claim 17, wherein at least the collecting line is laid such that at least one point forms a highest point and the collecting line can be vented at this at least one highest point.

20. The watering station of claim 16, wherein the supply line can be vented by a vacuum generator which can be connected to at least one highest point of the supply line.

21. The watering station of claim 17, wherein the collecting line can be vented by a vacuum generator which can be connected to at least one highest point of the collecting line.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The following two exemplary embodiments of the invention shall now be explained more closely with the aid of the drawings:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross section through a stall with a watering station according to the invention,

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the watering station, and

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the watering station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The animal watering station shown in the figures is designed as a so-called line station. This animal watering station allows the animals to themselves meet their needs for liquid. Such an animal watering station is usually employed in the factory farming of poultry or other small animals.

[0031] The animal watering station is usually arranged in a stall 10. FIG. 1 shows schematically one example of such a stall 10. The stall 10 has a stall floor 11, side walls 12 and a roof 13. The roof 13 shown here is designed as a peaked roof with a relatively shallow inclination. But the stall 10 may also have a different roof shape or be configured other than is shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] The animal watering station has a liquid piping system 14, 15 installed in the stall 10, being shown in perspective in FIGS. 2 and 3. The liquid piping system 14, 15 comprises a plurality of different lines, which are joined together in the manner explained below.

[0033] The liquid piping system 14 shown in FIG. 2 and the liquid piping system 15 shown in FIG. 3 in the exemplary embodiments represented each comprise four watering lines 16, a supply line 17, a collecting line 18, downpipes 19 and riser pipes 20. The invention is not confined to four watering lines 16. The liquid piping systems 14 and 15 may have a greater or lesser number of watering lines 16. The watering lines 16 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are identically configured, in particular, they have the same length. Alternatively, the watering lines 16 can also be configured differently, in particular, have different lengths. The supply line 17 and the collecting line 18 are also preferably formed as stable pipes, which are laid permanently in the stall 10, being secured for example to suitable structural parts of the stall 10. The downpipes 19 and the riser pipes 20 are preferably formed from flexible tubes.

[0034] The cross sections of the watering lines 16, the collecting line 18 and the downpipes 19 are preferably different, the supply line 17 and the collecting line 18 having larger flow cross sections, which may be, for example, 1.5 to 3 times as large as the clear flow cross section of the watering lines 16. The flow cross sections of the downpipe 19 and the riser pipe 20 correspond either to those of the supply line 17 and the collecting line 18 or to those of the watering lines 16. Additionally, the flow cross sections of the downpipe 19 and the riser pipe 20 can be between the differently sized flow cross sections of the supply line 17 and the collecting line 18 on the one hand and the watering lines 16 on the other hand.

[0035] The watering lines 16 in the stall 10 are suspended from cables, not shown in the figures, and at a distance above the stall floor 11 corresponding to the height of the animals. The watering lines 16 preferably, in at least one embodiment, run horizontally, i.e., at a parallel spacing from the horizontal stall floor 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the distances of all watering lines 16 from the stall floor 11 are the same, so that all four watering lines 16 lie in a plane extending at parallel distance above the stall floor 11. The watering lines 16 are arranged at a spacing from each other. In the exemplary embodiment shown, all watering lines 16 run parallel to each other, and each time an outer pair of watering lines 16 has less spacing from each other than the interior watering lines 16, but the invention is not confined to this. Instead, the invention is suited to any desired arrangements of the watering lines 16 can be disposed relative to each other. Additionally, the neighbouring watering lines 16 to not run parallel to each other. One aspect is that the watering lines 16 can be arranged with a spacing alongside each other.

[0036] As shown in the figures, each of the preferably identically configured watering lines 16 is provided with drinking valves 21. The identically configured watering lines 16 in the exemplary embodiment shown have an equal number of drinking valves 21, where the spacing between neighbouring drinking valves 21 can always be roughly the same. But a different distribution of the drinking valves 21 along the watering lines 16 is also possible. The number of drinking valves 21 per watering line 16 can also vary as desired.

[0037] As shown in the figures, the identical drinking valves 21 can be screwed in from the bottom into the watering lines 16 having preferably a square or rectangular cross section and can be thereby joined to the bottom of the watering lines 16. The drinking valves 21, which are known in themselves, have a valve stem, partly protruding from their housing at the bottom, which the animals can lift and/or tilt at the lower free end. By this lifting and/or tilting, the animals can open the respective drinking valve 21 for the dispensing of liquid. The liquid can be pure water, or also water with additives, such as medication, nutrients or the like. After releasing the valve stem, the drinking valve 21 closes automatically. Other valve configurations are encompassed herein as long as such valve configurations enable dispensing of liquid(s) from the watering lines 16.

[0038] Liquid inlet ends 22 of the watering lines 16 are fluidically connected by downpipes 19 to the supply line 17. The supply line 17 runs roughly transversely to the watering lines 16. Preferably, in at least one embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the supply line 17 lies on an imaginary line on which the liquid inlet ends 22 of all watering lines 16 lie, said watering lines 16 being situated in succession with a spacing and transversely to the longitudinal direction of the supply line 17. In this way, there is a simultaneous supplying of all watering lines 16 with liquid from the supply line 17. This corresponds fluidically to a parallel circuit or parallel supplying of all watering lines 16 from the common supply line 17. Thus, by contrast with a fluidically serial supplying, the individual watering lines 16 are not supplied with liquid in succession from the supply line 17, but rather at the same time or simultaneously.

[0039] In at least one embodiment, the downstream ends opposite the fluid inlet ends 22 or the fluid outlet ends 23 of all watering lines 16 are fluidically connected to the collecting line 18. This connection is made in principle analogously to the connection of the supply line 17 to the liquid inlet ends 22 of the watering lines 16. Accordingly, the collecting line 18 runs parallel to the supply line 17 and likewise, like the supply line 17, transversely to the watering lines 16. The connection of the liquid outlet ends 23 of all watering lines 16 to the collecting line 18 occurs across riser pipes 20 between liquid outlet ends 23 of all watering lines 16 and corresponding connections of the riser pipes 20 to the collecting line 18, which are spaced apart successively in the flow direction of the collecting line 18. Thanks to this kind of connection of the liquid outlet ends 23 of the watering lines 16 to the collecting line 18, liquid from all the watering lines 16 can arrive together and possibly simultaneously in the collecting line 18. Therefore, the connection of the liquid outlet ends 23 of the watering lines 16 to the collecting line 18 likewise constitutes a parallel circuit or a parallel supplying in the fluidic sense.

[0040] The supply line 17 is coordinated with a return line 24. The return line 24 extends across the entire length of the supply line 17. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the return line 24 extends parallel to the supply line 17, namely, along it. But the return line 24 may also run next to the supply line 17 or also antiparallel to it. It is also possible for the supply line 17 and the return line 24 to be merged together, forming a parallel line with two flow ducts.

[0041] The supply line 17 is connected to or continued by a start of the return line 24 at its downstream end 25. In this way, the supply line 17 and the associated return line 24 together form a circulation line, enabling a circulation of liquid in the supply line 17 and also the return line 24 in the flow direction 33. This circulation may be constant or periodic only in desired intervals of time.

[0042] The animal watering station has a liquid reservoir 26, which is preferably, in at least one embodiment, formed as a liquid storage or a liquid reservoir tank and/or can be accommodated in such. The liquid reservoir 26 in the liquid reservoir tank can be replenished on demand through an inlet from a liquid source, not shown, such as a public water supply, a household water supply, or a mixing tank, where fresh water can be mixed with additives, such as nutrients and/or medication. But it is also conceivable for the additives to be added or dispensed and mixed in the liquid reservoir 26, especially the liquid reservoir tank.

[0043] The supplying of liquid, especially water, to the liquid reservoir 26, especially the liquid reservoir tank, is preferably, in at least one embodiment, done on demand, namely, controlled by the level of the liquid reservoir 26, especially the liquid in the liquid reservoir tank. The control system ensures that the liquid reservoir 26 constantly has a minimum level. Once this is reached, liquid or water is filled in from the outside until reaching a maximum level of the liquid reservoir 26, especially a maximum liquid level in the liquid reservoir tank. Preferably, in at least one embodiment, the maximum and minimum levels can be changed as needed, in order to adapt the liquid pressure present at the drinking valves 21, of preferably all the watering lines 16, to the requirements.

[0044] In at least one embodiment, a start 28 of the supply line 17 serving for the liquid supply is connected fluidically to the liquid reservoir 26, especially to the liquid reservoir tank. Likewise, an end 29 of the return line 24 is connected to the liquid reservoir 26, especially to the liquid reservoir tank. In this way, a closed liquid circulation is produced by the supply line 17, the return line 24 continuing this in the flow direction, and the connection of the start 28 or end 29 of the latter to the liquid reservoir 26, especially the liquid reservoir tank, in order to bring about a circulation of liquid in the mentioned lines and in the liquid reservoir tank.

[0045] The liquid in the supply line 17 and in the return line 24 is circulated by a pump 27 in the flow direction 33. This may occur continuously or also discontinuously within set time intervals or on demand. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pump is associated with the return line 24. It is located, in the flow direction of the liquid through the return line 26, shortly before the end 29 of the latter and thus in the vicinity or possibly also at the entrance of the end 29 of the return line 24 in the liquid reservoir 26, especially the liquid reservoir tank.

[0046] The supply line 17 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 and also the collecting line 18 as well as the return line 24 are provided with a flat, V-shaped course, similar to the roof 13 of the stall 10. This produces at the central or roughly the central apex point of the supply line 17, the collecting line 18 and the return line 24 a respective highest point 30, 31, 32. A venting is provided at least at one of the highest points, especially at the highest point 30 of the supply line 17. If a venting is provided only at the highest point 30, the collecting line 18 and the return line 24 do not need to have any higher situated highest points 31, 32. Air can escape from the liquid piping system 14 thanks to the venting of at least the highest point 30. As a result, the liquid in the animal watering station according to the invention can flow through the liquid piping system 14 by gravity from the liquid reservoir 26, especially its liquid reservoir tank, to all the drinking valves 21 in all the watering lines 16. The liquid flows automatically under gravity by the physics of communicating pipes to the drinking valves 21 in all the watering lines 16 to replenish wherever liquid is removed by the animals. The liquid removed by the animals at the drinking valves 21 is virtually replenished automatically. The pump 27 is not needed for this; it only serves to bring about a liquid circulation.

[0047] In order for the static pressure of the liquid in the liquid tank produced by the fill level of the liquid reservoir 26 to also be present uniformly at all watering lines 16 of their associated drinking valves 21, the liquid level of the liquid reservoir 26 is chosen such that the static pressure of this liquid level corresponds to the desired liquid pressure at the drinking valves 21 of all the watering lines 16. Accordingly, the liquid reservoir 26, especially the liquid reservoir tank, is situated so high above the stall floor 11 and the minimum level of the liquid reservoir 26 is such that these are above the level of the watering lines 16 and all their associated drinking valves 21. This level difference will be larger as a greater liquid pressure is needed at the drinking valves 21.

[0048] If it is desired to change the pressure at the drinking valves 21, this can be done by designing a liquid reservoir 26 with variable spacing from the stall floor 11, in particular, such that the liquid tank can be raised or lowered, or the maximum and minimum levels of liquid in the liquid tank can be changed by an appropriate control of the intake of liquid in the liquid tank.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows the liquid piping system 15 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. This liquid piping system 15 differs from the liquid piping system 14 of FIG. 2 basically only by a different return line 34. This return line 34 is associated with the collecting line 18. For this, a downstream end 35 of the collecting line 18 is connected to the start of the return line 34. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the collecting line 18 and the return line 34 form the circulation line.

[0050] A rear, downstream end 36 of the return line 34, looking in the flow direction 33, is connected to the liquid reservoir 26, especially fluidically to the liquid reservoir tank. The pump 27 in this exemplary embodiment is provided shortly before the downstream end 36 of the return line 34. This produces in the animal watering station of FIG. 3 a liquid circulation encompassing the entire liquid piping system 15. Whereas in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the circulation of the liquid occurs only in the supply line 17, the return line 24 and the liquid reservoir 26, the association of the return line 34 with the collecting line 18 produces a circulation of the liquid in the entire liquid piping system 15, i.e., not just in the supply line 17, the collecting line 18 and the return line 34, but also in the downpipes 19, the riser pipes 20 and the watering lines 16, especially all watering lines 16.

[0051] In the liquid piping system 15 of FIG. 3, the highest point 30 of the supply line 17 and the highest point 31 of the collecting line 18 are associated with symbolically represented vent valves 37. Furthermore, the return line 34 has an air suction port 38, which can be associated with a vacuum device 39.

[0052] The present embodiments of the invention can be understood more readily by reference to the instant detailed description, examples, and claims. It is to be understood that these embodiments of the invention are not limited to the specific systems, devices, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0053] The instant description of the embodiments of the invention are provided as enabling teachings of the invention in the best, currently known aspects. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the aspects described, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present embodiments of the invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present embodiments of the invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present embodiments of the invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present embodiments of the invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present embodiments of the invention. Thus, the instant description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present embodiments of the invention and not in limitation thereof.

[0054] As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a body includes aspects having two or more bodies unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0055] Ranges can be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0056] As used herein, the terms optional or optionally mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0057] Although several aspects of the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other aspects of the embodiments of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the embodiments of the invention is not limited to the specific aspects disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described embodiments of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0058] 10 Stall [0059] 11 Stall floor [0060] 12 Side wall [0061] 13 Roof [0062] 14 Liquid piping system [0063] 15 Liquid piping system [0064] 16 Watering line [0065] 17 Supply line [0066] 18 Collecting line [0067] 19 Downpipe [0068] 20 Riser pipe [0069] 21 Drinking valve [0070] 22 Liquid inlet end [0071] 23 Liquid outlet end [0072] 24 Return line [0073] 25 Downstream end [0074] 26 Liquid reservoir [0075] 27 Pump [0076] 28 Start [0077] 29 End [0078] 30 Highest point [0079] 31 Highest point [0080] 32 Highest point [0081] 33 Flow direction [0082] 34 Return line [0083] 35 Downstream end [0084] 36 Downstream end [0085] 37 Vent valve [0086] 38 Air suction port [0087] 39 Vacuum device