SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING WATER TO IDENTIFIED ANIMALS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for supplying water to identified animals (1) which supplies water to a drinking trough (10) depending on whether an identified animal (1) approaches it, providing a constant supply to the animals and preventing unidentified animals from accessing it. The system comprises a collection surface (2), a tank (5), a water pump (8), a device for controlling the water flow (9), a drinking trough (10), a power generator (11), identifiers (12), intended to be linked to the identified animals (1), and an automation panel (14) from which the opening or closing of the device for controlling the water flow (9) is controlled based on the presence of identified animals (1) in the vicinity of the drinking trough (10).

Claims

1. A water supply system for identified animals (1), comprising: a collection surface (2) equipped with a waterproofed surface (3) intended to rest on a sloping ground surface (4) and which is intended to collect rainwater; a tank (5) partially arranged below the waterproofed surface (3) and equipped with water inlet cavities (7) intended to collect the water coming from the waterproofed surface (3) and wherein the tank (1) is intended to be arranged in the lowest area of the ground surface (4); a water pump (8) connected to the tank (5) intended to extract the water from it; a device for controlling the water flow (9) connected to the water pump (8) that regulates the passage of water; a drinking trough (10) intended to house the water coming from the tank (5); a power generator (11); a plurality of wireless identifiers (12) intended to be linked to the identified animals (1); an antenna (13) arranged in the vicinity of the drinking trough (10) that detects the presence of an identifier (12) and emits an associated signal; an automation panel (14) powered by the power generator (11) that is equipped with a receiver (15) connected to the antenna (13) that receives the signal from the antenna (13) and validates it, and a control unit (16) that receives the information from the receiver (15) and acts on the device for controlling the water flow (9) based on the presence or absence of identified animals (1) in the vicinity of the drinking trough (10).

2. The supply system of claim 1, comprising a shed (6) arranged on the tank (5) that houses the automation panel (14), the water pump (8) and the device for controlling the water flow (9).

3. The supply system of claim 1, wherein the tank (5) comprises a main body (17) arranged completely below the waterproofed surface (3) and which is intended to receive the water and a cover (18) that covers it, equipped with rings (19) to facilitate the handling thereof.

4. The supply system of claim 3, wherein the inlet holes (7) are arranged on a perimeter edge of the cover (18).

5. The supply system of claim 1, wherein the power generator (11) is a photovoltaic module.

6. The supply system of claim 1, comprising through cavities (21) to be made in the cover (18) and closed by hatches (29).

7. The supply system of claim 1, comprising a clock module (22) connected to the control unit (16) that detects the date and time when the device for controlling the water flow (9) opens.

8. The supply system of claim 7, comprising an SD card reader module (24) connected to the control unit (16) and equipped with an SD card that stores the information received by the receiver (15) and clock module (22).

9. The supply system of claim 1, comprising a layer of stones (25) on the waterproofed surface (3).

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the waterproofed surface (3) is an asphalt fabric.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the device for controlling the water flow (9) is a solenoid valve.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the identifiers (12) are radio frequency transponders.

13. A method for supplying identified animals (1) comprising the steps of receiving the identification information from an identifier (12) intended to be linked to an identified animal (1) that approaches the vicinity of a drinking trough (10) by means of an antenna (13); verifying the identification information by means of a receiver (15) and sending the information to a control unit (16); controlling the opening or closing of a device for controlling the water flow (9) by means of the control unit (16) based on the information received from the receiver (15).

14. The method of claim 13, comprising the step of storing the date and time information obtained by means of a clock module (22) on an SD card of an SD card reader (24).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] To complement the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation, represent the following:

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross section view of a water supply system.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a water supply system.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the method for supplying identified animals.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross section view of a water supply system for identified animals (1), wherein the animals comprise an identifier (12) attached to an ear tag (23). The system has a collection surface (2) equipped with a waterproofed surface (3) intended to rest on a sloping ground surface (4), wherein the waterproofed surface (3) collects water from precipitation. The waterproofed surface (3) is secured to the ground surface (4) by means of pegs, and to the tank by means of aluminium profiles just below the water inlet cavities (7) through which the water enters the tank.

[0021] The system comprises a tank (5) that is partially arranged below the waterproofed surface (3) and is equipped with water inlet cavities (7). The tank is arranged in the lowest area of the ground surface (4), so that the water fills it by means of gravity.

[0022] The system comprises a water pump (8) connected to the tank (5) intended to extract the water, a device for controlling the water flow (9) connected to the water pump (8) that regulates the passage of water, a drinking trough (10), a power generator (11) that is a photovoltaic module, an antenna (13) in the vicinity of the drinking trough (10) that detects the presence of an identifier (12), and emits a signal and an automation panel (14) powered by the power generator (11) which is equipped with a receiver (15) connected to the antenna (13) and that receives the signal from the antenna (13) and validates it and a control unit (16) that receives the information from the receiver (15) and controls the opening or closing of the device for controlling the water flow (9) based on the identification information of the animals. The inlet orifices (7) are arranged on a perimeter edge of the cover (18). Additionally, the collection surface comprises a layer of stones (25) on top of the asphalt fabric (3) that act as a filter.

[0023] The system comprises a shed (6) on the tank (5) that houses the automation panel (14), the water pump (8) and the device for controlling the water flow (9) and on which the power generator (11), which is a photovoltaic module, rests. The main pipe (26) or water inlet tube that connects the tank (5) with the water pump (8) can be seen, which preferably comprises a filter (28) at the end thereof. The system has a water outlet tube (20) which starts from the device for controlling the water flow and feeds the drinking trough (10). The tank (5) comprises a main body (17) intended to receive the water and a cover (18) that covers it.

[0024] Additionally, said shed (6) also contains therein the regulator of the photovoltaic module with the batteries (27) and the corresponding circuit breaker thereof. All the electrical elements are connected to the regulator, which is responsible for distributing the power, ensuring the protection of the different elements and preventing the total discharge of the batteries (27). Connected to the automation panel (14) a set of LED lights is arranged which provides information about the status of the system. The equipment has two batteries (27) connected in series to add the 24V with which the system works.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a water supply system, according to the present invention, wherein the layer of stones (25) has not yet been placed and the asphalt fabric (3) can be seen. The drinking trough (10) can be seen on top of the cover (18) and next to the shed (6) on which the power generator module (11), which is a solar module, is placed.

[0026] The cover (18) comprises through cavities (21) to be made in the cover (18) and closed by hatches (29) through which the inside of the tank (5) can be controlled. The cover (18) can also be seen equipped with rings (19) to facilitate the handling thereof.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the method for supplying identified animals, comprising the steps of receiving the identification information from an identifier (12), which is a radio frequency transponder, intended to be linked to an identified animal (1) that approaches the vicinity of a drinking trough (10) by means of an antenna (13), verifying the identification information by means of a receiver (15) that is connected to the antenna (13), and sending the information to a control unit (16) and controlling the opening or closing of a device for controlling the water flow (9) by means of the control unit when it receives the information from the receiver (15). Additionally, it comprises the step of storing the date and time information obtained by means of a clock module (22) on an SD card of an SD card reader (24).