Method and System for Administering Micro-Ingredient Feed Additives to Animal Feed Rations

• US 20060216332A1
• Filed: 06/07/2006
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Animal Health International Incorporated (Patterson Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lextron, Inc.
• Inventors: Freeman, Steve R., Hoff, Charles H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,762,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/442
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0216 for the distribution of liquid fodder A01K9/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/54 wetting solids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/85 wherein the particles fall onto a film that flows along the inner wall of a mixer
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/1453 by means of jets of fluid, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71731 using a hopper
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/881 by weighing, e.g. with automatic discharge
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/883 using flow rate controls for feeding the substances

Abstract

A system and method are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives or supplements to feed rations. The amount of each particular micro-ingredient to be delivered to a feed ration may be determined by a bulk density measurement. Alternatively, bulk density measurement may be used in combination with existing weight measurement and volumetric metering methods for multiple micro-ingredients. Delivery by bulk density requires determination of a bulk density value along with use of a dispensing device that dispenses a calculated amount of the micro-ingredient ration. The dispensing calculation may be achieved by analysis of delivery time, pulse count, or some other quantitative measure such as magnitude. Use of bulk density as a measurement technique eliminates the requirement for use of scales in the micro-ingredient delivery system.

Claims

1. A method of measuring micro-ingredients delivered to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a bulk density for at least one micro-ingredient;

assigning a base value to the bulk density;

dispensing the micro-ingredient from a dispensing device;

recording the length of time in which the dispensing device operated to dispense the micro-ingredient; and

calculating an amount of the micro-ingredient delivered taking into account the bulk density value and the length of time.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further including the step of:

determining a compensation factor, said compensation factor being derived from consideration of at least one factor of a plurality of factors including temperature, viscosity, and loose/hard packed packaging and storage conditions;

adjusting the base value of the bulk density by the compensation factor;

calculating an amount of the micro-ingredient delivered taking into account the adjusted bulk density value and the length of time.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said dispensing step is achieved by use of at least one of an auger and a pump.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

validating the bulk density value by comparing the calculated amount of the micro-ingredient dispensed to a weight of the micro-ingredient dispensed.

3. A method of measuring micro-ingredients delivered to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a bulk density for at least one micro-ingredient;

assigning a base value to the bulk density;

dispensing the micro-ingredient from a dispensing device;

recording dispensing of the micro-ingredient, said recording being a count of units; and

calculating an amount of the micro-ingredient delivered taking into account the bulk density value and the recorded units.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 3, further including the step of:

determining a compensation factor, said compensation factor being derived from consideration of at least one factor of a plurality of factors including temperature, viscosity, and loose/hard packed packaging and storage conditions;

adjusting the base value of the bulk density by the compensation factor;

calculating an amount of the micro-ingredient delivered taking into account the adjusted bulk density value and the recorded units.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said recorded units comprise pulse counts.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said dispensing step is achieved by use of at least one of an auger and a pump.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of:

validating the adjusted bulk density value by comparing the calculated amount of the micro-ingredient dispensed to a volume of the micro-ingredient dispensed.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said recording step is achieved by use of at least one of a flow meter and a sensor.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said sensor includes at least one of a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and a laser sensor.

12. A system for measuring and dispensing micro-ingredients to a feed ration comprising:

means for storing a quantity of at least one micro-ingredient;

means for dispensing an amount of the micro-ingredient from the means for storing, said measured amount of the micro-ingredient being calculated by a bulk density value of the micro-ingredient and at least one of (i) a time the means for delivering operates to convey the micro-ingredient from the means for storing and (ii) a recorded electronic signal comprising at least one of an analog signal and a pulse count generated in response to the operation of the means for dispensing;

means for receiving the micro-ingredient dispensed from the means for storing; and

means for delivering the micro-ingredient from the means for receiving to the feed ration.

13. A system, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said means for storing includes at least one storage bin.

14. A system, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said means for delivering includes at least one of an auger and a pump.

15. A system, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said means for delivering the micro-ingredient includes supplying pressurized air through said means for receiving.

16. A system, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said means for delivering comprises flush liquid circulated through said means for receiving.

17. A method of measuring micro-ingredients delivered to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a bulk density for at least one micro-ingredient;

assigning a base value to the bulk density;

dispensing the micro-ingredient from a dispensing device;

sensing the micro-ingredient as it is dispensed; and

calculating an amount of the micro-ingredient delivered taking into account the bulk density value and a signal generated in response to the sensing step.

18. A method, as claimed in claim 17, further including the step of:

determining a compensation factor, said compensation factor being derived from consideration of at least one factor of a plurality of factors including temperature, viscosity, and loose/hard packed packaging and storage conditions;

adjusting the base value of the bulk density by the compensation factor; and

calculating an amount of the micro-ingredient delivered taking into account the adjusted bulk density value.

19. A method, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said sensing step incorporates a laser sensor to provide said signal, said signal being used to correlate a volume of the micro-ingredient to an amount of the micro-ingredient delivered.