THERMAL CONDUCTIVE COOLING METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LIVESTOCK FARM OPERATIONS

• US 20110283952A1
• Filed: 06/15/2011
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CONC Technology Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: CONC Technology Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: STEELE, William Timothy, BRUER, James C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,397,677 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/448
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0158 Floor heating or cooling systems

Abstract

A system and method for the conductive cooling and warming of livestock. Heat exchangers are positioned beneath the cushion bedding areas of the animal so as to utilize on-site water, either in a single pass or a re-circulating system. In a single pass system the on-site water supply is diverted to the heat exchangers below the animal cushion bedding before returning to its original use for purposes such as drinking, wash down, or other processes. With the re-circulating system, a separate heat exchanger is located between the on-site water and the re-circulating water to the cushion bedding areas so as to exchange heat transferred from the animal lying on the cushion bedding above the heat exchanger.

Claims

1. A method for the conductive cooling or heating of animals in a farm operation having a water supply and in which the animals are housed in a housing area that includes materials forming a bedding area, the method comprising:

providing a first heat exchanger beneath the materials in the bedding area;

supplying water from the water supply through a supply line to the heat exchanger;

circulating the water through the heat exchanger and then through a return line;

monitoring the temperature of the water flowing in the supply line;

monitoring the temperature of the water flowing in the return line; and

controlling the flow of water through the heat exchanger in response to the temperature of the of the water in the supply line and in the return line.

2. The method of claim 1 including the additional step of monitoring the ambient air temperature in the housing area, and the flow of water through the heat exchanger is monitored in response to the temperature of the water in the supply line and in the return line and the ambient air temperature in the housing area.

3. The method of claim 2 including the additional step of monitoring the relative humidity of the air in the housing area, and the flow of water through the heat exchanger is monitored in response to the temperature of the water in the supply line and in the return line and the ambient air temperature and relative humidity in the housing area.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the water circulated through the heat exchanger is returned through the return line to the water supply.

5. The method of claim 4 in which the water returned to the water supply is used for other uses in the farm operation.

6. The method of claim 1 in which the water from the water supply is circulated through a second heat exchanger, then circulated through the first heat exchanger and then through the return line back to the second heat exchanger.

7. The method of claim 6 in which the water circulated through the second heat exchanger is returned through the return line to the water supply.

8. The method of claim 1 in which the water in the return line is returned to the supply line, and a chiller and a boiler are located in the supply line to heat or cool the water to a desired temperature before entering the first heat exchanger.

9. A system for the conductive cooling or heating of animals in a farm operation having a water supply and in which the animals are housed in a housing area that includes materials forming a bedding area, the system comprising:

a first heat exchanger located beneath the materials in the bedding area;

a supply line to the heat exchanger for supplying water from the water supply to the heat exchanger;

a return line from the heat exchanger for returning water from the heat exchanger;

a first sensor for monitoring the temperature of the water in the supply line; and

a second sensor for monitoring the temperature of the water in the return line;

the flow of water through the supply line being controlled in response to the temperature of the water in the supply line and in the return line.

10. The system of claim 9 in which the flow of water through the supply line being controlled in response to the temperature of the water in the supply line and in the return line is by a controller operatively connected to the first and second sensors.

11. The system of claim 10 in which there is a third sensor for monitoring the ambient air temperature in the housing area;

and the third sensor is operatively connected to the controller, which controller controls the flow of water through the supply line in response the temperature of the water in the supply line, the return line and the ambient air temperature in the housing area.

12. The system of claim 11 in which there is a fourth sensor for monitoring the relative humidity of the air temperature in the housing area;

and the fourth sensor is operatively connected to the controller, which controller controls the flow of water through the supply line in response the temperature of the water in the supply line and the return line and the relative humidity and ambient air temperature in the housing area.

13. The system of claim 9 in which there is a second heat exchanger located in the supply line and the return line for heating or cooling the water flowing into the first heat exchanger.

14. The system of claim 9 in which the water in the return line is returned from the heat exchanger back into the supply line.

15. The system of claim 14 in which the water in the return line is returned from the heat exchanger back into the supply line, and a cooler is provided in the return line.

16. The system of claim 14 in which the water in the return line is returned from the heat exchanger back into the supply line, and a heater is provided in the return line.

17. The system of claim 14 in which the water in the return line is returned from the heat exchanger back into the supply line, and both a cooler and a heater are provided in the return line.

18. The system of claim 9 in which the return line returns the water from the heat exchanger back to the water supply.

19. The system of claim 9 in which there is a second heat exchanger located in the supply line and the return line for heating or cooling the water flowing into the first heat exchanger.

20. The system of claim 9 in which the water in the return line is returned from the heat exchanger back into the supply line.