Method and system for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations

• US 7,762,714 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2006
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US11/422,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20060216332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,511 Days
• Field of Search: 366/152.2, 734/34, 141/1, 141/83, 222/1, 222/30, 222/55, 222/71, 177/1, 177/4, 177/50, 177/66
• US Class Current: 366/152.2
• 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;

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

determining a compensation factor without weighing the micro-ingredient, 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 a revised amount of the micro-ingredient delivered taking into account the adjusted bulk density value and the length of time.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

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

3. 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.

4. 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;

calculating a revised amount of the micro-ingredient delivered taking into account the bulk density value and the recorded units; and

determining a compensation factor without weighing the micro-ingredient, said compensation factor being derived from a calculation 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 a revised 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 4, wherein:

said recorded units comprise pulse counts.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

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

7. A method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said recording step is achieved by use of at least one of a flow meter and a sensor.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sensor includes at least one of a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and a laser sensor.

9. 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;

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

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 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;

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

determining a compensation factor without weighing the micro-ingredient, 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 a revised amount of the micro-ingredient delivered taking into account the adjusted bulk density value.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 10, 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.

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

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

assigning a base value to the bulk density;

dispensing the micro-ingredient from a dispensing device;

determining an amount of the micro-ingredient delivered taking into account the base bulk density value;

determining a compensation factor, said compensation factor being derived from a consideration of a boundary layer comprising at least two different micro-ingredients and without weighing the micro-ingredients;

adjusting the base bulk density value by the compensation factor;

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

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

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

assigning a base value to the bulk density;

dispensing the micro-ingredient from a dispensing device;

determining an amount of the micro-ingredient delivered taking into account of the bulk density value;

determining a compensation factor, said compensation being derived from a consideration of proportional amounts of at least two different liquid micro-ingredients and without weighing the micro-ingredients;

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

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