Thermal conductive cooling method and system for livestock farm operations
First Claim
1. A method for the conductive cooling or heating of dairy animals in a farm operation having a water supply and in which the dairy animals are housed in a housing structure that includes an enclosure confining the animals in a housing area and having a floor, the method comprising:
- providing a layer of soft bedding materials extending over substantially the entire floor of the housing area to provide a bedding area to cushion the animals;
providing a first heat exchanger beneath and in direct contact with the bedding materials, which first heat exchanger extends beneath substantially the entire bedding area;
supplying water from the water supply through a supply line to the first heat exchanger;
circulating the water in the supply line through the first 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 first heat exchanger in response to the temperature of the water in the supply line and in the return line.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
34 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for the conductive cooling or heating of dairy animals in a farm operation having a water supply and in which the dairy animals are housed in a housing structure that includes an enclosure confining the animals in a housing area and having a floor, the method comprising:
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providing a layer of soft bedding materials extending over substantially the entire floor of the housing area to provide a bedding area to cushion the animals; providing a first heat exchanger beneath and in direct contact with the bedding materials, which first heat exchanger extends beneath substantially the entire bedding area; supplying water from the water supply through a supply line to the first heat exchanger; circulating the water in the supply line through the first 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 first heat exchanger in response to the temperature of the water in the supply line and in the return line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for the conductive cooling or heating of dairy animals in a farm structure having a water supply and in which the animals are housed in a confined housing area having a floor, the system comprising:
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a layer of soft bedding materials extending over substantially the entire floor of the housing area to provide a bedding area to cushion the animals; a first heat exchanger located beneath and in direct contact with the bedding materials, which first heat exchanger extends beneath substantially the entire bedding area; a supply line to the first heat exchanger for supplying water from the water supply to the first heat exchanger; a return line from the first heat exchanger for returning water from the first 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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for the conductive cooling or heating of dairy animals in a farm structure in which the animals are housed in a confined housing area having a floor, the system comprising:
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a layer of bedding materials extending over substantially the entire floor of the housing area to provide a bedding area to cushion the animals; a heat exchanger located beneath and in direct contact with the bedding materials, which heat exchanger extends beneath substantially the entire bedding area; a supply line to the heat exchanger for supplying liquid to the heat exchanger; a return line from the heat exchanger for returning the liquid from the heat exchanger; a first sensor for monitoring the temperature of the liquid in the supply line; a second sensor for monitoring the temperature of the liquid in the return line; and the flow of liquid through the supply line being controlled in response to the temperature of the liquid in the supply line and in the return line, the flow of liquid through the supply line being controlled in response to the temperature of the liquid in the supply line and in the return line. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification