Patent ID: 8011204
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. A system for controlling the temperature of a series of interconnected kennels, the system comprising: a reservoir filled with a refrigerant, the refrigerant being a combination of water and antifreeze, the reservoir having an outlet and two inlets, a series of refrigerator coils thermodynamically coupled to the reservoir and serving to control the temperature of the refrigerant; a series of pet kennels associated with the reservoir, the pet kennels being formed into various geometric shapes, each kennel including a bed supported by a rigid outer frame, each bed including a soft, flexible upper surface and a water resistant interior chamber, each interior chamber including an inlet and an outlet; a supply pipe with a first end and a second end and an intermediate extent therebetween, the first end of the supply pipe coupled to the outlet of the reservoir, the second end of the supply pipe coupled to one of the inlets of the reservoir, a pump operatively coupled between the second end of the supply pipe and the inlet of the reservoir and functioning to pump refrigerant back into the reservoir, a series of supply ports formed along the intermediate extent of the supply pipe, the number of supply ports corresponding to the number of pet kennels, each supply porting being coupled to the inlet of an associated chamber; a return pipe with a first end and a second end and an intermediate extent therebetween, a series of return ports formed along the intermediate extent of the return pipe, the number of return ports corresponding to the number of pet kennels, each return port being coupled to the outlet of an associated chamber, the second end of the return pipe being coupled to one of the inlets of the reservoir, a pump operatively coupled between the second end of the return pipe and the inlet of the reservoir and functioning to pump refrigerant back into the reservoir; a series of control valves, the number of control valves corresponding to the number of kennel beds, each control valve being operatively positioned between an associated return port and the outlet of an associated chamber; each control valve functioning to selectively control the volume of refrigerant leaving the associated chamber; a controller in electrical communication with each of the control valves and the refrigerator coils, whereby the controller can selectively increase or decrease the volume of fluid leaving the series of chambers as well as the temperature of the refrigerator coils to thereby effectively control the temperature of the beds.