Patent ID: 8146535
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. A thermally controlled drinking water system for animals, comprising: a thermally insulated housing containing a water reservoir and a drinking water bowl; a vapor-compression refrigeration system including a compressor disposed in said housing, a condenser coil connected with said compressor disposed on the exterior of said housing, a refrigerant evaporator coil connected with said condenser coil and said compressor, and an expansion device disposed between said condenser coil and said evaporator coil, said evaporator coil engaged in heat exchange relation with said drinking water bowl for cooling water contained therein; an electric water heating system disposed in said housing including an electrical heating element engaged in heat exchange relation with said drinking water bowl for heating water contained therein; an ambient air temperature sensor on the exterior of said housing for sensing ambient exterior temperature conditions operatively connected with said vapor-compression refrigeration system operational during periods of hot weather to activate said refrigeration system upon sensing ambient temperature above a preset high temperature to cool water in said drinking water bowl, and a water temperature sensor operatively connected with said drinking water bowl and said vapor-compression refrigeration system to deactivate said refrigeration system upon the water in said bowl reaching a preset desired temperature so as to maintain water in said drinking water bowl below a preset high temperature; and said water temperature sensor operatively connected with said drinking water bowl and said electric water heating system operational during periods of cold weather to activate said electric heating element upon sensing a water temperature below a preset low temperature to heat water in said drinking water bowl, and to deactivate said heating element upon the water in said drinking water bowl reaching a preset desired temperature so as to maintain water in said drinking water bowl and said water reservoir above a preset low temperature; said vapor-compression refrigeration system, said electric water heating system, said ambient air temperature sensor and said water temperature sensor connected through control circuitry with an electrical power supply.