Systems and methods to improve the growth rate of livestock, fish, and other animals

An electrical system having an underlying structure having a helical shape is used to produce useful electromagnetic effects for agricultural applications, including promoting growth of animals.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to bodies structured as one or more helically wound runners around which one or more conductive wires may be wound, electrical devices and/or systems configured to include such bodies, and agricultural applications thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that spirally wound electrical conductors exhibit certain electromagnetic properties and/or can be used, e.g., to generate particular electromagnetic fields. For example, it is known that an electromagnetic coil may act as an inductor and/or part of a transformer, and has many established useful applications in electrical circuits. Applications of an electromagnetic coil may exploit the electromagnetic field that is created when, e.g., an active current source is operatively coupled to the coil.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention relates to an electrical system for promoting growth of life stock, fish, and/or other animals. The system includes one or more bodies, one or more runners, one or more conductive wires, one or more current sources, and/or other components. Individual bodies may include one or more runners arranged in a helical shape having at least two complete revolutions per runner. Individual bodies may have a periphery. Individual bodies may be installed around and/or near one or more animals. Individual wires may be carried by individual runners. Individual wires may be conductive. Individual current sources may be arranged to electrically couple with one or more wires causing one or more currents through one or more wires. The one or more current sources may be configured to cause currents through wires such that one or more electromagnetic effects, e.g. electromagnetic fields, are created in and/or around individual bodies. The one or more electromagnetic effects may promote growth of the one or more animals disposed within and/or near the one or more bodies.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for promoting growth of life stock, fish, and/or other animals. The method may include installing one or more bodies around and/or near one or more animals and supplying one or more currents to the one or more bodies such that one or more electromagnetic effects, e.g. electromagnetic fields, are created within and/or near the body. The one or more electromagnetic effects may promote of growth of the one or more animals within and/or near the one or more bodies. Individual bodies may include one or more runners, one or more wires, and/or other components. Individual runners may be arranged in at least two complete revolutions per runner. Individual wires may be carried by individual runners. Individual wires may be conductive. The one or more current sources may be configured to supply currents through individual wires such that one or more electromagnetic effects, e.g. electromagnetic fields, are created in and/or around one or more bodies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a system10for promoting growth of an animal14, according to one or more implementations. System10includes a body85, a first wire86, a current source11, and/or other components. The depiction of animal14as a single entity is not meant to be limiting. Animal14may include one or more animals and/or other organisms. As used herein, the term “animal” may refer to any organism of the kingdom Animalia except humans. In some implementations, system10may be configured to promote growth in livestock, fish, and/or other animals. In some implementations, system10may be configured to promote growth of animals that are raised, bred, grown, or produced in captivity and/or under human control. In some implementations, system10may be configured to promote growth of animals for a commercial purpose, including but not limited to the purpose of human consumption. In some implementations, the term animal may include genetically modified and/or synthetic organisms. In some implementations, an animal may include, by way of non-limiting example, a chicken, a cow, a pig, a lamb, a goat, a bird, a fish, a crustacean, a mollusk, a reptile, and/or other animals.

By way of non-limiting example, additional structures and/or features of body85, runners88and89, current source11, and/or processing component described herein, may be described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,653,925, entitled “Double Helix Conductor,” which issued Feb. 18, 2014, which is hereby incorporated into this disclosure by reference in its entirety. This patent may also be referred to as “the '925 patent” herein.

By way of non-limiting example, additional structures and/or features of body85, runners88and89, current source11, and/or processing component described herein, may be described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,919,035, entitled “Agricultural Applications of a Double Helix Conductor,” which issued Dec. 30, 2014, which is hereby incorporated into this disclosure by reference in its entirety. This patent may also be referred to as “the '035 patent” herein.

By way of non-limiting example, additional structures and/or features of body85, runners88and89, current source11, and/or processing component described herein, may be described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/194,412, entitled “HEALTH APPLICATIONS FOR USING BIO-FEEDBACK TO CONTROL AN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC FIELD,” which was filed Feb. 28, 2014, which is hereby incorporated into this disclosure by reference in its entirety. This patent may also be referred to as “the '412 application” herein.

Body85of system10inFIG. 1may include one or more helically wound runners. As depicted inFIG. 1by way of non-limiting example, body85may include two intertwined helically wound runners—runner88and runner89—sharing the same (circular) axis. Runner88and runner89may be arranged in the shape of a double helix. Individual runners may be coupled by struts90to other runners. Individual ones of the runners may have one or more conductive wires spirally wound therearound. Runner88and runner89of body85may form cores around which wire86and wire87are spirally wound, respectively. As depicted inFIG. 1, body85includes two wires: wire86and wire87. In some implementations, system10includes one runner, three runners, and/or another number of runners. In some implementations, system10includes one wire, three wires, and/or another number of wires. In some implementations, system10includes one current source, three current sources, and/or another number of current sources.

Wire86, as any wire listed in any figure included in this description, may be insulated, uninsulated, or partially insulated and partially uninsulated. As used herein, any “wire” may include a set of twisted wires (which may interchangeably be referred to as a “twisted wire” or a “pair of twisted wires”), including but not limited to a set of two twisted wires. The number of turns of a set of twisted wires per inch and/or per helical revolution of a runner may be characteristic measurements/features of the system. In some implementations, the number of twists per inch of a twisted wire may be about 2, about 5, about 10, about 20, about 100, about 150, about 200, about 250, and/or another suitable number of twists. In some implementations, the number of twists per inch of a twisted wire may be 144 twists.

System10may include one or more current sources. As depicted inFIG. 1, system10may include two current sources, current source11and current source12. Individual ones of the current sources may be configured to induce one or more currents through one or more wires and/or across electrical leads, including but not limited to the electrical leads of the one or more wires wound around the one or more runners of body85. In some implementations, the one or more currents may include one or more alternating currents. In some implementations, one or more induced currents may correspond to one or more sensor-generated output signals. In some implementations, the one or more induced currents may correspond to one or more signals generated by a transducer, a signal generator, an (audio) amplifier, and/or other components, including but not limited to the components described in the '925 patent, the '035 patent, and/or the '412 application. In some implementations, the one or more current sources12may be configured to induce two independent currents to the two (twisted) wires that are spirally wound around the first runner and the second runner, respectively.

Runner88and runner89of body85and system10inFIG. 1may be arranged in the shape of a three-dimensional curve similar to or substantially the same as a (double) helix, bend with its ends arranged together (e.g., in a toroidal shape). It is noted that the shape of body85resembles the general shape of DNA. The shape of the cross-section of a runner may include one or more of a circle, an oval, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, an angular shape, a polygon, and/or other shapes. The width and height of the cross-section of a runner may be limited for practical purposes. For example, for the purposes described herein, in some implementations, it may be preferred arrange body85such that there is available space within the periphery of body85, as shown, e.g., inFIG. 1. As depicted inFIG. 1, the shape of the cross-section of runner88and runner89is a circle. Note that implementations of this disclosure are not intended to be limited by any of the given examples.

In some implementations, individual wires may be arranged around individual runners such that the individual wire is arranged at a fixed and/or constant distance from the individual runner and/or the surface of the individual runner, at least for one or more individual ones of the revolutions of the helical shape of the individual runner. In some implementations, the individual wire is arranged in continuous contact with the individual runner and/or the surface of the individual runner, at least for one or more individual ones of the revolutions of the helical shape of the individual runner.

Runner88, runner89and/or struts90of system10inFIG. 1may be manufactured from one or more of plastic, plastic plated with metals including copper, nickel, iron, soft iron, nickel alloys, and/or other metals and alloys, and/or other materials. In some implementations, runner88, runner89and struts90may be manufactured from non-conductive material. Runner88, runner89, and struts90may be manufactured from different materials. Runner88, runner89, and struts90may be manufactured through integral construction or formed separately prior to being assembled. The preceding statement is not intended to limit the (process of) manufacture of bodies similar to or substantially the same as body85in any way. In some implementations, a body similar to body85may have no struts.

The shape of body85of system10inFIG. 1may be generally toroidal. In some implementations, the body of system10may be arranged in any planar shape, including circular, polygonal, and/or other shapes. Alternatively, and/or simultaneously, a body such as body85may be arranged in a three-dimensional curve (a.k.a. space curve). Runner88and runner89of body85may form cores around which wire86and wire87are spirally wound, respectively. As such, wire86and wire87may be arranged in a helical shape having axes that coincide with runner88and runner89, respectively. As shown inFIG. 1, wire86and87may be wound such that they go around any of struts90of body85and/or around any points of engagement between one of struts90and one of runners88and89. The number of wire turns per complete revolution of a runner and/or the number of wire turns between adjacent struts may be characteristic measurements/features of body85. InFIG. 1, wire86and wire87are arranged to make approximately three to five turns between adjacent struts associated with runner88and runner89, respectively, and/or some other number of turns. The depiction ofFIG. 1is intended to be exemplary, and in no way limiting.

Wire86may include two or more leads—as depicted, lead86aand lead86b. Wire87may include two or more leads—as depicted, lead87aand lead87b. By way of non-limiting example, a twisted wire may have four leads. In system10, body85is electrically coupled with one or more power sources and/or current sources, such as, e.g., current source11and/or a current source12, arranged such that electrical coupling with one or both of wire86and wire87may be established, e.g. through coupling of current source11with lead86aand86bof wire86and through coupling of current source12with lead87aand87bof wire87. The current supplied to wire86may be a direct current or an alternating current. The current supplied to wire87may be a direct current or an alternating current. The currents supplied to wire86and wire87may flow in the same direction or the opposite direction.

For alternating currents, operating frequencies ranging from 0 Hz to 100 GHz are contemplated. Operating currents ranging from 1 pA to 10 A are contemplated. Operating voltages ranging from 1 mV to 20 kV are contemplated. In some implementations, a root mean square voltage of about 12 V is supplied to wire86and/or wire87. In a preferred implementation, the frequency of the alternating current supplied to wire86and/or wire87may be between 0 Hz and 20 kHz. In some implementations, the current is less than about 1 pA, 1 nA, 1 mA, 100 mA, 250 mA, 500 mA, and/or other amounts of current. The operating frequencies for wire86and wire87may be the same or different. Other electrical operating characteristics of current supplied to wire86and wire87, such as phase, may be the same or different. System10may be used to exploit the electromagnetic effect and/or field that may be created in and/or around body85when electrical power is supplied to one or more wires of body85. The electromagnetic effect may promote growth of animal14disposed within and/or near body85and/or the periphery of body85.

Some implementations of a system including a body similar to or substantially the same as body85inFIG. 1, thus including wire86and wire87, may be configured to have a current in wire86flowing in the opposite direction as the current in wire87. In some implementations the current supplied to one wire may be a direct current, whereas the current supplied to another wire may be an alternating current.

In some implementations, one or more currents flowing through a body similar to body85may be controlled to correspond to one or more signals. By way of non-limiting example,FIG. 3illustrates a system10A for promoting growth of one or more animals. System10A may be the same as or similar to system10depicted inFIG. 1. System10A may include a body85A, a current source11, one or more processors110, a processing component113, a playback component112, an input component111, a user interface120, electronic storage130, and/or other components. In some implementations, one or more components of system10A may correspond to one or more processors, computer program components, user interfaces, electronic storage, and/or other components, including but not limited to the components described in the '925 patent, the '035 patent, and/or the '412 application.

System10A may include a body85A that is the same as or similar to body85depicted inFIG. 1. Body85A may be suspended above the one or more animals14, placed around the one or more animals14, placed underneath an area for the one or more animals14(e.g. underneath a pen or other enclosure), and/or otherwise arranged in proximity of the one or more animals14. In some implementations, body85A may be installed around an area having a width between 10 and 500 feet, and having a length between 10 and 500 feet. In some implementations, the width may be about 4 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, 15 feet, 20 feet, 25 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet, 50 feet, 75 feet, 100 feet, 150 feet, 200 feet, 250 feet, 300 feet, 400 feet, 500 feet, and/or another appropriate length that is suitable for the number and kind of animals disposed within and/or near body85A. In some implementations, the length may be about 4 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, 15 feet, 20 feet, 25 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet, 50 feet, 75 feet, 100 feet, 150 feet, 200 feet, 250 feet, 300 feet, 400 feet, 500 feet, and/or another appropriate length that is suitable for the number and kind of animals disposed within and/or near body85A.

In some implementations, the one or more processors110may be configured to provide information-processing capabilities and/or execute computer program components, including but not limited to input component111, playback component112, processing component113, and/or other components. Processor110may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, an analog circuit designed to process information, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor110is shown inFIG. 3as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor110may include a plurality of processing units.

In some implementations, an alternating current supplied to body85A may include a carrier signal and a modulating signal. In some implementations, carrier signals used for the alternating current may be radio-frequency signals. As used herein, radio frequency may refer to frequencies between about 30 kHz and about 30 GHz. In some implementations, the modulating signal for the alternating current may be modulated through one or more of amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation, digital modulation, and/or other types of modulation.

In some implementations, the one or more frequencies included in the alternating current may be based on audio recordings of a note, tone, or chord, generated by a frequency generator, a function generator, and/or a (musical) instrument. In some implementations, a first frequency may be used for the first runner, and a second frequency may be used for the second runner. For example, a first frequency may be based on the sound of an instrument, e.g. a piano, playing an A above middle C (also referred to as A4, which may include sound having a frequency of about 432 Hz, depending on the tuning system used). For example, a second frequency may be based on the sound of some instrument, e.g. a piano, playing a note forming a harmonious interval with A4, e.g. E5, which may include sound having a frequency of about 648 Hz. For example, a third frequency, if used, may be based on the sound of some instrument, e.g. a piano, playing a note forming a harmonious interval with A4, e.g. A5, which may include sound having a frequency of about 864 Hz. The particular tuning used in some implementations may be referred to as Pythagorean tuning. Mathematically perfect tuning may combine notes having a 3:2 ratio. Different types of tuning (or tuning systems), including but not limited to equal tempered tuning, may be used and considered within the scope of this disclosure.

It should be appreciated that although components111-113are illustrated inFIG. 3as being co-located within a single processing unit, in implementations in which processor110includes multiple processing units, one or more of components111-113may be located remotely from the other components. The description of the functionality provided by the different components111-113described herein is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of components111-113may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of components111-113may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be incorporated, shared, integrated into, and/or otherwise provided by other ones of components111-113. Note that processor110may be configured to execute one or more additional components that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one of components111-113.

Input component111may be configured to obtain information, e.g. from one or more digital audio files, or, alternatively and/or simultaneously, based on sensor-generate output signals. In some implementations, the information may be obtained from storage, e.g. from electronic storage. Information obtained from storage may include electronic audio files in any format, including but not limited to MP3, WMA, WAV, AIFF, and/or other audio formats. In some implementations, information may be obtained from sound sources including frequency generators, function generators, phonographs, CD-players, DVD players, AM radio, FM radio, and/or other sound sources. In some implementations, the information obtained by input component111may be streaming data (e.g. streaming audio) from a particular website.

Processing component113may be configured to process the obtained information from input component111. In some implementations, processing component113may be configured to generate a processed signal based on the obtained information from input component111. For example, processing component113may convert, filter, modify, and/or otherwise transform information or signals from input component111to generate the processed signal.

Playback component112may be configured to produce sound signals based on one or more of the obtained information from input component111and/or the processed signal from processing component113. The sound signals produced by playback component112may be coupled electrically to the leads of one or more conductive wires wound around one or more runners of body85A such that the induced current may correspond to and/or be based on the sound signals. Alternatively, and/or simultaneously, the induced current may be controlled by and/or based on the sound signals produced by playback component112. In some implementations, the sound signals produced by playback component112may be amplified by an amplifier (not shown) before being electrically coupled to the leads of one or more conductive wires. In some preferred implementations, the amplifier may be an audio amplifier ranging between 100 W and 400 W. Other types of amplifiers and/or amplifiers having a different power range are also contemplated.

Electronic storage130of system10A inFIG. 3may include electronic storage media that electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage130may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with its electrical system and/or removable storage that is connectable to its electrical system via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a Firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage130may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. Electronic storage130may store software algorithms, information determined by processor110, information received via user interface120, and/or other information that enables system10A or another system described in this disclosure to function properly. For example, electronic storage130may store sound information and/or electronic audio files (as discussed elsewhere herein), and/or other information. Electronic storage130may be a separate component within its electrical system, or electronic storage130may be provided integrally with one or more other components of its electrical system (e.g., processor110).

User interface120of system10A inFIG. 3may be configured to provide an interface between the system and a user through which the user can provide information to and receive information from the system. This enables data, results, and/or instructions and any other communicable items, collectively referred to as “information,” to be communicated between a user and the system. An example of information that may be conveyed to a user is an indication of the volume and/or intensity of the sound signals produced by playback component112. Examples of interface devices suitable for inclusion in user interface120include a keypad, buttons, switches, a keyboard, knobs, levers, a display screen, a touch screen, speakers, a microphone, an indicator light, an audible alarm, and a printer. Information may be provided to a user by user interface120in the form of auditory signals, visual signals, tactile signals, and/or other sensory signals.

It is to be understood that other communication techniques, either hard-wired or wireless, are also contemplated herein as user interface120. For example, in one implementation, user interface120may be integrated with a removable storage interface provided by electronic storage130. In this example, information is loaded into system10A inFIG. 3from removable storage (e.g., a smart card, a flash drive, a removable disk, etc.) that enables the user(s) to customize the system10A. Other exemplary input devices and techniques adapted for use with system10A may include, but are not limited to, an RS-232 port, RF link, an IR link, modem (telephone, cable, Ethernet, internet or other). In short, any technique for communicating information with system10AFIG. 3is contemplated as user interface120.

In some implementations, system10may include multiple bodies similar to or substantially the same as body85. Currents for these multiple bodies may be supplied by one or more power sources and/or current sources. In some implementations, a system may include a combination of one or more bodies similar to or substantially the same as body85and one or more bodies similar to or substantially the same as body85. By way of non-limiting example,FIG. 4illustrates a system10B for promoting growth of one or more animals. System10B may be the same as or similar to system10A depicted inFIG. 3. System10B may include a set85C of bodies85B, and/or other components. By way of non-limiting example, one or more current sources, processors, computer program components, user interfaces, electronic storage, and/or other components are not depicted inFIG. 4.

Applications for any of the described systems herein, such as, e.g., system10, system10A, and system10B, herein may include affecting growth and/or growth rate of animals and/or other organisms. For example, a particular type of animal may have a typical growth rate, or range of typical growth rates, under growing conditions that lack a significant electromagnetic effect and/or field. For the purposes of this description, a significant electromagnetic field may be determined as an electromagnetic field of at least a predetermined threshold level of tesla. The predetermined threshold may be 1 pT, 1 nT, 1 mT, 10 mT, 100 mT, and/or another threshold. Using any of the electrical systems described herein, the growth rate, or range of typical growth rates, of the particular type of animal may be increased to a higher growth rate, or higher range of growth rates, for the particular animal. A unit of growth rate may be inch/day, or another unit expressing some length, area, volume, or size per unit of time, and/or another appropriate unit.

For example, a specific type of animal may have a typical maximum growth level, under growing conditions that lack a significant electromagnetic field. Using any of the electrical systems described herein, the maximum growth level, or range of typical maximum growth levels, of the specific type of animal may be increased to a higher maximum growth level, or higher range of maximum growth levels, for the specific animal. Maximum growth level may be expressed in inches, square inches, liters, kilograms, lipid content, and/or another unit expressing some length, area, volume, weight, or size, and/or another appropriate unit.

For example, a particular type of animal may have a typical maximum yield, under growing conditions that lack a significant electromagnetic field. Using any of the electrical systems described herein, the maximum yield, or range of typical maximum yields, of the particular type of animal may be increased to a higher maximum yield, or higher range of maximum yields, for the particular animal. Maximum yield may be expressed in volume or weight per area and/or period, such as kilogram/square feet, or pounds per acre per week, and/or other units as appropriate.

For example, a particular type of animal may have a typical duration to reach maturity, under growing conditions that lack a significant electromagnetic field. Using any of the electrical systems described herein, the duration to reach maturity, or range of typical durations to reach maturity, of the particular type of animal may be decreased to a shorter duration to reach maturity, or shorter range of duration to reach maturity, for the particular animal. Duration to reach maturity may be expressed in hours, days, weeks, and/or other units as appropriate.

FIG. 2illustrates a method200for promoting growth of one or more animals. The operations of method200presented below are intended to be illustrative. In certain implementations, method200may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method200are illustrated inFIG. 2and described below is not intended to be limiting.

At an operation202, a body is installed around and/or near one or more animals. The body includes at least one runner, a wire, and one or more current sources. The runner is arranged in a helical shape having at least two complete revolutions. The wire is carried by the first runner. The wire is conductive. The one or more current sources are arranged to electrically couple with the wire. In one implementation, operation202is performed by a user of system10(shown inFIG. 1and described above).

At an operation204, an alternating current is supplied through the wire such that an electromagnetic effect (e.g. an electromagnetic field) is created in and/or around the body that promotes growth of the one or more animals disposed within and/or near the body. In one implementation, operation204is performed by one or more current sources similar to or substantially the same as current source11(shown inFIG. 1and described above).