METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTION OF FEEDSTUFF

Abstract: A method and a system for distribution of feedstuff is described, that is supplying feedstuff from a feedstuff central to individual feeding positions, for instance feeding boxes, feeding apparatuses or feeding troughs, and where a scraper conveyor is used comprising an endless chain or wire with preferably disc-shaped scraping elements, which in a tube system are passing the feedstuff central and the individual feeding positions, where the supplying of feedstuff is carried out by quantitative measuring of individual composed feedstuff mixtures in portions, which are adapted for certain feeding positions, and which is the feedstuff central being supplied to the scraper conveyor in a certain order and with distance between the portions, and that in the individual feeding positions throttle-valve means (32, 34, Fig. 7) are used, which are controlled in such a manner that certain feedstuff portions are supplied to individual feeding positions.

Description: Method and System for Distribution of Feedstuff The present invention relates to a method for distribution of feedstuff, that is supplying feedstuff from a feedstuff central to individual feeding positions, for instance feeding boxes, feeding apparatuses or feeding troughs, and of the type described in the intro¬ ductory part of claim 1. Mechanical distribution of feedstuff, that is supplying feedstuff from a feedstuff central to individual feeding positions, are preferably carried out in piggeries by means of scraper conveyors, where an endless chain or wire with disc-shaped scraping elements in a tube system are passing the feedstuff central and the individual feeding positions, respectively. In feeding systems of this type the individual feeding positions may be represented by feeding boxes or feeding apparatuses, which by means of the scraper conveyor are supplied with a mainly dry feedstuff mixture, as the proper feeding is controlled at the individual feeding positions by means of different dosing devices. Or the individual feeding positions may consist of simple feeding troughs. The invention has for its purpose to provide a method for distribution of feedstuff, and which by simple provisions makes it possible to optimize the feeding and individual growth, that is to obtain the best possible exploitation of the feedstuff dependent on the feedstuff need of individual animals or groups of animals. The method according to the invention is distinctive in that the supplying of feedstuff is carried out by quantitative measuring of individual composed feedstuff mixtures in portions, which are adapted for certain feeding positions, and which in the feedstuff central are supplied to the scraper conveyor in a certain order and with distance between the portions, and that in the individual feeding positions throttle-valve means are used, which are controlled in such a manner that certain feedstuff portions are supplied to individual feeding positions. By simple constructive provisions the best possible exploitation of the feedstuff dependent on optimized growth and feedstuff need of individual animals or groups of animals is obtained. Appropriately, throttle-valve means in the individual feeding positions are used, which throttle-valve means being controlled by an electric gear-motor, and which throttle- valve means comprising an electronic control unit being connected to a central control system. Or the method according to the invention may be such performed, that throttle- valve means in the individual feeding positions are used, which throttle- valve means being manually controlled by means of one or more steering wires stretching past all or groups of feeding positions, and which are controlled by means af manual handles. In a particular simple manner the method according to the invention may be such per¬ formed, that the supply of electric power for the electric gear-motor and the steering signals to the electronic control unit in the individual feeding positions takes place through a network, as AC-voltage for the operation of the gear-motors and AC-steering signals in the frequency area 10 kHz - 1 MHz is supplied via two common conductors between the electronic control unit of the individual feeding positions and the central control system. The invention furthermore relates to a system for carrying out the claimed method and comprising a feedstuff central, one or more scraber conveyors passing the feedstuff central and one or more groups of individual feeding positions, and a central control system, which system is distinctive either in that said throttle-valve means in the individual feeding positions being provided in a tubular housing part being adapted to be interconnected between tube sections of the scraber conveyor and comprising a tubular valve member which is pivotally arranged between connecting stubs for end parts of said tube sections, said valve member having a longitudinal opening in one side and an exterior toothed rim, which via a toothed wheel and possible a gear is drive-connected to a gear-motor in such a manner, that the latter may open and close, respectively, the valve by rotation of the valve member - preferably in varying directions, or in that said throttle-valve means in the individual feeding positions are provided in lower part of a tubular housing part being adapted to be interconnected between tube sections of the scraper conveyor, and comprising a preferably longitudi¬ nal, arched valve flap, which at one side of the housing part is pivotally arranged in such a manner, that the valve flap by means of a pivot arm may be swung between a closed and an open position, said pivot arm being adapted to be connected with an activation arm or an electric gear-motor. Appropriately, the valve flap at its underside is provided with an arched steering rail consisting of three sections, namely a middle part stretching parallel with the topside of the valve flap, and two outer parts stretching inclined upwards and outwards from the middle part, which steering rail is adapted to perform said swing movement of the valve flap, when said pivot arm is moved along the steering rail. The system according to the invention is either such provided, that said activation arm is adapted to be connected with a steering wire passing the feeding position and being operated by means of manual handle. Or in a preferred embodiment the system according to the invention is such provided, that said pivot arm is drive-connected with an electric gear-motor with belonging electronic control system, which is supplied with for instance 24 V AC-voltage for gear-motor and AC-steering signals in the frequency area 10 kHz to 1 MHz from the central steering system via a network consisting of two common conductors. The invention is explained in more detail in the following with reference to the drawing, in which :- Fig. 1 shows a view - partly in section - of an embodiment of a housing part for a feeding position, namely a top part with valve flap of for instance a feeding box or feeding stub, Fig. 2 shows the housing part shown in Fig. 1 - set from below, Fig. 3 shows a similar view - for illustration of an example of the turning positions of a pivot arm for operating of a valve flap in a feeding position, Fig. 4 shows another similar view - for illustration of an example of the turning posi¬ tions of a pivot arm for operating of a valve flap in a feeding position, Fig. 5 shows an embodiment for display and keyboard of a central control system with examples of connections, Fig. 6 shows examples of connections at local control system, that is electronic control for gear-motor in feeding position, while Fig. 7 shows a side view - partly in sections - of a preferred embodiment for a valve arrangement of the system according to the invention. The housing part 2 shown in Fig. 1 represents a feeding position, namely a top part of feeding box or feeding trough, which on level with a tube 4 of a connected scraper conveyor in an underside 6 is provided with a valve flap 8 shown in its closed position and punctured in its open position. The valve flap 8 is operated by a pivot arm 10 by means of an electric gear-motor (12 V DC-voltage), as the pivot arm 10 engages an arched steering rail 12 (Fig. 2) at the underside of the valve flap 8. The steering rail 12 has three sections, namely a straight middle part 14 stretching parallel with the topside of the valve flap, and two outer parts 16 and 18 stretching inclined upwards and outwards from the middle part 14, so that the valve flap 8 will be closed, when the middle part 14 of the arched steering rail 12 engages the pivot arm 10, having form as an angle sector, that is that it is broadest at the outmost end, while the valve flap 8 is opening, when the inclined outer parts 16 and 18 during swinging of the pivot arm are displaced along the arched outer end of the pivot arm. In Fig. 2 a pivot arm 10 is shown in three positions, namely two outer positions corre¬ sponding to open valve flap 8 and a middle position corresponding to closed valve flap 8. Furthermore it is shown, that the pivot arm 10 may be operated by a further swing arm 20 by means of a steering wire 22 being connected with a not shown steering handle, that is for simultanous manual control of a number of valve flaps. In Figs. 3 and 4 is illustrated, how two groups of valve flaps may be operated by a common steering wire and steering handle, as the pivot arms 10 in the respective groups are turned in an angle of about 30° in relation to each other, so that all valve flaps 8 (that is in both groups) are closed, when the common steering handle is placed in the middle position, where the pivot arm 10 in both groups are sliding against the middle part 14 of the arched steering rail 12, while the valve flaps 8 of the respective groups may be open, when the steering handle is placed in its respective outer posi¬ tions, where the pivot arm 10 is swung free from the respective ends of the steering rail. In this simple manner it is possible through two operations to distribute specific portions of different feedstuff mixtures to two groups of the feeding positions by means of a single scraper conveyor. However, the main aspect of the invention is more extensive, as the system according to the invention comprises a central control system with a programming unit, which cf. Fig. 5 for instance comprises a display 24 and a keyboard 26 by mans of which individual composed feedstuff mixtures for individual feeding positions may be entered, whereafter the dosing unit of the feeding central in an optimum succession supplies the measured portions to the scraper conveyor with mutual distance between the portions. The central control system may as indicated in Fig. 5 be ready for attachment to PC (Personal Computer), so that it is possible to follow the feeding operation on a graphic plan of the stable, as each feeding position is shown and provided with satellite (local) control, which via a network instantly informs about status (valve flap open or closed, feedstuff flow, feedstuff emptying) to the central control system respectively attached PC. The satellite (local) controls may as mentioned in Fig. 6 be connected to an external two-cored network, vhich via local electronic control supplies the gear-motor with 12 V DC-voltage, as the network is supplied by 24 V AC-voltage (50 Hz) and AC-steering signals in the frequency area 10 kHz - 1 MHz from the central control system via a net¬ work consisting of two common conductors. The superior control system is further¬ more such provided, that it automatically adopt the most optimum signal frequency area, that is the frequency area, which is less sensitive for signal noise. Each feeding position has its individual digital address, which of course is used both at pre-programming of the feedstuff portions and at the reporting back to the common digital basis address, that is the central control system. The central control system may furthermore be provided for instant controlling of the situation of use of the connected apparatuses, for instance the scraper conveyor, as it is important, that a preferably certain transport speed of the transport wire is maintained; but in case of variations of importance thereof dependent parametres are corrigated instantly, as the specific transport time between the feeding central and the individual feeding positions in the end is an important control parametre. It is totally without problems to connect new feeding positions, which by means of special connecting clips at any place may be connected to the two-cored common network, whereafter the digital address of the new feeding position just is entered into the central control system. By distribution of feedstuff, that is supplying of individual measured portions of feedstuff mixture, the portions are transported with mutual distance in known order towards the individual feeding positions, when a certain feeding portion has been supplied through the open valve flap of its destination, the valve flap is closed, as the belonging electronic control via the common network receives steering signals for closing of the valve flap, before next feeding portion is passing. Possibly the next feeding portion is to be supplied in a later feeding position, that is that all valve flaps are kept closed until this later feeding position, etc. The valve arrangement shown in Fig. 7 comprises a tubular housing part 28 being adapted to be inserted between tube sections of a scraper conveyor. The housing part 28 has two connecting tube stubs 30, between which a tubular valve member 32 are pivotally arranged. The valve member 32 is provided with a longitudinal valve opening 34, which is shown facing downwards, that is that the valve is open, as the connecting stubs 30 and the valve member 32, through which the disc-shaped scraper elements of the scraper conveyor are passing, are connected with a lower collar member 36, being connected with either a transparent feeding box 38 or a lead-down tube via a funnel member. The valve member 32 is exterior provided with a toothed rim 40, which via a toothed wheel 42 and a gear 44 is drive-connected with an electric gear-motor 46. Oppposite the toothed rim 40 the valve member 32 is provided with an exterior stop edge 48, which is adapted to co-operate with a firm stop in the housing 28 in such a manner, that the valve member 32 only is permitted to rotate about half a turn - namely alternately from open to closed position or vice versa - controlled by the central control system via said network. For this purpose the gear-motor 46 is steering connected with a local circuit, which when the electric current to the gear-motor 46 is increasing, because the valve member 32 is braked by means of said stop edge, pre-adjusts the gear-motor 46 to rotate in the opposite direction, when its control circuit next time is activated via the common network.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A method for distribution of feedstuff, that is supplying feedstuff from a feedstuff central to individual feeding positions, for instance feeding boxes, feeding apparatuses or feeding troughs, and where a scraper conveyor is used comprising an endless chain or wire with preferably disc-shaped scraping elements, which in a tube system are passing the feedstuff central and the individual feeding positions, characteri¬ ze d in that the supplying of feedstuff is carried out by quantitative measuring of indi¬ vidual composed feedstuff mixtures in portions, which are adapted for certain feeding positions, and which in the feedstuff central being supplied to the scraper conveyor in a certain order and with distance between the portions, and that in the individual feeding positions throttle-valve means are used, which are controlled in such a manner that certain feedstuff portions are supplied to individual feeding positions. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that throttle-valve means in the individual feeding positions are used, which throttle- valve means being controlled by an electric gear-motor, and which throttle-valve means comprising an electronic control unit being connected to a central control system. 3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that throttle- valve means in the individual feeding positions are used, which throttle-valve means being manually controlled by means of one or more steering wires stretching past all or groups of feeding positions, and which are controlled by means af manual handles. 4. A method according to claims 1 -2, characterized in that the supply of electric power for the electric gear-motor and the steering signals to the electronic control unit in the individual feeding positions takes place through a network, as AC-voltage for the operation of the gear-motors and AC-steering signals in the frequency area 10 kHz - 1 MHz is supplied via two common conductors between the electronic control unit of the individual feeding positions and the central control system. 5. A system for carrying out the method according to claims 1 -4 and comprising a feedstuff central, one or more scraber conveyors passing the feedstuff central and one or more groups of individual feeding positions, and a central control system, c h a - racterizedin that said throttle-valve means in the individual feeding positions being provided in a tubular housing part being adapted to be interconnected between tube sections of the scraber conveyor and comprising a tubular valve member which is pivotally arranged between connecting stubs for end parts of said tube sections, said valve member having a longitudinal opening in one side and an exterior toothed rim, which via a toothed wheel and possible a gear is drive-connected to a gear-motor in such a manner, that the latter may open and close, respectively, the valve by rotation of the valve member - preferably in varying directions. 6. A system for carrying out the method according to claim 4 and comprising a feedstuff central, one or more scraber conveyors passing the feedstuff central and one or more groups of individual feeding positions and a central control system, c h a - r a c t e r i z e d in that said throttle-valve means in the individual feeding positions are provided in lower part of a tubular housing part being adapted to be interconnected be¬ tween tube sections of the scraper conveyor, and comprising a preferably longitudinal, arched valve flap, which at one side of the housing part is pivotally arranged in such a manner, that the valve flap by means of a pivot arm may be swung between a closed and an open position, said pivot arm being adapted to be connected with an activation arm or an electric gear-motor. 7. A system according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the valve flap at is un¬ derside is provided with an arched steering rail consisting of three sections, namely a middle part stretching parallel with the topside of the valve flap, and two outer parts stretching inclined upwards and outwards from the middle part, which steering rail is adapted to perform said swing movement of the valve flap, when said pivot arm is moved along the steering rail. 8. A system according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said activation arm is adapted to be connected with a steering wire passing the feeding position and being operated by means of manual handle. 9. A system according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said pivot arm is drive-connected with an electric gear-motor with belonging electronic control system, which is supplied with for instance 24 V AC-voltage for gear-motor and AC-steering signals in the frequency area 10 kHz to 1 MHz from the central steering system via a network consisting of two common conductors. 10. A system according to claim 5, characterized in that the tubular valve member opposite the toothed rim is provided with exterior stop means co-operating with permanent stop means in the housing part in such a manner that the valve member only is allowed to rotate about a half turn - namely alternately from open to closed position or vice versa - controlled by the central steering system via said network, which consists of two common conductors.

Inventors: DALL MICHAEL HELLESOEE, DALL, MICHAEL, HELLESOEE
Applicants: DALL MICHAEL HELLESOEE, DALTEC AS, DALTEC A/S
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A01K5
IPC codes: A01K5