Patent Publication Number: US-2012031347-A1

Title: Multi-chamber livestock blower

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to blower systems and methods of use. More particularly, the invention relates to livestock blower systems and methods. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The appearance of livestock is important for displaying livestock at events such as shows, sales, and/or auctions. Livestock are often groomed (e.g., washed and dried) before such events so that the livestock presents the best possible appearance, helping to increase the value of the livestock. Blow drying the livestock may be beneficial during grooming as it typically makes the livestock&#39;s hair appear more voluminous and shiny. Often, blow drying is accomplished using traditional blow dryers designed for use by humans. Although these traditional blow dryers are readily available and easy to use and maneuver, they typically do not provide a sufficient flow of heated air. As a result, drying livestock using traditional blow dryers may result in undesirably long drying times and require the livestock to stay calm and still for long periods of time. In an attempt to address some of these concerns, some blower systems are designed specifically for use with livestock and are commercially available as an alternative to traditional hair dryers. However, the available livestock blower systems typically do not provide many characteristics and features that may be beneficial for grooming livestock. 
     In the case of grooming livestock, high temperature air is advantageous as it helps to clean and dry the animal&#39;s coat quickly and adds body or fluff to the hair. Moreover, in a livestock show environment, it is desirable that a livestock blower system is capable of heating air rapidly to a desired temperature to decrease the time needed for grooming the livestock. For example, during livestock shows, a contestant often has a limited amount of time to groom animals prior to judging. Further, in certain instances, an animal that has already been groomed may become dirty shortly before judging (e.g., the animal may lie down or a neighboring animal may defecate on the animal shortly before a showing). Accordingly, it may be desirable that a livestock blower system is capable of quickly heating air to the desired temperature such that grooming can be accomplished shortly after turning on the livestock blower system, effectively reducing the time needed for grooming. 
     Moreover, livestock blower systems are often used in dirty environments that include debris that can be drawn into and expelled from the livestock blower system. For instance, livestock blower system are often used in stalls lined with dirt, straw, and similar debris that can be sucked into and expelled from the livestock blower system. Unfortunately, the intake of debris into the livestock blower system typically causes additional wear on internal components, including blower/fan/heater assemblies housed therein. Moreover, debris that passes through the livestock blower system can be expelled in the stream of air and may be lodged into fur, eyes, and ears of the animal and persons close by. The presence of debris can cause the animal&#39;s coat to appear dirty, which is detrimental during judging of the livestock. 
     Further, livestock blower systems typically require maintenance, such as inspecting, cleaning, repairing, or replacing various components contained within the housing thereof. If maintenance is not performed as needed, a livestock blower system is likely to perform poorly or fail prematurely. Unfortunately, where the interior of the housing is not readily accessible, a user is less likely to perform regular inspection and maintenance. Moreover, when maintenance or repair is performed, additional complexity in accessing the components may increase the time and cost associated with the maintenance or repair. For example, a user may have to transport or send the entire system to a repair facility, thereby investing a great deal of time, effort and money. 
     In addition to the above concerns, when used to groom multiple animals, livestock blower systems are frequently moved from livestock from one location to another. For example, where a contestant has several animals in a single livestock show, the contestant often uses a single livestock blower system that is transported between stalls where each of the animals is located. Thus, a contestant may have to carry or otherwise move the livestock blower system from one location to any number of locations when grooming multiple animals. 
     Unfortunately, currently available commercial models may not be capable of providing many of these features, including but not limited to a sufficiently high pressure stream of heated air, rapidly heating the air to a desired temperature, and operating efficiently in debris filled environment. Moreover, existing models typically do not include readily accessible components, and often include large cumbersome units that make them difficult to move and maneuver around livestock. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a livestock blower system that is capable of providing at least the features of a high pressure stream of heated air, rapidly heating the air to a desired temperature, operating efficiently in a debris filled environment, includes accessible components, and/or is portable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments of livestock blower systems and related apparatus, and methods of operating the same are described. In some embodiments, provided is a livestock blower system, including a housing having one or more air inlets, a first blower chamber, a second blower chamber, and an air outlet in communication with the first blower chamber and the second blower chamber, wherein the air outlet provides for the expulsion of air from the first blower chamber and the second blower chamber onto livestock during use. A first blower assembly disposed inside the first blower chamber and a second blower assembly disposed inside the second blower chamber. The first and second blower assemblies receive air via the one or more air inlets and expel air via the air outlet. 
     In some embodiments, provided is a livestock blower system that includes a housing having one or more air inlets, a first blower chamber, a second blower chamber, a plenum to receive air from the first and second blower chambers, and an air outlet for the expulsion of air from the plenum onto livestock during use. 
     In some embodiments, provided is a livestock blower system that includes a housing having one or more air inlets, a first blower chamber, a second blower chamber, a plenum configured to receive air from the first and second blower chambers, and an air outlet that provides for the expulsion of air from the plenum onto livestock during use, a first blower assembly disposed inside the first blower chamber, and a second blower assembly disposed inside the second blower chamber. The first blower chamber includes a first elongated chamber and the second blower chamber includes a second elongated chamber. The first and second elongated chambers are disposed adjacent one another in a side-by-side configuration, and the first and second blower assemblies receive air via the one or more air inlets and expel air via the plenum and the air outlet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art with the benefit of the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram that illustrates a perspective view of a livestock blower system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique; 
         FIG. 1B  is a diagram that illustrates a side view of the livestock blower system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique; 
         FIG. 1C  is a diagram that illustrates a top view of the livestock blower system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique; 
         FIG. 2A  is a diagram that illustrates a top-cross-sectioned view taken across line  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 1B  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique; 
         FIG. 2B  is a diagram that illustrates a side-cross-sectioned view taken across line  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 1C  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique; 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are diagrams that illustrate end-views of alternate arrangements of chambers of the blower system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique; 
         FIG. 4A  is a diagram that depicts a side view of a cartridge assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique; 
         FIG. 4B  is a diagram that depicts an end view of a seating section of the cartridge assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique; 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic diagram that illustrates the blower system including a valve in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique; 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic diagram that illustrates air flow from the valve to multiple chambers in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique; and 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram that illustrates a perspective view of the livestock blower system including an attachment in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The drawings may not be to scale. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     As discussed in more detail below, certain embodiments of the present technique include a livestock blower system. In some embodiments, a livestock blower system includes a multi-chamber design. In certain embodiments, multiple chambers of the livestock blower system each includes one or more blower assemblies and/or heaters that pressurize and heat air flowing there through. In some embodiments, the chambers and blower assemblies are arranged to pressurize and heat streams of air in parallel. In certain embodiments, multiple chambers are provided adjacent one another in a side-by-side relationship. In some embodiments, streams of air pressurized and heated in parallel converge prior to being expelled from an outlet of the livestock blower system. In certain embodiments, streams of air expelled from the chambers are provided to a plenum, in which the steams of air mix and equalize in pressure and temperature before being expelled via an outlet of the livestock blower system. In some embodiments, the outlet includes a single aperture such that the pressurized and heated air of the multiple streams combine into a single stream of pressurized and/or heated air that is expelled from the livestock blower system via the single aperture. In some embodiments, a hose and/or nozzle is coupled to the outlet and may be used to direct air to livestock during use. In certain embodiments, a valve is provided to selectively redirect air back into one or more of the chambers for recirculation during use. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C are diagrams that illustrate a perspective view, side view and top view, respectively, of a livestock blower system (blower system)  100  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique.  FIG. 2A  is a diagram that illustrates a top-cross-sectioned view taken across line  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 1B  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique.  FIG. 2B  is a diagram that illustrates a side-cross-sectioned view taken across line  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 1C  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique. 
     In some embodiments, blower system  100  includes a housing  102 . Housing  102  may include one or more air inlets  104 , one or more chambers  106 , one or more plenums  108 , and one or more air outlets  110 . During use, air may be drawn into chambers  106  via inlets  104 , the air may be pressurized and heated in parallel via blower assemblies located in the chambers  106 , streams of the air may then be expelled from chambers  106  into plenum  108  where the steams of air mix before being expelled via outlet  110 . In some embodiments, such a multi-chamber configuration may help to heat a greater volume of air to a high temperature quickly and efficiently. 
     Housing  102  may include a rigid structure that provides for the enclosure of various components of blower system  100 . Housing  102  may be formed of metals, plastics, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, housing  102  is at least partially formed of stainless steel and/or aluminum. Aluminum may provide a lightweight, sturdy, and economical housing material. Aluminum may also resonant less sound from housing  102 . 
     Housing  102  may include additional features such as a handle  112 , end-caps  114 , and base/feet  116 . In some embodiments, a user may simply grasp handle  112  to provide for lifting or generally maneuvering of blower system  102 . In some embodiments, handle  112  may include or be provided in combination with straps that enable blower system  100  to be carried like a backpack. 
     In some embodiments, end-caps  114  and or plenum  108  may be removable to provide for simplified access to an interior of housing  105  and chambers  106 . For example, a user may simply slide-off end-cap  114  and/or plenum  108  to access an interior of chambers  106  for maintenance and/or repair of blower assemblies located within chambers  106 . When maintenance and/or repair has been completed, the user may simply slide-on end-cap  114  and/or plenum  108 . A removable end-cap  114  and/or plenum  108  may be removed without the need for special tools and/or significant disassembly of housing  102 . For example, a user may unscrew or slide-off end-cap  114  and/or plenum  108  without the use of tools, or may simply loosen fasteners (e.g., screws) holding end-cap  114  and/or plenum  108  in place (e.g., using a screwdriver), but may not have to perform significant disassembly of housing  102 , such as forcefully separating portions of housing  102  intended to remain fixedly joined to one another. A gasket or other sealing device may be used to inhibit air leakage between end-cap  114  and/or plenum  108  and housing  102 . In some embodiments, end-cap  114  and/or plenum  108  is formed integral with housing  102 , and may not be removable. For example, end-cap  114  and/or plenum  108  may be bonded to chambers  106  via welding or an adhesive. 
     In some embodiments, base/feet  116  may provide for supporting housing  102  against a supporting surface, such as a floor of stall lined with dirt, straw, and similar debris that can be sucked into blower system  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, base/feet  116  include a plate that extends from a lower side of chambers  106  of housing  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the plate extends to about the same distance as the lower portion of plenum  108 , such that blower system  100  may rest on the plate and plenum  108 , thereby eliminating the need for additional base/feet  116  at or near plenum  108 . In some embodiments, any variety and number of base/feet  116  may be provided. For example, an additional plate or feet may be provided in a mid-section or front end of chamber  106 , proximate or at plenum  108 . 
     In some embodiments, chambers  106  include elongated chambers. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, chambers  106  each include elongated cylindrical tubes. In some embodiments, chambers  106  may include any cross-sectional shape desired, including but not limited to circular, elliptical, rectangular, square and triangular. In some embodiments, chambers  106  are disposed in a side-by-side relationship with one another. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, chambers  106  includes cylindrical tubes arranged adjacent one another in a side-by-side relationship such that the longitudinal axis of each of chambers  106  is offset from and substantially parallel with one another. In some embodiments, chambers  106  may be coupled to one another via a member  118  extending there between. For example, member  118  may include a plate and/or one or more struts that rigidly couple chambers  106  to one another. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the chambers may be angled (e.g., oblique) to one another. Although the illustrated embodiment depicts two chambers  106 , other embodiments may include any number of chambers. For example, embodiments of blower system  100  may include three or more chambers  106 . In some embodiments, additional chambers may be provided in a side-by-side relationship with other chambers such that the longitudinal axes of the chambers reside on the same plane. For example, three or more chambers may be provided in a side-by-side relationship as depicted by an end-view of chambers of blower system  100  provided in  FIG. 3A  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique. In some embodiments, additional chambers may be provided in a stacked relationship such that the longitudinal axes of one or more of the chambers do not reside on the same plane with the longitudinal axes of two or more of the other chambers. For example, three or more chambers may be stacked in a triangular configuration as depicted in  FIG. 3B  or four or more chambers may be stacked atop one another in a rectangular configuration as depicted in  FIG. 3C . 
     In some embodiments, air inlets  104  include one or more opening that allow for the passage of air into one or more of chambers  106 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, blower system  100  includes two air inlets  104  located on an exterior surface of chambers  106 . In some embodiments, air inlets  104  may include separate conduits for routing air into chambers  106 . For example, in some embodiments, inlet  104  located on the surface of the left chamber  106  may define a channel/conduit that is separate from a channel/conduit defined by air inlet  104  located on the surface of the right chamber  106 . In such an embodiment, each of the air inlets  104  may provide for the routing of air to a respective chamber inlet  120  (See  FIG. 2B ) of chambers  106 . Chamber inlet  120  may include an opening in housing  102  and/or wall of chamber  106  that enables the passage of air into chamber  106 . In some embodiments, air inlet  104  may include a common conduit for routing air into multiple chambers  106 . For example, in some embodiments, a single inlet  104  located on the surface of chambers  106  may include a single-shared channel/conduit located on the surface of the right and/or left chambers  106 . In such an embodiment, each of the common/shared air inlets  104  may provide for the routing of air to chamber inlets  120  of both chambers  106 . Thus, a single air inlet  104  may be provided to route air to multiple chambers  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, air inlets  104  each include a crescent shape. Inlets  104  may include any cross-sectional shape desired, including but not limited to circular, elliptical, rectangular, square and triangular. 
     In some embodiments, air inlets  104  may be located on an upper/top surface of housing  102 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, intakes  104  are located above a horizontal midline of housing  102 . In some embodiments, the upper/top surface of housing  102  may be defined as opposite a portion of housing  102  that includes base/foot  116 . In some embodiments, air inlet  104  may be located on an uppermost surface of housing  102 . In certain embodiments, air inlet  104  is located distal or away from ends of housing  102 . For example, an open end of air inlet  104  may be proximate a longitudinally central region of housing  102 . In some embodiments, air inlet  104  maybe located at a laterally central region of housing  102 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a majority of each of air inlets  104  is located in a between vertical midlines of each of chambers  106  in a depression located between chambers  106  such that substantially all of air inlets  104  are located proximate a laterally central region of housing  102 . Such embodiments, having air inlets  104  located on an upper/top surface of housing  102  and/or in or near a central region of housing  102  may help to prevent debris or other contaminates from being drawn into blower system  100  via air inlets  104 . For example, when base/foot  116  of blower system  100  is placed on a supporting surface (e.g., a floor), air inlets  104  may be disposed away from the supporting surface and be blocked from a direct path (e.g., a line of sight) to the supporting surface by housing  102  such that debris or other contaminates are less likely to be drawn into air inlets  104 , thereby helping to reduce the amount of dust or other particles entering blower system  100 . Dust and other particles may foul blower system  100 . For example, dust and other particles may block or clog motors, fans, heaters, filtering systems, air inlets, and/or air outlets. 
     Air outlet  110  may include one or more openings, channels, nozzles or other conduit for directing out of housing  102  and/or focusing air towards livestock. Air outlet  110  may include an opening having any cross-sectional shape desired, including but not limited to circular, elliptical, rectangular, square and triangular. In the illustrated embodiment, air outlet  110  includes a cylindrical shaped conduit extending from plenum  108 . Air outlet  110  may include a conical shape, frusto-conical shape, cylindrical shape, or the like. In certain embodiments, air outlet  110  may include a nozzle or have a nozzle coupled thereto. In some embodiments, air outlet  110  may be coupled to or formed integrally with plenum  108 . 
     In certain embodiments, a cross-sectional area of outlet  110  is smaller than or approximately the same as a cross-sectional area of air inlet(s)  104 . Air outlet  110  having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of air inlet  104  may increase the pressure or velocity of air expelled from air outlet  110 . Increasing the pressure or velocity of air expelled from blower system  100  may reduce livestock drying times and/or increase volume added to livestock hair. In certain embodiments, the cross-sectional area of outlet  110  is about or less than about 30%, 50%, 60%, 75%, 90%, or 95% of the cross-sectional area of inlet  104 . 
     In some embodiments, blower system  100  may include a filter system  122 . Filter system  122  may be coupled to air inlets  104  and/or air outlet  110 . In certain embodiments, filter system  122  includes a filter  124  and/or a muffler  126 . Filter system  122  may inhibit passage of debris or other particles through blower system  100 . In certain embodiments, filter system  122  inhibits particles greater than a predetermined size from passing into and/or through blower system  100 . Filtering particles may inhibit or reduce the potential for damage to blower system  100  by filtering particles that may otherwise foul and/or damage components of blower system  100 . In certain embodiments, filter  124  includes fiberglass, paper, plastics, metals such as stainless steel or aluminum, a fine mesh material, a multilayer filter and/or a High Efficiency Particulate Air filter (a “HEPA filter”). 
     In some embodiments, muffler  126  may reduce or inhibit sound from exiting blower system  100  and/or reduce the sound of operating blower system  100 . In some embodiments, muffler  126  may dampen, absorb, and/or destroy sound waves generated within blower system  100 . In some embodiments, muffler  126  may be designed such that opposite moving sound waves are likely to collide and cancel each other out. For example, muffler  126  may include a resonating chamber. In certain embodiments, muffler  126  includes baffles that reduce sound emitted from blower system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, chambers  106  each include a blower assembly  130  disposed therein. Blower assemblies  130  may include one or more fans  132  and/or one or more motors  134 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each of blower assemblies  130  includes two fan assemblies  136 , each including a fan  132  and motor  134 . Motor  134  may include an electric or other type of motor that drives/actuates fan  132  coupled thereto. In certain embodiments, motors  140  are thru-flow discharge motors. For example, motors  140  may be Ametek® Lamb Electric (Kent, Ohio) model no. 115923. 
     Blower assemblies  130  may produce or assist in producing a air flow through blower system  100 . For example, fan assemblies  136  may compress or pressurize air as it passes through fans  132 . Compressing the air may increase the temperature of the air passing through the fan, thereby heating the air. In some embodiments, operation of fans  132  and/or motors  134  may produce heat, thereby heating the air as it passes through fan assemblies  136 . In some embodiments, the air may be heated as a result of compressing the air and/or the heat produced by fans  132  and/or motors  134 . In some embodiments, a heater  138  may be provided to assist in heating the air. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, blower assemblies  130  include a heater  138  located downstream of each of fan assemblies  136 . Heaters  138  may include an electric resistance heater or the like. Any number of heaters  138  may be provided. In some embodiments, the air may be heated without the use of a heater or heating element. For example, blower system  100  may not include any of heaters  138 . In such an embodiment, the air may be heated only or at least substantially by compressing the air and/or the heat produced by fans  132  and/or motors  134 . Such an embodiment may be particularly beneficial as no additional heating elements may be required, thereby reducing the complexity of blower system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, fan assemblies  136  are provided in series or parallel. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each of chambers  106  includes two fan assemblies  136  arranged in series along a length of chamber  106  such that air passes through the two fans  132  of each fan assembly  136  sequentially, one after the other. 
     Operation of fans assemblies  136  may generate airflow through blower system  100 . For example, during operation, air from the surrounding atmosphere or another air source may be drawn into and through inlet  104  (as depicted by arrow  140  of  FIG. 2B ) and chamber opening  120  (as depicted by arrow  142 ), pass through fans  132  within chambers  106 , and may be expelled from housing  102  via outlet  110  (as depicted by arrows  144 ). In some embodiments, streams of air from two or more chambers  106  are routed into plenum  108 . The steams of air may mix and equalize in pressure and/or temperature within plenum  108  before being expelled via outlet  110  of blower system  100 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 2A , a first air stream  150   a  that is routed through a blower assembly  130  of one of chambers  106  and a first inlet  108   a  of plenum  108 , and a second air stream  150   b  that is routed in parallel through another blower assembly  130  of another one of chambers  106  and a second inlet  108   b  of plenum  108  are routed into an interior space  152  defined by plenum  108 . Within interior space  152 , air streams  150   a  and  150   b  may mix with one another, thereby equalizing in pressure and/or temperature within plenum  108  to form a single-combined air stream  150  that is expelled via a plenum outlet  108   c  to outlet  110 . Interior space  152  may include a variety of shapes and configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, interior space  152  includes a pyramidal shaped volume defined by a pyramidal shape of plenum  108 . Other shapes may include, but are not limited to, triangular, rectangular, cubic, hemispherical, and conical. In some embodiments, each of air streams  150   a  and  150   b  may originate from one of inlets  104  and pass through separate chamber openings  120  of chambers  106 . 
     In some embodiments, blower system  100  may include an insulated region, such as insulation  160  disposed on or near interior walls/surfaces of housing  102 . Insulation  160  may inhibit heat loss, thereby retaining heat to facilitate heat transfer to air (e.g., air streams  150 ,  150   a  and  150   b ) proximate insulation  160 . In some embodiments, insulation  160  may include natural materials, synthetic materials, or combinations thereof. Insulation  160  may include petrochemical products or byproducts, plastic, metal, fibers such as wool, cellulose, fiberglass and/or synthetic fibers (such as plastic fibers or recycled plastic fibers), and/or ceramic material. In certain embodiments, insulation  160  may include a coating disposed on surfaces of blower system  100 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , blower system  100  may include an insulation  160  disposed on interior walls of outlet  110 , plenum  108 , and/or chamber  106 . In some embodiments, insulation  160  may be provided only on portions of housing  102  downstream of fan assemblies  136  and/or heaters  138 . Such embodiments may inhibit loss of heat from air streams  150 ,  150   a  and  150   b  after they have been heated and prior to being expelled via outlet  110 . In some embodiments, insulation  160  may be provided on portions of housing  102  upstream, adjacent, and/or downstream of fan assemblies  136  and/or heaters  138 . For example, insulation  160  may be provided on all or substantially all of interior surfaces of housing  102  (e.g., insulation  160  disposed on interior walls of outlet  110 , plenum  108 , chamber  106  and end-cap  114 ). Such embodiments may inhibit loss of heat from air streams  150 ,  150   a  and  150   b  before and after they have been heated, and prior to being expelled via outlet  110 . Such embodiments may be particularly beneficial where heated air is recirculated for additional heating. In certain embodiments, insulation  160  may reduce or eliminate the need for a heater within the blower system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, blower assemblies  130  may be provided as part of a cartridge assembly  170 . Cartridge assembly  170  may be removable as a single unit from within housing  102 , thereby simplifying inspection and maintenance of components of blower system  100 .  FIG. 4A  depicts a side view of a cartridge assembly  170  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique. In the illustrated embodiment cartridge assembly  170  includes fans  132  and motors  134  coupled to a cartridge frame  172 . Fans  132 , motors  134  and heaters  138  may be coupled to cartridge frame  172  such that they can be manipulated as a single unit. Cartridge frame  172  may be designed to couple to and house any number of fans  132 , motors  134 , heaters  138  or other components of blower system  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, two single units of fans  132  and motors  134  are coupled to cartridge frame  172 . 
     In some embodiments, cartridge frame  172  may have one or more seating sections  174  to provide for seating and retention of fans  132 , motors  134  and/or heaters  138  within cartridge frame  172 . Struts  176  or other connection members may couple together seating sections  174  of cartridge frame  172 . In certain embodiments, struts  176  are welded, brazed or otherwise bonded to seating sections  174  to couple them together. 
       FIG. 4B  depicts an end view of a seating section  174  of the cartridge assembly  170  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique. Seating section  174  may have an opening  178  sized such that motor  134  may pass through the opening and fan  132  seats against wall  180  of seating section  174  surrounding opening  178 . Fan  132  and motor  134  may be coupled to (e.g., mounted to) seating section  174  of cartridge frame  172  by fastening fan  132  and motor  134  to seating section  174 . For example, screws or other fasteners may mount fan  132  and motor  134  to cartridge assembly frame  172  using openings  182 . Cartridge assembly  155  may have other openings and or passages for allowing wiring associated with fans  132  and motors  134  to pass through or out of the cartridge assembly. Fan  132  and/or motor  134  may seat against the walls of cartridge frame  172  such that little or no air leaks around fan  132  and motor  134 . Inhibiting air leaks around fan  132  and motor  134  inhibits air recirculation within cartridge assembly  170  that may cause a reduction in velocity or power of air exiting the blower system  100 . 
     Cartridge assembly  170 , with fans  132 , motors  134  and/or heaters  138  coupled to cartridge frame  172 , may be mounted in housing  102 , as depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B . In certain embodiments, cartridge assembly  170  is placed in and secured within housing  102  using screws or other fasteners. For example, cartridge assemblies  170  may slide into chambers  106  of housing  102  through open ends of housing  102  that are exposed when end-caps  114  are removed. Cartridge assembly  170  may be and fastened to chambers  106  of housing  102  using screws coupled to the walls of chambers  106 . In certain embodiments, end-caps  114  and or plenum  108  may be removed to allow cartridge assemblies  170  to be inserted and/or removed from housing  102  as a single unit. 
     In certain embodiments, a sealing material is used to create a seal between the outer walls of cartridge assembly  170  and the inside walls of chambers  106  of housing  102 . In certain embodiments, a gasket or o-ring is provided to create a seal between cartridge assembly  170  and the inside walls of chambers  106  of housing  102 . The gasket may include, for example, a silicone gasket. In some embodiments, a silicone bead or a bead of another suitable material is placed between the outer walls of cartridge assembly  170  and the inside walls of chambers  106  of housing  102  to create a seal. The seal between the outer walls of cartridge assembly  170  and the inside walls of chambers  106  of housing  102  inhibits air recirculation inside chambers  106  of housing  102 . Air recirculation inside chambers  106  of housing  102  may cause a reduction in velocity or power of air exiting the blower system. The seal may be broken during use (e.g., maintenance) to remove cartridge assembly  170  from housing  102 . Upon re-insertion of cartridge assembly  170  or insertion of a new cartridge assembly, a new seal may be made between the newly inserted cartridge assembly and the inside walls of chambers  106  of housing  102 . 
     Mounting motors  132 , fans  134  and/or heaters  138  in housing  102  as part of a single unit cartridge assembly  170  allows simple removal and/or replacement of fans  132 , motors  134  and/or heaters  138 . For example, cartridge assembly  170  may be removed from housing  102  and a new cartridge assembly placed in the housing with one or more new motors, fans and/or heaters coupled to the new cartridge assembly. Fans  132 , motors  134  and/or heaters  138  on the removed cartridge assembly  170  may be replaced with new motors, fans and/or heaters and cartridge assembly  170  may be placed back in housing  102 . 
     In some embodiments, blower system  100  includes an airflow path that includes a turn within housing  102 . Turning and/or deflecting the air may increase the velocity with which the flow of air travels through housing  102 . Increasing the velocity of air within housing  102  may increase the velocity and/or power of air expelled from air outlet  110 . In some embodiments, the air flow path turns within housing  102 . In certain embodiments, the air flow may turn at least approximately 90 degrees, at least approximately 180 degrees, or at least approximately 270 degrees in direction prior to passing through blower assemblies  130 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, an air stream enters inlet  104  in a first direction (depicted by arrow  140 ), the air stream turns approximately 90 degrees as it is deflected by an enclosed end of inlet  104 , passes through chamber inlet  142  and is deflected by a curved internal surface of end-cap  114  and walls of chamber  106  by an additional approximately 90 degrees (as depicted by arrow  142 ) prior to entering blower assemblies  136 . 
     In some embodiments, blower system  100  includes a valve  200  to selectively control and/or direct the flow of air exiting blower system  100 .  FIG. 5A  is a schematic diagram that illustrates blower system  100  including a valve  200  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique. In some embodiments, valve  200  is coupled to outlet  110 . Valve may include an attachment coupled to outlet  110  or may include an integral component of valve  110 . In some embodiments, valve  200  may be provided internal to plenum  108 . In some embodiments, valve  200  may direct airflow for recirculation air within blower system  100 . Recirculation of airflow may include routing air that has passed through blower assemblies  130  to a location upstream of one or more of blower assemblies  130  such that the air may be further compressed and/or heated via another pass through bower assemblies  130 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, valve  200  includes a valve air inlet  202  that includes a conduit communicatively coupled to outlet  110 , a first valve air outlet  204  that includes a conduit for expelling air from blower system  100 , a second valve air outlet  206  that includes a conduit for recirculating air back into blower system  100 , and a valve mechanism  208  for regulating the amount of air passing through valve air inlet  202  that is routed to each of first and second valve outlets  204  and  206 . In some embodiments, valve  200  may be adjustable such that none, some or all of the air passing through valve air inlet  202  is routed to one or the other of first and second valve outlets  204  and  206 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, valve mechanism  208  is positioned such that some of air passing through outlet  110  (depicted by arrow  209 ) exits blower system  100  (as depicted by arrow  210 ), and that some of air passing through outlet  110  (depicted by arrow  209 ) is recirculated to blower system  100  (as depicted by arrow  212 ). Where all or substantially all of the air passing through valve air inlet  202  is routed to first valve outlet  204 , all or substantially all of the air may be routed to exit blower system  100 . Where all or substantially all of the air passing through valve air inlet  202  is routed to second valve outlet  206 , all or substantially all of the air may be recirculated within blower system  100 . Valve  200  may be adjustable such that a user may select how much air (e.g., 0%-100%) exits blower system  100  or is recirculated into blower system  100 . For example, a user may adjust a slider or dial to adjust valve mechanism  208 . 
     In some embodiments, first valve outlet  204  may be coupled to a hose, nozzle, or similar conduit for directing air flow to livestock for grooming. In some embodiments, second valve outlet  206  may be coupled to a bypass conduit  214  for redirecting the air for recirculation within blower system  100 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, bypass conduit  214  directs the air into air inlet  104  (as depicted by arrow  216 ) for recirculation within blower system  100 . In some embodiments, bypass conduit  214  may direct air direct the air directly into chamber  106  (as depicted by arrow  218 ) via a recirculation inlet  210  (depicted in dashed lines) for recirculation within blower system  100 . Blower system  100  may employ one or both of bypass conduit  214  directing air into inlet  104  and/or directly into chamber  106  via one or more recirculation inlets  210 . 
     Although the illustration of  FIG. 5A  is indicative of recirculation into one of chambers  106 , it will be appreciated that the same or similar technique may be employed for a plurality of chambers  106  of blower system  100 .  FIG. 5B  is a schematic diagram that illustrates air flow from valve  200  to multiple chambers  106  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique. In some embodiments, one or more valves  200  may be used to recirculate air to two or more chambers  106 , upstream of one or more blower assemblies  130 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5B , valve  200  may direct air into bypass conduit  214  which routes the air to chambers  106  upstream of blower assemblies  130  via conduits  214   a  and  214   b . Conduits  214   a  and  214   b  may direct air into air into inlets  104  of chambers  106  and/or directly into chamber  106  via one or more recirculation inlets  210 , as described above with regard to  FIG. 5A . 
     Recirculating air into the blower system  100  may heat the air faster and/or to higher temperatures above ambient due to the air being repetitively and continually heated by system  100 . Heating the air faster and/or to higher temperatures above ambient may be useful in colder climates where the ambient air temperature is low. Higher air temperatures may be more soothing and/or more comfortable for the livestock. After the air has been heated to a desired temperature by recirculating the air, valve  200  may be actuate to an opened/non-recirculate position to allow air (or more air) to exit blower system  100 . For example, after the air is heated to the desired temperature with valve  200  in a closed/recirculate position, air for heating or grooming livestock may be provided through valve air outlet  204 . In some embodiments, at least some air is continually recirculated to maintain desired air temperatures of air exiting valve air outlet  204 . In some embodiments, the amount of air exiting valve air outlet  204  is controlled to provide a selected amount of air output from blower system  100 . For example, the amount of air exiting valve air outlet  204  may be controlled by manipulating valve mechanism  208  to limit the pressure of air exiting system  100 . Limiting the air output may help to prevent spooking livestock. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram that illustrates a perspective view of livestock blower system  100  including an attachment  220  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technique. In the illustrated embodiment attachment  220  includes a flexible hose  224  having a nozzle  226  attached thereto. In some embodiments, an inlet of hose  224  may be coupled to outlet  110  and/or valve air outlet  204 . In some embodiments, an inlet of nozzle  226  may be coupled to an outlet of hose  224  or may be directly coupled to outlet  110  and/or valve air outlet  204 . In some embodiments, nozzle  226  may include various types and shapes to provide a desired airflow. In some embodiments, nozzle  226  may include features such as those disclosed and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/756,688 by Howard G. Denison and Henry M. Craig, III filed on Jun. 1, 2007 which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. For example, in some embodiments, blower system  100  may include other features, such as those disclosed and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/756,688 by Howard G. Denison and Henry M. Craig, III filed on Jun. 1, 2007 which are hereby incorporated by reference. For example, blower system  100  may include straps that enable blower system  100  to be carried like a backpack, legs, wheels, a cart, a nozzle having a wide narrow opening, a hollow palate nozzle for creating a whirlpool effect, an electrical supply box and/or wiring the same as or similar to that discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/756,688. 
     Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as examples of embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed or omitted, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims. Furthermore, note that the word “may” is used throughout this application in a permissive sense (i.e., having the potential to, being able to), not a mandatory sense (i.e., must). The term “include”, and derivations thereof, mean “including, but not limited to”. As used throughout this application, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a chamber” may include a combination of two or more chambers. The term “coupled” means “directly or indirectly connected”. 
     In this patent, certain U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other materials (e.g., articles) have been incorporated by reference. The text of such U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other materials is, however, only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such text and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, then any such conflicting text in such incorporated by reference U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other materials is specifically not incorporated by reference in this patent.