GB2329953A

GB2329953A - Watering slope neutraliser

Info

Publication number: GB2329953A
Application number: GB9820972A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy A Baldridge; Keith A Sheets
Original assignee: ZIGGITY SYSTEMS Inc
Current assignee: ZIGGITY SYSTEMS Inc
Priority date: 1997-09-30
Filing date: 1998-09-25
Publication date: 1999-04-07
Also published as: NL1010211C2; IL126348A0; DE19845425A1; NL1010211A1; CN1214199A; GB9820972D0; ITMI982101A1; IT1302567B1; TR199801960A2; TR199801960A3; ES2163346A1; ES2163346B1

Abstract

A poultry watering system is provided which has a, series of pressure neutralizing chambers disposed at spaced intervals along the fluid conduits inside of a poultryhouse in order to maintain a preselected fluid pressure range. Each chamber includes at least one gravity-biased ball valve 50 with a gradually increasing valve outlet orifice. Weighting elements 60 may also be disposed to further bias the ball valves toward upstream closure. The ball elements of each valve are selected to be rotatable in response to fluid flow past it so as to create localized turbulence to break up debris entrained in the fluid. Preferably, a plurality of ball valves in parallel are disposed within each chamber. Also, each ball valve is advantageously configured such that greater pressure is required to open the valve than to keep it open.

Description

SLOPE NEUTRALIZER FOR POULTRY WATERING SYSTEMS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to pressure regulation of fluid flow systems and, more particularly, to maintenance of a preselected fluid pressure in poultry watering systems regardless of horizontal slope in the environment.

Poultry watering systems are well known in the agricultural industry and are described in numerous prior patents. In general, they are used to supply water, including, on occasion, medicines and nutrients dissolved therein, to poultry in both cage growing systems and floor growing systems. Poultry watering systems typically include fluid conduits extending along substantially the entire interior length of a poultry house.

Individual drinkers, such as the nipple drinkers shown in U.S. Patents 4,637,345 and 5,193,485, are attached to the fluid conduits to allow poultry to have access to water on demand. These conduits are connected to a source of fluid under pressure.

It is often necessary to carefully regulate the pressure of fluid in the conduits in order to reduce leakage and ensure efficient operation of the nipple drinkers. Moreover, the fluid pressures usually employed in poultry houses tend to be relatively low, on the order of a few inches of water pressure head. Such low pressures have been known to cause valves and fluid system components to exhibit different functional characteristics than at more common, higher pressures. It has previously been suggested to mount fluid pressure regulators between the conduits and the exterior fluid supply in order to reduce the fluid pressure applied to the conduits and to compensate for variations in the fluid supply pressure. One example of such a fluid pressure regulator is shown in U.S. Patent 4,344,4567 assigned to the Assignee of the present application.

However, within the poultry house itself, and particularly with floor systems for raising poultry, fluid pressure variations within the conduits can arise downstream from these pressure regulators. In part, such variations can occur where there is an appreciable slope in the floor of the poultry house. With houses build on uneven terrain such a slope is not uncommon. Keeping in mind that poultry houses can typically extend for several hundred feet in length, even a slight angle of slope in the floor can result in a fluid pressure change of several feet over the length of the poultry house. In other, non-analogous fluid systems, fluid pressure variations of a few feet would be hardly noticeable. In poultry houses, however, that kind of excess pressure can create adverse conditions, such as by forcing fluid up and out the standpipes toward one end of the line, thereby causing floor spillage, and/or interfering with proper functioning of the nipple drinkers, thereby causing them to be too hard to actuate or provide too much fluid when actuated. Those conditions have a detrimental impact on the production of poultry.

Other pressure variations can arise because of variations in the fluid flow rate. At different times, such as when feeding or on a hot day, the poultry in the house may consume tremendous quantities of water through the nipple drinkers. Between feeding times and in cool weather, however, the flow rate through the conduits to the nipple drinkers may be far less.

As a general matter, it has been found to be desirable to maintain the fluid pressure within the conduits at a near constant level, such as at about 4 inches of pressure, over the entire length of the conduits regardless house slope or fluid flow rates. Various prior devices have been attached to the conduits to attempt to achieve that pressure condition. For example, it has been suggested to mount fluid pressure regulators of the type described above at spaced intervals along each conduit downstream from the fluid supply pressure regulator. However, while such pressure regulators will provide proper sealing at low or zero flow rates, they may require individual adjustment as pressure levels change and during flushing operations between flocks. Given the length of the conduits and number of pressure regulators so used in a given house, such adjustment can be a time consuming task. Further, such fluid regulators tend to be more expensive and complex to assemble and maintain than would be preferred.

As an alternative, it has been suggested to mount a series of spring biased check valves at spaced intervals along each conduit. For example, plunger-like valves have been so used which include a spring horizontally aligned with the flow of fluid and disposed to urge a valve member to upstream closure against a compressible rubber-like valve seat. Such valves can, if the springs maintain a constant compression force, automatically adjust the fluid pressure by variable compression of the biasing spring in each valve. However, it has been found that such valves have a tendency to leak at low flow rates or zero flow. Even slow leaks add up significantly over the length of the line. Thus, the fluid pressure would not be maintained at the desired level. One reason for such leakage appears to be that springs employed to bias the valves must be weak enough to allow the valve to remain open upon fluid flow demand, on the order of 4 inches of fluid pressure, for example, but at the same time then are too weak to force the valve member to sufficiently compresses the valve seat when there is no fluid flow. Substituting stronger springs to obtain better zero flow sealing, however, would make the valve member less responsive to changes in fluid pressure to open the valve. Moreover, such valves are susceptible to jamming and clogging from debris entrained in the fluid supply and flowing through the conduits.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide an improved poultry watering system. Other objects include the provision of a. a reliable method of automatically neutralizing the pressure implied to a poultry watering system by floor slope in a poultry house, b. an inexpensive fluid pressure compensating device which functions over a range of fluid flow rates, including zero flow rate, c. a pressure regulating device for poultry watering systems that is not prone to leakage at low or zero flow rates, d. a pressure reducing mechanism that automatically adjusts for changes in input fluid pressure and velocity in order to maintain a predetermined range of downstream fluid pressure, and e. a pressure reducing mechanism that is less susceptible to debris entrained in the fluid flow.

These and other objects of the present invention are attained in a poultry watering system having a series of pressure neutralizing chambers, each with at least one vertical, weight biased check valve, disposed at spaced intervals along the fluid conduits in order to maintain fluid pressure within a preselected range. Each such check valve includes a tapered or gradually increasing valve outlet orifice. Weighting elements maybe disposed to further bias the ball valves toward upstream closure. The ball elements of each valve are selected to be rotatable in response to fluid flow past it so as to create localized turbulence to break up debris entrained in the fluid. Preferably, a plurality of ball valves in parallel are disposed within each chamber. Also, each ball valve is advantageously configured such that greater pressure is required to open the valve than to keep it open.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become readily apparent to those of skill in this art upon consideration of the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows schematically a portion of a poultry watering system employing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged side exploded assembly view of a pressure neutralizing chamber according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of the assembled pressure neutralizing chamber of Fig. 2, as taken along line 2-2.

Figure 4 shows a top view of the pressure neutralizing chamber of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 shows a downstream end view of the pressure neutralizing chamber of Fig. 3.

Figure 6 shows a further enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of the valve seat assembly of Fig. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 illustrates a poultry watering system 10 having, at least in part, a fluid conduit or supply line 1 2 leading from a source 1 3 of fluid under pressure. A Fluid pressure regulator 14, preferably of the type described in U.S. Patent 4,344,456 and manufactured by Ziggity Systems, Inc. of Middlebury, Indiana, is connected at its input to that line.

The output of regulator 14 is connected to a fluid conduit or supply line 1 6 leading to the poultry. Nipple drinkers 18 are disposed at spaced locations along supply line 1 6 in a conventional manner. A support pipe 20 is mounted to the poultry house via cables 22, and supply line 1 6 is secured to that pipe at preselected positions above the floor of the poultry house by brackets 24. These features are all conventional in nature.

Supply line 1 6 is formed from a series of conduit or pipe sections joined together to extend the interior length of the poultry house, generally along a longitudinal axis 28. In actual embodiments, a plurality of such supply lines would typically extend in spaced apart, parallel relation across the interior width of the poultry house. According to the present invention, pressure neutralizing chambers 30 join some of the sections of supply line 1 6 at preselected, spaced apart locations along that supply line. Those locations are selected according to the amount of slope pressure each such chamber has been designed to automatically neutralize.

Each chamber 30 has an inlet 32 connected to an upstream section of supply line 1 6 and an outlet 34 connected to a downstream section of supply line 1 6. At least one, and preferably two ball valve assemblies 36 are mounted in each chamber 30. These assemblies are, for example, disposed vertically and in parallel relation to each other such that valve inlets 38 of each assembly are directing fluid flow generally radially outward and upward from axis 28 into the valve assembly. Each valve assembly 36 includes a seat element 40 and ball element 50 and, if desired in certain embodiments, weighting element 60. Chambers 30 each include a removable top member 70 which is securable to the chamber body 72 by conventional fasteners, such as threaded screws 73 through bosses 74. An 0-ring seal 76 is preferably mounted in a circumferential recess 78 between top member 70 and the chamber body 72. Chambers 30 are each preferably molded from plastic materials. n contrast, seat element 40, ball element 50 and weighting member 60 are preferably formed from metal materials, such as stainless steel. In embodiments where a four inch fluid pressure drop is to be maintained between each chamber, ball element 50 is preferably an approximately 7/1 6 inch diameter ball. Seat element 40 is, for example, formed from a metal ring or disc having a passageway there through about a longitudinal axis 42. Valve inlet 38 is through that passageway of seat element 40.

Preferably, seat element 40 is formed similarly to the valve seats of that nature used in nipper drinkers commercially available from Ziggity Systems, Inc.

Proceeding upward toward the other longitudinal end of and downstream within valve assembly 36, tapered orifice member 43 is mounted adjacent seat element 40. By so mounting, orifice member 43 may, for example, serve to positively locate and retain seat element 40 in addition to its principle function of compensating for fluid pressure variations, particularly as the valve is opened. Orifice member 43 is preferably formed as a generally hollow, cylindrical body oriented about longitudinal axis 42 and having a first truncated conical surface 44 inclined at an angle A with respect to axis 42. Adjacent surface 44, via step-back 45, and extending toward the outlet of valve assembly 36, orifice member 43 is formed with a second truncated conical surface 46 inclined at an angle B with respect to axis 42. Angle B is preferably greater than angle A. Surfaces 44 and 46 serve to create a gradually increasing orifice or fluid flow path from the seat element toward the outlet of the chamber 30. Orifice member 43 is shown in this embodiment to terminate with a generally horizontal end face 48 which closely abuts top member 70.

Ball element 50 is disposed within orifice member 43 to seal against seat element 40. The force of gravity urges it downward toward valve inlet 38. In those embodiments where an even greater pressure drop is desired through chamber 30 without changing the size of the chamber or its components, weighting member 60 is preferably disposed as a supplement over ball element 50 to additionally bias it by the force of gravity toward valve inlet 38 and into engagement with seat element 40.

In this manner ball element 50 benefits from the same biasing force of a significantly larger ball, but provided here in a more compact construction and standardized components. In especially preferred embodiments, weighting member 60 is formed as a generally disc-shaped element having a truncated conical cross-section. Weighting member 60 preferably includes inclined peripheral edges 62 and a central surface in dent or recess 64 on the lower side for receiving and locating ball element 50.

Ball element 50 and weighting member 60 are constructed so as to permit ball element 50 to spin or rotate as fluid flows through valve inlet 38 and around ball element 50.

In especially preferred embodiments, orifice member 43 is additionally formed with a plurality of slots 80 through its side wall.

These slots are, for example, V-shaped with inclined surfaces 82. Thus, fluid is guided by orifice member 43 to recess 84 of chamber 30 either through slots 80 or past end face 48 if end face 48 is not in contact with top member 70. In the latter regard, the fluid flow path is again altered, this time to be substantially orthogonal to axis 42. From recess 84, fluid is permitted to flow through restriction 86 to outlet 34.

Visual indication of the pressure level obtained through chamber 30 is provided by a standpipe tube 88 of clear plastic extending from connecting tube 89 of top member 70. A float ball can be disposed in tube 88 in a conventional manner to measurably illustrate the fluid level.

Top member 70 is also preferably formed with a cradle region 90 to mating receive a portion of support pipe 20 and positively locate chamber 30 with respect to the support pipe.

In operation, the biasing force exerted by weight upon ball element 50 tends to automatically offset the increased pressure within supply line 1 6 caused by a typical floor slope in a poultry house to a predeterminable degree. The gradually increasing opening of the orifice member created by surfaces 44, 46 and 82 tend to compensate for variations in fluid pressure caused by greater fluid flow rates in periods of high fluid demand and compensate for any significant initial pressure spike upon opening of the valve. When the flow rate is zero, ball element 50 seats against seat element 40 to close the flow of fluid. After that closure, the reduced surface area of the valve elements to the upstream fluid pressure results in the need for greater pressure to be exerted upon ball element 50 to reopen it than to maintain it in an open position when there is a positive flow rate.

Thus, a reliable seal against fluid leakage through chamber 30 can be obtained. In addition, rotation of ball element 50 caused by fluid flow tends to break up debris entrained within the fluid, apparently as a result of localized turbulence.

Although these embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the same is by way of illustration and example only. Those skilled in the art will now recognize that various modifications can be readily made to produce other embodiments of this invention. For example, if material characteristics optimization is not critical, seat element 40 and orifice member 43 can be integrated into a single element.

Also, where the configuration of weighting member 60 extends more vertically than horizontally, step-back 54 may be removed. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention are limited only by the terms of the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for maintaining a predetermined fluid pressure level in a fluid line, comprising a valve means within the fluid line for automatically regulating fluid pressure within the fluid line in response to the slope of the fluid line and the flow rate of fluid through the line, including zero flow rate.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein additional means is provided within the valve means for breaking up debris carried by the fluid within the fluid line.

3. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the valve means is biased toward closure against fluid flow through the fluid line by gravity acting on the weight of the valve means and where supplemental weighting means is applied to the valve means to increase that biasing of gravity toward closure.

4. A fluid pressure control arrangement comprising: a chamber having a fluid receiving inlet and a fluid transmitting outlet, a ball valve assembly mounted within the chamber so as to control the pressure of fluid between the inlet and the outlet, the ball valve assembly having a ball element, a seat element and an orifice member, the seat element being formed for receiving the ball element and defining a sealing surface against which the ball element can seat, and the orifice member being formed for defining a gradually increasing orifice for fluid flow from the seat element to the outlet.

5. The arrangement of Claim 4 wherein the orifice member comprises a generally hollow, cylindrical body oriented about a longitudinal axis, the first portion being adjacent to the seat member and defining a first conical surface inclined at a first angle with respect to that axis and the second portion being downstream from the first portion and defining a second conical surface inclined at a second angle with respect to that axis, the first angle being less that the second angle.

6. The arrangement according to Claim 4 wherein a weighting member is mounted within the chamber with respect to ball element so as to urge the ball element toward the sealing element.

7. The arrangement according to Claim 6 wherein the chamber includes means for retaining the weighting member in a predetermined orientation with respect to the ball element and the weighting member includes an indent therein for receiving a portion of the ball element in such a manner as to allow the ball element to spin in response to the flow of fluid past the ball element.

8. The arrangement according to Claim 7 wherein the weighting means includes a periphery which is configured so as to maintain the gradually increasing configuration of the orifice.

9. The arrangement according to Claim 6 wherein the chamber includes a plurality of ball valve assemblies, as determined by the amount of pressure drop desired between the inlet and outlet.

10. A poultry watering system comprising a source of fluid, a fluid supply line, a pressure regulating device connected between the source and the supply line for regulating the fluid pressure supplied to the supply line in response to variations in fluid pressure from the source, and a plurality of drinker units connected to the supply line for supplying fluid to poultry in response to poultry demand for fluid, including also an apparatus connected to the supply line for automatically regulating the fluid pressure in the supply line in response to the slope of the supply line and the flow rate of fluid through the line, including at zero flow rate.

11. The system according to Claim 1 0 wherein the supply line includes a plurality of interconnected pipe segments and the apparatus for automatically regulating the fluid pressure in the supply line includes a series of separate, pressure reducing units, each of which are mounted between the pipe segments.

1 2. The system according to Claim 10 wherein the apparatus for automatically regulating fluid pressure in the supply line includes at least one ball valve means mounted vertically to be gravity-biased toward closing off fluid flow through the supply line.

1 3. The system according to Claim 12 wherein supplemental weight means is connected to the ball valve means so as to provide additional gravity bias toward closing off fluid flow through the supply line.

14. The system according to Claim 13 wherein the bail valve means includes a orifice opening toward a downstream portion of the supply line, that orifice having a fluid flow path dimension that increases toward the downstream portion of the supply line.

1 5. The system according to Claim 12 wherein indicator means are attached to the apparatus downstream of the ball valve means for providing a visual indicia of the fluid pressure in the supply line.

1 6. The system according to Claim 1 2 wherein a support member is included to be connected to the supply line and the apparatus for automatically regulating fluid pressure includes means for positively locating itself with respect to the support member.

1 7. A method of maintaining a predetermined fluid pressure drop over a length of fluid line having a downward slope and variable rates of fluid flow there through including the steps of first regulating the pressure of fluid entering the fluid line to maintain a substantially constant input pressure, then regulating the pressure increase in the fluid line caused by the slope through a series of gravity biased valves members disposed in series along the length of the fluid line.

18. The method according to Claim 17 wherein the effect of variable flow rates upon fluid pressure in the fluid line is offset by use of orifices leading from the valve members that increase in flow path dimension toward the downstream side of the fluid line.

1 9. The method according to Claim 1 8 wherein the amount of pressure increase regulated by the valve members can be established by selecting the number of parallel, gravity biased valve elements within each valve member.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the valve members are configured so that greater fluid pressure is required to unseat the valve elements than to maintain the valve elements in an unseated orientation.

21. An apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

22. An arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

23. A system substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

24. A method substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.