WO2021143989A1

WO2021143989A1 - Valve housing for a drinking trough and drinking trough with said valve housing

Info

Publication number: WO2021143989A1
Application number: PCT/DK2021/050006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henrik Rasmussen; Kim Schacht
Original assignee: Bluetag Aps
Priority date: 2020-01-14
Filing date: 2021-01-12
Publication date: 2021-07-22
Also published as: DK202000004U3

Abstract

A valve housing (1) for a drinking trough (20), the valve housing (1) comprising - an inlet (2) and an outlet (3), connected to a flow channel (7); - a flow chamber (11) placed between the inlet (2) and the outlet (3) and connected to the flow channel (11); -an extraction hole (5) connected to the flow chamber (11) via an extraction channel (24): - a trigger mechanism (23) placed in the extraction channel (24) and adapted to block and allow the flow of liquid from the flow chamber (11) through the extraction hole (5); where the inlet (2) and the outlet (3) are separate.

Description

VALVE HOUSING FOR A DRINKING TROUGH AND DRINKING TROUGH WITH SAID VALVE HOUSING

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a valve housing for a drinking trough - where the valve housing is designed to reduce sedimentation in the valve housing - a drinking trough comprising said valve housing and the of said valve housing.

Background of the invention

Valve housings for drinking troughs for pigs, piglets or other animals are known. The valve housings are typically connected to a piping system, where liquid in the form of milk or liquid with milk powder or liquid with iron compounds is continuously pumped around the piping system to prevent sedimentation in hoses or the valve housing so that the piping system is not clogged.

Typically, the main component of the liquid will be water, from which various proteins, sugars or iron compounds may precipitate and sediment if there is no continuous pump ing to cause a flow of liquid so that the sediment is drawn around the piping system. The piping system may be provided with one or more filters to remove the sediment from the piping system.

It has been found that the valve housings are particularly sensitive to sedimentation because the typical flow rate through the valve housings is low, causing a low replace ment rate if the valve housing is not opened regularly. In addition, formed sediment may be difficult to remove from the valve housing, and this may lead to the valve hous ing not being able to open or the valve housing not being able to close properly, thereby causing liquid to leak from the valve housing.

As a result, the animals either do not receive a sufficient amount of food, leading to growth being inhibited and turnover being lost, or there is a continuous loss of liquid which will increase operating costs, and furthermore there will be a loss of pressure in the piping system.

It is therefore necessary to produce a valve housing which is resilient to said sediment. In systems using water without the addition of milk powder or iron compounds, prob lems may also arise with stagnant water columns, leading to poorer water quality. The problem of stagnant water columns is partially solved today by pumping water around a system, and hence the problem of stagnant water columns is isolated to known valve housings, where, if the valve is not used, there will be stagnant water which will dete riorate in quality over time.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to improve the limitation of the prior art by producing a valve housing where sedimentation in the valve housing is prevented or at least reduced. It is also an object to prevent stagnant water in the valve housing.

Description of the invention

An object of the invention is achieved with a valve housing for a drinking trough. The valve housing may comprise

- an inlet and an outlet, connected to a flow channel; - a flow chamber placed between the inlet and the outlet and connected to the flow channel;

- an extraction hole connected to the flow chamber via an extraction channel;

- a trigger mechanism placed in the extraction channel and adapted to block and allow flow of liquid from the flow chamber through the extraction hole; where the inlet and the outlet are separate.

One problem with valve housings for drinking troughs is the sedimentation of milk, liquid with milk powder or other liquids wherein material may sediment. Sedimentation causes the valve to become clogged. This may mean that liquid cannot be drawn through the valve housing, or that the valve housing cannot be closed sufficiently, causing liquid to run continuously out of the valve housing. Another problem is stagnant water in valve housings that are not in use.

The above problem is solved by inlet and outlet being separate, so that the water, milk, liquid with milk powder or other liquids, wherein material may sediment, is drawn by the liquid pressure through the valve housing so that the liquid in the valve housing is constantly replaced, thus reducing the risk of a blockage due to sedimentation or the emergence of an area of stagnant water. A person skilled in the art will know how to design the trigger mechanism so that the triggering may be activated by a pig or other animal in need of milk or liquid with milk powder.

Activation of the trigger mechanism will allow liquid to flow from the flow chamber through the extraction channel and out through the extraction hole. The liquid will then typically run into a trough from which an animal can drink the liquid. In an embodiment, the flow chamber is directly connected to the flow channel, which significantly increases the replacement rate of the liquid in the flow chamber and the extraction channel.

In one aspect of the invention, the inlet, outlet and flow channel define a straight line.

The effect of the inlet, outlet and flow channel defining a straight line is that the pressure loss from inlet to outlet is minimised and a greater flow through the flow channel is achieved, which increases a replacement rate of liquid in the flow chamber and the ex traction channel, significantly reducing the sedimentation in the valve housing by pre- venting stagnant liquid in the flow chamber and the extraction channel.

In an embodiment, the inlet and outlet are mutually perpendicular, and this embodiment also prevents a stagnant water column or liquid column in the valve housing, thus pre venting sedimentation in the valve housing.

In one aspect of the invention, the flow channel and the flow chamber may have an overlap.

A person skilled in the art will understand an overlap as the flow channel having a cross- section and the flow chamber having a cross-section, wherein there is an overlap be tween these two cross-sections. An example of such a cross-section is shown in Fig. 3.

The overlap forms a transverse connection surface between the flow channel and the flow chamber. This increases the interaction between the liquid in the flow chamber and the flow channel, resulting in a significant increase in the replacement rate. Certain flows may cause turbulent flow, which increases the mixing and thus the replacement rate.

This further minimises the risk of old milk or old liquid with milk powder in the flow channel and the extraction channel.

A higher replacement rate is expected to be achieved by an overlap equal to 10% of the cross-sectional area of the flow channel. The replacement rate will increase with the overlap size.

In one aspect of the invention, the inlet, outlet and flow channel may essentially be horizontal or vertical.

A person skilled in the art will understand that the inlet, outlet and flow channel must be horizontal or vertical during normal use.

The height of the liquid column in the inlet, outlet and flow channel, if said elements are horizontal, will be identical. This prevents a lowest point, which may be a point for sedimentation.

When the inlet, outlet and flow channel are vertical, any sedimentation will fall through the valve housing, thus preventing sedimentation in the valve housing itself.

In one aspect of the invention, the trigger mechanism may be actuable at a trigger head which extends through the extraction hole.

In a simple way, this enables a pig or other animal to easily trigger the trigger mecha nism by pressing its snout or head against the trigger head, after which milk or liquid with milk powder may flow through the outlet channel and out of the extraction hole.

In one aspect of the invention, the extraction channel may have a narrowing between the flow chamber and the extraction hole, and the trigger mechanism comprises - a displaceable trigger rod placed in the extraction channel, which comprises the trigger head and a shoulder adapted to abut the narrowing in order to block the extraction chan nel;

- a pretension means placed in the extraction channel and adapted to press the shoulder against the narrowing.

The narrowing, shoulder and pretension means ensure that the trigger mechanism, and thus the valve housing, are always closed when no pressure is actively exerted on the trigger head, which is opposite to the pretension means.

In one embodiment, the pretension means is a spring.

In one aspect of the invention, the valve housing comprises a shock element between the shoulder and the narrowing.

The intermediate shock element improves the closing of the valve housing.

The shock element may be made from a deformable material, such as rubber or silicone. This ensures that the shock element is deformed into the shape of the shoulder, reducing the risk of an unwanted flow-through from the flow chamber to the extraction hole.

The shock element may be annular.

In one aspect of the invention, the flow channel is placed under the flow chamber.

The valve housing has a higher replacement rate than the prior art, but sedimentation may still occur. This may be sedimentation of milk or liquid containing milk powder or liquid containing iron compounds, whereby a precipitate is formed.

The precipitate will fall towards the flow channel, as the flow channel is placed under the flow chamber. The precipitate will then be removed from the valve housing by the liquid flow through the flow channel. In one aspect of the invention, a stop screw may extend from the valve housing. The stop screw may control a maximum liquid flow through the extraction hole when the valve housing is installed in a drinking trough.

In an embodiment, the extent of the stop screw may be controlled by rotating the stop screw, increasing or reducing the extent of the stop screw.

An object of the invention is achieved by a drinking trough with a valve housing, the valve housing comprising an inlet and an outlet, where the inlet and the outlet are sep arate.

The problem of sedimentation or stagnant water in the valve housing is prevented by the inlet and the outlet being separate, so that the water, milk, liquid with milk powder or other liquids, wherein material may sediment, is drawn by the liquid pressure through the valve housing so that the liquid in the valve housing is constantly replaced, thus reducing the risk of a blockage due to sedimentation or the emergence of an area of stagnant water.

In the prior art, the drinking trough has a valve housing with a common inlet and outlet, as shown in Fig. 1, which may lead to sedimentation in the valve housing and/or a stag nant liquid column.

In embodiments, the drinking trough may comprise a valve housing, as previously de scribed.

In one aspect of the invention, the drinking trough may comprise a pivotable tongue, where the tongue has a pivot axis placed above the valve housing, and where the tongue extends down in front of the valve housing and abuts the trigger mechanism.

A tongue will typically be designed with a large surface, making it easier for a pig or other animal to trigger the trigger mechanism so that liquid flows through the extraction hole. If a stop screw extends from the valve housing, the tongue may only be pressed in until it hits the head of the stop screw, after which the trigger mechanism cannot be opened further, and thus the flow cannot be further increased. If the extent of the stop screw is reduced, the maximum flow will increase, and if the extent of the stop screw is in- creased, the maximum flow will be reduced.

An object of the invention is achieved by using a valve housing for extracting milk or liquid with milk powder or water comprising iron compounds. A method for preventing sedimentation of milk or liquid containing milk powder or water containing iron compounds in a valve housing connected to a trough,

- constant flow of milk or liquid with milk powder or water comprising iron compounds through the valve housing from an inlet connected to an outlet via a flow channel ex tending along a line. Description of the drawings

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which specific embodiments will be described.

Fig. 1 shows a cross-section in a rear view of a valve housing according to existing technology;

Fig. 2 shows a valve housing according to existing technology (A: seen from a perspec tive; B: seen from a front perspective);

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section in a side view of a valve housing according to the present invention; Fig. 4 shows an “exploded view” of a valve housing according to the present invention; Fig. 5 shows a cross-section in a side view of a drinking trough comprising a valve housing according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 shows a cross-section seen in a rear view of a valve housing according to the present invention. Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 shows a valve housing 1 according to existing technology, comprising an inlet 2, an outlet 3, a vertical liquid channel 4, an extraction hole 5 and a stop hole 6. Known valve housings are always designed so that inlet 2, liquid channel 4 and outlet 3 form a Y-shaped connection line.

In activated state, the valve housing 1 will allow passage of liquid from the inlet 2 and out through the extraction hole 5 via the liquid channel 4.

In non-activated state, the valve housing 1 will not allow passage of liquid out through the extraction hole 5, and in this state, the valve housing 1 will instead direct the liquid from the inlet 2 to the liquid channel 4 and directly on to the outlet 3.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the valve housing 1 according to the present invention, where Fig. 2A shows a rear view of the valve housing, while Fig. 2B shows a front view of the valve housing 1.

The inlet 2 and the outlet 3 are connected via a flow channel 7, so that the inlet, the flow channel and the outlet define a straight line.

In activated state, the valve housing 1 will allow passage of liquid from the inlet 2 and out through the extraction hole 5.

In non-activated state, the valve housing 1 will not allow passage of liquid out through the extraction hole 5, and in this state, the valve housing 1 will instead direct liquid from the inlet 2 via the flow channel 7 and directly on to the outlet 3.

The valve housing 1 layout with a horizontal connection line between inlet 2, flow chan nel 7 and outlet 3 allows the liquid to pass unimpeded from the inlet to the outlet.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a valve housing 1 according to the present invention seen in a side view.

The valve housing 1 comprises a trigger mechanism 23 consisting of a displaceable trig ger rod 9, and a deformable pretension means 12 placed in an extraction channel 24 and in a flow chamber 11, where the pretension means 12 is adapted to exert a pressure against the trigger rod 9 so that the trigger mechanism 23 is in non-activated state. The flow chamber 11 is directly connected to the flow channel 7.

The pretension means 12 is a spring.

The extraction channel 24 is designed with a narrowing 19, where a shock element 16 is placed. The trigger rod 9 will, due to the pretension element 12 press against the shock element 16. The extraction channel 24 is connected to a liquid chamber 11. The flow chamber 11 is partially placed above the flow channel 7 so that the flow chamber 11 and the flow channel 7 form an overlap 13, thereby forming a transverse connection surface 15.

The trigger rod 9 has a cross-section smaller than the extraction channel 24 and is de- signed with shoulders 14, meaning that these shoulders are pressed, via the deformable pretension means 12, against shock elements 16 in the extraction channel 24 so that there is no passage for liquid out through the extraction hole 5 when the valve housing trigger mechanism is in the non-activated state. The valve housing 1 trigger mechanism 23 is activated by pressing on the trigger head 10 of the trigger rod 9, thereby pressing the trigger rod against the deformable pretension means 12. This displaces the trigger rod 9, which means that the shoulder 14 of the trigger rod is no longer pressed against the shock element 16 of the extraction channel 24, and liquid may now pass from the flow chamber 11 through the extraction channel and out through the extraction hole 5.

To de-activate the valve housing 1 trigger mechanism 23, the pressure against the trig ger head 10 is released, which means that the deformable pretension means 12 will again press the shoulder 14 of the trigger rod 9 against the shock element 16, which is placed in the area of the narrowing 19 of the extraction channel 24.

The valve housing 1 further comprises a stop screw 8, placed in a stop hole 6, the stop hole being mounted with a nut 27 provided with a thread adapted to the corresponding thread on the stop screw. Fig. 4 shows an “exploded view” of an embodiment of the valve housing 1 according to the present invention. The valve housing 1 thus comprises a flow channel 7 connecting the inlet 2 with the flow chamber 11 and the extraction channel 24 as well as with the outlet 3. In the ex traction channel, a deformable pretension means 12, a trigger rod 9 with shoulder 14 and trigger head 10, shock element 16 and packing 18 are placed. The extraction channel is mounted with fixing device 26, the fixing device 26 compris ing the extraction channel 24 with the extraction hole 5.

The valve housing 1 further comprises a stop hole 6, in which a nut 27 is mounted, pro vided with a thread adapted to the corresponding thread on the stop screw 8. The func- tion of the stop screw is described in detail in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a drinking trough 20 according to the present invention seen in a side view. The drinking trough 20 comprises a valve housing 1 with trigger mechanism 23 and adjustable stop screw 8 according to the present invention. The drinking trough further comprises a pivotable tongue 21 which may rotate about a pivot axis 22.

The pivotable tongue 21 will, in the event of external pressure, activate the trigger mechanism 23, and liquid will thus become available in the drinking trough bottom 28. The tongue is pivotable to a point where it hits the stop screw 8.

The stop screw 8 may be adjusted along a longitudinal direction parallel to the trigger mechanism 23, which means that the liquid becoming available in the drinking trough bottom 28 via the valve housing 1, may be adjusted in an appropriate quantity.

If more liquid is desired in the drinking trough bottom 28, the stop screw 8 must be adjusted in a direction opposite the pivotable tongue 21, so that the stop screw is screwed further into the valve housing 1. If less liquid is desired in the drinking trough bottom 28, the stop screw 8 must be ad justed in a direction towards the pivotable tongue 21, so that the stop screw is screwed further out of the valve housing 1.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a drinking trough 20 according to the present invention seen in a back view.

The drinking trough 20 comprises a valve housing 1 according to the present invention, an inlet 2, a flow channel 7 and an outlet 3.

The inlet 2 and the outlet 3 may be connected by angular channels 29. Thus, the angular channels 29 are not perceived to be part of inlet 2 or the outlet 3, but must be considered as elements that are not part of the valve housing 1.

The inlet 2, the flow channel 7 and the outlet thus form a straight-line connection. Chan nel elements which are not part of the valve housing, including the angular channels 29, thus do not need to be part of the straight-line connection, but may be angled in any direction.

Claims

1. A valve housing (1) for a drinking trough (20), the valve housing (1) comprising

- an inlet (2) and an outlet (3), connected to a flow channel (7);

- a flow chamber (11) placed between the inlet (2) and the outlet (3) and connected to the flow channel (11);

- an extraction hole (5) connected to the flow chamber (11) via an extraction chan nel (24);

- a trigger mechanism (23) placed in the extraction channel (24) and adapted to block and allow the flow of liquid from the flow chamber (11) through the extraction hole (5); where the inlet (2) and the outlet (3) are separate.

2. The valve housing (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that and the flow chan nel (7) define a straight line.

3. The valve housing (1) and to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the flow channel (7) and the flow chamber (11) have an overlap (13) and form a transverse connection sur face (15).

4. The valve housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, character- ised in that the inlet (2), the outlet (3) and the flow channel (7) are essentially horizon tal or vertical.

5. The valve housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the trigger mechanism (23) is actuable by a trigger head (10) which extends out through the extraction hole (5).

6. The valve housing (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the extraction channel 24) has a narrowing (19) between the flow chamber (11) and the extraction hole (5), and the trigger mechanism (23) comprises - a displaceable trigger rod (9) placed in the extraction channel (24), which comprises the trigger head (10) and a shoulder (14) adapted to abut the narrowing (19) in order to block the extraction channel (24);

- a pretension means (12) placed in the extraction channel (24) and adapted to press the shoulder (14) against the narrowing (19).

7. The valve housing (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the valve housing (1) comprises a shock element (16) between the shoulder (14) and the narrow ing (19).

8. The valve housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flow channel (24) is placed under the flow chamber (11).

9. The valve housing (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, character- ised in that a stop screw (8) extends from the valve housing (1).

10. A drinking trough (20) with a valve housing (1), the valve housing (1) comprising an inlet (2) and an outlet (3), where the inlet (2) and the outlet (3) are separate.

11. The drinking trough (20) according to claim 10), characterised in a valve hous ing (1) according to claims 1-9.

12. The drinking trough (20) according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the drinking trough (20) comprises a pivotable tongue (21), where the tongue (21) has a pivot axis (22) placed above the valve housing (1), and where the tongue (21) extends down in front of the valve housing (1) and abuts the trigger mechanism (23).

13. Use of a valve housing (1) according to claims 1-9 for extracting milk or liquid with milk powder or water comprising iron compounds.