Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
  • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
  • G01F23/24—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid
  • G01F23/246—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid thermal devices
  • G01F23/247—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid thermal devices for discrete levels
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K7/00—Watering equipment for stock or game
  • A01K7/02—Automatic devices
  • A01K7/025—Water tanks
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K7/00—Watering equipment for stock or game
  • A01K7/02—Automatic devices
  • A01K7/027—Drinking equipment with water heaters, coolers or means for preventing freezing
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
  • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
  • G01F23/24—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid
  • G01F23/246—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid thermal devices
  • G01F23/247—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid thermal devices for discrete levels
  • G01F23/248—Constructional details; Mounting of probes

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of water tanks for watering of animals like cattle and horses, and more particularly to a control device, and a corresponding water tank, which provides controlled refilling of water if the water level decreases below a predetermined level.
• Today a water tank for watering of cattle and horses is preferably provided with automatic refilling of water.
• a common known manner to control the water level in the water tank is to utilize floating bodies to determine a current water level in the tank, and to activate refilling of water when the current water level is below a preferred level.
• US. Patent No. 3,636,312 discloses a control device for a water tank which comprises a water level indicator based on a floating body.
• the water level indicator controls a valve and a water supply to maintain the preferred water level in the tank.
• Separate thermostat controlled first and second heaters are arranged to heat the valve and the water in the tank to prevent freezing.
• the floating body relies on being in fluid contact with the water of the water tank. Due to the movability of the floating body, the shown solution is sometimes not very reliable due to litter like grass and the like, which may be brought into the water by the animals.
• the floating body and valve parts of the control device are
• an object of the present invention is to at least provide an improved control device for a water tank for watering of animals, and a corresponding water tank. It would further be advantageous to provide a control device with as few parts as possible within the reach of the animals, which is sturdy, has a decreased sensitivity to litter in the water, and which is reliable under outdoor conditions.
• a control device for a water tank comprising water level indicator arranged for providing an indication if a current water level in the water tank is below a
• the control device is arranged for actuating a supply means for supplying water into the water tank based on the indication.
• the water level indicator comprises a temperature sensitive element which when mounted is arranged in the water tank at the predetermined level.
• the indication is based on the temperature sensitive element detecting a temperature difference caused by a difference in heat transfer between a filled state of the water tank, when water reaches the predetermined level (i.e. reaches the same level of the water tank as where the temperature sensitive element is mounted) and an under filled state when the water in the tank is below the predetermined level. Thereby a controlled refilling of water in the water tank is provided.
• the control device utilizes the principle that heat transfer is more rapid at the temperature sensitive element when the temperature sensitive element is in direct or close (thermal) contact with water in the water tank, as compared to when being in thermal contact with air.
• a temperature sensitive element advantageously no moving parts are used for detecting the current water level in the water tank.
• the device further comprises an elongated cooling body which is horizontally arranged, and at which the temperature sensitive element is arranged.
• the elongated shape of the cooling body and the horizontal arrangement advantageously provide a high difference in heat transfer, i.e. cooling ability of the cooling body, when the water level in the water tank changes between the filled state: when the water level reaches the cooling body, i.e. is above or at the predetermined level, and the under filled state: when the water level is below the predetermined level.
• the heat transfer between a solid body preferably with high thermal conductivity like a metal, and water, is higher than between the same solid body and air.
• the cooling body is a sheet metal plate or a foil, made of a metal of high thermal conductivity, like
• the cooling body is arranged extending along the wall of the water tank, which is advantageous.
• the extension of the elongated cooling body is selected to cover 5 - 30 % of the circumference measurement of the tank.
• a typical thickness is selected to be approximately 0,5 mm, but should not be limited thereto.
• the temperature sensitive element is a thermostat.
• the thermostat may be arranged for selectively actuating the supply means, which is advantageous.
• the actuation of the supply means can be done directly or over a relay, and with a preselected and optionally adjustable hysteresis, where the thermostat is set to turn off at e.g. below a deactivation temperature of 50°C and turn on at an activation temperature of 60°C (hysteresis of 10 °C).
• Values of the activation temperature, deactivation temperature, hysteresis are preferably selected depending on the surrounding temperature or expected surrounding temperature, temperature of the supplied water etc.
• a first heating element is arranged for heating the cooling body.
• the heating element is a resistor arranged at a first end of the elongated cooling body such that electrical heating of the cooling body is provided.
• the first heating element As the first heating element is positioned at the predetermined level, the first heating element primarily heats the surface of the water in the water tank. This is advantageous to maintain levels of different temperatures of the water in the water tank which promotes that hay and litter stays at the surface. Particularly some horses tend to litter up their water tanks and the keepers have to lift up the litter by hand or with a strainer to limit
• the heating of the water by means of the first heating element prevents the (surface) water in the water tank from freezing.
• the heat contribution from the first heating element is however only a fraction compared to the heat loss caused by evaporation from the surface.
• the amount of heat transferred from the first heating element into the water, alternatively via the wall of the water tank, is drastically decreased as the animals drink the water (or the water evaporates) and the water level is below the water level indicator.
• the heating element is a thermistor.
• the thermistor may be either of Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) type or of Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) type.
• NTC Negative Temperature Coefficient
• PTC Positive Temperature Coefficient
• the NTC thermistor is one whose zero-power resistance decreases with an increase in temperature and the PTC thermistor is one in which the zero-power resistance increases with an increase in temperature.
• the PTC element is utilized to quicker reach the actuating temperature on the temperature sensing element, e.g. a thermostat or a NTC element.
• the NTC thermistor is used to sense the presence or absence of the water by using the difference in heat transfer (heat dissipation constants) between a liquid and a gas.
• the temperature sensitive element is advantageously utilized as the heating element.
• the cooling effects is decreased, and the NTC thermistor resistance is thereby decresed.
• the function of the NTC element can thus be used to activate the supply means, e.g. control a valve.
• the cooling body and the heating element are integrated in a heating foil, preferably of elongated shape, which is advantagous.
• the first heating element and the temperature sensitive element are separated a predetermined distance ⁇ .
• a temperature gradient is formed in the elongated cooling body (the temperature of the heating element varies in the cooling body long direction, such that the temperature is higher at the heating element and then drops at an increasing distance from the heating element).
• a detection time of the temperature sensitive element identifying a temperature difference can be controlled.
• the first heating element is deactivated during actuation of the supply means. This advantageously speeds up the cooling of the cooling body to a (deactivation) temperature below the activation temperature for refilling of water, which prevents overfilling of water.
• either the power of the heat supply element or the set temperature of the temperature actuating element/system can be made adjustable.
• the water level indicator is arranged on an outer side of a side wall of the water tank, which is
• this position also prevents litter and coatings from
• the cooling body is arranged as a thermally conductive element which is preferably attached to the side wall of the water tank by means of welding, a bolted joint, or gluing optionally with thermally conductive glue.
• the cooling body may also be integrated/mounted in the side wall of a water tank, which advantageously increases heat transfer between the cooling body and the water in the water tank.
• the device further comprises a separate housing arranged for being mounted inside the water tank, which is
• the housing may be attached to the water tank by means of clamping the housing from above at a side wall of the water tank.
• a water tank comprising a device according to the present inventive concept.
• the water tank it is arranged having a double side wall. At least the temperature sensitive element may be arranged at the outer side of the inner side wall, which is advantageous to protect it from the animals, weather conditions and so on.
• the conduit means for providing water from a water supply is advantageously arranged separated from the water tank, e.g. by a conduit means being arranged above the water tank. This is advantageous from a hygienical view, as the water inlet is thus separated from the water surface of the water tank any reverse flow of the water, which may occur at occasional vacuum in the water system, is prevented. This is commanded in municipal water systems in for instance Sweden.
• the water tank further comprises a second heater element for heating water in the tank.
• the second heater element may be arranged e.g. at a side or a bottom of the water tank, which is advantageous when the water tank is utilized in extremely cold climates, and the water needs to be kept from freezing at the bottom of the water tank.
• Figs. 1 a and 1 b are schematic cross sectional side views of an embodiment of a water tank and a control device according to the present invention
• Figs. 2a - 2c schematically illustrate cut open front and side views, respectively, of cooling bodies with temperature sensitive elements of different embodiments of a control device according to the present invention
• Figs. 3a and 3b are schematic illustrations of a couple of different water level indicators according to embodiments of the present invention
• Figs. 4a and 4b are schematic illustrations of a water tank according to different embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 a an embodiment of a water tank 1 0 for watering of for instance horses or cattle according to the present invention is shown.
• the water tank 1 0 has double side walls with an inner side wall 1 1 and an outer sidewall 1 2, which together with a bottom 14 are arranged to contain water 20.
• the water tank 10 is here of an open type. It should be noted however, that the present inventive concept is applicable also in other types of tanks, e.g. closed tanks with tapping points.
• a control device generally indicated with 1 00 is arranged to control the water level of water 20 in the water tank 1 0.
• Water is provided from a water supply (not shown) via conduit 1 08 which is controlled by means of a valve 1 20, which is actuated (opened) by the control device 1 00 when a water level of the water tank 10 is below a predetermined level Lp.
• the low level is indicated with LB.
• An outlet 109, a hose or a pipe is arranged on an output side of the valve 120, and is preferably arranged above the water tank as illustrated schematically in Fig. 1 a.
• the outlet hose or outlet pipe may however be arranged in the side wall 1 1 of the water tank 10.
• the control device 100 further comprises a water level indicator 1 10 arranged for indicating when the water level in the water tank is below the predetermined level L P .
• a control unit 1 15 of the control device actuates the valve 120.
• the water level indicator 1 10 comprises a temperature sensitive element 1 1 1 which is mounted in the water tank 10, at a height which corresponds to the predetermined level Lp.
• the cooling body 1 12 and/or the temperature sensitive element 1 1 1 is mounted at an outer side of the side wall 1 1 of the water tank, see Fig. 1 b, or at an inner side of the side wall 1 1 , as illustrated in Fig. 2b, or integrated in the side wall 1 1 , see Fig. 2c.
• the temperature sensitive element 1 1 1 is mounted directly on the inner side or outer side of the side wall 1 1 which is especially
• a water tank according to the present inventive concept comprises a control device as described herein.
• the water tank is advantageously provided with double side walls, as shown in Fig. 1 .
• isolating layers are arranged in the space 13 between the double side walls to decrease influence of the outdoor temperature on the function of the control device, and on the water temperature of the water in the water tank.
• at least part of the control device e.g. the temperature sensitive element may be arranged in the space 13 between the double walls.
• heat provided by means of the first heating element 1 13 can further be utilized to warm up water in stables or outdoors arrangements where freezing of the water in the water tank may occur. In case of severely cold weather, the power effect of the first heating element may thus be increased to prevent freezing.
• the method since heating is provided at the height corresponding to the predetermined level, the method may be combined with a conventional heating of the water at the bottom/side wall of the water tank, see a second heater element 43 for heating the water in a water tank 40 in Fig. 4a, such that the water is kept ice free even when the water level in the water tank is low, and the heating effect of the first heating element is limited.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=56878674

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

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• 2015
  • 2015-03-10 EP EP15884809.3A patent/EP3268704A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2015-03-10 WO PCT/SE2015/050265 patent/WO2016144221A1/en not_active Ceased

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