Automated Cleaning Water Trough for Livestock Farming

Abstract

The present invention provides a water trough for livestock in livestock farming, ensuring clean water through regular cleaning. The water trough can automatically clean at set time intervals, eliminating the need for manual cleaning. This significantly enhances automation in livestock farming, improving efficiency and reducing labor costs while maintaining water quality for animal health. 20 25 20 45 28 18 J un 2 02 5 A B S T R A C T 2 0 2 5 2 0 4 5 2 8 1 8 J u n 2 0 2 5

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention relates to the field of livestock farming, specifically to automated cleaning systems for water troughs used in animal husbandry. BACKGROUND

[002] In livestock farming, water troughs for livestock, such as those used for sheep, are frequently contaminated by food residues (e.g., grains, hay) from the animals’ mouths, necessitating regular cleaning. Existing water troughs require manual cleaning with a brush, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming. While feeder machines enable a high degree of automation in food feeding, the reliance on manual cleaning for water troughs limits the overall automation of the livestock farming process. SUMMARY [002a] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements. [002b] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a water trough for livestock, the water trough including an upper section for providing the livestock access to water in the trough and a lower section for collecting food 2025204528   18 Dec 2025 residues from the livestock drinking from the trough, wherein: the trough includes a pipe coupled to an underside of the lower section, the pipe extending lengthwise of the trough, the pipe having an opening extending longitudinally of the pipe in a pipe wall of the pipe; and the lower section is directly connected to the opening to allow for passage of the residues into the pipe for removal from the trough.

[003] Some embodiments are intended to provide an automated cleaning water trough for livestock farming, addressing the need for regular cleaning to ensure clean water. A pipe at the bottom of the water trough collects food residues. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom may be V-shaped to enhance residue collection. The lower half of the trough’s sides and guide plates are angled greater than 60° relative to the horizontal plane, directing food residues to the pipe. Two drainage options are provided: (1) a solenoid valve connected to the pipe, controlled by a timer to open at set intervals (e.g., daily or every two days) for cleaning, or (2) a siphon tube utilizing dual water levels to initiate and stop drainage based on the siphon principle. A float valve regulates the main water supply level. Water supply pipes with downward- facing holes at the top of the trough’s sides flush food residues toward the pipe, ensuring clean water by automating residue removal and reducing manual cleaning. 2025204528   18 Dec 2025 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[004] The drawings referenced herein are provided on separate sheets appended to this specification, with each figure on its own page at the end of the document.

[005] Figure 1 is a side view of the automated cleaning water trough, showing the bottom of the water trough, guide plates, pipe for collecting food residues, and the position of the water supply pipes at the top of the trough. The bottom may be V-shaped.

[006] Figure 2 is a top view of the water trough, showing the installation positions of the guide plates and solenoid valve, as well as the internal structure of the trough. The bottom may be V-shaped.

[007] Figure 3 is a front view of the water trough, showing the positions of the guide plates, water supply pipes, pipe for collecting food residues, and solenoid valve, as well as the flow direction of water inside the trough. The bottom may be V-shaped.

[008] Figure 4 is a top view of the water trough, showing the installation positions of the guide plates and siphon tube, as well as the internal structure of the trough. The bottom may be V-shaped.

[009] Figure 5 is a front view of the water trough, showing the positions of the guide plates, water supply pipes, pipe for collecting food residues, and siphon 2025204528   18 Dec 2025 tube, as well as the flow direction of water inside the trough. The bottom may be V-shaped.

[010] Figure 6 is a side view of the siphon tube structure outside the water trough, indicating the siphon startup water level and the daily maintained water level. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[011] The present invention is an automated cleaning water trough for livestock farming, requiring no manual cleaning to ensure clean water.

[012] In one embodiment, the water trough is a rectangular container with a pipe at its bottom for collecting food residues (e.g., grains, hay) (Figure 1). The bottom may be V-shaped to enhance residue collection. The lower half of the trough’s sides and multiple guide plates, spaced along the trough’s length, are angled at greater than 60° relative to the horizontal plane, enabling food residues to slide more easily into the pipe (Figure 2). Other angles may be used to achieve similar functionality.

[013] Two drainage systems are provided: (a) Solenoid Valve System: The pipe connects to a solenoid valve controlled by a timer (Figure 3). The timer opens the valve at set intervals (e.g., daily) to drain food residues and contaminated water, achieving regular cleaning. (b) Siphon Tube System: The bottom pipe connects to a siphon tube (Figure 2025204528   18 Dec 2025 5). When another water supply pipe with controllable flow raises the water level to the siphon start-up water level, the siphon starts and begins to drain and clean. When the water level is about to reach the outlet height, the siphon stops (figure6)

[014] A float valve maintains the main water supply level to ensure clean water (Figure 5). Water supply pipes at the top of the trough’s sides feature downward-facing holes to flush food residues toward the pipe (Figure 1).

[015] When the water trough is relatively long, a water nozzle connected to the supply pipe can be installed at the other end of the bottom pipe's outlet to improve sewage discharge efficiency.

Claims

2025204528   16 Jun 2026Page 6AMENDED CLAIMSClaim 1: An automated cleaning water trough for livestock farming, comprising:• a trough body configured to hold clean water;o wherein the trough body is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom;• a discharge pipe positioned at the bottom of the trough body for collecting food residues and facilitating the discharge of contaminated water;o wherein the discharge pipe has multiple openings along its length;o wherein the discharge pipe is in fluid communication with the trough body via the openings and without the use of downpipes;o wherein the bottom of the trough body has no flat bottom surface and is constituted entirely by the discharge pipe;• two water supply pipes, each supply pipe running along an inner, upper edge of one side of the trough body;o wherein each supply pipe has multiple downward facing holes for flushing food residues towards the discharge pipe;• a drainage system connected to the discharge pipe, configured to enable automatic cleaning by removing food residues and contaminated water.Claim 2: The automated cleaning water trough of claim 1, wherein the drainage system comprises a solenoid valve connected to an outlet of the discharge pipe and controlled by a timer to open and close at set time intervals for regular cleaning.Claim 3: The automated cleaning water trough of claim 1, wherein the drainage system comprises a siphon tube connected to an outlet of the discharge pipe, with draining controlled by dual water levels based on the siphon principle.Claim 4: The automated cleaning water trough of any one of claims 1-3, wherein a lower section of the trough body includes a pair of guide plates associated with each aperture, the guide plates being angled relative to vertical to direct the residues passing down through the water from an upper section to a lower section into a respective aperture.Claim 5: The automated cleaning water trough of any one of claims 1-4, further comprising a float valve configured to regulate the main water supply level to maintain clean water.

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