System for automatic environmental control of varroa with the help of formic acid
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023886427
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-10-31
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-10
AI Technical Summary
Current methods for controlling varroa mites in bee colonies are inefficient and invasive, particularly during the incubation period of bee larvae, as they require manual intervention and can disrupt the bee colony's environment.
A hardware-software system comprising an evaporator placed within the hive and a controller unit with a temperature sensor and solar panel to automatically release formic acid, ensuring biocompatibility and non-invasiveness by integrating with existing apiary infrastructure, releasing formic acid based on external temperature readings to effectively target varroa mites during larval incubation.
The system provides a safe and efficient method to destroy varroa mites within the bee brood by maintaining a controlled environment, ensuring minimal disruption to the bee colony and compatibility with all hive types, while charging and powering the system sustainably.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OF VARROA WITH THE HELP OF FORMIC ACID
[0002] Presentation of the essence of the invention
[0003] The system for automatic environmental control of varroa with the help of formic acid is a hardwaresoftware solution assembly. It consists of two essential parts of an evaporator (2) which is placed in the bee space in the hive itself (9) in the dimensions of a standard frame (10) depending on the type of hive (9) and the architecture for determining the external conditions and releasing the acid which is placed in hive(8) beehive(9). The architecture itself for determining the external conditions consists of a controller unit (1) and a protruding temperature sensor (4) that is placed on the outer edge of the hive (8) and a solar panel (3) that is placed on the roof of the hive (8). All parts of the system are compatible with all types of beehives, so they only build on existing apiary infrastructure. The sensor (3) reads the external conditions and sends them via the cable (7) to the controller unit (1), which, after establishing the temperature required for maximum efficiency of formic acid treatment discharges it from the tank that is part of the controller unit (1) and it reaches the evaporator (2) through the hose (5). This process is repeated three times with an interval of 7 days in order to safely destroy the varroa that is in the closed bee brood during the 11 to 21 days of incubation of the bee larva. During all that time, the solar panel (3) charges the battery with the voltage cable (6), which supplies the controller unit (1), which further supplies the sensor (4) with electricity.
[0004] Detailed description of the invention
[0005] The architectural view of the system forautomatic environmental control of varroa with the help of formic acid is shown in Figure l. The sensor (4), which is placed on the outer wall of the hive (9), samples the external temperature and sends it via cable (7) to the controller unit (1). A control unit (1) whose system consists of a battery, a microcontroller and a formic acid tank whose opening is regulated by a microcontroller with the help of an electromagnetic valve or a liquid pump whose surface in contact with the fluid is made of plastic or other materials that do not enter into chemical reactions with formic acid. The controller unit (1) when it receives a temperature reading of less than 24°C from the sensor (4) sends a signal that opens the tank and conducts the formic acid through the hose (5) to the evaporator (2) which is placed in the frame (10) located inside beehives (9). All parts of the architecture shown in Figure 1 are protected from atmospheric conditions by the roof of the beehive (9), except for the sensor (4) and the solar panel (3), which must be located on the outside of the beehive (9), and according to their technical documentation, they do not require protection from external ones conditions. Other components that are placed in the hive (8) of the hive (9) leave enough space for the use of the hive for the purpose of feeding bees in rational beekeeping. Due to its shape and dimensions, it does not require the beekeeper to change the apiary infrastructure, and the system is compatible with
[0006] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) all types of hives in rational beekeeping. Given that the system in question is about applying the technique to the biological system, the technical part must meet the conditions of biocompatibility and non-invasiveness. That is why the vaporizer (2) is integrated into the frame (10) and its setting does not disturb the existing structure of the hive (9) and the bee colony in it.
[0007] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
Claims
1. A system for automatic ecological curing of varroa with the help of formic acid, which includes a controller unit (1) which is connected to the solar panel (3) with a cable (6) and with a sensor (4) with a cable (7), characterized by the fact that it also includes an evaporator (2) which is placed in the frame (10) located inside the hive (9) and is connected to the controller unit (1) which is placed in the hive (8) of the hive (9) by a hose (5).
2. A system for automatic ecological curing of varroa with the help of formic acid according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller unit (1) includes a battery, a microcontroller containing a central microprocessor unit, memory with a program, a tank for formic acid, an electromagnetic valve or a pump whose the surface in contact with the fluid is made of plastic or other materials that do not enter into chemical reactions with formic acid and is connected to a solar panel (3) that is placed on the roof of the hive (9)