Water supply network and method of operating a water supply network

Abstract

The present invention proposes a water supply network (1) and method of operating such a water supply network. The water supply networks comprises at least one water line (2) having at least one water supply system (5) arranged along the water line with at least one drinking nipple (10), a pressure regulator (4) to supply the at least one drinking nipple (10) with water at a pressure within the operating pressure of the at least one drinking nipple in a drinking mode or at a higher pressure in a flushing mode. A flush valve (46) is provided to the pressure regulator (4) to switch between the drinking mode and the flushing mode. At least one sensor is provided throughout the water supply network for monitoring at least one water parameter and operating purge in case of any of the actual values of the water parameter being outside a predetermined / preset range.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Water supply network and method of operating a water supply network

[0003] Reference to related application

[0004] The present application claims priority to the French patent application No. FR2304793 filed on 15 May 2023. The entire content thereof is incorporated by reference.

[0005] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0006] The present invention relates to the field of animal farms. More precisely, the present invention relates to a water supply network and method of operating a water supply network for an animal farm.

[0007] PRIOR ART

[0008] In animal farms, such as chickens’ farms and specifically for broilers farms, the quality of the water is key to enhance chickens’ growth, reduce bacteria spreading and reduce the need for antibiotics. Water is a key component of the chicken body’s composition and the quality of the water it drinks has a big impact on its health and on its appetite.

[0009] Currently, the water quality systems in place in chickens’ farms are quite standard responding to local requirements and specific guidelines given by the owner of the farms. The water is mainly coming from the tap network, or from wheels sometimes. This water is carried out through a pipe assembly system leading to a plurality of drinking systems. The pipe assembly system is made of regular thermoplastic pipes, for example of PVC or CPVC, and the drinking systems consist of nipples to which the chicken can come to drink.

[0010] During the cycle’s growth of the animals, the water line within the drinking system is moved from down to up according to the growth speed of the chickens to allow them to access the drinking nipples in a proper way.

[0011] In operation, vitamins, vaccines, nutrients and disinfectants are also added to the water to enhance the chickens’ growth and to prevent any contamination.

[0012] After each cycle of growth, the building is completely emptied and cleaned. The water system is cleaned and disinfected, for example using a high pressure cleaning device.

[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide method and system to monitor the water quality, in order to reduce and control or manage the risk of water contamination, in particular from the preparation of the system until the arrival of the animals, during the growth cycle and during the sanitary period (disinfection process).

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a water supply network comprising at least one water line extending between an inlet and an outlet, the water line having at least one water supply system arranged along the water line with at least one drinking nipple, a pressure regulator at the inlet of the water line to supply the at least one drinking nipple with water at a pressure within the operating pressure of the at least one drinking nipple in a drinking mode or at a higher pressure in a flushing mode. A flush valve is provided to the pressure regulator to switch between the drinking mode and the flushing mode. At least one sensor is provided throughout the water supply network, to obtain an actual value of at least one water quality parameter, whereby an operating system is provided to operate the water supply network, adapted to receive the actual values of the at least one of the water quality parameters from the at least one sensor, compare said obtained actual value with predetermined parameters values, and send a control signal depending on the results of the comparison to the flush valve for operating purge in case of the actual value being outside a pre-determined / preset range.

[0016] In an aspect, the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of a pH sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, an oxi doreduction potential sensor.

[0017] In an aspect, at least one of a temperature sensor and an output pH sensor is placed at the outlet of the water line. Monitoring the water parameters at the outlet of the line ensures monitoring the water throughout the line. If the water quality is good at the end of the line, the water quality is good throughout the line.

[0018] In another aspect, the system comprises at least one of a check valve upstream of the pressure regulator, a check valve at the outlet and a sampling valve arranged at the outlet.

[0019] A water meter valve and / or a screening filter can be provided at the output of the water source, to monitor the volume of water.

[0020] In addition, a pump with a dosimeter connected to a tank, the pump and / or dosimeter are controllable by the main controller to adjust the quantity of water or of vitamins, nutrients and disinfectants. In yet another aspect, the flush valve is a solenoid valve provided on the housing of the pressure regulator, in particular centered on top of the pressure regulator. Having the flush valve centered on the pressure regulator helps maintaining the vertical orientation of the system and of the nipple, hence the flow of water in the nipple.

[0021] In an aspect, the main controller is adapted to send control signals to flush the water lines sequentially.

[0022] The operating system also comprises an inlet water controller is provided to monitor the water which is to be supplied to the water line, in particular wherein the inlet water controller is adapted to receive information from the water meter valve as well as from the dosimeter or from the tank and / or send control signal to the water meter valve and / or the pump.

[0023] In an aspect, the operating system further comprises an operating interface adapted to receive inputs from a user and to output information or requests to the user, and / or a water interface adapt to output information such as previous amount of water, current amount of water over a chosen time span, actual parameters such as the vitamins, nutrients and disinfectants.

[0024] In an aspect, the water network comprises one or more groups of supply lines in series, wherein, for each group, an output sensor is placed at the outlet of the last supply line of the group.

[0025] Preferably, each line of the group is independently and / or having sensor at dedicated ends.

[0026] The present invention also proposes a method of operating a water supply network having at least one water line extending between an inlet and an outlet, the water line having at least one water supply system arranged along the water line with at least one drinking nipple, a pressure regulator at the inlet of the water line to supply the at least one drinking nipple with water at a pressure within the operating pressure of the at least one drinking nipple in a drinking mode or at a higher pressure in a flushing mode, comprising monitoring of water quality, by an operating system, wherein the operating system receives at least one actual value of a water quality parameter from the sensors, compare said detected values with predetermined parameters values, and send control signals depending on the results of the comparison to the flush valve, and comprising performing preventive flushing at predetermined intervals and performing an additional curative flushing based on the results of the current values of the detected water quality parameters. In an aspect, the plurality of water parameters comprises the temperature and the water pH and the method comprises monitoring at least one of the actual value of the temperature or the water pH at the end of the water line.

[0027] In an aspect, the method comprises triggering a curative flushing whenever the actual values of the water parameters are outside of predefined ranges or exceed pre-determined threshold.

[0028] It is contemplated to input the predefined ranges or thresholds via a controller interface.

[0029] In yet another aspect, the method comprises controlling the dosimeter to modify the quantity of disinfectant added depending on the actual detected water parameters, in particular depending on the detected pH value by the pH sensor at the outlet of the supply line or the detected temperature value by the outlet temperature sensor at the outlet of the supply line.

[0030] In an aspect, the system comprises one or more groups of supply lines in series, wherein, for each group, an output sensor is placed at the outlet of the last supply line of the group, and the method comprises monitoring the water parameter at the outlet of the last line of the group, and / or independently flushing each line and / or having sensor at dedicated ends.

[0031] Preferably, the method comprises sequentially flushing each line of the group.

[0032] The key parameters to monitor the water quality that enhances animal growth are pH, temperature and Oxidation-Reduction Potential ORP. Other possible parameters to monitor are water hardness, content in iron and manganese, chloride, turbidity, TOC. When one or more of these water quality measuring parameters is / are outside a certain range, the water system needs to be flushed and replenished with fresh water. Additionally, it is possible to consider preventive purges that are intended to keep the water quality stable using programmed or regular flushing as desired, normally independently of the parameters monitored.

[0033] There is a purging program that consists of a combination of preventive purges and curative purges.

[0034] Preventive purges are done several times per day, for example based on a pre-set tailor-made plan for a specific part of the growth cycle of the animals. The plan for the preventive purges can for example take into account the sleep-wake cycle of the animals, so that the first droplet of water the animals drink after waking is a fresh water droplet and not a water droplet of lower quality stagnating water that has been in the system for a prolonged time period during the sleeping period of the animals. The time length of the purge can be set according to a particular configuration of the drinking system, for example based on the total length of the piping system or the water flow rate. The number and length of the preventive purges per day can be reduced as the animals age and become more resilient to potentially lower quality drinking water.

[0035] Curative purges are done in reaction to a certain threshold of the continuously monitored water quality parameters (e.g. pH, temperature or ORP) being surpassed. The time length of the purge can be set according to a particular deviation of the water quality parameters compared to the pre-set thresholds. The length of the preventive purges per day can be reduced as the animals age and become more resilient to potentially lower quality drinking water. A curative purge can be repeated several times in a row if the water quality monitoring parameter has not reached the pre-set threshold.

[0036] It is possible to consider hindering preventive purges if within a settable timeframe before the programmed or manually operated preventive flushing curative purge has been (successfully) performed. This is purely optional and can be considered depending on the priority to have a redundant system for improved water quality or for prioritizing water savings.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment having several water lines or water sub-lines the network is configured such that upon flushing each individual line or sub-line can be flushed individually so as to have maximum available pressure available. Furthermore, the sensing is possible to be provided at the end of each line, at the end of each second line or for example at the end of the first line and the last line in a particularly preferred embodiment.

[0038] Each water line is flushed alone, to get the full performances of the water flow rate because if all the water lines are flushed at the same time, some of them received just a percentage of it and the water line is not properly refreshed.

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The invention is described hereinafter with reference to the enclosed drawings Figures 1 to 7, in which:

[0041] Fig. 1 is an overview of a water supply network according to the present disclosure.

[0042] Fig. 2 is an overview of an alternative embodiment of the water supply network according to the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is an overview of another water supply network according to the present disclosure with several water lines that can be operated independently or in common', wherein some elements of the embodiment of Fig. 1 have been omitted for clarity reasons, though these elements if essential are present and if optional can be present.

[0043] Fig.4 is an overview of a method of operating a water supply network according to the present disclosure.

[0044] Fig. 5 is an example of an operating interface according to the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a pressure regulator for integration into a water supply network according to the present disclosure.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a functional illustration of the pressure regulator of Fig. 6.

[0046] Fig 8. is a pressure regulator similar to the pressure regulator of Fig. 6, with a solenoid valve.

[0047] Fig. 9 and Fig 10 show another pressure regulator according to another aspect of this disclosure.

[0048] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Fig. 1 illustrates a water supply network 1 according to the present disclosure. Fig. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the water supply network 1 of Fig. 1, which, as will be explained below, only differs from Fig.1 by the arrangement of the flushing line.

[0050] The water supply network 1 comprises a water line 2 extending between an inlet 2A and an outlet 2B. A plurality of water supply systems 5 are arranged along the water line 2 with a plurality of drinking nipples 10 allowing the chickens to drink.

[0051] The drinking water comes from one or more water sources 3, which can be either the tap water or a water tank or a water wheel / borehole. A water meter valve 21 and a screening filter 22 are provided at the output of the water source 3. The water meter valve 21 allows measuring the amount of water used in the farm. The screening filter 22 can be placed upstream or downstream of the water meter valve 21, to remove any potential heavy contaminants.

[0052] A pump 12 with a dosimeter connected to a tank 8 is provided downstream of the water meter valve 21 and screening filter 22, to add vitamins, nutrients, vaccines and disinfectants from the tank 8 to the water to help the chickens’ growth and to prevent any contamination. A pressure regulator 4 is arranged at the inlet 2A of the water line 2 to supply the drinking nipples 10 with water at a pressure within the operating pressure of the drinking nipples.

[0053] The pressure regulator 4 is fed by a water line that functions as a supply line 15 for providing drinking water to the water line 2 under normal operation and as a flushing line 16 for purging the water line 2 during purging operation. The supply line and the flushing line are preferably one single line (Fig. 1), but can also be configured as two or more separate lines (Fig.2). A flush valve 46 is provided to control water supply to the flushing line 16 for the flushing function. The flush valve 46 is preferably integrated in the pressure regulator, but can also be positioned separately on the flushing line 16. To provide for a redundant system it is also possible to provide both valves in one system.

[0054] In Fig. 2, the flushing line 16 and the supply line 15 are separate lines. In this case, in addition to the flush valve 46 to open or close the flushing line 16, a supply valve 45 can be positioned in the supply line 15 to open or close the supply line 15.

[0055] The flush valve 46 may be a solenoid valve, which is a normally closed valve, which can be opened automatically via an automatic system as described later or manually via the breeder. Solenoid valves are fast and reliable and require low control.

[0056] The pressure regulator 4 is preferably configured in such a way that when the integrated flush valve 46 is opened to initiate the flushing function, the supply line is simultaneously closed to stop the drinking water supply function. A preferred embodiment of a pressure regulator will be described later with reference to Fig. 4.

[0057] A check valve 44 is provided downstream of the pump and upstream of the supply line 15 and flush line 16, to avoid backflow of possibly polluted water.

[0058] A sampling valve 47 is optionally arranged at the outlet 2B of the of the water line, to allow sampling of water downstream of the water line 2.

[0059] A check valve 48 is also place at the at the outlet 2B of the of the water line.

[0060] A plurality of sensors is provided throughout the water supply network 1, to obtain actual values of water parameters such as pressure, temperature, pH, to monitor the water quality.

[0061] It is possible to have one or more sensors for monitoring different ones of the water parameters. It should be noted that, in a preferred embodiment, a temperature sensor is always used and the other sensors can be added for refining the monitoring. An output pH sensor 24 is placed at the outlet of the water line 2B, that is after the last one of the water supply systems 5. An output temperature sensor 25 is also located at the outlet of the water line 2B, next to the output pH sensor 24. The output temperature sensor 25 can be placed upstream or downstream of the output pH sensor 24. .

[0062] The pH sensor at the outlet of the water line allows the user to add the right amount of product (e.g. disinfectant) to the water line, i.e. not too much and not too little. Indeed, if there is not enough disinfectant, the disinfectant will not reach the outlet of the water line, and on the other hand putting too much disinfectant also results in too much disinfectant at the outlet.

[0063] One or more additional pH sensors 24A and one or more temperature sensors 25 A can be placed along the water line 2, such as at the inlet 2A of the supply line and at one or more of the drinking nipples 10.

[0064] An Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) sensor 26 can be used to measure the oxydo-reduction potential of water. The ionic potential information allows checking drinking water purity. It is helpful to see the impact on water of the disinfectants when disinfectants are used. It helps also to anticipate any deviation in quality of the supplied water. The ORP sensor 26 is preferably placed before the water line inlet 2A, downstream of the pump 12.

[0065] The sensors 24, 24A, 25, 25A, 26 obtain the actual values of the monitored water parameters.

[0066] In the example of Figs 1 and 2, only one water supply line 2 is shown. Of course, a water supply network can have as many water supply lines as needed depending on the needs, connected to a single source or a plurality of water sources, with one or more pressure regulator at the input of the water supply lines.

[0067] When a plurality of lines is provided, the sensors can be placed on each line or can be adapted. In any case, there is always an output pH sensor 24A at the outlet of the last water lines of the array to allow the user to add the right amount of product (e.g. disinfectant) to the water line, i.e. not too much and not too little. Indeed, if there is not enough disinfectant, the disinfectant will not reach the outlet of the water line, and on the other hand putting too much disinfectant also results in too much disinfectant at the outlet.

[0068] This is shown on Fig. 3 showing a plurality of water lines. In the example of Fig. 3, an array of eight water lines LI to L8 is provided, with in two series SI, S2 of four lines in series, LI to L4, and L5 and L8. This is an example only of multiple lines, and any number of lines in any configuration can be contemplated. Each line is provided with a pressure regulator 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 4-6, 4-7, 4-8 at the inlet. It could be envisaged to have a pressure regulator per series instead of per line, but having a pressure regulator per line allows purging independently each line.

[0069] In this example of Fig. 3, there is a first output pH sensor 24A-1 is placed at the outlet of the first series SL1 of water line unit, i.e. after the last one of the water supply systems 5 of the last water line L4 of the first series. Similarly, a second output pH sensor 24A-2 is placed at the outlet of the second series SL2, i.e. after the last one of the water supply systems 5 of the last water line L8 of the second series SL2.

[0070] A first output temperature sensor 25A-1 is also located at the outlet of the first water line unit, next to the output pH sensor 24A-1. A second output temperature sensor 25A-2 is also located at the outlet of the second water line unit, next to the second output pH sensor 25 A- 1. The output temperature sensors can be placed upstream or downstream of the output pH sensor.

[0071] One or more additional pH sensors and one or more temperature sensors can be placed along each of the water line or at the output of each of the water lines. Other sensors such as the ORP sensor or other sensors needed to assess the quality of water can be placed throughout the water lines. In the example shown, there are additional output pH sensor 24B-1 and temperature sensor 25B-1, placed at the outlet of the first line LI of the first series SL1 of water line unit, and additional output pH sensor 24B-5 and temperature sensor 25B-5, placed at the outlet of the first line L5 of the second series SL2 of water line units. This is an example only and as many sensors as required can be positioned on the lines, at the outlets of one or more lines, as long as there is an output temperature sensor at the outlet of the series of water line units, and preferably an outlet pH sensor as well.

[0072] An operating system 50 is provided to monitor water quality and operates the water supply network 1.

[0073] The operating system 50 comprises a main controller 52. The main controller 52 is adapted to receive the actual values of the water parameters from the sensors, compare said detected values with predetermined parameters values, and send control signals depending on the results of the comparison. The operating system 50 sends control signals to the valves.

[0074] The main controller 52 is adapted to send control signals to flush the water line 2 and renew the water. In particular, the main controller 52 sends an opening signal SO to the flush solenoid valve 46, to open to start a purge, and a closing signal SO to the flush solenoid valve 46, to close and end the purge. When there is a distinct supply line 15 (Fig.2) the main controller 52 can send corresponding opening and closing signals to the supply valve 45.

[0075] The operating system 50 also comprises an inlet water controller 54 is provided to monitor the water which is to be supplied to the water line 2. The inlet water controller 54 is adapted to receive information from the water meter valve 21 as well as from the dosimeter or from the tank 8. The inlet water controller 54 can also send control signal to the water meter valve 241.

[0076] The operating system 50 further comprises an operating interface 62. The operating interface 62 is a machine interface allowing receiving inputs from a user and outputting information or requests to the user. A water interface 64 can also display information such as previous amount of water, current amount of water over a chosen time span, actual parameters such as the vitamins, nutrients and disinfectants.

[0077] The water interface 64 can be separated from or integral with the operating interface 62. An example of operating interface 62 is shown on Fig. 6.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 3 the water supply network according to the present disclosure can also be provided with several water lines or sub-lines that can be operated independently or in common, wherein some elements of the embodiment of Fig. 1 have been omitted for clarity reasons, though these elements if essential are present and if optional can be present.

[0079] In particular, the skilled person understands that an operating system 50 is present in the water supply network of Fig. 3. The main controller 52 is adapted to receive the actual values of the water parameters from the sensors, compare said detected values with predetermined parameters values, and send control signals depending on the results of the comparison. The operating system 50 sends control signals to the valves to flush the water lines LI to L4 and L5 to L8 2 and renew the water. The operating system 50 also comprises an inlet water controller 54 is provided to monitor the water which is to be supplied to the water lines LI to L8.

[0080] In Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, a pressure regulator 4 to be implemented in the network according to an embodiment is shown as a particularly preferred configuration of a pressure regulator. In Fig. 8, a pressure regulator 104 to be implemented in the network is also shown, which is mainly identical to the pressure regulator of Fig. 6 and 7, except from the presence of a solenoid valve, as will be described later. Very surprisingly it has been found that arranging the solenoid on the upper portion allows to have a pressure regulator that can be configured to be easier to install such that the barycenter can be aligned with a vertical plane of the water line. As indicated before the flushing function can also be provided for using a separate valve structure, but preferably the flushing function is provided for by means of the pressure regulator as shown herein.

[0081] The shown pressure regulator 4, 104 has a pressure regulation function, as well as a flushing function. As will be described in the following, the pressure regulation function is obtained by a regulation bloc comprising a low pressure chamber and a lever, and the flushing function is obtained by a membrane-type flushing system using the difference of pressure between inlet pressure at an water inlet and an outlet pressure.

[0082] The pressure regulator 4 has an housing 101, with a water inlet 102 adapted to be connected to a supply line and an outlet 103 adapted to be connected to a pressure gauge. The pressure regulator has two water outlets 104 on the sides to connect to the watering line. However this is an example only, and it is possible to have only one outlet, or any number of water outlets.

[0083] For the pressure regulation function, the water inlet 102 opens to a port 105 sealed by a gasket 116 mounted on a lever 120 having a pivot 123 with two arms 121, 122. The port 105 leads to a water chamber 115. The pressure of water in the water chamber 115 is the regulated low pressure.

[0084] A spring 135 is carried by the housing 101 in operable engagement with a pressure regulator membrane 134 such that the force of the spring and the force of the atmosphere below the membrane act upon the membrane to force the membrane 134 toward the water chamber.

[0085] In regulation mode, the spring 135 pushes the lever 120. The pressure of water in the ambiant water chamber 115 is the chosen regulated pressure of water, which can be adjusted by a spring handle 137 to change the spring force.

[0086] The high pressure forces of the inlet water push down the gasket 116 allowing the inlet water flow through the port 105.

[0087] Opposite to the spring force and to the high pressure force, the force due to the outlet water low pressure pushes down the pressure regulator membrane 134. The low pressure increases until the low pressure force is enough to win against the spring force and the high pressure force. This causes the stop of the inlet water flow by the sealing by the gasket 116.

[0088] The relationship between these forces depents on two design aspect.

[0089] First, the ratio of the arm lengths of the the two arms 121 and 122 of the lever has an influence on the force transmission of the spring force as well as the input pressure of the input water. The second arm 122 is bigger than the first arm 121. The ratio in the present embodiment is more than 2,0, prefrebaly more than 2,5.

[0090] The relationship between the spring force, the high pressure force, and the force due to the outlet water low pressure is also related to the ratio between the surface of the membrane 134 and the surface of the inlet water flow port 105.

[0091] It is important to note that the bigger the ratio of the membrane surface with respect to the surface of the inlet water flow port, the lower the effect on the outlet pressure if the inlet pressure increases. In one embodiment, the ratio of the membrane surface with respect to the surface of the inlet water flow port is in the range comprised between 350-450, for example 395.

[0092] These two geometry aspect allows to have almost no effect on the oulet pressure if the inlet pressure increases. In regulated mode, the output pressure varies but very slowly with the pressure of the input water. With other words, the pressure regulator is a fixed pressure value regulator.

[0093] The pressure regulator 4 is also provided with a flushing function which can be activated by a flushing valve 150.

[0094] For the flushing function, the water inlet 102 also opens to an inlet passing hole 108 through which water enters an inlet pressure water chamber 110 of the housing. An outlet passing hole 109 in the inlet pressure water chamber 110 opens to a valve chamber 160 sealingly closed by a gasket 155 of a flushing activating valve 150.

[0095] The pressure of water in the water chamber 110 is the pressure of the inlet water.

[0096] The inlet passing hole 108 is smaller than the outlet passing hole 109, to allow activate the flushing system.

[0097] The inlet pressure water chamber 110 is separated from the water chamber 115 by a flexible diaphragm 130 sealed with respect to the housing. An input gate 125 is carried by the flexible diaphragm 130 to open or close the flow of water from the inlet port 105 to the water chamber.

[0098] The flushing valve 150 is carried by the housing 101 and is operatively associated with the diaphragm 130 for movement between a closed position of the input gate 125 in which the valve blocks the flow of water into the water chamber and an open position in which water is permitted to flow into the water chamber. As mentioned before, the flushing activating valve 150 comprises a gasket 155 which under normal operation mode is in a closed sealing position. In this position of the gasket 155, the pressure regulator is in regulation mode and the flushing system is deactivated.

[0099] The valve 150 can be actived to open the diaphragm 130. This can be done by turning a valve handle 156 or this can be done automatically.

[0100] Activating the valve 150, the gasket stops the water sealing, so that the inlet pressure water chamber 110 is connected to the outlet low pressure. As the inlet passing hole 108 is smaller than the outlet passing hole 109, the pressure in the inlet pressure water chamber 110 decreases. The high pressure can decrease because of the different geometry of the inlet gate side and on the valve side, with the inlet passing hole 108 at the input gate being smaller than the outlet passing hole 109 at the valve gate side. With other words, the flushing function is obtained by a membrane-type flushing system using the difference of pressure between inlet pressure at an water inlet and an outlet low pressure.

[0101] Preferably, the inlet passing hole 108 is at least two times or more smaller than the outlet passing hole for activating the flushing. As a result, the pressure in the water chamber 110 above the membrane 130 decreases and the high pressure of the input water can open the diaphragm 130 and the flushing system start working, the flushing gate is open.

[0102] In the example of Fig. 6 and Fig.7, the pressure regulator 4 has cap 157.

[0103] The pressure regulator 104 is similar to the pressure regulator 4 and the descirption of the pressure reegulator 4 applies to the pressure regulator 104 with idetnical elements thereof identified by the same reference numbers. However, in the example of Fig.8, the pressure regulator 104 has a solenoid valve or electrovalve 158, instead of a cap 157. The solenoid valve 158 can be opened or closed to pass the pressure regulator in a flushing mode or in a pressure regulation mode. In the flushing mode, the water enters the pressure regulator with an input pressure at the inlet of the pressure regulator and exists the pressure regulator with the same presssure.

[0104] With other words, the solenoid valve 158 has the same gasket 155 with the possibility to move the gasket 155 in order to connect the inlet pressure water chamber 110 to the low pressure chamber 115.

[0105] The solenoid valve 158 is centered on top of the pressure regulator 4. With other words, instead of having the pressure regulation elements with the flushing elements with different weights located outside of the vertical plane urging the system out-of-balance , the pressure regulator is self-centered to be aligned vertically or at least have its barycenter aligned in the vertical plane.

[0106] Fig. 4 shows a method of operating the water supply network will now be described with reference to a supply water network such as the network of Fig. 3, with the multiple lines.

[0107] As will be seen, the operation of the water network depends on the monitoring of water, during a growth cycle, as well as the stage of the growth cycle of the animals.

[0108] After a growth cycle and before the start of another growth cycle, the water supply network 1 is purged and disinfected. Water is flushed through the system 1. Preferably, the system is flushed at ambient temperature. It is possible to flush with hot water, preferably more than 65°C, to clean the water pipes and kill possible bacteria.

[0109] It should be noted that when there are no animals in the farm, two modes are possible, a crawl space mode, in which only manual purging is possible, and a pre-batch mode, just before the arrival of the animals, in which both preventive purging as well as manual purging can be done. The crawl space mode corresponds to the purge a disinfection after a growth cycle.

[0110] The pre-batch mode aim is to provide water as fresh as possible to the animals coming to the farm.

[0111] When the animals arrive in the farm, the growth cycle phase of exploitation mode starts.

[0112] The operating system 50 is adapted to start preventive flushing, as well as curative flushing.

[0113] Preventive flushing can be done at predetermined intervals, for example every 4 hours to keep the water clean, during a growth cycle. The user may enter through the controller interface 54 the preventive flushing parameter, such as the interval between flushing.

[0114] Purges are done because water that is too warm favors bacteria growth, which negatively impacts the health of the small chickens. In addition, the flushing prevents water stagnation and a water quality decrease.

[0115] The operation controller 52 sends the flushing control signals to the flushing valve of the pressure regulators 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 4-6, 4-7, 4-8 to start a purge of the lines.

[0116] The operation controller 52 further sends control signals to the pressure regulator 4, so that the water leaving the pressure regulator has not a reduced pressure and is adapted for the purge. In addition, the operating system 50 is adapted to start curative flushing, based on the results of the current values of the detected water parameters.

[0117] The operating system therefore monitors at least one water parameter, i.e. the operating system receives at step SI at least one actual value of water parameters from the sensors, compare at step S2 said detected values with predetermined parameters values, and send control signals depending on the results of the comparison to the supply valve and / or flush valve, at step S3.

[0118] Curative flushing can be triggered whenever one or more of the actual values of the water parameters, i.e. pH and temperature, oxido-redox potential, measured by the pH sensor 24, temperature sensor 25, or ORP sensor 26, respectively, are outside the predefined ranges or exceed predetermined threshold.

[0119] The predefined ranges or thresholds can be entered by the user via the controller interface 54. Alternately, the predefined ranges or thresholds can be programmed in a computer program and prompted for confirmation to the user, by the interface of the operation system for controlling the operation of a water supply network.

[0120] For example, whenever a specific threshold is reached, e.g. a T>30°, or a T>31°C, or a T>32°, or a T>33°C, or a T>34°, or a T>35°C, or a T>36°, or a T>37°C, or a T>38°C, or any other temperature threshold between 20° and 40°, or a pH outside of the range of 3.5-8.5, or 5-8.5, or an ORP outside a range of 200-600 mv, the main controller 54 triggers automatically the flush / purge. If the ORP is negative, this indicates that the water quality is very bad.

[0121] It is possible to control the parameters on which the trigger is based.

[0122] In addition to the flushing there is a disinfection that takes places between two batches of the chickens, a batch corresponding to one growth life cycle from small chick to full grown chicken.

[0123] Providing the pH sensor 24 at the end of the water line 2 has the additional advantage of providing precise information on the amount and also on the distribution of the disinfectant chemicals in the pipe system. Indeed, the information of the pH value at the end of the water line 2 is an indication that the disinfectant has effectively reached the last water water supply system 5. In turn, the user can derive whether there is enough disinfectant or too much disinfectant in the water line 2. This is a very useful tool as users tend to put much more chemicals in water than effectively required. Water analysis can be done via test samples taken every week. Test farms have shown that the pH measurements are used to indicate where intervention is needed on dosages of products used to disinfect the piping system. Other players tend to put too much product without monitoring the need via the pH. After each cycle growth of chickens different disinfectants are added to clean the system. This is done in higher percentages than strictly necessary. The pH also shows if the product has well circulated or not throughout the piping system. This influences what chemicals the chicken is digesting. The pH sensor functions as an aid for the disinfection, knowing there was enough product to distribute fully throughout the system.

[0124] Finally, during this exploitation mode, the animals have certain needs during their growth, it is possible to add vitamins or nutrients in the water. The user can input by means of the controller interface 54 the required vitamins and or nutrients quantity required along the cycle growth. The operating system 50 can control the dosimeter to add the predefined quantities of disinfectants, vitamins and nutrients in the water over time.

[0125] Preferably, the operating system 50 gives access to a plurality of programs via the interface 62, 64.

[0126] In one embodiment, some programs are predefined and cannot be modified by the user, whilst other programs can be adapted by the user. For example, as mentioned earlier, it is contemplated to have three modes of exploitation, a crawl space mode, a pre-batch mode, just before the arrival of the animals, and a batch mode, during the growth of the animals.

[0127] In the crawl space mode, only manual purges are possible. The aim of the crawl space mode is really to clean and disinfect the system when there is no animal. This is for the disinfection between two batches.

[0128] The pre-batch mode is the preparation of the system on arrival of the animals. The aim is to provide the animal with a fresh water, for the animals. In the pre-batch mode,

[0129] The program for in the pre-batch mode, i.e. the parameters for preventive purge just before or at the arrival of the animals cannot be modified. After disinfection, new fresh water is put in the system for the arrival of the new batch.

[0130] In the batch mode, it is possible to manually purge the system, or to start preventive and curative purges.

[0131] This is also preferably the case for the number and duration of the purges for a fallowing. It is noted that the water lines can be flushed in series, one after the other, or per series of lines SL1, SL2, or all the lines at the same time. A flushing of the lines one after the other is however preferred to get the full performances of the water flow rate because if all the water lines are flushed at the same time, some of them received just a percentage of it and the water line is not properly refreshed.

[0132] On the other hand, the breeder can adapt the curative and preventive flushing programs, to define the threshold to the water parameters above or below which a purge should be performed, the time intervals between the purges, the duration of the purges, e.g. depending on the age of the chicken.

[0133] Water quality is related to high charge of biofilm, increases but stabilizes at a lower level than compared to set-up without antibacterial material.

[0134] Antibacterial material is provided for some or preferably major part of the elements in contact with the drinking water. In a preferred embodiment all parts except for parts made from metal are made from antibacterial material. In this case there is a tremendous advantage as compared to having a coating, only, as the risk of a deteriorated coating and the risk of leaching in the water can be excluded.

[0135] The pipe can be made of PVC or c-PVC with an antibacterial material. The pipe clamp and holder, as well as the nipple housing can be in polypropylene (PP) with an antibacterial material.

[0136] The antibacterial characteristics are not provided by mean of a coating only but the components are manufactured using material that is provided with antibacterial compounds in the mass. The antibacterial compounds are homogenously added to the PP or the PVC.

[0137] A non-limiting example of an anti-bacterial compound or element is silver.

[0138] The drinking nipple can have a housing with a drinking valve made of a ball and valve pin, and a bush. The ball and valve pin, as well as the bush, are preferably made of stainless steel which is inherently hygienic material.

[0139] The gasket is preferably made of rubber / EPDM for the gasket, to fix the nipple into the pipe.

[0140] Therefore, the pipes, fittings, and drinking nipples with antibacterial material together with the operation of the water supply network help improving the quality of water and reducing the use of antibiotics to prevent bacteria spread, as well as the use of chemical to disinfect, since less biofilm to be removed. This results in less mortality, as well as a more environmentally friendly system with less water contamination.

[0141] In Fig. 9 shows a pressure regulator 2004 according to another embodiment of pressure regulator to be implemented in the network is shown. The pressure regulator 2004 of Figure 9 is similar to the pressure regulators of Figures 6 to 8.

[0142] The shown pressure regulator 2004 has a pressure regulation function, as well as a flushing function, wich are obtained similary to the pressure regulation function and flushing function of the pressure regulators of figures 6 to 8. Hence, the pressure regulation function is obtained by a regulation bloc comprising a low pressure chamber and a lever, and the flushing function is obtained by a membrane-type flushing system using the difference of pressure between inlet pressure at an water inlet and an outlet pressure. The following therefore focuses on the differences between the pressure regulator of Figure 9 over the pressure regulators of Figures 6, 7 and 8.

[0143] The pressure regulator 2004 has an housing 2101, with a water inlet 2102 adapted to be connected to a supply line and an outlet 2103 adapted to be connected to a pressure gauge. The pressure regulator has two water outlets 2104 on the sides to connect to the watering line. However this is an example only, and it is possible to have only one outlet, or any number of water outlets.

[0144] In addition, similarly to the pressure regulator 4, the flushing function of the pressure regulator 2004 can be activated by a flushing valve 2150 having a valve handle 2156 which can be gripped by the user to rotate the handle and activate / deactivate the flushing mode.

[0145] As seen on Figure 9, the valve handle 2156 has a handle fixation part 2162 and a handle activation part 2164 to activate and / or deactivate the flushing mode.

[0146] The handle fixation part 2162 is threaded on the housing, on the top cover of the housing 2101. By creating a valve handle 2156 in two parts, it is possible to thread the valve handle via the handle fixation part 2162, on the outside of the housing instead of inside the housing as in the pressure regulator of Figures 6-7. In turn, providing a thread outside the housing and not on the inside results in a reduction of the mold complexity on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the valve handle 2156 cannot be completely unscrewed thanks to a mechanical blocking. The handle activation part 2164 has a flush sliding tap fixed on radially inward shoulders of the fixaion part. This allows the flush sliding tap to move with the handle fixation part 2162, hence activate and / or deactivate the flushing mode when a user rotates the handle fixation part 2162.

[0147] Similarly to the example of Fig.8, the pressure regulator 2004 has a solenoid valve or electrovalve 2158, which can be opened or closed to pass the pressure regulator in a flushing mode or in a pressure regulation mode. In the flushing mode, the water enters the pressure regulator with an input pressure at the inlet of the pressure regulator and exists the pressure regulator with the same presssure.

[0148] The solenoid valve 2158 is housed inside the valve handle 2156, in particular inside the handle fixation part 2162. This means that the actuator is fully covered by the valve handle 2156 on top. This allows for a better a better dust, pollution and water protection of the solenoid valve 2158.

[0149] The vavle handle with the solenoid valve is almost centered on top of the pressure regulator 2004, but slightly offset from the barycenter, e.g. offset of about 0 to 20 mm offset from the barycenter. With other words, instead of having the pressure regulation elements with the flushing elements with different weights located outside of the vertical plane urging the system out-of-balance, the pressure regulator is self-centered to be aligned vertically or at least have its barycenter aligned in the vertical plane.

[0150] In particular, the pressure regulator 2004 of Figures 9 and 10 has a solenoid arranged on the upper portion to have a pressure regulator, when installed, with a barycenter substantially aligned with a vertical plane of the water line. As indicated before the flushing function can also be provided for using a separate valve structure, but preferably the flushing function is provided for by means of the pressure regulator as shown herein.

[0151] An indication of the position of the valve handle can be provided, to allow the user easily knowing whterh the handle is closed or in a manual flushing mode.

[0152] Finally, on figures 9 and 10, the pressure regulator 2004 has pressure regulator mounting elements 2070 for mounting the presssure regulator on the water supply line. In the embodiment shown, the pressure regulator mounting elements 2070 are two saddling parts 207 la, 207 lb, mounted on two opposite sides of the housing. The saddling parts 207 la, 207 lb are partly saddling the end of the housings at the outlets 2104, and preferably with a shape conforming to the outer shape of the housing side to which the saddling parts are mounted. This allows for a good balance and horizontability of the presssure regualtor when mounted to the supply line, avoiding extra torsions or movement under operative conditions under strain constraints.

[0153] The saddling parts 2071a, 2071b are screwed to the housing. It should be noted that two lateral screws 2072 are provided to fix the saddling part on the lateral side of the housing, partly sadling the outlets 2104, with the screws preferably at the same vertitcal position on both sides of the outlet 2104, and not only one screw. Having two lateral screws helps better holding the saddling part in place, hence the pressure regulator in position, whilst better centering the saddling parts 2071a, 2071b.

[0154] A top screw 2073 is also provided to fix the pressure regulator mounting elements 2070 on top of the housing as well for improved stability.

[0155] Even if not shown on of Figures 6 to 8, the pressure regulator 4 of Figure 6 and 7, and the pressure regulator 104 of Figure 8 can also have the same fixation elements as the pressure regulator of Figures 9 and 10.

[0156] It should be noted that in the supply line, drinking cups are usually provided below the drinking nipples, for recuperation of water falling from the drinking nipples when the chickens drink. The cups can be seen on Figure 1. The pressure regulator is dimensioned so that, when mounted to the supply line, the lowest end of the presssure regulator, i.e. the lowest end of the spring hanlde 156 is positioned at a higher vertical position than the cups of the drinking nipples.

[0157] Overall, the present disclosure teaches a system diminishing water contamination and allowing constant monitoring of the water quality. The presence of stagnating water is avoided, the material of the different components leads to less formation of biofilm in the pipes and less bacteria. In turn, this improvement allows reducing the need of antibiotics and the need to flush the system. It results in less sickness or mortality of the chickens, as well as a more environmentally friendly system, using less water and less chemical / antibiotic treatment.

[0158] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents.

[0159] List of reference numbers water supply network 1 water line 2 extending between an inlet 2 A and an outlet 2b. water supply system 5 drinking nipple 10 one or more water sources 3, water meter valve 21 screening filter 22 pump 12 tank 8

[0160] A pressure regulator 4 a supply line 15 a flushing line 16 supply valve 45 flush valve 46 check valve 44 sampling valve 47 check valve 48 output pH sensor 24 output temperature sensor 25

[0161] Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) 26

[0162] An operating system 50 main controller 52 inlet water controller 54 cap 57 an operating interface 62.

[0163] A water interface 64

[0164] Pressure regulator housing 101, 2101 water inlet 102, 2102 outlet 103, 2103 water outlet 104, 2104 port 105 water inlet port 108 water oulet port 109

[0165] Inlet pressure water chamber 110 ambiant chamber 115 gasket 116 lever 120 with two arms 121, 122. diaphragm 130 pressure regulator membrane 134 activating valve 150, 2150. flushing activating gasket 155 solenoid valve 158, 2158 valve chamber 160, spring 135 spring handle 137 fixation part 2162 handlle fixation part 2162 handle activation part 2164 user handle 2166 pressure regulator mounting elements 2070 saddling parts 207 la, 207 lb screws 2072 top screw 2073

Claims

CLAIMS1. Water supply network (1) comprising at least one water line (2) extending between an inlet (2A) and an outlet (2B), the water line having at least one water supply system (5) arranged along the water line with at least one drinking nipple (10), a pressure regulator (4) at the inlet (2 A) of the water line (2) to supply the at least one drinking nipple (10) with water at a pressure within the operating pressure of the at least one drinking nipple in a drinking mode or at a higher pressure in a flushing mode, wherein a flush valve (46) is provided to the pressure regulator (4) to switch between the drinking mode and the flushing mode, whereby at least one sensor is provided throughout the water supply network (1), to obtain an actual value of at least one water quality parameter, whereby an operating system (50) is provided to operate the water supply network, adapted to receive the actual value of the at least one water quality parameter from the at least one sensor, compare said obtained actual value with predetermined parameter value, and send control signal depending on the result of the comparison to the flush valve for operating purge in case of the actual value being outside a predetermined / preset range.

2. Water supply network (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor (25), or wherein there is a plurality of sensors and the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of a pH sensor (24), a temperature sensor (25), a pressure sensor (27), an oxi doreduction potential sensor (26).

3. Water supply network (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of a temperature sensor and an output pH sensor (24) is placed at the outlet of the water line.

4. Water supply network (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one of a check valve (44) upstream of the pressure regulator (4), a check valve (48) at the outlet (2B) and a sampling valve (47) at the outlet (2B).

5. Water supply network (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a water meter valve (21) and / or a screening filter (22) are provided at the output of the water source.

6. Water supply network (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a pump (12) with a dosimeter connected to a tank (8), the pump and / or dosimeter arecontrollable by the main controller (52) to adjust the quantity of water or of nutriments, vitamins or disinfectants.

7. Water supply network (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flush valve is a solenoid valve provided on the housing of the pressure regulator, in particular centered on top of the pressure regulator.

8. Water supply network according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main controller (52) is adapted to send control signals to flush the water lines sequentially.

9. Water supply network according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the operating system (50) also comprises an inlet water controller (54) is provided to monitor the water which is to be supplied to the water line (2), in particular wherein the inlet water controller (54) is adapted to receive information from the water meter valve (41) as well as from the dosimeter or from the tank (8) and / or send control signal to the water meter valve (41) and / or the pump (12).

10. Water supply network according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the operating system (50) further comprises an operating interface (62) adapted to receive inputs from a user and to output information or requests to the user, and / or a water interface (64) adapt to output information such as previous amount of water, current amount of water over a chosen time span, actual parameters such as the vitamins, nutrients and disinfectants.

11. Water supply network according to any of the preceding claims, comprising one or more groups of supply lines in series, wherein, for each group, an output sensor is placed at the outlet of the last supply line of the group.

12. Water supply network according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each line of the group is independently and / or having sensor at dedicated ends.

13. Water supply network according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure regulator (4; 2004) has an housing (101; 2101), with a water inlet (102; 2102) adapted to be connected to a supply line and an outlet (103; 2103) adapted to be connected to a pressure gauge, and at least one lateral water outlet (2104) to connect to the watering line, wherein the pressure regulator has a flushing function activated by a flushing valve (2150) with a solenoid valve (2157) arranged on top of the pressure regulator (2004), but slightly offset from the barycenter, e.g. offset of about 2 to 15 mm.

14. Water supply network according to the preceding claim, wherein the flushing valve has a flushing handle (2156) to activate the valve, with a handle activation part (2164),inserted inside the housing, and a handle fixation part (2162) for the fixation of the handle on the housing, fixed on the outside of the housing, preferably threaded to the housing.

15. Water supply network according to claim 14, wherein the handle activation part (2164) has a flush sliding tap fixed on radially inward shoulders of the fixation part.

16. Water supply network according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the pressure regulator (2004) has pressure regulator mounting elements for mounting the pressure regulator on the water supply line, wherein the pressure regulator mounting elements are two saddling parts (2071a, 2071b) mounted on two opposite sides of the housing and partly saddling the outlets, and preferably with a shape conforming to the outer shape of the housing side to which the saddling parts are mounted.

17. Water supply network according to claim 16, wherein the saddling parts are screwed to the housing, with two lateral screws (2072) are provided to fix the saddling part on the housing, partly saddling the water outlet (2104), with the screws preferably at the same vertical position on both sides of the outlet, preferably with a top screw (2073) on top of the housing.

18. Method of operating a water supply network having at least one water line (2) extending between an inlet (2A) and an outlet (2B), the water line having at least one water supply system (5) arranged along the water line with at least one drinking nipple (10), a pressure regulator (4) at the inlet (2A) of the water line (2) to supply the at least one drinking nipple (10) with water at a pressure within the operating pressure of the at least one drinking nipple in a drinking mode or at a higher pressure in a flushing mode, the method comprising monitoring of water quality, by an operating system (50), wherein the operating system receives at least one actual value of at least one water quality parameter from at least one sensor, compare said detected value with predetermined parameter value, and send a control signal to the flush valve depending on the result of the comparison, and performing preventive flushing at predetermined intervals and performing an additional curative flushing based on the results of the detected actual value of the water quality parameter.

19. Method according to claim 18, comprising monitoring a plurality of water parameters, wherein the plurality of water parameters comprises at least one of the water pH and the temperature, and the method comprises monitoring the actual value of the temperature or the water pH at the end of the water line (2).

20. Method according to claim 18 or 19, comprising triggering a curative flushing whenever the actual values of the water parameters are outside of predefined ranges or exceed predetermined threshold.

21. Method according to any of claims 18 to 20, comprising inputting the predefined ranges or thresholds via a controller interface.

22. Method according to any of claims 18 to 21, further comprising controlling the dosimeter to modify the quantity of disinfectant added depending on the actual detected water parameters, in particular depending on the detected pH value by the pH sensor at the outlet of the supply line.

23. Method according to any of claims 18 to 22, wherein the system comprises one or more groups of supply lines in series, wherein, for each group, an output sensor is placed at the outlet of the last supply line of the group, the method comprising monitoring the water parameter at the outlet of the last line of the group, and / or independently flushing each line and / or having sensor at dedicated ends.

24. Method according to claim 23, comprising sequentially flushing each line of the group.

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