Apparatus and method for controlling animals in an enclosure

Abstract

The present invention includes a system and method for controlling environmental conditions within and / or around animal enclosures. The system and method preferably include a climate control system and an infrared sensor in a poultry shed having a first climate and housing poultry having one or more measurable parameters, such as temperature. The infrared sensor detects infrared information emitted by the heads and / or anal areas of the poultry within the shed. The climate control system processes the information to calculate the body temperature of the poultry and activates one or more climate adjustment devices within the shed to change the first climate to a second climate determined by the detected information and / or the calculated body temperature of the poultry. The system and method may be deployed in sheds containing thousands of poultry and one or more climate zones. The system and method may make one or more climate changes based on one or more different parameters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 088,962, filed Oct. 7, 2020.

[0002] The present invention generally relates to climate control systems for use in livestock production, such as poultry farming. More specifically, the present invention is a climate control system for use in animal enclosures, such as poultry houses, that includes one or more sensors for detecting the temperature of an animal and for providing climate control changes within or around the enclosure.

Background Art

[0003] The overall comfort of poultry in a poultry house is important not only for the overall health of the poultry being raised, but also with respect to the yield of the poultry. It is well known that poultry raised in an appropriate climate can increase poultry productivity while reducing poultry losses and associated costs. Conventional climate control systems are unable to provide reliable and cost - effective climate control within an animal enclosure, detect real - time information about the animals within, and be used to effect desirable changes to the system and thus the climate within the enclosure. Conventional systems simply measure ambient temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed to approximate the temperature and comfort level of the animals within the animal enclosure. Further, conventional systems can be used to maintain the enclosure climate at a specified temperature and / or humidity, but such systems do not take into account the actual body temperature of the animals within the enclosure when changes are made to the enclosure climate. Thus, there is an unmet need in the art for an improved climate control system for better managing the climate and animal comfort within an animal enclosure.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is an animal climate control system comprising an animal enclosure, an animal inside the enclosure, and a climate control system. The enclosure is preferably a poultry house or similar structure, and the enclosure may be any structure or environment in which the animal is housed, provided there is a need or desire to control the enclosure climate. The climate control system preferably comprises one or more infrared sensors, a receiver, a processor, a transmitter, an interface, and a climate adjustment device. The processor preferably comprises an algorithm. The animal preferably includes measurable parameters such as weight, height, color, sex, animal species, and other signs of animal life or characteristics. The climate adjustment device is preferably a heater, air conditioner, humidifier, dehumidifier, or air mixer.

[0005] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a method for controlling an animal environment, comprising: (i) providing an animal enclosure; (ii) providing an animal inside the animal enclosure, the animal having one or more measurable parameters; (iii) providing a climate control system inside and / or operably connected to the enclosure, the climate control system comprising an infrared sensor, a computer, and a climate adjustment device; and (iv) using the climate control system to detect a first climate in the enclosure, detect the animal's parameters, relay information including the parameters to the computer, and optionally, activate the climate adjustment device to provide a second climate in the enclosure.

[0006] Another alternative embodiment of the present invention includes: a system for controlling environmental conditions inside and / or around an animal enclosure, comprising: an animal enclosure having a first climate; a climate control system connected to the animal enclosure and comprising a climate adjustment device and a processor; and one or more sensors connected to the climate control system and positioned inside and / or around the animal enclosure, wherein the animal enclosure is configured to house one or more animals, each having one or more detectable parameters or measurable features; one or more sensors are configured to detect one or more parameters or measurable features and transmit information regarding one or more parameters or measurable features to the processor; the processor is configured to cause the climate adjustment device to change the first climate inside the animal enclosure to a determined second climate, the determined second climate being determined using a calculation by the processor based on one or more parameters or measurable features detected by the one or more sensors.

[0007] Another alternative embodiment of the present invention includes: a method for controlling environmental conditions inside and / or around an animal enclosure, comprising the steps of: providing an animal enclosure having a first climate and configured to house one or more animals, each having one or more detectable parameters or measurable features; providing a climate control system connected to the animal enclosure and comprising a climate adjustment device and a processor; providing one or more sensors connected to the climate control system and positioned inside and / or around the animal enclosure; detecting and measuring one or more detectable parameters or measurable features via one or more sensors; transmitting information including one or more detectable parameters or measurable features to a processor via a transmitter; calculating a second climate determined based on the information via the processor; and activating the climate adjustment device to change the first climate inside the animal enclosure to the determined second climate.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to improve the control and precision of the climate environment in large poultry houses, which can often house thousands of animals at once. Each animal can benefit from being provided with a climate environment suited to its needs in real time according to its circumstances (i.e., healthier and more productive for poultry farmers). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an animal environment control system provided according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A flowchart for detecting animal parameters used to influence climate changes within an animal enclosure, provided according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] While various embodiments of the present invention are possible, this disclosure should be considered illustrative of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to those described herein. Specific embodiments will be described in detail below.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a system 1 comprising an animal enclosure 10, a climate control system 20, an animal 30 housed inside or around the enclosure 10, each comprising one or more measurable parameters 32, and an enclosure climate 40.

[0012] The animal enclosure 10 may be any suitable enclosure for housing animals, such as a poultry coop located on a poultry farm. In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure climate 40 within the enclosure 10 is controlled. The enclosure 10 may be completely enclosed, partially enclosed, or partially open to the outdoor environment.

[0013] The climate control system 20 preferably comprises one or more sensors 22, a processor 24, and a climate conditioning device 26. The sensors 22 may be infrared sensors suitable for detecting the parameter 32. An example of a suitable sensor 22 is the Flir® Lepton 3.5 for infrared detection of the temperature parameter 32. The processor 24 may comprise a receiver 25, a transmitter 23, a memory 27, an algorithm 28, and a user interface 29. The user interface 29 may also be located outside the processor 24. The climate control system 20 may be connected to a remote control device 60 and / or a remote user interface 62, such as a smartphone or similar device. The climate conditioning device 26 may be any device or combination of devices suitable for use in controlling the enclosure climate 40, such as a heater, air conditioner, humidifier, dehumidifier, or air mixer.

[0014] The animal 30 may be any animal suitable for housing inside or around the enclosure 10, such as poultry. The parameter 32 may be any indication suitable for detection by the sensor 22 or similar device. The parameter 32 may be a vital sign such as body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, weight, or height. In a preferred embodiment of System 1, the parameter 32 is the body temperature of the animal 30.

[0015] During operation, System 1 comprises an enclosure 10, such as a poultry house, in which animals 30, such as poultry, are housed. A climate control system 20 may be used to detect a first climate 41 within the enclosure 10. Sensors 22 may be used to detect parameters 32 of the poultry 30. For example, if the sensor 22 is an infrared temperature detector, such a sensor 22 may be used to detect the temperature 32 of the poultry 30. In particular, since the poultry house 10 may be very large and house thousands of chickens 30, one or more sensors 22 may be provided in the control system 20 for this purpose. A further System 1 may comprise multiple isolated or interconnected climate control systems 20 within and around multiple enclosures 10 comprising System 1.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, one or more infrared sensors 22 detect the temperature 32 of the poultry 30 via infrared radiation 33 or parameter signals 33 preferably emitted by the head 34 and / or anal area 36 of the poultry 30. The temperature 32 measurements taken at the head 34 and / or anal area 36 of the poultry 30 are closely correlated with the internal body temperature of the poultry 30.

[0017] Infrared technology, such as that used by sensor 22, can be used to read the temperature 32 of the bird 30 and the temperature of the climate 40 surrounding the bird 30. This information can sometimes be combined with other data to determine (1) the bird's internal body temperature 37, the temperature difference between the bird's internal body temperature 32 and the climate 40, (3) the temperature difference between the internal body temperature 37 and the climate 40, (4) the height 32 of the bird 30, and / or (5) the position of the bird 30 (i.e., its position within the enclosure 10).

[0018] Temperature data 32 is provided to the processor 24, which similarly includes an algorithm 28 used to process the data and make resulting changes to the enclosure climate 40, such as changing from a first climate 41 to a second climate 42. Changes may include changes to climate temperature, ventilation, humidity, and / or airflow. Changes are generally achieved via a climate control device 26.

[0019] The detection of parameter 32 and the resulting changes to climate 40 may be performed in real time or set according to a preferred schedule. Furthermore, changes to climate 40 are also made to account for the measured parameter 32 which fluctuates within a predetermined range or tolerance, such as Fahrenheit + / - 2 degrees. In addition, the processor 24 is configured to simultaneously process countless parameter 32 measurements of thousands of poultry 30.

[0020] Modifications to the enclosure climate 40 may be localized within one or more parts of the enclosure 10, such as a hot region or a cold region, or the modifications may be universal throughout the entire enclosure 10.

[0021] The climate control system 20 may be equipped with wired and / or wireless connections, and such a system 20 generally further comprises a power supply 50.

[0022] An incidental application of System 1 is the detection of the height 32 and / or position of the bird 30 within the enclosure 10. In this way, System 1 may be used to appropriately position and / or adjust the height of equipment such as feeders and waterers within the enclosure 10 in order to better house the bird 30.

[0023] Animals such as poultry are often sensitive to temperature changes in their enclosure climate. For example, a hot day on a farm can cause a significant increase in the internal body temperature of poultry birds, necessitating modifications to the enclosure climate to maintain their health and comfort. However, conventional methods for determining the enclosure climate do not readily correlate with the actual internal body temperature of the birds. When hot days persist, the corresponding nights remain considerably warmer (and thus reduce the birds' nighttime cooling), potentially causing the birds' body temperature to continue rising to unhealthy levels that can lead to serious discomfort and even death.

[0024] Therefore, using System 1, the detection and control of the internal body temperature 37 of birds can be enhanced via System 1 and Method 100 as described herein.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, a method 100 optionally including an algorithm 28 for controlling the enclosure climate 40 of an animal enclosure 10 is as follows. (i) In step 101, start a climate control process in the animal enclosure 10, including detecting a first climate 41 via a climate control system 20. (ii) In step 105, measure parameters 32 of an animal 30 using a system 20 equipped with sensors 22. (iii) In step 110, determine whether the reading of the parameter 32 is valid. If it is not valid, proceed to step 115. If it is valid, proceed to step 120. (iv) In step 120, determine whether the head 34 or anus 36 of the bird 30 has been detected. If not, proceed to step 115. If detected, proceed to step 125. (v) In step 125, record the temperature of the head 34 or anus 36 in a memory 27 or the like. (vi) In step 130, calculate the body temperature 37 of the bird using the measurement value of step 125. (vii) In step 135, record the temperature 37 and cause a change in the enclosure climate 40, including a modification from the first climate 41 to a second climate 42, via a climate adjustment device 26.

[0026] Software can be used to control system 1, develop algorithm 28, and provide the following. (i) Report / record temperature 37 and the time at which it occurred, including the minimum temperature 37 and the maximum temperature 37. (ii) Report / record temperature 37, propose changes to system 1, and show the changes compared to the previous day. (iii) Optionally, make a determination of climate 40 and enhance machine learning. (iv) Provide machine learning and add functionality to system 1. The above can also be provided for climates 40, 41, 42 and their parameters, including temperature, humidity, ventilation, air flow, etc., and for parameters 37 other than temperature as more fully described above.

[0027] System 1 and method 100 may further include features and steps for implementation and / or use in a plurality of areas or zones of poultry house 1. For example, a first set of sensors 22 can detect a first set of one or more parameters or measurable characteristics 32 of a first subset of all animals 30 within house 1, and a second set of sensors 22 can detect a second set of one or more parameters or measurable characteristics 32 of a second subset of all animals 30 within house 1. In such cases, system 1 and method 100 can be adapted to effect a change from a first climate to a second climate or a third climate in different parts of house 1 in response to decisions made taking into account the first and second parameter sets. Further, system 1 may include a plurality of climate control systems 20 within house 1. System 1 is also configured to detect one or more parameters or measurable characteristics 32 of one or more of the same animals 30 at the same time or different times, and one or more parameters or measurable characteristics 32 of a plurality of animals 30 at the same time or different times.

[0028] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art can devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the environmental conditions inside and / or around an animal enclosure, The first animal enclosure has a climate, A climate control system connected to the aforementioned animal enclosure and comprising a climate adjustment device and a processor, One or more sensors connected to the climate control system and positioned inside and / or around the animal enclosure, Equipped with, The animal enclosure is configured to house one or more animals, each having one or more detectable parameters or measurable features, and each having a head and an anus. The one or more sensors are configured to detect one or more of the parameters or measurable features and to transmit information regarding one or more of the parameters or measurable features to the processor. The processor is configured to cause the climate control device to change the first climate inside the animal enclosure to a determined second climate. The second climate determined is determined using a calculation by the processor based on one or more of the parameters or measurable features detected by the one or more sensors. The one or more of the aforementioned parameters or measurable features include a temperature corresponding to infrared radiation emitted from the anal region of at least one of the animals, system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the animal enclosure is a poultry house.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the climate control device includes one or more of a heater, an air conditioner, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, and an air mixer.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor includes one or more of a receiver, a transmitter, memory, an algorithm, and a user interface.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the sensors are infrared sensors.

6. The aforementioned animal enclosure is a poultry house, The aforementioned animal is a poultry. The system according to claim 1.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the determined second climate is determined using an algorithm.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the calculation includes the internal body temperature of one or more poultry.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more of the parameters or measurable features further include at least one of pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, weight, or height.

10. A method for controlling the environmental conditions inside and / or around an animal enclosure, The steps of providing an animal enclosure having a first climate and configured to house one or more animals, each having one or more detectable parameters or measurable features, and each having a head and an anus, The steps include providing a climate control system connected to the aforementioned animal enclosure and comprising a climate adjustment device and a processor, The steps include providing one or more sensors connected to the climate control system and positioned inside and / or around the animal enclosure, The steps include detecting and measuring one or more detectable parameters or measurable features via one or more sensors, The steps include transmitting information including one or more detectable parameters or measurable features to the processor via a transmitter, A step of calculating a second climate determined based on the information via the processor, The steps include: activating the climate control device to change the first climate inside the animal enclosure to the second climate determined; Includes, The one or more detectable parameters or measurable features include temperature corresponding to infrared radiation emitted from the anal region of at least one animal. method.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein one or more of the sensors are infrared sensors.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the animal enclosure is a poultry house and the animal is a poultry.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of excluding all of the one or more detectable parameters or measurable features that were not detected in the head or anal area from the information transmitted to the processor.

14. The process further includes the step of calculating the internal body temperature of one or more animals using the aforementioned information, The calculation of the second climate determined by the processor is also based on the internal body temperature. The method according to claim 10.

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