Multi-sensor device for detecting animal welfare and environmental sustainability in the agro-food sector

Abstract

Multi-sensor device (100) used to detect environmental parameters from a sample air flow (102) comprising: a tubular body (104) provided with an inlet port (103) and an outlet port (110); a RGB circuit (101) inserted inside said tubular body (104) and provided with a suction fan (111); said suction fan (111) being configured to suction said sample air flow (102) from said inlet port (103) and to expel it through said outlet port (110); a sensor stage for detecting environmental parameters (106) in fluidic communication with said inlet port (103); a low-pass granulometric filter (107); a particulate sensor stage (108); in which said low-pass granulometric filter (107) is positioned downstream of and in fluidic communication with said first sensor stage (106) and in which said particulate sensor stage (108) is a PM2.5 and PM10 particulate sensor stage and is positioned downstream of and in fluidic communication with said low-pass granulometric filter (107).

Description

[0001] Multi-sensor device for detecting animal welfare and environmental sustainability in the agro-food sector

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a multi-sensor device for the assessment and monitoring of animal welfare and, more generally, environmental sustainability in the agro-food sector. This system allows for the continuous detection of environmental parameters, useful for precisely defining indices of animal welfare, sustainability, and productivity, particularly in the agro-food and livestock sectors.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Agricultural activities, particularly livestock farming, emit pollutants that affect all environmental compartments: air, water, soil, plants, and animals. Intensive livestock farms are a significant source of gases such as ammonia

[0006]

[0007] hydrogen sulphide

[0008]

[0009] methane (^^), nitrous oxide

[0010]

[0011] and carbon dioxide which contribute to soil acidification and global warming. More than 90% of the ammonia emitted into the atmosphere comes from agriculture, and about 97% of agricultural emissions derive from livestock and related activities; furthermore, 50% of such emissions come from animal housing and stored slurry.

[0012] The presence of these pollutants in barns represents a threat both to the external environment and to the health of the hosted animals. This affects productivity, quality, and animal welfare, which refers to their quality of life in the context in which they live and are raised. An animal is considered to be in good health when it is safe, healthy, well-nourished, able to express natural behaviours, and does not suffer from pain, fear, and stress.

[0013] Over the years, solutions based on automation and digitalization have been proposed that allow farmers to implement targeted measures to mitigate emissions and pollutants. These actions, such as the rapid removal of waste to an external tank and the precise regulation of ventilation, if performed timely, have positive effects on the productivity of the plant and limit health risks for operators and animals, often reducing energy consumption, cutting production costs, and improving the quality of life of the raised animals.

[0014] In this context of increasing automation, environmental monitoring systems assume a crucial role in the correct identification and timely compensation of any anomalies. From a patent perspective, some environmental monitoring systems usable in barns are known, such as the applicant's patent WO2018225107 A1 and patents GB 2537170 A, WO 2014 / 129966 A1 , CN105608876.

[0015] In particular, international application WO 2022 / 234261 A1 describes an "in-room" air quality detection apparatus comprising a housing, an air inlet and outlet, and a fan configured to create an air flow path.This apparatus comprises a plurality of air quality sensors and a processor. However, the device described in WO 2022 / 234261 A1 specifically provides for a filter positioned upstream of the sensors to limit the entry of particulate matter and protect the sensitive elements. This configuration, while protecting the sensors, teaches in the opposite direction compared to the needs of specific livestock contexts where it is necessary to analyse a raw air sample for certain chemical parameters (such as ammonia or methane) before they are altered or filtered, while requiring a subsequent filtration for the correct detection of fine particulate matter (PM).

[0016] These patented systems exploit loT techniques to manage networks of sensors distributed in the barns, collecting information on harmful gas emissions and environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity; subsequently, they analyse and process these data to return them to the end user, who can adopt the necessary control and regulation measures.

[0017] Environmental monitoring systems currently employed in the agro-food and particularly livestock fields typically provide for a multitude of sensors distributed in the barn and used to monitor various chemical -physical parameters including, by way of non-limiting example: temperature, humidity, concentration of methane, ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, PM10, PM2.5, and further parameters that, although not strictly relevant in environmental terms, can influence animal welfare, such as noise. The operational integrity of the sensors, the reliability of measurements, and more generally the correct and consistent acquisition of a plurality of data in an understandably hostile environment such as the barn, however, is very complex and difficult to obtain. The erroneous or inaccurate detection of environmental data provided even by one of the sensors used for environmental monitoring can be extremely detrimental, particularly when the collected data are used for continuous detection and for the processing of animal welfare, sustainability, and productivity indices.

[0018] Among the main problems affecting the consistency and reliability of multi-sensory measurement systems currently employed, it is recalled that the use of sensors in the barn naturally implies the following inconveniences:

[0019] — Interference and damage caused by animals;

[0020] — Washing;

[0021] — Presence of dust;

[0022] — Excreta;

[0023] — Forced ventilation systems that determine heterogeneous and altered air samples;

[0024] — Inconsistent physical parameters (temperature, humidity) within the area of interest;

[0025] — Sensor usage constraints: for example, methane, to be detected correctly, must be detected at a height of 1.5 meters from the ground.

[0026] In addition to these typically livestock-related problems, there is a further serious general methodologicaldefect and data consistency issue in the monitoring systems currently employed. These systems, to remedy the aforementioned and various problems, typically provide for a plurality of sensors spatially located in the barn in secluded and protected positions and, in doing so, end up aggregating nonconsistent data, often non-homogeneous and above all relating to heterogeneous samples and at high risk of error. Combining data from different samples located in different areas of the barn reasonably subjected to different environmental conditions into an environmental assessment or animal welfare index introduces a serious methodological error and gives rise to reasonable doubts about the effectiveness of any control actions.

[0027] Brief disclosure of the invention

[0028] The present patent intends to overcome some of the aforementioned criticalities of the prior art and provide a multi-sensor device for detecting parameters useful for the assessment of animal welfare and environmental sustainability in the agro-food sector and particularly in the livestock sector. Said device effectively allows for the repeatable and consistent acquisition of a plurality of physical-environmental parameters starting from a single homogeneous air sample.

[0029] The preeminent purpose of the aforementioned device is to provide a multi-sensor device in which the various measurements are not altered by situations typical of a barn (dust, excreta, washing, damage introduced by animals).

[0030] A further object is to provide a multi-sensor device in which an air sample is acquired and processed correctly, that is, with a flow adequate for correct measurement even in the presence of forced ventilation systems and other fluid-dynamic interferences.

[0031] A further object is to provide a multi-sensor device for environmental measurement that is compact and guarantees continuity and consistency of the produced data.

[0032] A further object of the proposed patent is to provide a multi-sensor device in which the different environmental parameters are measured in the same physical structure installable in a single point of the barn and without the different measurements interfering with each other even though they employ the same air sample.

[0033] Finally, the objective of the proposed patent is to provide a device characterized by extreme ease of use and robustness and easy maintenance. Particularly, the aim is to realize a multi-sensor device used for environmental monitoring that simplifies the necessary periodic calibration operations of the sensors and in which the sensors can be simply replaced without burdensome specialized on-site interventions. The aforementioned objectives and other goals that will become clearer below are achieved by means of a Multi-sensor device for detecting animal welfare and environmental sustainability in the agro-food sector according to the attached main claim 1. Some details and advantageous implementation forms as well assome implementation alternatives are represented by the dependent claims.

[0034] In an advantageous implementation, the proposed multi-sensor device is realized preferably but not necessarily in the form of a tube or, more precisely, of a tubular box-like body, said form being preferable to facilitate its installation and integrity in the livestock field. Said tube being used to collect and convey a sample air flow that is suitably filtered and divided into various flows to allow for a plurality of simultaneous and concurrent measurements of environmental parameters to be carried out without mutual interference. Particularly, the proposed multi-sensor device allows for verifying the presence and quantifying with maximum precision and accuracy (free from environmental interference) the following values: Ammonia;

[0035] Methane; Volatile Compounds; Organic Compounds; Hydrogen Sulphide; PM2.5; PM10;

[0036]

[0037] According to the proposed invention, all these sensors manage to operate without interference, consistently and simultaneously, and according to the respective and specific modes of use (flows, quantities, etc.) thanks to an appropriate arrangement in the tube that contains them and thanks to an appropriate pre-treatment, sorting, and channelling system of an appropriately generated forced airflow; said flow passing through the tube and conveying, according to the best measurement conditions, the appropriate and adequate quantities of air to the different sensors.

[0038] The proposed system thus succeeds, starting from the same air flow, in performing simultaneously, without any interference and minimizing as much as possible eventual environmental interference, to guarantee the consistent and continuous measurement of all the aforementioned environmental parameters in a single device that continuously analyses a single homogeneous and consistent air flow.

[0039] Brief description of the attached drawings

[0040] Further features and advantages of the proposed technical solution will be more evident in the following description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, represented by way of non-limiting example in the 4 attached drawing tables in which:

[0041] — Fig. 1 illustrates the technical problem addressed;

[0042] — Fig. 2 illustrates the PCB board and the main components and sensors of the multi-sensor device; — Fig. 3 illustrates the multi-sensor device including airflow sorting ducts;

[0043] — Fig. 4 illustrates the closed multi-sensor device in the configuration of use.

[0044] It is specified that the figures attached to the present application illustrate one of the possible executive forms of the proposed system, and particularly an implementation of the multi-sensor device for detecting animal welfare and environmental sustainability in the agro-food sector. These executive forms are therefore to be understood for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes of the inventive concept, which may reasonably incorporate further variants according to the needs and installation contexts, particularly as a function of the varied types of sensors, even not necessarily of the optical type, which may be validlyintegrated and used according to the proposed patent.

[0045] Best mode for carrying out the invention

[0046] With reference to the attached drawing tables and particularly to Fig. 1, the technical problem addressed is illustrated, namely the correct and consistent measurement of environmental parameters in the livestock field. Monitoring systems for animal welfare and environmental sustainability (1000) currently employed in the agro-food and particularly livestock fields typically provide for a plurality of sensors (200) distributed in the barn (1002) and used to monitor various chemical-physical parameters including, by way of non-limiting example: temperature, humidity, concentration of methane, ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, PM10, PM2.5. These parameters are usually detected by taking air samples to be analysed at different points in the barn (compatibly with the logistical difficulties and installation problems that characterize these environments) and these single and sporadic data are subsequently sent remotely (1003).

[0047] The preeminent purpose of the proposed patent is to realize a multi-sensor device that allows for the continuous analysis of all the aforementioned environmental parameters by taking a single homogeneous air sample in a single point of the barn (1002), i.e., obtaining all the aforementioned environmental parameters starting from the same sample (air flow) which is analysed in continuous mode. Different analyses are carried out without interfering mutually between the different sensors assigned to the measurements of the parameters and without being affected by the environmental alterations typical of a barn and already described in the paragraph relating to the state of the art.

[0048] With reference to the attached drawings and particularly to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the PCB board (101) and the main components and sensors of the multi-sensor device (100) according to the proposed invention are illustrated. In particular, in Fig. 2 only the electronic components presenton the PCB board (101) are highlighted, while in Fig. 3 the duct system for the internal sorting of the sample air flow (102) captured by the inlet port (103) by means of forced ventilation is illustrated; a flow that passes through the multisensor measurement device which, in an advantageous implementation, is realized in the preferable but not exclusive form of a tube or tubular body (104) containing the previously described electronic components and within which the airflow (102) subject to analysis and measurements flows.

[0049] Internal to the tubular body (104), a PCB circuit (101) is indeed contained which houses and protects all the electronic components and particularly the sensors for measuring environmental parameters and the filtering and suction devices of the airflow (102) analysed in continuous mode.

[0050] At a first end of the tube, there is an inlet port (103) preferably in the form of a perforated disk that partially occludes the tube; said perforated disk receives the airflow (102) to be analysed and is characterized by a perforated portion that acts as a first macroscopic filter to prevent the entry of occlusive bodies. Thegranulometry of said macroscopic filter understandably varies as a function of the type of macroscopic obstructive elements (dust, mud, etc.) that could characterize the application field. Further, a second portion of said inlet port (103) houses an ultrasonic sensor (105); said sensor (105) is used to check the correct installation height of the multi-sensor device (100); said requirement of the installation height of the tube being relevant for the purposes of the correct measurement of some environmental parameters such as, for example, methane, whose air sample must be taken at predetermined heights.

[0051] The flow or sample of air (102) taken from the openings obtained in said inlet port (103) used also as a first macroscopic filter first crosses a first section of sensors (106) which can comprise at least one but typically all the following sensors: ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane, volatile compounds, organic compounds, and hydrogen sulphide. The analysed airflow once it has passed said first section of sensors crosses a second filter used with the function of a low-pass granulometric filter (107). Said second low-pass granulometric filter (107) in an advantageous implementation could be realized in the form of a selfcleaning multistage filter which, thanks to a set of grids and sponges with progressively decreasing granulometries, allows for obtaining a suitable pre-processing of the sample / suctioned air flow (102) to send it to the following stage of fine particulate sensors (108) dedicated to the measurement of PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter.

[0052] It should be noted that the use of said second low-pass granulometric filter (107) is crucial to ensure that the same air sample (102) previously analysed by the first set of sensors (106) is purified of excessive granulometric components and sent to the subsequent PM2.5 and PM10 particulate sensors (108); this low-pass filtering allowing for the correct analysis of the particulate matter. In fact, only by purging the components with larger granulometry can a correct measurement of these particulate parameters be obtained.

[0053] Following the measurement of PM10 and PM2.5, the flow of granulometrically filtered air that remains at the output of the particulate sensors (108) is further divided into two portions: a suitable and sufficient first portion is sent to the subsequent and last nitrous oxide sensor

[0054]

[0055] (109), while a second exceeding part, i.e., that portion not necessary for the measurement of

[0056]

[0057] proceeds toward the outlet port (110) positioned at the second end of the tubular body (104), i.e., from the opposite side to the perforated inlet port (103).

[0058] Downstream of the nitrous oxide sensor

[0059]

[0060] three flows thus reunite, all three derived originally from the same sample air flow (102) suctioned from the inlet port (103), i.e.: a first portion of air deriving from the nitrous oxide sensor

[0061]

[0062] (109), a second portion of air post low-pass granulometric filter (107) in excess and not used by the nitrous oxide sensor (109) to detect said parameter, and finally a third portion of "dirty" air, i.e., air output to the first section of sensors (106) not intercepted by the low-passgranulometric filter (107). The three flows thus reunited are suctioned by a forced suction fan (111) that exploits the Venturi effect to move the air internally to the tube (104) and avoid clogs. Said forced suction fan (111) therefore contributes to suctioning the flow (102) from the port (103) and expels it through the outlet port (110).

[0063] Said outlet port (110) is covered by an exhaust cap (112) positioned at the second end of the tube; said exhaust cap (112) being used as a non-return valve to favor the escape of air after the measurement of environmental parameters and to prevent the entry of water or foreign bodies. This is because the proposed device (100) in its preferable use provides for vertical installation with the inlet port (103) of the sample air (102) to be analysed facing down and the expulsion of exhaust air post-detection of environmental parameters through the exhaust cap (112) positioned and facing up.

[0064] Industrial applicability

[0065] From the realization point of view, it is pointed out that while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, some preferred implementation forms have been shown in the drawings and described in detail in the previously illustrated implementation example. It must be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific implementation form illustrated, but on the contrary, it intends to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents that fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims. The use of "for example," "etc.," "or" indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise indicated. The use of "includes" means "includes, but not limited to" unless otherwise indicated. In particular, the invention may be realized with technical equivalents, with materials or supplementary measures suitable for the purpose and the application scope.

[0066] The conformation and sizing of the constituent parts and the realized products may vary appropriately, but consistently with the proposed solution. The PCB of the proposed multi-sensor device may reasonably accommodate further sensors used for measuring physical and / or environmental parameters such as, by way of non-limiting example: temperature, humidity, noise, electromagnetic fields. Any modifications to the proposed implementation example, including adjustments and sizing suitable for specific and further applications, will be easily deducible by a technician in the field suitably instructed and without leaving the scope of protection of the claimed patent. This is without affecting or eluding the inventive core of the invention and its application to any type of scope and operating context even different from that presented in the implementation example described above.

[0067] Further, the system may be integrated and further equipped with systems and accessories of common use in the application field and also in the availability of a technician in the field. Finally, the possibility of realizing the system also in partial form is claimed.

Claims

Claims1. A multi-sensor device (100) used to detect environmental parameters from a sample air flow (102) comprising:— a tubular body (104) provided with an inlet port (103) and an outlet port (110);— a PCB circuit (101) inserted inside said tubular body (104) and provided with a suction fan (111); said suction fan (111) being configured to suction said sample airflow (102) from said inlet port (103) and to expel it through said outlet port (110);— a sensor stage for detecting environmental parameters (106) in fluidic communication with said inlet port (103);— a low-pass granulometric filter (107);— a particulate sensor stage (108);characterized in that:said low-pass granulometric filter (107) is positioned downstream of and in fluidic communication with said first sensor stage (106);said particulate sensor stage (108) is a PM2.5 and PM10 particulate sensor stage and is positioned downstream of and in fluidic communication with said low-pass granulometric filter (107).

2. Multi-sensor device (100) according to claim 1 comprising a nitrous oxide sensor (109) positioned downstream of and in fluidic communication with said PM2.5 and PM10 particulate sensor stage (108).

3. Multi-sensor device (100) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said first section of sensors (106) comprises at least one sensor for detecting at least one of the following environmental parameters: ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane, volatile compounds, organic compounds, and hydrogen sulphide.

4. Multi-sensor device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said inlet port (103) is configured as a perforated disk.

5. Multi-sensor device (100) according to the preceding claims comprising an ultrasonic sensor (105) housed within said inlet port (103) and used to check the installation height of the tubular body (104).

6. Multi-sensor device (100) according to the preceding claims, characterized by comprising a ductsystem internal to said tubular body (104) configured for the sorting of the sample air flow (102) between said sensors (106), (108), (109) and said granulometric filter (107).

7. Multi-sensor device (100) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet port (110) is provided with an exhaust cap (112).

8. Multi-sensor device (100) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said PCB circuit (101) is configured to process the data coming from at least one of said sensors (106), (108), (109) and transmit them to a remote monitoring system (1003) of the detected environmental parameters.

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