Adjustable Fluid Atomizers for Uniform Poultry Hatchling Vaccination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for vaccinating poultry hatchlings are inefficient, often resulting in uneven distribution of vaccines and excessive moisture, which can harm the chicks, and existing dispensing systems fail to provide uniform coverage of the hatchling tray.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing apparatus with adjustable fluid atomizers connected by flexible means to a manifold, allowing for even distribution of fluids across the tray, with adjustable pressure and droplet size, and the ability to handle different viscosities and types of fluids, including soft gels and liquids, ensuring complete coverage of hatchlings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single hollow bar with spray nozzles is used to dispense soft gel, then the delivery system is simple, but the soft gel is not evenly distributed over the whole tray due to pressure loss along the bar
Solution Approach 1:
The single hollow bar is divided into multiple separate hollow bars (first hollow bar, second hollow bar, etc.), each equipped with its own spray nozzles. This segmentation ensures that each bar delivers soft gel independently with consistent pressure, eliminating the pressure loss problem that occurs in long single-bar systems and achieving uniform distribution across the entire tray.
Solution Approach 2:
A distribution manifold is introduced as an intermediary component that receives soft gel from the pumping unit and distributes it to multiple hollow bars. This mediator ensures that each hollow bar receives adequate pressure and flow, enabling uniform dispensing across all spray locations without the pressure loss that would occur in a single long-bar configuration.
2Reliability
If vaccine is sprayed in high concentration to ensure sufficient vaccination, then vaccination coverage is adequate, but the amount of water is high resulting in excessive moisture that negatively affects chick health
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state of the vaccine delivery medium from liquid suspension to soft gel form. This parameter change allows the vaccine to be delivered in a controlled, semi-solid state that maintains adequate concentration for effective vaccination while eliminating the excessive water content that causes harmful moisture levels in the chicks.
Solution Approach 2:
The vaccine is embedded in a gel matrix rather than suspended in liquid water. This phase transition from liquid to gel state allows the vaccine to be delivered with sufficient concentration for reliable vaccination coverage while the gel structure prevents the free water that would otherwise create excessive moisture and harm chick health.
3Ease of operation
If a dished plate with spray nozzles is used for dispensing, then the system can deliver fluid, but the geometry does not allow uniform distribution over the entire hatchling tray
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single dished plate geometry, the system segments the delivery function across multiple hollow bars positioned at different locations. Each bar independently delivers fluid to its local area, and the combination of multiple segmented delivery points achieves uniform distribution across the entire tray that a single plate geometry cannot provide.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus ensures even and precise delivery of vaccines and other therapeutic substances to all hatchlings, minimizing waste and excess moisture, while accommodating varying tray sizes and hatchling densities, thereby improving vaccination efficiency and chick health.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pumping unit (9), each connected to the at least one reservoir (18)
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of optionally adjustable fluid atomizers (6) being connected by flexible connecting means (7) to the at least one manifold (8)
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing apparatus (1) for delivering droplets of fluids such as liquids having a low viscosity or being soft gels onto poultry hatchlings that are present in movably mounted hatchling trays (19) comprising at least one reservoir (18), at least one pumping unit (9), connected to at least one reservoir (18), with at least one manifold (8) connected to at least one pumping unit (9), as well as a control unit. The apparatus comprises a plurality of optionally adjustable fluid atomizers (6) being connected by flexible connecting means (7) to at least one manifold (8), whereby the fluid atomizers (6) are detachably and/or slidably connected on at least one mounting rail (5), and that optionally different types of fluid atomizers (6) are distributed onto the mounting rail (5). Additionally, a method for delivering fluid droplets onto poultry hatchlings present in moving hatchling trays (19) is described.