Climate Chamber Secondary Flow Control for Chick Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current climate chambers for young chickens lack effective control over growth conditions such as temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels, which are crucial for optimal chick development, and often result in inefficient energy use and potential contamination from dust and particles.
Innovation Solution
A climate chamber design featuring a heat exchanger system with a main flow for temperature regulation and a secondary flow system controlled by sensors and fans to maintain optimal conditions, including a one-way valve to prevent particle ingress, ensuring efficient energy use and improved controllability of growth conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a main flow system is used to transport heat or cold through the climate chamber, then energy efficiency is improved, but control precision of growth conditions close to the chickens deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow system is segmented into a main flow (A) for bulk temperature transport and a secondary flow (B) for localized condition control. The secondary flow is generated by individual fans in each chamber compartment, allowing independent control of temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels close to the chickens while the main flow maintains overall energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary flow acts as an intermediary between the main flow and the chickens. It is generated by fans that draw air from the chamber compartment and direct it toward the chickens, creating a controlled micro-environment. This intermediary flow allows precise control of growth conditions without requiring the entire main flow to be optimized for local conditions.
2Measurement precision
If a secondary flow system with fans is added to control growth conditions, then control precision of growth conditions improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented by placing individual fans and sensor devices in each chamber compartment. This modular approach allows independent control of each compartment's micro-environment. The segmentation enables precise control of growth conditions while keeping each individual unit simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensor devices measure temperature, relative humidity, CO2 content, and flow velocity in each chamber compartment, providing feedback to control the secondary flow system. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment of fan operation to maintain optimal growth conditions, improving control precision while the system self-regulates to minimize overall complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the secondary flow outlet is positioned in the main flow, then control effect of secondary flow improves, but risk of contamination from dust and particles increases
Solution Approach 1:
A one-way valve is introduced as an intermediary element at the outlet where the secondary flow debouches in the main flow. The valve allows the secondary flow to enter the main flow while preventing reverse flow and contamination from dust and particles. This intermediary component maintains the control effect of the secondary flow while protecting the system from harmful contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valve applies preliminary anti-action by preventing contamination before it can affect the secondary flow system. By positioning the valve at the outlet and designing it to allow flow in one direction only, the system proactively blocks dust and particles from entering the secondary flow path, eliminating the contamination risk while maintaining the control effect.
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 system provides precise control over growth conditions close to the chickens, enhances energy efficiency, and prevents contamination, leading to healthier chick development and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a main flow system (A, Ar) for heating or cooling the young chicken by transferring heat or cold from the at least one heat exchanger (3) to the young chicken
Implementation Method 2
a sensor device (18) for measuring one or more parameters selected from the group temperature, relative humidity, CO2 content, flow velocity, in the at least one chamber compartment (2)
Implementation Method 3
The fan controls the intake of fresh air from outside the climate chamber, as well as the flow velocity of the secondary flow B
Implementation Method 4
the secondary flow B system comprises a valve, specifically a one-way valve, at the outlet for preventing ingress of dust and fine particles from the at least one chamber compartment into the secondary flow B system
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a climate chamber, such as a climate chamber for poultry, in particular young chicken, in which the climate chamber comprises; - at least one heat exchanger for heating or cooling the climate chamber to an optimal temperature for growing young chicks, - a main flow A, Ar system for heating or cooling the young chicks by transferring heat of cold from the at least one heat exchanger to the young chicks, - at least one chamber compartment, at least one side of which is delimited upstream by the at least one heat exchanger, and wherein the chamber compartment comprises; - a sensor device for measuring one or more parameters selected from the group temperature, relative humidity, CO2 content, flow velocity, in the at least one chamber compartment, - secondary flow B system operationally coupled with the sensor device for controlling one or more parameters selected from the group (temperature, relative humidity, CO2 content, flow velocity) in the in the at least one compartment.