Automated Footbath Flushing System with Pressurized Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dairy farms and cattle ranches in remote locations often lack a reliable pressurized water supply, making it difficult to effectively flush and disinfect large animal footbaths, which requires costly and time-consuming manual cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a pressurizing pump, large fluid storage tanks, and a network of valves and pipes that creates sufficient water pressure to automatically flush out and refill footbaths with disinfecting solution, including features like one-way check valves, pressure relief valves, and a system controller for automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cleaning is used to flush footbaths, then labor and time are required, but the footbaths can be cleaned without specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated flushing by using a pressurizing pump to store water under pressure in tanks, which then automatically discharge to flush footbaths without manual intervention. The pump controller monitors pressure and automates the entire flushing sequence, eliminating the need for manual cleaning while maintaining system simplicity through standardized components.
2Extent of automation
If a pressurized water system is installed, then automated flushing is achieved, but the system complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing water under pressure in advance using the pressurizing pump and pressure tanks. The pump builds up pressure before flushing is needed, and the controller pre-positions the system in ready state, enabling automated flushing to occur instantly when required without complex real-time pressure regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical cleaning with an automated pump-driven water discharge mechanism. The pump controller substitutes human operation with electronic control, using pressure differential and automated valve sequencing to achieve flushing without complex mechanical linkages or manual intervention.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple storage tanks are used to increase water capacity, then more footbaths can be flushed, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple storage tanks into a unified pressurized water system, where tanks are connected in parallel to the pump and discharge manifold. This consolidation allows multiple tanks to work together as a single water reservoir, increasing total capacity without proportionally increasing system complexity, as all tanks share common control and piping infrastructure.
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 reliable, automated water pressure for effective flushing and disinfection of footbaths, reducing manual labor and downtime, and can be adapted for various animal footbaths and installations.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurizing pump with a motor capable of pumping water at a high pressure (e.g., up to 100 P.S.I.) which is used to pressurize at least one water storage tank
Implementation Method 2
The flushing system may prevent backflow of pressurized water from the storage tank(s) to the water source via a one-way check valve
Implementation Method 3
The flushing system may include one or more pressure relief valves to prevent buildup of pressure beyond a high threshold (e.g., 110 P.S.I.)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides improved systems and methods for flushing out animal footbaths at remote locations which do not have a reliable or high pressure water supply. Embodiments of the flushing systems of the present invention preferably include at least one fluid pressurizing pump and one or more large fluid storage tanks which receive water from a source and place it under pressure for use in the system. Embodiments of the flushing systems of the present invention are capable of automatically: taking in water from a low pressure water source; pumping the water into one or more storage tanks to place it under pressure; preventing backflow of the pressurized water; storing the pressurized water until one or more footbaths requires flushing; performing a flushing operation by opening a master valve or a series of valves in parallel; controlling whether the pressurized water remains untreated by flowing through a flush tube or becomes treated with one or more cleaning or disinfecting compounds by flowing through a mixing pipe in communication with one or more chemical tanks, the pressurized water flowing into and flushing out the one or more fouled footbaths; filling the footbaths with fresh disinfecting solution; refilling and re-pressurizing the one or more storage tanks for the next flushing operation; and blowing out any remaining moisture from the system of pipes to reduce bacterial growth and prevent pipe-bursting in freezing weather.