Retractable Aviary Ramp for Bird Access and Manure Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aviary walkways and ramps interfere with operations such as stocking, de-stocking, cleaning, and maintenance, reduce available space, and do not effectively enhance manure drying, while also being difficult to clean and providing unstable surfaces for birds.
Innovation Solution
A retractable, solid ramp system with a surface configuration that creates air turbulence and pressure differences for self-cleaning, allowing birds to access cage towers while being easily removable and increasing floor space for bird occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional walkway or ramp is installed to facilitate bird movement between levels, then birds can access cage towers more easily, but the walkway interferes with cage tower operations such as stocking, de-stocking, cleaning, and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned when needed for bird training and then removed or retracted to facilitate operations such as stocking, de-stocking, cleaning, and maintenance of the cage tower
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp system is divided into separable components including the ramp itself and the support structure with retractable supports, allowing the ramp to be independently positioned and removed without affecting the entire cage tower structure
2Ease of operation
If a walkway is positioned in the aisle to train birds, then birds learn to navigate between levels, but the amount of space available in the aisle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp is designed as a movable structure that can be inserted into the aisle when bird training is needed and then removed or retracted afterward, allowing the aisle space to be fully available during operational periods
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp is positioned in the aisle beforehand to train birds before they are placed in the cage tower, and then removed to restore full aisle space for subsequent operations
3Productivity
If air moves through the cage tower to dry manure, then manure drying is achieved, but the air flow is not sufficiently turbulent or properly directed
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp has a curved or inclined surface configuration that disrupts and redirects air flow, creating turbulence and properly directing air movement through the cage tower to enhance manure drying capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp serves as an intermediary structure that modifies air flow characteristics, using its surface geometry to create turbulence and redirect air paths to improve the effectiveness of manure drying
4Ease of operation
If a conventional ramp surface is used for bird access, then birds can traverse the ramp, but the surface is difficult to clean and does not provide stable grip
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp surface incorporates a porous or textured configuration that facilitates cleaning by allowing debris and moisture to be removed more effectively, while also providing grip for birds
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp surface has varied local properties with different textures or patterns in different areas, providing stable grip zones for birds while maintaining cleanability through smooth transitions and drainage features
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
Facilitates bird training, enhances manure drying, simplifies aviary operations, and improves bird health by providing a stable and easily cleanable surface, increasing the capacity of the aviary and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a ramp configured for positioning alongside one or more aviary cages... a ramp configured to create air turbulence
Implementation Method 2
a ramp having a surface configuration capable of permitting a bird to grip the surface for stability. A need exists in the art for a ramp having a surface that can cause pressure differences across a bird's foot in contact with the surface to enable the surface to be relatively self-cleaning
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments provide an aviary, a walkway for an aviary, and a walkway system for an aviary. The walkway includes a ramp and at least one support disposed below the ramp.