Hydraulic Skid Steer Blower for Elevated Chicken House Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual operation of blowers in chicken houses for cleaning debris is labor-intensive, dusty, and inefficient, particularly when dealing with elevated structures, which can impact air flow and hygiene between flocks of chickens.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulically driven blower apparatus mounted on a skid steer loader, with a positionally adjustable discharge tube, allows for directed air streams to dislodge debris from elevated areas, facilitating efficient cleaning by leveraging the loader's hydraulic system and boom controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manually operated blowers are used to clean chicken houses, then cleaning can be performed, but the work is labor-intensive and dusty requiring respirators and eyewear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical blowers with a hydraulically powered blower system mounted on a skid steer loader. The hydraulic motor converts hydraulic energy directly into rotational motion to drive the blower fan, eliminating the need for manual operation and reducing dust exposure by automating the cleaning process while maintaining operator protection through the enclosed loader cabin.
Solution Approach 2:
The skid steer loader serves as an intermediary platform that combines hydraulic power transmission with the blower function. The loader's hydraulic system provides the necessary power through a hydraulic motor, while the loader's maneuverability and positioning capabilities enable effective cleaning of elevated structures without direct human exposure to harmful dust and debris.
2Productivity
If manually operated blowers are used, then cleaning can be performed, but the process is inefficient particularly for elevated structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual blowers with a hydraulically powered system that delivers significantly higher air volume and velocity. The hydraulic motor provides continuous rotational power to the blower fan, creating a more effective air stream that can efficiently dislodge debris from elevated structures like tube heaters, brooders, and space heaters, thereby reducing cleaning time and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blower system is mounted on the skid steer loader's boom structure, allowing dynamic positioning and angle adjustment to target different areas of the chicken house, including elevated structures. This dynamic positioning capability enables the operator to efficiently access and clean various zones without time loss, improving overall cleaning productivity.
3Ease of operation
If blowers are used to clean elevated heating systems, then debris removal is effective, but the equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The skid steer loader provides a universal platform that combines multiple functions: positioning, hydraulic power supply, and blower operation. The loader's existing hydraulic system powers the blower through a hydraulic motor, eliminating the need for separate power sources. The boom structure allows the blower to reach elevated structures while maintaining operator safety and control, achieving effective cleaning without proportionally increasing equipment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic motor to convert hydraulic energy into rotational motion that drives the blower fan. This hydraulic power transmission system provides the necessary torque and continuous power for effective debris removal from elevated structures. The hydraulic system's inherent control mechanisms allow for smooth operation and easy adjustment of blower performance without adding complex mechanical drive trains.
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 solution enables effective removal of debris from elevated structures within chicken houses, improving hygiene and reducing labor, thereby enhancing the environment for subsequent flocks of chickens.
Implementation Method 1
The blower is driven by a hydraulic motor operatively connected to the auxiliary hydraulic system of the skid steer loader
Implementation Method 2
manually operated blowers are typically utilized by people carrying the blowers through the chicken house structure to relocate the unwanted material
Data Source
AI summary
A blower apparatus is supported on a frame detachably mounted on the implement mounting plate for a skid steer loader. The blower is powered by a hydraulic motor operatively connected to the auxiliary hydraulic system of the skid steer loader. The blower is mounted on the frame in a manner that orients the discharge spout upwardly to be directed at elevated structure within the chicken house. Re-orientation of the air stream from the blower can be affected by manipulating the tilt position of the implement mounting plate and by raising the boom arms of the skid steer loader to elevate the blower apparatus. By properly positioning and orienting the discharged air stream from the blower apparatus, the dirt and debris in elevated structure of the chicken house can be dislodged and removed from the chicken house to improve the health and environment for a subsequent flock of birds installed therein.