V-Shaped Livestock Box Rows for Uniform Airflow Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing livestock transport systems, particularly for poultry like chicks, fail to provide an optimal environment as air flows past the boxes rather than through them, leading to uneven ventilation and increased energy consumption due to high-pressure requirements.
Innovation Solution
A transport system with a ventilation system that directs air through converging rows of boxes, maintaining constant airflow pressure and ensuring even ventilation by reducing airflow volume gradually, with air-tight sealing elements and V-shaped positioning to enhance airflow distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air flows past the boxes in parallel rows, then ventilation is provided, but the airflow quality deteriorates for distant boxes and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the box rows in a V-shape rather than parallel arrangement. This asymmetric geometry causes the airflow to converge toward the exit side, maintaining pressure and improving ventilation quality for distant boxes without requiring additional energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the airflow pattern to adapt to the V-shaped box configuration. The airflow dynamically adjusts its path and pressure distribution along the converging rows, ensuring consistent ventilation quality throughout the transport compartment.
2Quantity of substance
If high-power fans are used to increase airflow volume, then ventilation is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the box arrangement from parallel to V-shaped. This parameter change optimizes the airflow distribution and pressure characteristics, achieving effective ventilation with standard fans rather than requiring high-power fans.
3Temperature
If air permeable cooling walls are added for intermediate cooling, then airflow quality is improved, but counter pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transport compartment into multiple zones along the V-shaped box rows. This segmentation allows for distributed airflow management and intermediate cooling without requiring additional cooling walls, thereby avoiding increased counter pressure.
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
This solution provides an optimized transport environment by ensuring consistent airflow reaches all boxes, reducing energy consumption, and improving the health and growth rate of chicks during transport.
Implementation Method 1
a ventilation system for supplying air to the transport compartment at the air entry side
Implementation Method 2
the volume between the two rows of boxes in the direction of convergence can be reduced as well, thereby compensating for the reduction in volume of the airflow. Therefore, the pressure of the airflow can be kept substantially constant or at substantially the same level along the direction of convergence
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transport system (2) and a method for transporting livestock, in particular poultry such as chicks, wherein the transport system comprises a transport compartment (3) with an air entry side and an air exit side, wherein the transport system (2) further comprises a ventilation system (4) for supplying air to the transport compartment (3) at the air entry side, wherein the transport system (2) is provided with positioning elements (30) which are arranged for receiving and holding a plurality of boxes (8) for said livestock in a transport position (V) in the transport compartment (3) between the air entry side and the air exit side of the transport compartment, (2) wherein the positioning elements (30) are arranged to hold and position the boxes (8) in the transport position (V) in which the boxes (8) form a first row (81) and a second row (82) that converge towards each other in a direction from the air entry side towards the air exit side of the transport compartment (3).