U.S. patent application number 09/837099 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-24 for poultry feeder with feed conveyor control system.
Invention is credited to Bertke, Douglas S., Turner, Mark R..
Application Number | 20020152965 09/837099 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25273512 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020152965 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Turner, Mark R. ; et
al. |
October 24, 2002 |
POULTRY FEEDER WITH FEED CONVEYOR CONTROL SYSTEM
Abstract
A poultry feeder includes a drop tube which attaches to a
horizontal feed distribution or conveyor tube enclosing an auger
driven by a motor and gear reducer unit. The feeder includes a feed
pan and grill assembly mounted on the drop tube for relative
vertical movement, and an annular feed level control member is
supported above the feed pan for relative vertical movement by an
actuator sleeve. A feed conveyor control unit includes a base
housing recessed within a center portion of the pan and supports a
spring biased inverted cone member covered by a flexible diaphragm
for sensing the weight of feed supported within the center portion
of the feeder. The cone has a center plunger or stem which carries
an adjustable metal actuator screw positioned to actuate an
inductive type proximity switch or sensor connected to control the
drive motor for the auger drive unit.
Inventors: |
Turner, Mark R.; (Coldwater,
OH) ; Bertke, Douglas S.; (Coldwater, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Alan F. Meckstroth, Esq.
Jacox, Meckstroth & Jenkins
2310 Far Hills Bldg., Suite 2
Dayton
OH
45419-1575
US
|
Family ID: |
25273512 |
Appl. No.: |
09/837099 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
119/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 39/0125
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/53 |
International
Class: |
A01K 001/10; A01K
005/00; A01K 039/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A poultry feeder adapted to be supported by a horizontally
extending feed conveyor tube enclosing an auger driven by an
electric motor, said feeder comprising a generally vertical drop
tube adapted to be supported by and receive feed from the conveyor
tube, a feed pan disposed under said drop tube for receiving feed
from said drop tube, a grill member surrounding said drop tube and
connected to said feed pan, a control unit connected to said pan
and including a switch having electrical conductors adapted to be
connected to the electric motor, said control unit including a feed
sensing member supported under said drop tube for downward movement
in response to a predetermined mass of feed on said sensing member,
and an actuating member carried by said feed sensing member and
positioned to actuate said switch at a lower position of said feed
sensing member.
2. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch
comprises an inductive type proximity switch, and said actuating
member comprises a metal actuator carried by said feed sensing
member and positioned to actuate said proximity switch when said
feed sensing member moves to said lower position.
3. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 2 wherein said metal
actuator comprises a screw adjustably connected to said feed
sensing member.
4. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 1 wherein said control unit
comprises a cup-shaped housing recessed within a center portion of
said pan and having an upwardly projecting center hub portion, and
said feed sensing member comprises an inverted cone member having a
center stem portion supported for vertical movement by said hub
portion of said housing.
5. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 4 and including a diaphragm
overlying said cone member and having a flexible skirt portion
connected to said housing.
6. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 4 wherein said housing and
said cone member each comprises a molded plastics material.
7. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 4 wherein said switch
comprises an inductive type proximity switch disposed within said
housing, and said actuating member comprises an adjustable metal
screw connected to said stem portion and disposed to actuate said
switch when said cone member is in said lower position.
8. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 4 and including a
compression spring extending between said hub portion of said
housing and said stem portion of said cone member for urging said
cone member upwardly to an upper position.
9. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 8 wherein said actuating
member comprises a metal screw adjustably threaded into said stem
portion of said cone member and projecting downwardly into a center
bore within said hub portion of said housing, and the force exerted
by said spring on said stem portion of said cone member is selected
by adjusting said screw within said stem portion of said cone
member.
10. A poultry feeder adapted to be supported by a horizontally
extending feed conveyor tube enclosing an auger driven by an
electric motor, said feeder comprising a generally vertical drop
tube adapted to be supported by and receive feed from the conveyor
tube, a feed pan disposed under said drop tube for receiving feed
from said drop tube, a grill member surrounding said drop tube and
connected to said feed pan, a control unit including a housing
recessed within said pan, a switch within said housing and having
electrical conductors adapted to be connected to the electric
motor, a feed sensing member having a sloping top surface disposed
under said drop tube and supported by said housing for downward
movement in response to a predetermined mass of feed on said top
surface of said sensing member, and an actuating member carried by
said feed sensing member and positioned to actuate said switch at a
lower position of said feed sensing member.
11. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 10 wherein said switch
comprises an inductive type proximity switch, and said actuating
member comprises a metal actuator carried by said feed sensing
member and positioned to actuate said proximity switch when said
feed sensing member moves to said lower position.
12. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 11 wherein said metal
actuator comprises a screw adjustably connected to a downwardly
projecting center stem portion of said feed sensing member.
13. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 10 wherein said housing is
recessed within a center portion of said pan and includes an
upwardly projecting center hub portion, and said feed sensing
member includes a downwardly projecting center stem portion
supported for vertical movement by said hub portion of said
housing.
14. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 13 wherein said switch
comprises an inductive type proximity switch disposed within said
housing, and said actuating member comprises an adjustable metal
screw connected to said stem portion and disposed to actuate said
switch when said feed sensing member is in said lower position.
15. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 13 and including a
compression spring extending between said hub portion of said
housing and said stem portion of said feed sensing member for
urging said feed sensing member upwardly to an upper position.
16. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 15 wherein said actuating
member comprises a metal screw adjustably threaded into said stem
portion of said feed sensing member and projecting downwardly into
a tubular said hub portion of said housing, and the force exerted
by said spring on said stem portion of said feed sensing member is
selected by adjusting said screw within said stem portion of said
cone member.
17. A poultry feeder as defined in claim 10 and including a
diaphragm overlying said feed sensing member and having a flexible
skirt portion connected to said housing.
18. A control unit for a poultry feed conveyor drive, comprising a
base housing defining an open top chamber, an inverted cone member
supported by said housing above said chamber for generally vertical
movement relative to said housing and having a sloping top surface,
a flexible diaphragm member extending between said cone member and
said housing, a spring urging said cone member to an upper
position, said cone member adapted to move downwardly in response
to a collection of feed on said cone member, a switch disposed
within said housing and adapted to control the feed conveyor drive,
and an actuator connected to move downwardly with said cone member
and position to actuate said switch in response to a predetermined
amount of feed on said cone member.
19. A control unit as defined in claim 18 wherein said switch
comprises an inductive type proximity switch, and said actuator
comprises a metal actuator carried by said cone member and
positioned to actuate said proximity switch when said cone member
moves to a lower position.
20. A control unit as defined in claim 19 wherein said housing
includes an upwardly projecting tubular hub portion, said cone
member includes a downwardly projecting center stem portion
supported for vertical movement by said hub portion of said
housing, and said actuator comprises a metal screw extending
upwardly within said hub portion and threaded into said stem
portion of said cone member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to poultry feeders with adjustable
feed levels and of the general type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,050,220 which issued to the assignee of the present invention and
also disclosed in the references cited in the '220 patent. The
invention also relates to a system or unit which controls the
distribution of feed from a feed supply hopper through a horizontal
conveyor or distribution tube enclosing an auger driven by an
electric motor and gear reducer unit, such as, for example, the
feed distribution system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,330,255. As
shown in this '255 patent, the poultry feed is conveyed from a feed
supply hopper 10 through a horizontal feed distribution tube or
line 11 to a series of feeder pans 12 spaced along the feed
distribution tube or line. The feed line or tube encloses a helical
feed screw or auger 32 driven by an electric motor and gear reducer
unit 33.
[0002] In such a feed distribution system, it is common to control
the auger drive motor with a paddle actuated switch mounted on the
drop tube of the feeder pan located at the end of the feed
distribution line, opposite the feed supply hopper. For example,
the '255 patent discloses in FIG. 10 a feed sensing switch 37 and a
pivotal actuating paddle or flap 65. When feed builds up in the
drop tube, the pressure or force from the feed pushes against the
paddle or flap which actuates the switch 37 to shut off the drive
motor 33 for the auger 32 within the feed distribution tube or line
11. Capacitive type proximity switches or sensors have also been
used to sense a build up of feed within the drop tube, but the
switches are not reliable, usually due to an accumulation of feed
on the lens of the sensor and do not provide for convenient and
precise adjustment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is directed to a poultry feeder having
an improved control system or unit which is more sensitive and
reliable than previously used feeder control systems and which is
also conveniently adjustable and constructed to provide high
durability and resistance to the conditions of dust and humidity
commonly found in a poultry or broiler feeder house. In accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a poultry feeder is
constructed as disclosed in above mentioned U.S. Pat. No.
6,050,220. The feeder incorporates a control unit within the bottom
pan of the feeder for controlling the motor which drives the auger
within the horizontal feed distribution or conveyor tube for
delivering feed to a plurality or series of poultry feeders
connected to the tube at longitudinally spaced intervals. The
illustrated control unit incorporates a cylindrical base housing
which is recessed within a center hole of the feeder pan and
supports an inverted cone member for slight vertical movement
relative to the housing. The cone member is biased upwardly by a
spring and is covered by a flexible rubber-like diaphragm having a
skirt portion which is pinched between the pan and the housing.
[0004] The cone member has a downwardly projecting center plunger
or stem which carries a metal actuator screw, and the screw head
operates an inductive type proximity switch enclosed within the
housing and connected to control the motor for the auger within the
feed conveyor tube. The inverted cone member senses the weight of
the feed on the cone member and moves downwardly relative to the
base housing. When the head of the metal actuator screw is sensed
by the proximity sensor or switch, the switch shuts off the auger
drive motor. The housing and the actuator cone are molded of a
rigid plastics material, and the metal actuator screw is adjustable
within the center stem of the cone member for precisely selecting
the weight of feed necessary to actuate the proximity sensor.
[0005] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings
and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a vertical section of a feed distribution or
conveyor tube and a poultry feeder incorporating a control unit
constructed in accordance with the invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is an enlarged axial section of the control unit
shown in FIG. 1 and before the control unit is actuated by the
weight of feed on the control unit; and
[0008] FIG. 3 is a section similar to FIG. 2 and illustrating the
control unit actuated by a predetermined weight of feed supported
by the control unit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0009] A poultry feeder 10 is shown in FIG. 1 and is constructed as
disclosed in above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,220, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. However, other
poultry feeders may be used with a control unit constructed in
accordance with the invention. The poultry feeder 10 receives
granular feed through a horizontal feed conveyor or distribution
tube 12 which commonly extends about one half the length of a
poultry feeder or broiler house. The tube 12 receives a rotary
auger 14 which is intermittently driven or rotated by an electric
motor and gear reducer drive unit 15 located at an end of the house
to move the feed from a supply hopper located within the center of
the house axially within the tube 12 so that the feed exits or
drops downwardly through a bottom hole 16 associated with each
feeder connected to the tube.
[0010] Preferably, each poultry feeder 10 is constructed entirely
of injection molded plastic parts or components and includes a
vertical drop tube 18 having generally a square cross-sectional
configuration and defining an arcuate recess 19 for receiving the
delivery tube 12. A cap member 22 slides laterally or clips onto
the upper portion of the drop tube 18 to secure the drop tube to
the delivery or conveyor tube. A pair of ears 23 at the top of the
cap member 22 are for receiving and locating an electrically
charged wire for preventing the birds from roosting on the feed
distribution tube 12, as shown in above mentioned U.S. Pat. No.
3,330,255, the disclosure of which is also incorporated by
reference.
[0011] A set of linear gear teeth or racks 24 are integrally molded
as part of the drop tube 18 on opposite side walls, and a tubular
sleeve 26 receives the drop tube 18 and has opposite vertical
channel portions 28 opposing the racks 24. Cross slots are formed
within each channel portion 28 and receive a small pinion or spur
gear 34 mounted on a shaft 36. The slots rotatably supports the
shaft 36 and position the gear 34 so that it engages the
corresponding rack 24. A tubular feed gate 40 is also molded of a
plastics material and includes opposing channel portions 42 each of
which has vertically spaced horizontal slots 43 so that the channel
portions 42 form another pair of vertical racks which also receive
the teeth on the pinions or gears 34.
[0012] A molded plastic grill 50 (FIG. 5) includes an upper annular
hub portion 52 which is connected to the upper end portion of the
tubular sleeve 26 by a pair of spring hooks (not shown) molded as
integral parts of the sleeve 26. The hub portion 52 has a
downwardly projecting wall around the drop tube 18 and which
engages the top end of the sleeve 26 to lock the grill 50 to the
sleeve 26. The grill 50 has circumferentially and angularly spaced
ribs 62 (FIG. 5) which are integrally molded with the annular hub
52 and with a bottom connecting ring 64. The ring 64 is split at
one location to provide for slightly collapsing the ring 64. A
molded plastic feed pan 70 (FIG. 1) includes an upwardly projecting
inner frusto-conical portion 72 surrounded by an outer
frusto-conical portion 74. The outer portion 74 is surrounded by a
channel-shaped rim portion 76 having an inwardly projecting upper
annular lip 77. The feed pan 70 is attached to the grill 50 by
slightly collapsing the ring portion 64 of the grill 50 and
expanding it into the channel portion 76 of the feed pan 70.
[0013] An annular feed level control member 85 includes a tubular
sleeve portion 87 which surrounds the feed gate 40. The sleeve
portion 87 is adjustably connected to the feed gate by means of
segmented threads 89 within the tubular sleeve portion 87 and
external thread segments on the feed gate 40. A frusto-conical
skirt portion 92 is molded as an integral part of the control
member 85 at the bottom of the tubular sleeve portion 87, and a
series of peripherally spaced tapered ribs or fins 94 project
outwardly from the skirt portion 92.
[0014] In accordance with the present invention, a control unit 100
for the motor 15 is located within a circular hole or opening 102
of the feed pan 70 and includes a cup-shaped base housing 105
having a cylindrical wall 106 and a bottom wall 108 and molded of a
semi-rigid plastics material. A set of four peripherally spaced
ribs 111 (FIG. 1) are molded as an integral part of the cylindrical
wall 106 and engaged the bottom surface of the feed pan portion 72
around the opening 102. A set of four circumferentially spaced
tapered clips 113 are also molded as an integral part of the
housing wall 106 and project outwardly to engage the upper surface
of the pan wall 72 around the opening 102. The wall 106 of the
housing 105 has sufficient flexibility to permit the tapered clips
113 to snap onto the pan wall 72 when the pan 70 is pressed
downwardly onto the base housing 105.
[0015] The housing 105 is molded with an integral cylindrical hub
portion 116 which has a lower bore or chamber 118 and an upper
chamber 121 separated by an internally threaded wall portion 122.
The chamber 121 slidably supports a center plunger portion 124 of a
molded plastic inverted cone member 125 having an upwardly
projecting center dome 127. The cone member 125 is covered by a
thin molded latex or rubber-like membrane or diaphragm 130 which
overlies the cone member 125 and has a lower cylindrical skirt
portion 132 which extends around the clips 113 and through the
center opening 102 of the feed pan 70. The skirt portion 132 is
confined or pinched between the pan portion 72 and the housing wall
106.
[0016] The cone member 125 is supported by the center column or hub
portion 116 of the housing 105 with the cylindrical plunger portion
124 freely slidable within the cylindrical chamber 121 so that the
cone member 125 may move from an upper position (FIG. 2) to a lower
position (FIG. 3) against the bias of a helical coil compression
spring 136 surrounding a lower cylindrical stem portion 138 of the
cone member 125. When the cone member 125 moves downwardly, the
skirt portion 132 of the the flexible membrane or diaphragm bulges
outwardly, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0017] A metal actuator in the form of a cap screw 142 has a head
portion 143 with a hexagonal recess and extends through an
externally threaded guide bushing 146 supported by the wall portion
122 of the housing 105. The screw 142 is threaded into the stem
portion 138 of the cone member 125 and is adjustable within the
stem portion for selecting the upper position of the cone member
125 and the compression of the spring 136. An induction type
proximity sensor or switch 150 extends horizontally within a lower
portion of the housing 105 and is retained by an integrally molded
lug projection 152 having a bore or hole which receives the sensor
150. One type of solid state sensor which has provided satisfactory
results is manufactured by Carlo Gavazzi in Italy and is sold under
Model No. El1204TBCSL. The proximity switch or sensor 150 has a set
of flexible electrical conductors within a cord or line 154, and
the conductors are connected to control the electric motor of the
auger drive unit 15.
[0018] In operation, the poultry feeder 10 with the control unit
100 is located adjacent the end of the feed conveyor tube 12 where
the auger 14 connects to the drive unit 15. The compression spring
138 is selected to urge the actuating cone 130 to its upper
position (FIG. 2) where the head 143 of the screw 142 engages a
shoulder within the housing hub portion 116 at the bottom of the
threaded wall portion 122. When a predetermined volume and weight
of poultry feed is collected on and is supported by the cone member
130 within the end feeder 10, the cone member commences to move
downwardly in response to the weight of the collected feed. After a
predetermined amount of feed is collected within the pan 70, and
the cone member 130 is supporting a corresponding predetermined
weight of feed, the cone member arrives at its lower actuating
position (FIG. 3), where the head 143 of the actuating screw 142 is
sensed by the proximity switch or sensor 150 which opens the
electrical circuit to the motor of the auger drive unit 15. When
the auger 14 stops, no additional feed is supplied to any of the
feeders 10 connected to the feed conveyor tube 12.
[0019] As apparent from the drawings and the above description, a
poultry feeder incorporating a feed conveyor control unit or system
100 constructed in accordance with the present invention, provides
desirable features and advantages. For example, the control unit
100 is dependable in operation an does not require frequent
maintenance or adjustment as normally required by control
mechanisms which depend on a spring within or associated with a
mechanical switch to determine the operating sensitivity of the
control system. In addition, the inductive type proximity switch or
sensor 150 is very reliable with respect to sensing the head 143 of
the actuator screw 142 and requires no adjustment in the switch
150. The control unit 100 may also be easily and quickly attached
to the pan of poultry feeders simply by cutting a circular hole 102
in the center portion of the pan and pressing the pan downwardly
onto the control unit 100 until the pan wall passes over the spring
clips 113. The control unit 100 may also be easily and quickly
adjusted for changing the sensitivity of the control unit simply by
lifting the feeder and inserting a wrench into the hole 118 within
the bottom of the base housing 105 and adjusting the screw 142
within the stem portion 138 of the cone member 125. In addition,
the flexible latex diaphragm 130 protects the components within the
base housing 105 by assuring that none of the feed or dust enters
the housing during movement of the cone member 125.
[0020] While the form of feeder control system or apparatus herein
described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this
precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *