Poultry feeder with level sensor
AssigneeGSI Group Corporation
InventorNathan Pickens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A feed level sensor for a poultry feeding system is positioned within the drop tube of a control feeder of the feeding system. The sensor comprise a first light emitter/light detector pair to detect when the level of feed in the drop tube falls below a predetermined “empty” level and a second light emitter/light detector pair to detect when feed in the drop tube is at a predetermined “full” level in the drop tube. The sensor emits a “start” signal to activate a drive to deliver feed to the feeders along a feed line when it is detected that feed in the control feeder drop tube falls below the “empty” level and emits a “stop” signal to deactivate the drive when it detects that feed within the drop tube is at the “full” level.
Claims12
A feed level controller for a control feeder of a feed system;
- the feed level control comprising a light receiver and a light emitter;
- the light receiver being adapted to direct light across a width of the drop tube or along a length of the drop tube;
- the light receiver being positioned relative to the light emitter to detect light transmitted by the light emitter whereby, when said light receiver receives light from said light emitter, said controller emitting a “start” signal and when said light receiver ceases to receive light from said light emitter, said controller emitting a “stop” signal.
A method for controlling a feed system in a poultry house;
- the feed system comprising a feed line, a feed hopper located at one end of the feed line, a conveying device which moves feed through the feed line, a drive for the conveying device and a control feeder in communication with the feed line to receive feed from the feed line through a drop tube;
- the control feeder comprising a feed level sensor in the drop tube;
- the method comprising:
- activating the drive when the sensor determines that feed in the drop tube falls below an “empty” level in the drop tube;
- and
- deactivating the drive when the sensor determines that feed in the drop tube has reached a “full” level in the drop tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.