Feed Distribution System

A feed distribution system comprising:

• a distribution vessel configured for containing and holding animal feed, said distribution vessel having an output opening configured for distributing the animal feed from the distribution vessel;
• a conveyor assembly extending from said distribution vessel, said conveyor assembly being positioned proximate to said output opening wherein said conveyor assembly is configured for receiving the animal feed distributed from said distribution vessel, said conveyor assembly including a trough conveyor, said trough conveyor having an upper surface, said upper surface defining a well extending along said trough conveyor wherein said trough conveyor is configured for holding the animal feed therein, said upper surface of said trough conveyor being defined by a belt extending continuously along a length of said trough conveyor;
• a distribution control assembly coupled to said distribution vessel, said distribution control assembly being configured for metering distribution of the animal feed from said distribution vessel onto said conveyor assembly;
• a motor coupled to said conveyor assembly, said motor moving said belt;
• a control operationally coupled to said distribution control assembly and said motor wherein said control coordinates metering of distribution of the animal feed from said distribution vessel and movement of said continuous belt for providing a desired amount of animal feed per unit length of said continuous belt;
• a load sensing device operationally coupled to said distribution vessel and said control wherein distribution over time is controlled by said control using weight detected within said distribution vessel by said load sensing device;
• a first storage bunker, said first storage bunker being configured for storing a first component of the animal feed;
• a first input transport conveyor operationally coupled between said first storage bunker and said distribution vessel wherein said first input transport conveyor is configured for delivering contents of said first storage bunker into said distribution vessel;
• a second storage bunker, said second storage bunker being configured for storing a second component of the animal feed;
• a second input transport conveyor operationally coupled between said second storage bunker and said distribution vessel wherein said second input transport conveyor is configured for delivering contents from said second storage bunker into said distribution vessel;
• a mixer being operationally coupled to said distribution vessel wherein contents of said distribution vessel are mixed by said mixer, said mixer including a grinder wherein said grinder is configured for grinding the animal feed before the animal feed is distributed from said distribution vessel through said output opening;
• a motion sensor coupled to said conveyor assembly, said motion sensor detecting when said conveyor assembly is in motion, said conveyor assembly moving at a constant speed adjacent to said output opening and said motion sensor being operationally coupled to said control wherein a distribution of animal feed onto said conveyor assembly is calculable using data collected from said motion sensor and said load sensing device;
• a torque sensor operationally coupled to said trough conveyor, said torque sensor being operationally coupled to said control such that said torque sensor detects torque required for movement of said trough conveyor;
• a user input, said user input being operationally coupled to said distribution assembly wherein said user input is configured for setting a desired amount of animal feed to be distributed from said distribution vessel through said output opening, said control being operationally coupled to said user input wherein said control is configured to control metering of the animal feed distributed from said distribution vessel responsive to manipulation of said user input by a user;
• a storage silo being operationally coupled to said distribution vessel for delivering contents of said storage silo directly into said distribution vessel;
• and
• a waste conveyor operationally coupled to said trough conveyor such that said waste conveyor is configured to transport unused feed and debris out of said trough conveyor and away from said distribution vessel, said waste conveyor has an open distal end relative to said trough conveyor wherein said waste conveyor is configured for delivering unused feed and debris from said trough conveyor into an extrinsic receptacle.