Abstract: Apparatus and method of heating and ventilating an enclosed area comprising a floor arranged as a number of floor zones.

Abstract: An agricultural animal house modular flooring system is provided, the flooring being particularly suited to poultry housing due to the structure of the flooring which facilitates cleaning, minimizes build-up of manure, bacteria and pathogens, and reduces risk of injury to the poultry. A plurality of interconnecting flooring panels and a plurality of panel support beams are provided. The panels each have pluralities of side flanges and recesses and end bosses and apertures for coupling the panel to a horizontally adjacent panel. The support beams provide interlocking engagement with the panels, prevent lateral disengagement of the panels, and distribute load from the panels and flanges to lower regions of the support beams to provide a support base of optimal strength and durability. The modular design of the flooring system provides for easy installation, assembly and disassembly of the flooring system.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a floor, wherein the floor is configured to support livestock housing; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof is substantially parallel to the floor; and one or more supporting structures configured to support the roof; in some embodiments, the floor comprises a non-zero slope. Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a passageway extending a majority of a distance between a first side and an opposing second side of the structure, wherein the passageway is positioned at an elevation that is below an elevation of the floor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a climate control device for controlling the temperature and humidity of air supplied to colonies of insects cultured in an industrial scale insect farm. In particular, the invention relates to a controllable air conditioning system involving a network of pipes connecting at least one cluster having at least one insect farming cage, such that air is conditionable in the cages at the cluster level. More specifically, the invention relates to a system having a central main air conditioning facility providing temperature conditioned air and absolute air humidity conditioned air to each of a number of local air conditioning devices, each separate local air conditioning device providing temperature conditioned air and absolute air humidity conditioned air to each of a plethora of clusters of insect breeding cages separately, said cages housed in a temperature conditioned farming room.

Abstract: A climate control system (20) for an animal house (10) is configured by determining a minimum ventilation curve for required minimum ventilation. A plurality of ventilation stages is created based on the minimum ventilation curve and the plurality of ventilation fans (23) in the climate control system, each stage providing a percentage of the required minimum ventilation. Creating the stages includes prioritizing the ventilation fans to create a selection hierarchy and determining a minimum stage ventilation and a maximum stage ventilation for each stage. Ventilation fans are selected following the hierarchy that provides the desired percentage of the minimum required ventilation. An increment between a maximum stage ventilation and a minimum stage ventilation for the next higher stage is defined, wherein the minimum capacity level is a function of the minimum capacity of the group of fans added to the next higher stage and the maximum capacity for the next higher stage is determined based on the increment.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for controlling a rotation angle of a swinging head of a fan. The method may be applied in a fan adopting a brushless motor. An angle feedback device is arranged on the swinging head, and the swinging head is driven by the brushless motor to rotate. The device may acquire a parameter outputted by the angle feedback device, where the parameter varies with rotation of the swinging head. The device may calculate a current rotation angle of the swinging head according to the parameter outputted by the angle feedback device and a preset correspondence relationship between parameters and angles. The device may control the swinging head to rotate according to the current rotation angle of the swinging head and a preset target rotation angle.

Abstract: A device for cold therapy using cooling mist. Ice baths and cryogenic chamber are previously known solutions for cold therapy, but both suffer from several disadvantages, such as space requirements. The present device for cold therapy includes elements, such as a nozzle, for producing mist from liquid provided for the device, which mist stream is sprayed to a surface area of a treated object in order to cool the treated object, wherein the Sauter mean diameter of the mist is at most 150 ?m.

Abstract: An environment cleaning system for an animal breeding house has an outside environment, a breeding house, an air covering, and a cleaning device. The breeding house is deposited in the outside environment. The air covering is deposited in the outside environment and is mounted around the breeding house. The air covering is used to buffer the air pressure between the outside environment and the breeding house. The cleaning device is deposited in the outside environment, is connected to the air covering and the breeding house, and has an air exchanging unit and at least one filtering unit. The air exchanging unit controls the relative pressure among the outside environment, the air covering, and the breeding house to provide a unidirectional air flowing effect, and the flowing direction of the air is based on the relative pressure between the breeding house and the air covering.

Abstract: A climate control system for an animal house is operated by determining a minimum ventilation curve for required minimum ventilation. A plurality of ventilation stages is created based on the minimum ventilation curve and the plurality of ventilation fans in the climate control system, each stage providing a percentage of the required minimum ventilation. Creating the stages includes prioritizing the ventilation fans to create a selection hierarchy and determining a minimum stage ventilation and a maximum stage ventilation for each stage. Ventilation fans are selected following the hierarchy that provides the desired percentage of the minimum required ventilation. The system advances from a lower stage a higher stage based on ventilation requirements. When it is determined that a fan is not operating, the system returns to the lower stage to substitute ventilation fans.

Abstract: An animal house has ammonia control apparatus. The animal house is a building structured for housing one or more animals. Apparatus is positioned inside the animal house for removing ammonia from air, and then returning the air inside the animal house. A method for removing ammonia from air in an animal house includes removing ammonia from air with an apparatus positioned inside the animal house, and then returning the air with ammonia removed inside the animal house.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a ventilation system for an aviary including at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof. The ventilation system includes a first fan disposed in one of the at least one exterior walls. A plenum is disposed on one of the at least one exterior walls. A second fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum. The present embodiments also provide a method of constructing a ventilation system in an aviary, which aviary includes at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof, a first fan, a plenum, and a second fan. The method includes disposing the first fan in one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the plenum on one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the second fan in flow communication with the plenum.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary that includes a floor, a roof, and at least one wall having a plenum to draw air adjacent the roof down the plenum toward the floor. At least one cage tower is disposed on the floor. At least one walkway is disposed adjacent the at least one cage tower and is configured to facilitate bird access to the at least one cage tower. A fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum to circulate air in the aviary.

Abstract: An enclosure pod for housing and protection of an animal comprises a water-proof hardened structural shell defining a chamber; a door providing entry and exit from the chamber; an air supply system configured to provide sufficient life-sustaining air to the chamber; a lighting system configured to provide ambient lighting to the chamber; a food/water/medicine dispenser; a vitals measuring device; a camera including a speaker and microphone; a global positioning system; a communication system including a transceiver and an antenna; a strobe light; a beacon; a waste containment system; and a computer in communication with the door, the air supply system, lighting system, food/water/medicine dispenser, global positioning system, camera, vitals measuring device, and communication system, the computer being configured to automatically control and in response to remote control of the operations of these elements.

Abstract: An at least partially open sided outdoor animal shelter structure to condition animals, when positioned within the structure, to a desired physiological state by controlling the environment in the structure, the structure including a floor to support animals, side supports, a water impervious canopy supported by the side supports, the canopy being supported above at least part of the floor, the canopy allowing at least some ambient light to pass therethrough and into the structure, and wherein there are ways in which to control the temperature and/or airflow under the canopy in a passive manner such as by a movable shade cloth, that in one condition is located intermediate of the canopy and the animals to offer shade to the animals when in the structure and in at least one other condition is retracted from being positioned to offer shade to such animals.

Abstract: A ventilation system is provided for a hog confinement building having a slatted floor, a manure reservoir beneath the floor, and a pump out pit in communication with the reservoir. The ventilation system includes a fan on top of the pump out pit, with an air conduit extending downwardly from the fan. A gate is slidably mounted on the conduit, with a float on the bottom end of the gate. The float sits on the surface of the manure, such that the gate rises and falls with changes in the manure level. A ventilation opening on the lower end of the gate allows air to be drawn from the manure reservoir adjacent the surface of the manure, upwardly through the conduit for expulsion by the fan. Air turbulence beneath the slatted floor is minimized to reduce or eliminate rising noxious gases through the slatted floor.

Abstract: An indoor livestock confinement system including a plurality of hollow plastic panels. One of the hollow plastic panels defines a U-shaped door frame. The door frame is open at the top and includes an attachment for a door at one edge. The door frame includes a reinforcement inside the panel that extends across a bottom threshold and sides of the door frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heatable floor for livestock stalls comprising a plurality of hollow, right-angled plate elements whose hollow spaces are filled with a heat transfer fluid and can be heated by means of heating lines (11) running through the hollow spaces, wherein each plate element comprises one upper shell (1) having an inlet opening (5) and forming a standing surface for the livestock and one lower shell (7) supporting the upper shell (1), the shells being connected to one another liquid-tight at their edges and having means for suspending carriers and being supported on one another by supports (6, 9) that run through the hollow space.

Abstract: A ventilation system is provided for a hog confinement building having a slatted floor, a manure reservoir beneath the floor, and a pump out pit in communication with the reservoir. The ventilation system includes a fan on top of the pump out pit, with an air conduit extending downwardly from the fan. A gate is slidably mounted on the conduit, with a float on the bottom end of the gate. The float sits on the surface of the manure, such that the gate rises and falls with changes in the manure level. A ventilation opening on the lower end of the gate allows air to be drawn from the manure reservoir adjacent the surface of the manure, upwardly through the conduit for expulsion by the fan. Air turbulence beneath the slatted floor is minimized to reduce or eliminate rising noxious gases through the slatted floor.

Abstract: A livestock production building includes an automatically controllable ventilation system which provides ventilation to livestock containment rooms. Incoming air may be heated, cooled and/or filtered, and is mixed and tempered before being delivered to livestock rooms. Substantially all exhaust air is filtered to mitigate environmental impact.

Abstract: An animal confinement housing includes an air intake section and an animal confinement section. Air is drawn into the housing through the air intake section and directed through the confinement section to ventilate the confinement section and the animals confined therein. The height of the confinement section can be selectively varied between a raised position of sufficient height to permit personnel and equipment to enter the confinement section and a lowered position that is of sufficient height to accommodate the animals confined therein by reduces the cross-sectional area through the confinement section to increase the air flow rate through the confinement section, without requiring an increase in the rate of intake of air into the air intake section.

Abstract: An intelligent doghouse full-automatic processor includes a cage bracket module, and an automatic excrement treating device, a feeding module, a water feeding module, a snack feeding module, a disinfection and heat preservation device and a video/audio module which are arranged on the cage bracket module as well as an automatic door control module, a host computer control module, a network communication module, a background control service module, a terminal use program and the like. With the modules, an owner can remotely monitor an intelligent doghouse, perform video/audio conversation with a pet dog and control and manage the eating and drinking, defecation and entering and exiting cage of the pet dog, disinfection of the cage and temperature regulation of air inside the cage by a computer or a mobile phone through a network browser. Moreover, parameters of the intelligent doghouse can be set through network.

Abstract: An at least partially open sided outdoor animal shelter structure, the structure including (a) a floor to support animals, the floor including apertures therethrough allowing animal waste matter to pass through the floor, (b) a basement below the floor for collecting the waste matter, (c) floor supports to support the floor above the basement, (d) side supports, (e) a water impervious canopy supported by the side supports, the canopy being supported above at least part of the floor, the canopy allowing at least some light to pass therethrough, (f) at least one air flow controller to control airflow in the area below the canopy.

Abstract: A process for the utilization of the methane produced by enteric fermentation, specifically to a process that utilizes methane produced by ruminant animals through enteric fermentation as a source of carbon and/or energy for the directed production of methane-based goods or processes is provided.

Abstract: A kennel system to be used commercially at hotels, resorts or during travel of the pet owner. The purpose of the kennel system is to allow pet owners to bring their pets with them to a hotel, hostel, resort or similar place of travel. The kennel system is largely automated and is monitored and controlled by the owner so that the hotel owner would be able to maintain the facility with a minimum of staff involvement. The owner would have total control of the care of the pet, using the automated features of the unit and controlled through a remote computer system. The kennel system includes indoor and outdoor exercise areas and secure physical access to the pet by the owner, who can take the pet out of the unit at any time for additional exercise and play time with the pet. The kennel system can be composed of singular or multiple kennels and includes automated food and water dispensers, and an automated waste cleaning system.

Abstract: A barn in which dairy animals can freely move about, lie down and eat includes a floor, a light-transmitting roof construction, and a wall construction. The floor consists for the greater part of a moisture absorbing, pourable layer which is able to collect moisture from manure and urine. This moisture is removed by means of solar heat and wind drying, and if this is not sufficient, by means of a floor heating. There is thus only required a very limited stationary sub-floor with a manure collecting device, i.e. only below the milking implement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing animal production in the animal confining house for raising the animals by improving health of the animals and reducing their rate of respiratory infections using an aerosol. The apparatus includes an animal confining house, containing an enclosed structure, a fan means, an aerosol generating means, and an aerosol delivery means.

Abstract: A system and method for the conductive cooling and warming of livestock. Heat exchangers are positioned beneath the cushion bedding areas of the animal so as to utilize on-site water, either in a single pass or a re-circulating system. In a single pass system the on-site water supply is diverted to the heat exchangers below the animal cushion bedding before returning to its original use for purposes such as drinking, wash down, or other processes. With the re-circulating system, a separate heat exchanger is located between the on-site water and the re-circulating water to the cushion bedding areas so as to exchange heat transferred from the animal lying on the cushion bedding above the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A synchronous fan system is provided which intermittently calibrates the fans by rotating periodically the fans each to a common stop position.

Abstract: A climate controlled animal shelter and method of controlling a climate controlled animal shelter is presented. The animal shelter includes an interior volume and a climate unit. The climate unit comprises an air conditioner, an evaporative cooler, an electric heater, and a radiant heater. The radiant heater includes a length of tubing attached to the animal shelter, a quantity of heating material disposed within the length of tubing. The heating material is configured to receive thermal energy and radiate the received thermal energy into the interior volume of the animal shelter.

Abstract: A cable release for use in a curtain control system for controlling drop curtains in a livestock confinement building. The cable release operates with cable drop devices having a cord release. A U-shaped segment of a main cable attached to the drop curtains is held in tension by an anchor with a latch operated by a lock handle attached to the cord of the cable drop device. The curtains are dropped when the cord is released by the cable drop device and U-shaped segment is released from anchor.

Abstract: The invention provides an indoor livestock confinement system that includes a plurality of hollow plastic panels. Each panel includes a plurality of spaced tabs at its ends. A first end of each panel includes a first set of tabs, and a second end of each panel includes a second set of tabs. Each set of tabs includes at least one tab at a top portion of the end, at least one tab at an intermediate portion of the end, and at least one tab at a lower portion of the end. The tabs of the first set are offset vertically from the tabs of the second set such that the first set of tabs of a first panel fit vertically between the second tabs of another panel when the ends of the panels are put together. Each tab includes a hole such that a rod can be inserted down through the tabs to lock the panels together. The livestock confinement system may include additional features, such as ventilation components, reinforced panels, and bucket holders.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing ammonia emissions. The system and method include a facility having a waste storage compartment below a floor comprised of slats with openings therebetween. A plurality of injection pipes are attached to a bottom surface of the slats. Each of the plurality of injection pipes includes a plurality of precipitation nozzles.

Abstract: A barn system that enables control of the environment inside a closed barn utilizes banks of fans mounted in the opposing side walls of the barn and interior circulation fans in conjunction with misters to maintain the comfort of animals confined in the barn, in particular, milk cows. The interior circulation fans are of the oscillating type that can sweep in a horizontal arc to help the circulation of the air. Movable curtains in the side walls may be raised and lowered to allow for natural ventilation of the barn when outside conditions allow. A number of exhaust fans mounted on the roof ridge line provides for exhaust of the air out the roof, as opposed to the sides as in conventional barns. The fans, misters, operable ridge vents, exhaust fans and curtains are controlled by a central monitoring and control system. A scrubber system for removing VOC's in the exhaust air may be included.

Abstract: A woodchip based bio-filtration system for odor and particulate matter removal from exhaust fan emissions from confined animal feeding operation buildings where visual inspection of the initial point of contact between the airflow from the building and the organic media can be made, and where the initial point of contact is directly sprayed with nozzles and/or stirred or agitated manually or mechanically to disperse matter (feathers, dust, fecal matter, etc.) which might tend to restrict airflow through the media.

Abstract: A chicken or fowl grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure deposited thereon, and a closed bottom floor plenum underneath the ventilated floor, which includes a liquid and vapor barrier covering the ground surface. Blowers in an attic plenum can discharge warm air through hanging pleated conduit tubes into the floor plenum to provide heat through the ventilated floor. A plurality of indirect evaporative coolers and associated air blowers in the facility walls force outside air, cooled or uncooled, into the growth facility, and create higher pressure in the growth facility than the pressure in the floor plenum. Vacuum blowers associated with the floor plenum cause the flow of air and air-borne contaminates through the floor and exhaust same from the plenum to outside the facility which dries manure on the floor and reduces ammonia formation and pathogen growth.

Abstract: A chicken or poultry grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure and other solids deposited thereon, and a bottom air plenum underneath the ventilated floor which is vented to the poultry growth chamber. A liquid and vapor barrier sheet preferably covers the ground surface underneath the floor assembly which together insulate the high temperature of the grow-out facility from the heat sink effect of the lower temperature ground. Conventional tunnel ventilation of the chicken or poultry house through the ends of the house creates a negative pressure inside the growth chamber and air plenum relative to the outside environment. As a result of this tunnel ventilation and negative pressure, moisture in the manure evaporates into the air in the growth chamber and into the bottom air plenum to effectively dry the manure retained on the floor and reduce ammonia formation and bacteria growth.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of rearing poultry. The process comprises the steps of housing the poultry in a heated poultry shed, collecting poultry litter from the poultry shed, thermally treating the poultry litter and harnessing heat generated by the thermally treated poultry litter, and heating the poultry shed using the harnessed heat. In this way, the poultry litter may be used to heat the poultry in the shed and other expensive fuels will not have to be purchased to carry out this task, thereby reducing the operating cost of the poultry rearing process. Furthermore, the poultry litter will be available in an abundant supply. Due to the fact that the fuel is so readily available, it is possible to preheat the sheds to the ideal temperature prior to receiving the poultry and ventilate the poultry sheds both of which will result in the poultry thriving.

Abstract: A system and method for the conductive cooling and warming of livestock. Heat exchangers are positioned beneath the cushion bedding areas of the animal so as to utilize on-site water, either in a single pass or a re-circulating system. In a single pass system the on-site water supply is diverted to the heat exchangers below the animal cushion bedding before returning to its original use for purposes such as drinking, wash down, or other processes. With the re-circulating system, a separate heat exchanger is located between the on-site water and the re-circulating water to the cushion bedding areas so as to exchange heat transferred from the animal lying on the cushion bedding above the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An animal confinement housing includes an air intake section and an animal confinement section. Air is drawn into the housing through the air intake section and directed through the confinement section to ventilate the confinement section and the animals confined therein. The height of the confinement section can be selectively varied between a raised position of sufficient height to permit personnel and equipment to enter the confinement section and a lowered position that is of sufficient height to accommodate the animals confined therein by reduces the cross-sectional area through the confinement section to increase the air flow rate through the confinement section, without requiring an increase in the rate of intake of air into the air intake section.

Abstract: A blower system for livestock may include a housing. An air inlet may be located on the housing. One or more motors may be located in the housing. One or more fans may be coupled to at least one of the motors. The fans may be located in the housing. The fans may draw air in through the air inlet and expel air out through an air outlet located on the housing. A hollow plate may be coupled to the air outlet. The hollow plate may include a plurality of holes to allow air to exit the plate at a variety of angles and at pressures sufficient to create a whirlpool effect in a volume of water. The blower system may be portable.

Abstract: A livestock production building includes an automatically controllable ventilation system which provides ventilation to livestock containment rooms. Incoming air may be heated, cooled and/or filtered, and is mixed and tempered before being delivered to livestock rooms. Substantially all exhaust air is filtered to mitigate environmental impact.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moderating the environment of a pet shelter is provided. The apparatus may include a climate control device which may be attached to the pet shelter in order to regulate the temperature and environment within the pet shelter. The apparatus may also include a photoelectric control element electrically connected to the climate control device and operable based on the ambient light input from outside the pet shelter. The apparatus may regulate the environment of the pet shelter based on the ambient light outside of the pet shelter.

Abstract: A bee house for housing a plurality of bee hives includes a generally rectangular frame and four upwardly extending opaque fixed walls fixed to the frame and a gable roof having a generally triangular cross-section. The roof has a peak and a pair of eaves or outer edges below its peak and defines a longitudinally extending opening between a pair of roof panels at or along the peak. The bee house also includes a plurality of shelves for holding three bee hives on each shelf and an air-conditioner for maintaining the bee house at a temperature of between about 25° C. and 35 C.

Abstract: A chicken or fowl grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure and other solids deposited thereon, and a bottom floor plenum underneath the ventilated floor. A liquid and vapor barrier sheet preferably covers the ground surface underneath the floor assembly which together insulate the high temperature of the grow-out facility from the heat sink effect of the lower temperature ground. Conventional tunnel ventilation of the chicken house through the ends of the house creates a negative pressure inside the house relative to the outside environment which is vented to the floor assembly plenum. As a result of this tunnel ventilation and negative pressure, moisture in the manure from urine and otherwise evaporates into the air in the growth chamber and floor assembly plenum to effectively keep dry the manure retained on the floor and reduce ammonia formation and pathogen growth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moderating the environment of a pet shelter is provided. The apparatus may include a climate control device which may be attached to the pet shelter in order to regulate the temperature and environment within the pet shelter. The apparatus may also include a photoelectric control element electrically connected to the climate control device and operable based on the ambient light input from outside the pet shelter. The apparatus may regulate the environment of the pet shelter based on the ambient light outside of the pet shelter.

Abstract: A cover and lifter for use with an outdoor device having at least one ventilation port, such as a calf hutch and the like, including a shaft having a hook on its outer end and a fastener on its inner end that holds a lift plate against the under side of the top of the outdoor device. Preferably the materials from which the cover and lifter are made are weather resistant, such as stainless steel.

Abstract: An at least partially open sided outdoor animal shelter structure to condition animals, when positioned within the structure, to a desired physiological state by controlling the environment in the structure, the structure including a floor to support animals, side supports, a water impervious canopy supported by the side supports, the canopy being supported above at least part of the floor, the canopy allowing at least some ambient light to pass therethrough and into the structure, and wherein there are ways in which to control the temperature and/or airflow under the canopy in a passive manner such as by a movable shade cloth, that in one condition is located intermediate of the canopy and the animals to offer shade to the animals when in the structure and in at least one other condition is retracted from being positioned to offer shade to such animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method in which an animal is cooled and to apparatus for cooling an animal, in particular a cow. The method includes the step of determining the condition of the animal (5) and/or of the environment in which the animal (5) is located. The method is characterised by the further steps of selecting a method of cooling the animal (5), wherein the selected cooling method is chosen on the basis of the determined condition; and cooling the animal with the selected cooling method.

Abstract: A swiftlet breeding facility, for use in creating and harvesting edible bird's nests. The facility includes sub-systems for injecting live insect and worm prey, and water, into an aerial enclosure to provide a feeding system imitative of a natural swiftlet feeding environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for raising poultry, such as chickens, for food production. In a first embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, exposing an interior of the facility to natural light cycles of an outside environment for a first period and regulating light cycles of the interior for a second period, thereby mimicking daylight duration variation representative of seasonal changes for stimulating sexual development of the poultry. In a second embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, limiting exposure of an interior of the facility to light to produce a brown-out effect therein for enhancing physical development of the poultry.