Abstract: An automated flush system for an evaporative cooling system may be employed in barns or other facilities that house animals to provide cooling and to reduce production loss. The evaporative cooling control system may include an automated flush system that has a controllable valve at a flush end of the cooling system. Based on a timer, the controllable valve is opened and water drains (e.g., pumped or gravity feed) out of the cooling pad enclosure. Fresh water is introduced at the “fill” end of the system, rinsing out the evaporative cooling pads. After a predetermined time, the valve at the flush end of the system is closed, and the fresh water refills the cooling pad enclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chain disk corner. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a bi-directional orientation independent chain disk corner wheel. In particular, the wheel is molded and devoid of moving parts. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a window portion. In particular, a bottom housing subassembly includes a bottom body of an opaque material and a hingedly attached window portion. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a reinforcing washer. In particular, a top washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the top body, and/or a bottom washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the bottom body. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a top surface devoid of pockets. In particular, a top body includes a plurality of ribs positioned at an interior surface of the top body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chain disk corner. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a bi-directional orientation independent chain disk corner wheel. In particular, the wheel is molded and devoid of moving parts. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a window portion. In particular, a bottom housing subassembly includes a bottom body of an opaque material and a hingedly attached window portion. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a reinforcing washer. In particular, a top washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the top body, and/or a bottom washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the bottom body. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a top surface devoid of pockets. In particular, a top body includes a plurality of ribs positioned at an interior surface of the top body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chain disk corner. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a bi-directional orientation independent chain disk corner wheel. In particular, the wheel is molded and devoid of moving parts. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a window portion. In particular, a bottom housing subassembly includes a bottom body of an opaque material and a hingedly attached window portion. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a reinforcing washer. In particular, a top washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the top body, and/or a bottom washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the bottom body. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a top surface devoid of pockets. In particular, a top body includes a plurality of ribs positioned at an interior surface of the top body.

Abstract: A curtain machine has a sealed control enclosure. The control enclosure, disposed in a machine interior of a machine housing, forms an enclosure interior and is configured to form a moisture impermeable seal separating the environment of the control enclosure from the environment of the machine interior and the external environment of the curtain machine. A motorized threaded member is configured to move a load block within the machine interior, for example to actuate a cable-based curtain mechanism, with both the load block and threaded member disposed outside the enclosure interior. The enclosure interior of the control enclosure includes a control circuit configured to operate the motor, and a mechanical limit switch configured to be mechanically actuated by the load block to stop the motor responsive to the load block moving along the threaded member beyond a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, an improved nipple water valve includes a nipple housing, a deflector, an annular seal, a nipple stem, a resilient element, and an orifice housing portion, assembled such that the deflector deflects water exiting the valve toward an internal surface of the nipple housing, thereby reducing spray. The deflector is also arranged to restrain movement of the nipple stem in a direction toward the deflector and to permit movement of the nipple stem away from the deflector to aid operation of the nipple water valve.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, an improved nipple water valve includes a nipple housing, a deflector, an annular seal, a nipple stem, a resilient element, and an orifice housing portion, assembled such that the deflector deflects water exiting the valve toward an internal surface of the nipple housing, thereby reducing spray. The deflector is also arranged to restrain movement of the nipple stem in a direction toward the deflector and to permit movement of the nipple stem away from the deflector to aid operation of the nipple water valve.

Abstract: Devices and systems for limiting feed volume dispensed into a plurality of tandem feed boot unloaders into one or more feed paths and related methods are disclosed. A core system is provided that are disposed in the feed path through each of the tandem feed boot unloaders in a center portion of an auger supported by a bearing assembly. Feed housings are configured to direct feed into the boot unloaders and into the auger. The feed is moved by the auger as a result of rotation of the auger about the bearing assembly. The core system provided herein limits and regulates the amount of feed that can enter each boot unloader by occupying space within a center portion of the auger that passes through each boot unloader, thus making it less likely that the auger will become clogged and be constrained from moving feed in the feed path.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, an improved nipple water valve includes a nipple housing, a deflector, an annular seal, a nipple stem, a resilient element, and an orifice housing portion, assembled such that the deflector deflects water exiting the valve toward an internal surface of the nipple housing, thereby reducing spray. The deflector is also arranged to restrain movement of the nipple stem in a direction toward the deflector and to permit movement of the nipple stem away from the deflector to aid operation of the nipple water valve.

Abstract: Devices and systems for limiting feed volume dispensed into a plurality of tandem feed boot unloaders into one or more feed paths and related methods are disclosed. A core system is provided that are disposed in the feed path through each of the tandem feed boot unloaders in a center portion of an auger supported by a bearing assembly. Feed housings are configured to direct feed into the boot unloaders and into the auger. The feed is moved by the auger as a result of rotation of the auger about the bearing assembly. The core system provided herein limits and regulates the amount of feed that can enter each boot unloader by occupying space within a center portion of the auger that passes through each boot unloader, thus making it less likely that the auger will become clogged and be constrained from moving feed in the feed path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating waste water containing biological wastes such as animal waste generated in livestock-raising operations, wherein the waste water is subjected to a series of operations to separate solids from the liquid phase of the waste water and to biologically treat the waste water to break down organic components. The separated solids are stored for further treatment or conversion into useful materials. The treated liquid phase can be put to various uses. In one embodiment, the treated liquid is recycled as flush water for flushing animal waste from an animal barn, whereby little or no liquid phase escapes the system into the surrounding environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating waste water containing biological wastes such as animal waste generated in livestock-raising operations, wherein the waste water is subjected to a series of operations to separate solids from the liquid phase of the waste water and to biologically treat the waste water to break down organic components. The separated solids are stored for further treatment or conversion into useful materials. The treated liquid phase can be put to various uses. In one embodiment, the treated liquid is recycled as flush water for flushing animal waste from an animal barn, whereby little or no liquid phase escapes the system into the surrounding environment.