Abstract: A pneumatic animal stunner for stunning an animal for later processing uses sensor technology to measure the speed of a stunning rod disposed in the stunner housing as it is driven forward via pneumatic forces. At least one sensor may be disposed in a nose connected to a front end of the housing, in the housing, or in a tail end of the housing. The at least one sensor communicates with a receiver that can process and display the speed data collected from the at least one sensor as the stunning rod drives forward. The receiver can be disposed on the housing of the stunner, or may be a separate component from the stunner. The data may be sent from the at least one sensor to the receiver via a wireless or wired connection. Multiple methods of measuring the stunning rod speed may be employed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for a cartridge-type animal stunner comprising an elongated stunner housing having a muzzle and a breech with a cartridge chamber for receiving an explosive charge. A captive penetrating-type stunning rod capable of being propelled forward is received in the bore. The stunning rod has an opening throughout the entire length thereof. Upon placement of the housing forward end against an animal and activation of a trigger, a firing pin moves to impact a cartridge in the cartridge chamber, causing explosion of the cartridge. The stunning rod is propelled forward to penetrate the animal head to a brain. Simultaneously, a portion of combustion products from explosion of the cartridge travel into the stunning rod opening at a rearward end, along the length of the rod, and out of the stunning rod forward end into the animal brain to cause rapid lethal damage thereto.

Abstract: A reduced pressure pneumatic animal stunner with a low-complexity valve and venting system, and method of use thereof, is disclosed. The stunner includes a hollow housing, a stunning rod chamber, a head contact movable within an outer housing nose, a stunning rod, and a catch system employing at least one arcuate catch, a catch retainer, and a catch piston slideable within an opening of a catch cylinder. The catch piston has passageways disposed therein to allow for flow of a pressurized fluid therethrough. One passageway allows fluid to flow to a rearward end of the stunning rod chamber, and another allows fluid to flow to a forward end of the stunning rod chamber. Pressurized fluid may flow from a source through an internal passageway to the front of the stunning rod chamber alongside at least one resilient cushion designed to cushion stop the forward movement of the stunning rod.

Abstract: A carcass cleaning tool for removing dag from a suspended carcass has a body with at least one handle mounted to it for allowing an operator to hold the tool away from them. A driver is mounted in the body and rotates a head having a shaft extending therefrom. A plurality of arms extend from the shaft and have tines at distal ends, the tines adapted to engage the animal carcass to remove dag from the carcass hide. The head is oriented to permit movement of the arms and tines in front of the tool operator. A suspension point for hanging the body from an overhead support permits the operator to move the tool arms and tines toward and away from the carcass to remove the dag without damaging the carcass hide. The tool body never makes contact with the ground as a result of using the suspension point.

Abstract: A portable pneumatic stunner for stunning or euthanizing an animal has a piston slideable within an inner chamber, a housing with a front portion being moveable toward and away from its rear portion, a stunning rod driven by the piston forward towards the front end of the housing, a catch system for alternately holding and releasing the stunning rod, and a regulator for regulating the pressure received from a fluid container for operating the stunner. The stunning rod is driven along a longitudinal axis upon exposure of a pressurized fluid to the piston, and the stunning rod is retracted back into the stunner after firing by exerting a manual inward force on the stunning rod and housing. The catch system comprises a plurality of arcuate sections substantially forming a cylinder. The regulator determines the allowable pressure levels of the fluid the stunner is subjected to.

Abstract: A stunning rod for a pneumatically operated animal concussion stunner comprises an elongated body. One end of the elongated body is adapted to receive a locking insert, and the other is adapted to engage a catch. The locking insert receives a locking element, wherein the combined locking insert and locking element are inserted into the first end of the elongated body. A strike end having a diameter larger than the diameter of the elongated body is secured to the first end of the rod via the locking insert and locking element. Locking grooves or protrusions disposed on the strike end interact with the locking insert to prevent rotation of the stunning rod and strike end during stunner operation. Lobes or flanges disposed about the periphery of the locking element interlock with grooves disposed within the rod first end, and further prevent rotation of the strike end during stunner operation.

Abstract: A system for processing a suspended beef carcass as the carcass is moved along a defined path. A robotic arm is carried on a moveable table and has mounted thereon a servo motor-driven band saw capable of effecting a splitting operation on the beef carcass. The band saw is counterbalanced by a mass having a weight less than the weight of the band saw, and the robotic arm has a maximum load-carrying capacity less than the weight of the band saw. A torque monitor for the servo motor detects breaks in the band saw or breaks in the support for the band saw. A vision-based sensor system detects location of a tail bone on the beef carcass and identifies an age-indicating indicia. The system includes a controller in communication with the carcass rail, the carcass processing device and motor, and the vision-based sensor system.

Abstract: A portable pneumatic stunner for stunning or euthanizing an animal has a piston slideable within an inner chamber, a housing with a front portion being moveable toward and away from its rear portion, a stunning rod driven by the piston forward towards the front end of the housing, a catch system for alternately holding and releasing the stunning rod, and a regulator for regulating the pressure received from a fluid container for operating the stunner. The stunning rod is driven along a longitudinal axis upon exposure of a pressurized fluid to the piston, and the stunning rod is retracted back into the stunner after firing by exerting a manual inward force on the stunning rod and housing. The catch system comprises a plurality of arcuate sections substantially forming a cylinder. The regulator determines the allowable pressure levels of the fluid the stunner is subjected to.

Abstract: A pneumatic stunner for stunning an animal has a piston slideable within an inner chamber, and a stunning rod driven by the piston forward and rearward towards and away from the front end of the housing. The stunning rod has an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and a detachable hardened tip. The density of the material comprising the elongated body is less than the density of the material comprising the detachable hardened tip.

Abstract: A system for processing a suspended beef carcass as the carcass is moved along a defined path. A robotic arm is carried on a moveable table and has mounted thereon a servo motor-driven band saw capable of effecting a splitting operation on the beef carcass. The band saw is counterbalanced by a mass having a weight less than the weight of the band saw, and the robotic arm has a maximum load-carrying capacity less than the weight of the band saw. A torque monitor for the servo motor detects breaks in the band saw or breaks in the support for the band saw. A vision-based sensor system detects location of a tail bone on the beef carcass and identifies an age-indicating indicia. The system includes a controller in communication with the carcass rail, the carcass processing device and motor, and the vision-based sensor system.

Abstract: An air pressure regulator for a dehider includes a valve to open and close the flow of pressurized air in an air inlet, a first spring urging the valve in the direction of air flow through the inlet to close the valve, a plunger operable to move the valve from a closed to an open position against the direction of air flow, a piston connected to the valve exposed to the air flow, and a second spring between the piston and the plunger. Upon depressing the plunger, the second spring urges the piston to open the valve against the air flow direction to permit pressurized air to flow through the regulator. The maximum allowable air pressure through the regulator is determined by spring forces of the first and second springs and resistance of the piston to the flow of air through the valve.

Abstract: A robotic carcass processing system uses a pair of robotic arms having multiple axes of motion, a saw mounted thereon, and a controller. The controller moves the saw in Cartesian space via inverse kinematics with interpolation control over the multiple axes of the robotic arm to synchronously move the saw relative to a carcass on an assembly line. The controller also determines when one of the robotic arms has moved its saw out of a defined space to indicate that space is clear and to permit the other robotic arm to enter that space. A sensor on the assembly line identifies location of the absence of a supported carcass, a supported carcass that requires special handling, or weight or length of a carcass. The controller sends a signal to the robotic arms to either effect a standard cut or to modify the standard cut at the identified location or carcass.

Abstract: A system for processing a suspended beef carcass as the carcass is moved along a defined path. A robotic arm is carried on a moveable table and has mounted thereon a servo motor-driven band saw capable of effecting a splitting operation on the beef carcass. The band saw is counterbalanced by a mass having a weight less than the weight of the band saw, and the robotic arm has a maximum load-carrying capacity less than the weight of the band saw. A torque monitor for the servo motor detects breaks in the band saw or breaks in the support for the band saw. A vision-based sensor system detects location of a tail bone on the beef carcass. The system includes a controller in communication with the carcass rail, the carcass processing device and motor, and the vision-based sensor system.

Abstract: A pneumatic stunner for stunning an animal has a piston slideable within an inner chamber, and a stunning rod driven by the piston forward and rearward towards and away from the front end of the housing. A fire pressure chamber has an annular configuration disposed adjacent the rearward or central end of the inner chamber. A return pressure chamber has an annular configuration disposed adjacent the forward or central end of the inner chamber. A valve system alternately controls flow of the pressurized fluid from the fire pressure chamber to the rearward end of the inner chamber to move the piston and drive the stunning rod forward to stun an animal, and from the return pressure chamber to the forward end of the inner chamber to move the piston and drive the stunning rod rearward and retract the stunning rod. The handle includes a cushioned mount adjustable in direction.

Abstract: An animal stunner for use in livestock/slaughterhouse operations has a piston slideable within an inner chamber, and a fire pressure chamber with an annular configuration disposed adjacent the rearward or central end of the inner chamber. A stunning rod is driven forward by the piston to stun the animal and rearward to retract the rod. A valve system alternately controls flow of the pressurized fluid from the fire pressure chamber to the rearward end of the inner chamber to move the piston and drive the stunning rod. A catch system holds and releases the stunning rod. A compressed fluid supply is used to retract the stunning rod between operation cycles. Handles employing triggers are used by the operator to hold the stunner and to activate the valve system, and cushion mount systems are attached between the handles and stunner housing to absorb shock while operating the stunner.

Abstract: A pneumatic stunner for stunning an animal has a piston slideable within an inner chamber, and a stunning rod driven by the piston forward and rearward towards and away from the front end of the housing. The stunning rod has an elongated body having a longitudinal axis, with the forward end of the body having a two-radius configuration that is sized for striking an animal's head, and is adaptable for attaching a hardened tip. A valve system alternately controls flow of the pressurized fluid from a fire pressure chamber to the rearward end of the inner chamber to move the piston and drive the stunning rod forward to stun an animal, and from a return pressure chamber to the forward end of the inner chamber to move the piston and drive the stunning rod rearward and retract the stunning rod. The handle includes a cushioned mount adjustable in direction.

Abstract: A pneumatic stunner for stunning an animal has a piston slideable within an inner chamber, and a stunning rod driven by the piston forward and rearward towards and away from the front end of the housing. A fire pressure chamber has an annular configuration disposed adjacent the rearward or central end of the inner chamber. A return pressure chamber has an annular configuration disposed adjacent the forward or central end of the inner chamber. A valve system alternately controls flow of the pressurized fluid from the fire pressure chamber to the rearward end of the inner chamber to move the piston and drive the stunning rod forward to stun an animal, and from the return pressure chamber to the forward end of the inner chamber to move the piston and drive the stunning rod rearward and retract the stunning rod. The handle includes a cushioned mount adjustable in direction.

Abstract: A catch engagable with a catch pivot ring for capturing and releasing a stunning rod moveable along a longitudinal axis in a pneumatic animal stunner for stunning an animal. The catch comprises a plurality of arcuate sections substantially forming a cylinder, each arcuate section having a forward end and a rearward end. The catch includes an inner wall toward the longitudinal axis and an outer wall away from the longitudinal axis. The catch includes a flange at the rearward end of the arcuate section extending outwardly directly from the outer wall and away from the longitudinal axis and a lip at the forward end of the arcuate section extending inwardly from the inner wall and toward the longitudinal axis. Each of the arcuate section flanges is engagable with an inner lip of the catch pivot ring allowing the arcuate sections to pivot about the catch pivot ring inner lip.

Abstract: A pneumatic animal stunner employing a stunning rod includes a catch mounted within the housing for alternately holding and releasing the stunning rod. A catch piston is disposed adjacent the catch on a side away from the longitudinal axis, and is in sliding contact adjacent the catch end portion and out of contact with the catch body portion. The catch piston slides between a first position urging the catch end portion toward the stunning rod longitudinal axis in the hold position, thereby holding and preventing the stunning rod from being driven forward, and a second position permitting the catch end portion to move to the release position away from the stunning rod longitudinal axis releasing and permitting the stunning rod to be driven forward. Valves control air flow to cause the catch piston to move between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A carcass stabilizer for holding a carcass and preventing swinging motion parallel to a carcass rail has a pair of arms that open widely to grasp a swinging carcass as the carcass moves at a point below the suspension point of the carcass. The arms continuously move with the carcass as a carcass processing operation is performed and also preferably move down during the processing operation to exert a downward pull on the carcass and thereby straighten the centerline of the carcass and more accurately hold it in an aligned position.