Patents by Inventor Dustin Hicks
Dustin Hicks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11606935Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: LUBING MASCHINENFABRIK LUDWIG BENING GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Chris Hawk, John Hawk, Charles O. Willis, Jr., Dustin Hicks, Shawn Willis
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Patent number: 11523589Abstract: Animal watering stations having a liquid piping system including watering lines, a supply line, and a return line. The supply line supplying liquid simultaneous to all watering lines and the return line returning of liquid to a liquid reservoir. In this way, a circulation of the liquid can be realized in at least parts of the liquid piping system and on the other hand the parallel fluidic circuit of the watering lines enables an easy adapting of the liquid pressure at the drinking valves.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: LUBING Maschinenfabrik Ludwig Bening GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Markus von der Assen, Chris Hawk, John Hawk, Dustin Hicks
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Publication number: 20200296924Abstract: Animal watering stations having a liquid piping system including watering lines, a supply line, and a return line. The supply line supplying liquid simultaneous to all watering lines and the return line returning of liquid to a liquid reservoir. In this way, a circulation of the liquid can be realized in at least parts of the liquid piping system and on the other hand the parallel fluidic circuit of the watering lines enables an easy adapting of the liquid pressure at the drinking valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: LUBING Maschinenfabrik Ludwig Bening GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Markus von der Assen, Chris HAWK, John HAWK, Dustin HICKS
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Patent number: 10772304Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: LUBING Maschinenfabrik Ludwig Bening GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Chris Hawk, John Hawk, Charles O Willis, Jr., Dustin Hicks, Shawn Willis
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Publication number: 20200170223Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Applicant: LUBING MASCHINENFABRIK LUDWIG BENING GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Chris Hawk, John Hawk, Charles O. Willis, Jr., Dustin Hicks, Shawn Willis
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Patent number: 10575503Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: LUBING Maschinenfabrik Ludwig Bening GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Chris Hawk, John Hawk, Charles O. Willis, Jr., Dustin Hicks, Shawn Willis
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Patent number: 10548300Abstract: An electrically-controlled water flow regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first, high flow rate and reduces the water flow rate of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a mating port inside the housing of the regulator. A motor controls the linear movement of the control valve in incremental steps to adjust the water flow rate provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water flow rate at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: LUBING SYSTEMS, L.P.Inventors: Charles Willis, Shawn Willis, Dustin Hicks, Chris Hawk
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Publication number: 20190261605Abstract: An electrically-controlled water flow regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first, high flow rate and reduces the water flow rate of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a mating port inside the housing of the regulator. A motor controls the linear movement of the control valve in incremental steps to adjust the water flow rate provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water flow rate at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Charles Willis, Shawn Willis, Dustin Hicks, Chris Hawk
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Publication number: 20190223413Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Applicant: LUBING Maschinenfabrik Ludwig Bening GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Chris Hawk, John Hawk, Charles Willis, Dustin Hicks, Shawn Willis
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Patent number: 10299466Abstract: An electrically-controlled water flow regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first, high flow rate and reduces the water flow rate of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a mating port inside the housing of the regulator. A motor controls the linear movement of the control valve in incremental steps to adjust the water flow rate provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water flow rate at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Lubing Systems, L.P.Inventors: Charles Willis, Shawn Willis, Dustin Hicks, Chris Hawk
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Publication number: 20190116766Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: LUBING Maschinenfabrik Ludwig Bening GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Chris Hawk, John Hawk, Charles Willis, Dustin Hicks, Shawn Willis
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Publication number: 20170196204Abstract: An electrically-controlled water flow regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first, high flow rate and reduces the water flow rate of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a mating port inside the housing of the regulator. A motor controls the linear movement of the control valve in incremental steps to adjust the water flow rate provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water flow rate at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2017Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Charles Willis, Shawn Willis, Dustin Hicks, Chris Hawk
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Patent number: 9603343Abstract: An electrically-controlled water pressure regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first high pressure level and reduces the water pressure level of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a round port inside the housing of the regulator. A stepper motor controls the liner movement of the control valve in incremental microsteps to adjust the water pressure level provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water pressure level at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Lubing Systems, L.P.Inventors: Charles Willis, Shawn Willis, Dustin Hicks, Chris Hawk
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Patent number: 9392773Abstract: An actuating means (25) for an animal drinker, the actuating means configured in such a way that the valve pin (14) is liftable by the actuating means (25) in order to open the drinking valve (12), preferably on a rectilinear longitudinal center axis (19) of the valve pin (14). In this way, one-sided wearing down of the drinking valve (12), in particular of the valve pin (14) and/or of a sealing surface (17) of the housing (13), is avoided. As a result, the useful life of the drinking valve (12) is extended.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Lubing Maschinenfabrik Ludwig Bening GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Timothy Shawn Willis, Charles Ollin Willis, Jr., Barry Dustin Hicks
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Publication number: 20150136262Abstract: An electrically-controlled water pressure regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first high pressure level and reduces the water pressure level of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a round port inside the housing of the regulator. A stepper motor controls the liner movement of the control valve in incremental microsteps to adjust the water pressure level provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water pressure level at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Charles Willis, Shawn Willis, Dustin Hicks, Chris Hawk
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Publication number: 20140224180Abstract: An actuating means (25) for an animal drinker, the actuating means configured in such a way that the valve pin (14) is liftable by the actuating means (25) in order to open the drinking valve (12), preferably on a rectilinear longitudinal center axis (19) of the valve pin (14). In this way, one-sided wearing down of the drinking valve (12), in particular of the valve pin (14) and/or of a sealing surface (17) of the housing (13), is avoided. As a result, the useful life of the drinking valve (12) is extended.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Inventors: Timothy Shawn Willis, Charles Ollin Willis, JR., Barry Dustin Hicks