Automatic liquid feeding apparatus

{
  "publication_number": "US3561403A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Automatic liquid feeding apparatus",
  "abstract": "This invention relates to an automatic liquid feeding apparatus comprising a trough means; a water inlet means directed into the trough means; and a feed hopper having feed outlet apertures formed therein disposed above the trough means. Feed is automatically dispensed into the trough means, at intervals, through the apertures in the feed hopper by an auger rotatably mounted in the feed hopper. The direction of rotation of the auger is changed between intervals to prevent bridging and packing of the feed. Water is also automatically dispensed through the water inlet means into the trough means. The liquid level in the trough means is controlled by a liquid level sensing means.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An automatic liquid feeding apparatus comprising: trough means; water inlet means for directing water into said trough means; a feed hopper disposed above said trough means and having a feed outlet aperture formed therethrough; said feed outlet aperture being disposed over said trough means; an auger mounted in said feed hopper and substantially horizontally disposed, said auger being adapted to move feed in said feed hopper to said feed outlet aperture; and reversible drive means operatively connected to rotate said rotatable means; said drive means operating for a predetermined time interval in response to water in said trough means reaching a predetermined level; said reversible drive means, during a time interval, rotating said auger in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said auger during the immediately preceding time interval.",
    "2. The feeding apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a liquid level sensing means is disposed in said trough means; said sensing means being capable of sensing a minimum liquid level and a maximum liquid level; and a flow control means is fluidly connected in said water inlet means; said flow control means controlling the flow of water through said water inlet means in response to said liquid level sensing means.",
    "3. The feeding apparatus of claim 2 wherein: a regulating means is operatively connected to said liquid level sensing means and said drive means; said regulating means being responsive to said liquid level sensing means and controlling the operation of said drive means.",
    "4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said regulating means is a timer mechanism adjustable for varying time intervals; said timer mechanism, in response to said liquid level sensing means, starting said reversible drive means, allowing said reversible drive means to operate for a predetermined time interval and stopping said reversible drive means at the end of said time interval.",
    "5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said timer mechanism starts said reversible drive means when said liquid level sensing means senses the maximum liquid level.",
    "6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a time delay switch is operatively connected to said liquid level sensing means and said timer mechanism; said timer mechanism responding to said liquid level sensing means through said time delay switch.",
    "7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said flow control means is automatically opened wheN said liquid level sensing means senses the minimum liquid level and said flow control means is automatically closed when said liquid level sensing means senses the maximum liquid level.",
    "8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a cylindrical guideway having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of said auger is disposed around said auger; said cylindrical guideway having a feed outlet opening formed through the sidewall thereof; said feed outlet opening being aligned with said feed outlet aperture of said feed hopper; said cylindrical guideway being attached to said feed hopper.",
    "9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein feed agitator wheels are mounted in said feed hopper; said agitator wheels having a plurality of arms of equal length radiating outwardly, at least one of said arms extending inwardly of the outside diameter of the auger, whereby when said auger is rotated about its axis, said agitator wheels are rotated about their respective axes.",
    "10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the reversible drive means is operatively connected to a centrifugal switch; said centrifugal switch sensing the revolutions per unit time of said auger and automatically reversing said drive means when the revolutions per unit time of said auger are reduced to a predetermined number of revolutions per unit time.",
    "11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: said flow control means is a solenoid valve; and said feed hopper is V-shaped and a plurality of feed outlet apertures are formed in the lowermost portion of said feed hopper.",
    "12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein baffle plates are vertically disposed directly below said outlet apertures of said feed hopper; said baffle plates being affixed to said trough means."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "A01K 5/0216"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "LELAND G WISEMAN",
    "CLIFFORD D WILSON JR"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1969-01-24",
  "publication_date": "1971-02-09",
  "grant_date": "1971-02-09",
  "priority_date": "1969-01-24",
  "application_number": "US-3561403D-A",
  "family_id": "25160614",
  "citations": [
    "US3208431A",
    "US3265036A",
    "US3313272A",
    "US3330255A",
    "US3331357A",
    "US3339530A",
    "US3381666A"
  ]
}