VOLUME BASED AUTOMATIC ANIMAL WATERING SYSTEM

摘要

An automatic animal watering system (100) has a manifold (102) for transporting drinking water, a controlled volume dispenser (118, 318) in the manifold for receiving a volume of drinking water, an inlet valve (104), and an outlet valve (106). A plurality of drinking valve assemblies (400) is provided in fluid communication with the manifold between the inlet and outlet valves. A fluid sensor (126), capable of responding to changes in one or both of the water volume and pressure, is provided in the manifold between the inlet and outlet valves. The volume of drinking water available to the drinking valve assemblies can be regulated as a function of time to limit maximum potential leakage. The controlled volume dispenser and associated valves may be provided at the rack level, the row level, and/or the valve level.