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A sprinkler controller in a poultry house having a processor, a data storage device operatively connected to the processor, the data storage device having instructions for programming the processor, and an input/output module operatively connected to the processor. The input/output module is configu

A sprinkler controller in a poultry house having a processor, a data storage device operatively connected to the processor, the data storage device having instructions for programming the processor, and an input/output module operatively connected to the processor. The input/output module is configured to communicate with at least one valve for controlling a flow of fluid between a fluid source and at least one sprinkler nozzle. The at least one valve has an open position permitting the flow of fluid, and a closed position inhibiting the flow of fluid, and the position of the valve being determined by the processor. The processor is programmed to set the valve in the open position at a start of an activity promotion interval, and to set the valve in the closed position at the end of the activity promotion interval. The duration of the activity promotion interval is selected such that a sufficient amount of fluid is dispersed through the sprinkler nozzle to promote physical activity in the poultry. The start of the activity promotion interval is predetermined based on a frequency of operation parameter indicative of a number of activity promotion intervals in a time period, and a value for the frequency of operation parameter being selected to promote growth of the poultry.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A sprinkler controller for a poultry house, the sprinkler controller comprising: a) a processor;b) a data storage device operatively connected to the processor, the data storage device having instructions for operating the processor; andc) an input-output module operatively connected to the proce

1. A sprinkler controller for a poultry house, the sprinkler controller comprising: a) a processor;b) a data storage device operatively connected to the processor, the data storage device having instructions for operating the processor; andc) an input-output module operatively connected to the processor, wherein the input-output module communicates with at least one valve to control a flow of fluid between a fluid source and at least one sprinkler nozzle, the at least one valve having an open position permitting the flow of fluid, and a closed position inhibiting the flow of fluid, the position of the valve being determined by the processor;d) wherein the processor operates in an activity promotion mode, in which the processor sets the valve in the open position at a start of each of a plurality of activity promotion intervals, and sets the valve in the closed position at an end of the activity promotion intervals, a duration of the activity promotion intervals being selected such that fluid is dispersed through the sprinkler nozzle thereby promoting, physical activity in poultry housed in the poultry house, the start of each activity promotion interval being based on a frequency of operation parameter indicative of a number of activity promotion intervals in a given time period, and a value for the frequency of operation parameter being selected to promote growth of the poultry, wherein the processor operates the valve so as to create the flow of fluid during the activity promotion intervals independently of temperature. 2. The sprinkler controller according to claim 1, wherein the value for the frequency of operation parameter is selected based on an age value indicative of an age of the poultry. 3. The sprinkler controller according to claim 2, wherein the value for the frequency of operation parameter is selected based on a type of poultry being housed. 4. The sprinkler controller according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the activity promotion interval is selected based upon a type of poultry being housed to promote physical activity in the type of poultry being housed. 5. The sprinkler controller according to claim 1, wherein the start of at least one of the activity promotion intervals is also based on a time of day. 6. The sprinkler controller according to claim 1, wherein the input-output module is further configured to connect to at least one user input device for receiving user input, and the processor determines at least one of the duration, the start and the frequency of the activity promotion interval based on the user input. 7. The sprinkler controller according to claim 1, wherein the input-output module is further configured to provide a cooling mode in addition to the activity promotion mode by connecting to a temperature sensor for obtaining a temperature value of the poultry house, and wherein the processor also operates the cooling mode by setting the valve in an open position at a start of a cooling interval when the temperature value exceeds a first threshold, and setting the valve to the closed position at the end the cooling interval such that a sufficient amount of fluid is dispersed through the sprinkler nozzle during the cooling interval to reduce the temperature value within the poultry house and to cool the poultry. 8. The sprinkler controller according to claim 7, wherein the processor provides a timer to determine the start of the activity promotion interval, start the activity promotion interval when the timer reaches a specified value, and reinitialize the timer at the end of the activity promotion interval and the end of the cooling interval. 9. The sprinkler controller according to claim 7, wherein the processor runs the cooling interval at an increased frequency when the temperature value exceeds a second threshold. 10. The sprinkler controller according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further connectable to a flow meter for obtaining a measurement of a volume of fluid dispersed through the at least one sprinkler nozzle, and wherein the processor activates an alarm when the flow meter measurement exceeds a specified value. 11. The sprinkler controller according to claim wherein at least one of the duration and the start of the activity promotion interval, and the frequency of operation parameter is selected to promote health of the poultry. 12. The sprinkler controller according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the activity promotion intervals falls within a range of 5-60 seconds. 13. The sprinkler controller according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the activity promotion intervals falls within a range of 15-45 seconds. 14. The sprinkler controller according to claim 1, wherein the number of activity promotion intervals falls within a range of 5-15 per day. 15. The sprinkler according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of operation parameter fails within a range of 10-20 per day. 16. A sprinkler system for a poultry house for housing poultry, the sprinkler system comprising: a) at least one sprinkler nozzle:b) a fluid source connected to the at least one sprinkler nozzle;c) at least one electronically controlled valve connected to the fluid source and the sprinkler nozzle to control the flow of fluid, the valve having an open position permitting the flow of fluid, and a closed position inhibiting the flow of fluid, andd) a controller comprising a processor, a data storage device operatively connected to the processor, the data storage device having instructions to program the processor, an input-output module operatively connected to the processor, wherein the input-output module communicates with the at least one valve to set the position of the valve;e) wherein the processor in the controller operates in an activity promotion mode, in which the processor sets the valve in the open position at a start of each of a plurality of activity promotion intervals, and sets the valve in the closed position at the end of the activity promotion intervals, a duration of the activity promotion interval being selected such that fluid is dispersed through the sprinkler nozzle thereby promoting physical activity in poultry housed in the poultry house, the start of each activity promotion interval being based on a frequency of operation parameter indicative of a number of activity promotion intervals in a given time period, and a value for the frequency of operation parameter being selected to promote growth of the poultry, wherein the processor operates the valve so as to create the flow of fluid during the activity promotion intervals independently of temperature. 17. A sprinkler controller for a poultry house comprising: a) a processor;b) a data storage device operatively connected to the processor, the data storage device having instructions for operating the processor, and;c) an input-output module operatively connected to the processor, wherein the input-output module communicates with at least one valve for controlling a flow of fluid between a fluid source and at least one sprinkler nozzle, the at least one valve having an open position permitting the flow of fluid, and a closed position inhibiting the flow of fluid, the position of the valve being determined by the processor;d) wherein the processor operates in an activity promotion mode, in which the processor sets the valve in the open position at a start of each of a plurality of activity promotion intervals, and sets the valve in the closed position at the end of each activity promotion interval, a duration of the activity promotion interval being selected such that fluid is dispersed through the sprinkler nozzle, thereby promoting physical activity in poultry housed in the poultry house, and wherein the processor operates a selected number of the activity promotion intervals in a day independent of a temperature value indicative of the poultry being exposed to heat stress, the number of activity promotion intervals being selected to promote growth of the poultry. 18. The sprinkler controller according to claim 17, wherein the physical activity comprises exercise and consumption by the poultry. 19. The sprinkler controller according to claim 17, wherein the number of the activity promotion intervals is selected based on an age value indicative of an age of the poultry. 20. The sprinkler controller according to claim 17, wherein the value for the number of the activity promotion intervals is selected based on a type of poultry being housed. 21. The sprinkler controller according to claim 17, wherein the duration of the activity promotion interval is selected based upon a type of poultry being housed. 22. The sprinkler controller according to claim 17, wherein the start time of at least one of the activity promotion interval is determined based on time of day. 23. The sprinkler controller according to claim 17, wherein the input-output module is further configured to connect to a temperature sensor for obtaining a temperature value of the poultry house, and wherein the processor also operates in a cooling mode, in which the processor sets the valve in an open position at a start of a cooling interval when the temperature value exceeds a threshold, and sets the valve to the closed position at the end the cooling interval such that a sufficient amount of fluid is dispersed through the sprinkler nozzle during the cooling interval to reduce the temperature value within the poultry house and to cool the poultry. 24. The sprinkler controller according to claim 17, wherein the processor is connected to a flow meter for obtaining a measurement of a volume of fluid dispersed through the at least one sprinkler nozzle, and wherein the processor activates an alarm when the flow meter measurement exceeds a specified value. 25. The sprinkler controller according to claim 17, wherein the number of activity promotion intervals in a day is greater than one when the poultry is older than a selected age. 26. The sprinkler controller according to claim 17, wherein the selected number of the activity promotion intervals is between 1 and 20 per day. 27. The sprinkler controller according to claim 26, wherein the selected number of the activity promotion intervals is between 5 and 16 per day. 28. The sprinkler controller according to claim 27, wherein the selected number of the activity promotion intervals is 10 per day.