GB2221059A

GB2221059A - Timing control system

Info

Publication number: GB2221059A
Application number: GB8817362A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Christie Smith; Robert John Gray
Original assignee: Williamson & Sons H
Current assignee: Williamson & Sons H
Priority date: 1988-07-21
Filing date: 1988-07-21
Publication date: 1990-01-24
Also published as: GB8817362D0

Abstract

A timing control system (10) is described which generates signals to energise a motor (12) to supply fish with food for a predetermined duration. Feed times of up to 30 seconds between rest times of up to 60 minutes may be set; feed being initiated at times selected by a clock ICI if switch SW2 is at position 20 and being initiated in response to ambient light exceeding a certain level (as detected by a sensor VR2) if SW2 is at position 18. <IMAGE>

Description

TIMING CONTROL SYSTEM The present invention relates to a timing control system and particularly, but not exclusively, to a timing control system for determining the periods of the time during which controlled feeding of fish takes place.

In fish farms, feeding fish can be a repetitive and laborious job because the fish require to be fed relatively small amount of food at regular intervals of time. It is desirable that a given amount of food should be supplied at appropriate feeding times each day.

Feeding fish by hand can be both inconvenient and time consuming and it is desirable that some form of automation of the feeding process should take place.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the aforementioned problems.

This is achieved by using a timing circuit which is coupled to fish feeding apparatus. At pre-set times the timing circuit generates signals which result in the fish being supplied with food for a predetermined duration.

In a preferred embodiment the timing circuit is connected to the feeding apparatus power supply and timing control can be achieved by selecting a mode where a daylight sensor permits feeding during daylight or by selecting a mode where a programmable clock generates timing control signals According to the present invention there is provided timing control apparatus comprising first timer means for generating a first timing signal, second timer means coupled to the first timer means for generating a second timer signal in response to said first timer signal, said second timer signal being adapted to be fed to switch means for actuating said switch means in accordance with said second timer signal.

Preferably said timer control apparatus includes third timer means connected in parallel with said first timer means, and switch means coupled between said first and said third timer means for selecting one of said first or third timer means for use in said timer control apparatus.

Preferably said first timer means includes a light sensor for generating said first timing signal when ambient light is above a predetermined level.Preferably said second timer means is a relay.

Preferably also said third timer means is a programmable clock. Preferably said first and third timing means have outputs coupled to an amplifier means, the output of which is coupled to the relay.

Preferably also, the timing control apparatus is connected in parallel with the power supply to a load, and said switch means is connected between the power supply and the load.

Conveniently the power supply to said load is D.C. and said timing control apparatus includes protection means and voltage regulation means for supplying regulated voltage to said timing control apparatus.

Preferably the load is a motor of a fish feeding apparatus. Conveniently a plurality of such fish feeding motors are connected in parallel with a simple timing control apparatus.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent in the following description when taken in combination with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig.l is a circuit diagram of a control circuit for use with a fish farm feeding apparatus with an embodiment the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a control unit in which the circuit of Fig. 1 is housed, and showing various switches for operating the circuit to control the fish farm feeding apparatus system.

Reference is made to Fig. 1 of the drawings which shows a circuit diagram of a fish farm feeding control system generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The control system is coupled to a motor 12 which in turn is part of fish feeding apparatus (not shown in the interest of clarity) and which it actuatable to supply food to fish in a tank or floating net pen at set intervals as will later be explained in detail.

The motor 12 is coupled to a 24 volt DC source 14 through relay RL2 and 10 amp fuse F1. When relay RL2 is closed the motor 12 is energised by source 14 to actuate feeding apparatus to supply food to the fish under the control of a timing circuit, generally indicated by reference numeral 16. The timing circuit 16 controls the opening and closing of relay RL2 to control the timing of feeding periods as will be described.

The voltage supply for timing circuit 16 is also taken from 24 volt DC source 14 via bridge rectifier BR1, ON/OFF switch SW1 and 1 Amp fuse F2. The bridge rectifier BR1 provides reverse polarity protection for the timing circuit 16. The 24 volt DC supply is converted by a 24/12 volt solid state Regulator IC2 which provides a stabilised 12 volt supply for timing circuit 16.

Timing circuit 16 comprises a daylight sensing circuit 18 and a programmable clock IC1. The daylight sensing circuit consists of daylight sensor VR2, resistor R2 capacitor C1 and potentiometer VR1 which is adjustable to set the ON/OFF point of VR2. In a first mode of operation of the timing circuit 16, switch SW2 selects position 18 and the timing circuit 16 is energised only during daylight. The setting of potentiometer VR1 determines the amount of ambient daylight necessary to energise timing circuit 16.

The programmable clock IC1 is powered via diode D1, resistors R6 and R4 and rechargeable battery RB1. The battery RB1 is capable of running the clock for up to 40 days if the 24 volt DC source is disconnected. In a second mode of operation of the timing circuit 16, with switch SW2 in position 20, the programmable clock IC1 provides signals to energise timing circuit 16 at the appropriate selected times (day or night). The programmable clock IC1 may be programmed to provide up to four feeding periods as will be later described with reference to Fig. 2.

As hereinbefore described the outputs from clock IC1 or from daylight sensor VR2 are selected via switch SW2 to provide signals to energise the timing circuit 16. These output signals are amplified by transistors TR1 and TR2 and energise relay RL1. When relay RL1 closes, relay RL3 is also energised. Relay RL3 controls the timing of the actual feeding of food to fish in the tank. When relay RL1 is closed relay RL3 energies when the energising signal is applied to base pin 2. Relay RL3 switches on for an amount of time determined by the setting of potentiometer VR4 connected to pin 8 of relay RL3. When RL3 is on relay RL2 is energised by a signal applied through pin 7 of relay RL3. When relay RL2 is closed the motor 12 is switched on to actuate the feeding apparatus to supply fish food The relay RL3 then switches off for a period determined by the setting of potentiometer VR3 before being switched back on again as described above. Relay RL3 is called a 60/30 timer as it can be set to provide 'feed' times of up to 30 seconds between 'rest' times of up to 60 minutes.

Relay RL2 may also be energised by the closing of override switch SW3. This switch SW3 is springloaded and is biased in the 'Off' position. When this switch is manually closed the motor 12 will cause food to be fed into the fish tank or floating net pen. This is called "manual feeding" and can be used to test the operation of motor 12, to test the reaction of the fish to an input of food or to supply food at times outside the set times Reference is now made to Fig. 2 of the drawings which is an elevational view of the control unit housing 19, in which the timing circuit 16 is housed. Switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 are shown and their functions have already been described. Programmable clock IC1 has a terminal 20 which comprises a clock display 22 and programming buttons 24.

The clock IC1 can be programmed to apply signals which energise timing circuit 16 for up to four periods during each day. The data to determine the times at which each of these periods start and finish may be entered on buttons 24. Furthermore, the settings of potentiometers VR3 and VR4 are controlled by rotary switches 26 and 28 respectively. Adjustment of these switches determines the timing of the 60/30 timer as hereinbefore described.

Also shown in Fig. 2 are fuse F2 and daylight sensor photocell VR2. If the timing circuit 16 is to be used in the first mode of operation hereinbefore described, the daylight sensor VR2 must not be obscured from the light.

Various modifications may be made to the embodiment hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example the timing circuit could be energised from a separate voltage source, obviating the need for power supply rectification and regulation. The timing circuit may be used to energise a group of motors connected in parallel. In addition, the timing circuit could be used to control the feeding times of other animals, for example cattle and animals in zoos.

Advantages associated with the present invention are that a fish farm feeding control system is provided which is fully automatic and which can be preset to determine the amount of food supplied to fish in the tank or floating net pen, and the duration of such feeding. The timing control system provides a clean efficient method of feeding the fish and minimises any manual feeding which has to take place.

Claims

1. Timing control apparatus comprising first timer means for generating a first timing signal, second timer means coupled to the first timer means for generating a second timer signal in response to said first timer signal, said second timer signal being adapted to be fed to switch means for actuating said switch means in accordance with said second timer signal.

2. Timing control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes third timer means connected in parallel with said first timer means, and switch means coupled between said first and said third timer means for selecting one of said first or third timer means for use in said timer control apparatus.

3. Timing control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said first timer means includes a light sensor for generating said first timing signal when ambient light is above a predetermined level.

4. Timing control apparatus as claimed in any preceding claims wherein said second timer means is a relay.

5. Timing control apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said third timer means is a programmable clock.

6. Timing control apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said first and third timing means have outputs coupled to an amplifier means, the output of which is coupled to the relay.

7. Timing control apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the timing control apparatus is connected in parallel with the power supply to a load, and said switch means is connected between the power supply and the load.

8. Timing control apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the power supply to said load is D.C. and said timing control apparatus includes protection means and voltage regulation means for supplying regulated voltage to said timing control apparatus.

9. Timing control apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the load is a motor of a fish feeding apparatus.

10. Timing control apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein a plurality of such fish feeding motors are connected in parallel with a single timing control apparatus.

11. Timing control apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.