Automated system for applying disinfectant to the teats of dairy livestock
View Patent ↗A method for applying a substance to the teats of a dairy livestock comprises extending a robotic arm between the legs of a dairy livestock positioned in a stall. The method continues by rotating a linear member of a spray tool about an axis that is perpendicular to the robotic arm, wherein the linear member has a perimeter that lies within an outer perimeter of the robotic arm when the robotic arm extends between the hind legs of the dairy livestock. The method continues by discharging a substance as the linear member rotates.
1. A method for applying a substance to the teats of a dairy livestock, comprising:
extending a robotic arm between the legs of a dairy livestock positioned in a stall;
rotating a linear member of a spray tool about an axis that is perpendicular to the robotic arm, wherein the linear member has a perimeter that lies within an outer perimeter of the robotic arm when the robotic arm extends between the hind legs of the dairy livestock; and
discharging a substance as the linear member rotates.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein discharging the substance comprises operating a first spray nozzle coupled to the linear member proximate a first end of the linear member and operating a second spray nozzle coupled to the linear member proximate a second end of the linear member.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning the linear member parallel to a length of the robotic arm when the robotic arm is extended between the legs of the dairy livestock.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein discharging comprises discharging the substance with a spray coverage area that is wide enough to cover each of four teats of the dairy livestock.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein extending comprises extending the robotic arm between the hind legs of the dairy livestock.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substance is a disinfectant.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein rotating the linear member is in response to fluid pressure.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein discharging the substance comprises discharging the substance in a substantially circular pattern.
9. A method for applying a substance to the teats of a dairy livestock, comprising:
extending a robotic arm between the legs of a dairy livestock positioned in a stall;
rotating a linear member of a spray tool about an axis that is perpendicular to the robotic arm, wherein the linear member has a perimeter that lies within an outer perimeter of the robotic arm when the robotic arm extends between the hind legs of the dairy livestock;
discharging a substance as the linear member rotates by operating a first spray nozzle coupled to the linear member proximate a first end of the linear member and by operating a second spray nozzle coupled to the linear member proximate a second end of the linear member; and
positioning the linear member parallel to a length of the robotic arm when the robotic arm is extended between the legs of the dairy livestock.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein discharging comprises discharging the substance with a spray coverage area that is wide enough to cover each of four teats of the dairy livestock.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein extending comprises extending the robotic arm between the hind legs of the dairy livestock.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the substance is a disinfectant.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein rotating the linear member is in response to fluid pressure.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein discharging the substance comprises discharging the substance in a substantially circular pattern.
15. One or more computer readable non-transitory storage media embodying software that performs the following method when executed:
extending a robotic arm between the legs of a dairy livestock positioned in a stall;
rotating a linear member of a spray tool about an axis that is perpendicular to the robotic arm, wherein the linear member has a perimeter that lies within an outer perimeter of the robotic arm when the robotic arm extends between the hind legs of the dairy livestock; and
discharging a substance as the linear member rotates.
16. The media of claim 15 , wherein discharging the substance comprises operating a first spray nozzle coupled to the linear member proximate a first end of the linear member and operating a second spray nozzle coupled to the linear member proximate a second end of the linear member.
17. The media of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises positioning the linear member parallel to a length of the robotic arm when the robotic arm is extended between the legs of the dairy livestock.
18. The media of claim 15 , wherein discharging comprises discharging the substance with a spray coverage area that is wide enough to cover each of four teats of the dairy livestock.
19. The media of claim 15 , wherein extending comprises extending the robotic arm between the hind legs of the dairy livestock.
20. The media of claim 15 , wherein rotating the linear member is in response to fluid pressure.