FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a stock water monitor, and a method for monitoring the level of water in a stock water trough. The invention is particularly suited to remote monitoring of stock water troughs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stock water troughs are convenient devices for providing a potable water source to farm animals. They are typically distributed over a farm with at least one water trough in each paddock.

Water is provided to a water trough through a length of piping. Many water troughs are fitted with a ballcock device to turn off water flow from the pipe into the water trough when the water level in the trough rises above a certain threshold. The ballcock device also turns on water flow into the water trough when the water level in the trough falls below a certain threshold.

Ballcock systems are often problematic and prone to malfunction. A ballcock system that is malfunctioning has the potential for undesirable outcomes. Undesirable outcomes include a water trough that is empty or a water trough that is overflowing. It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to address some of the aforementioned disadvantages. An additional or alternative object is to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a stock water monitor at least partially locatable within a stock water trough, the water monitor comprising at least one sensor locatable within the stock water trough configured to generate a signal responsive to the at least one sensor detecting the level of water within the stock water trough falling below a first threshold level and/or detecting the level of water within the stock water trough rising above a second threshold level; and a communications module in communication with the at least one sensor, the communications module configured to transmit the sensor signal over a

communications network.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification means 'consisting at least in part of. When interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term 'comprising', features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprises' are to be interpreted in the same manner.

In an embodiment the communications module comprises a wireless communications module. In an embodiment the wireless communications module comprises a cellular modem, and/or a wireless card or integrated circuit (IC), and an associated antenna. In an embodiment the antenna comprises a radio network antenna. In an

embodiment the radio network antenna comprises one of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) antenna, a code division multiple access (CDMA) antenna, a third generation (3G) antenna, another suitable radio antenna.

In an embodiment the water monitor further comprises an identification module further comprising a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit configured to generate a location signal and a GPS antenna. In an embodiment the communications module is configured to transmit the location signal over the communications network. In an embodiment the water monitor further comprises a power source in

communication with the at least one sensor and the communications module.

In an embodiment the water monitor comprises a solar energy device in

communication with the power source.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a method for monitoring the level of water in a stock water trough comprises at least partially locating the stock water monitor described herein within the stock water trough; and receiving signals generated by the stock water trough.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a stock water monitoring system comprises the stock water monitor described herein; and a stock water trough within which the stock water monitor is at least partially located.

The invention in one aspect comprises several steps. The relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, the apparatus embodying features of construction, and combinations of elements and arrangement of parts that are adapted to affect such steps, are all exemplified in the following detailed disclosure.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in

construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. As used herein, \s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

As used herein, the term 'and/or' means 'and' or 'or' or both.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9, and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5, and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of

information is not to be construed as an admission that such documents or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

In the description in this specification reference may be made to subject matter which is not within the scope of the appended claims. That subject matter should be readily identifiable by a person skilled in the art and may assist in putting into practice the invention as defined in the presently appended claims.

Although the present invention is broadly as defined above, those persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited thereto and that the invention also includes embodiments of which the following description gives examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the stock water monitor, and method for monitoring the level of water in a stock water trough, will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which :

Figure 1 shows a general diagram of a stock water monitoring system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a simplified block diagram of the stock water monitor of figure 1. Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the stock water monitor of figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a stock water monitoring system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 is configured to monitor the level of water in a stock water trough 102 using a stock water monitor 104 that is positioned at least partially within the water trough 102.

As will be described in more detail below, the monitor 104 is configured to generate at least one signal relating to an amount of water in the trough 102. The monitor 104 transmits the signal(s) over a communications network 106.

In an embodiment a server 108 receives the signal(s) via the communications network 106. In an embodiment the server 108 comprises or is connected to computer memory, in the form of a database 110, for storing data relating to the amount of water in the water trough 102.

In an embodiment the server 108 is accessible by at least one end user device 112 via the communications network 106. The server 108 controls access to the database 110, and is configured to store data relating to an amount of water in the water trough 102 in the database 110, to look up data stored in the database 110, and to send data relating to an amount of water in the water trough 102 to the user device(s) 112.

Figure 1 shows a single water trough 102. It will be appreciated that system 100 includes a plurality of water troughs 102. In an embodiment the water troughs are associated to unique water trough identifiers. In an embodiment the water trough identifiers comprise location data associated to the respective water troughs 102.

In an embodiment the data received by the user device(s) 112 includes an alert that the water level in a water trough 102 is below a threshold level. In an embodiment the data received by the user device(s) 112 includes an alert that the water level in a water trough 102 is above a threshold level.

The server 108 and the database 110 are both typically located remote of the water trough 102. They are accessible by user device(s) 112 over the communications network 106, such as via a local area network, a wide area network or the Internet. In an embodiment the communications network 106 includes at least one private Access Port Network (APN).

The system comprises a software module at the user device(s) 112 for communication with the server 108. An end user can access the server through the software platform to obtain information stored in the database 110 about the amount of water in the trough 102. An end user can also access the server to generate and/or view reports of historical water levels within one or more troughs that is stored in the database 110. A user will typically access the server 108/database 110 via a web interface or app. The user device(s) 112 will typically comprise a general-purpose programming device, such as one or more of a desktop computing device, laptop, tablet or smart phone.

Figure 2 shows a simplified block diagram of the stock water monitor 104. The monitor 104 includes at least one sensor 200. In an embodiment the monitor 104 includes at least one sensor 202. In an embodiment the monitor 104 includes at least one sensor 200 and at least one sensor 202.

In an embodiment the sensor(s) 200 and/or sensor(s) 202 comprise(s) one or more of a pressure sensor, a float sensor, a distance measurement sensor, a capacitance sensor. A stock water trough 102 with a functioning ballcock system will typically have a range of acceptable water levels. When the water level within the water trough 102 falls below a lower level threshold a ballcock device turns on water flow into the water trough. Water is then supplied to the trough immediately or on activation of a water pump. Similarly, when the water level within the water trough 102 rises above an upper level threshold the ballcock device turns off water flow into the water trough.

In an embodiment the low level sensor 200 is located within the water monitor 104 such that, when the water monitor 104 is located at least partially within the stock water trough 104, the sensor is positioned below the lower level threshold of the water trough 104. In an embodiment the sensor 200 and monitor 104 are positioned and configured so that the sensor 200 does not generate a signal while the associated ballcock system is functioning normally.

In an embodiment the high level sensor 202 is located within the water monitor 104 such that, when the water monitor 104 is located at least partially within the stock water trough 104, the sensor is positioned above the upper level threshold of the water trough 104. In an embodiment the sensor 202 and monitor 104 are positioned and configured so that the sensor 202 does not generate a signal while the associated ballcock system is functioning normally.

In an embodiment the monitor 104 includes a communications module 204 configured to transmit signals obtained from low level sensor 200 and/or high level sensor 202. In an embodiment the communications module 204 is connected to one or both of sensors 200 and 202.

In an embodiment the communications module 204 comprises a data transmission device and an antenna. The communications module 204 is configured to transmit and receive data over the communications network 106. In an embodiment the data transmission device is configured to use one or more of Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular, Zigbee, LoRa. Additionally or alternatively, in an embodiment the transmission device is configured to use one or more other communications standard(s) or protocol(s). In an embodiment the antenna is configured to use one or more of GPRS, CDMA, 3G. Additionally or alternatively, in an embodiment the antenna is configured to use one or more other wireless communication services.

In an embodiment the communications module 204 comprises, or is in communication with, a satellite modem and a satellite antenna, and is configured to communicate with and transmit signals to the server 108 via one or more satellites. In an embodiment a controller 206 is configured to control operation of one or more of the low level sensor(s) 200, the high level sensor(s) 202, the communications module 204. In an embodiment the controller 206 comprises a processor, which is any suitable computing device that is capable of executing a set of instructions that specify actions to be carried out. The term 'computing device' also includes any collection of devices that individually or jointly execute a set or multiple sets of instructions to control aspects of the system including but not limited to the operation of the fluid monitoring system. In an embodiment the controller 206 includes or is interfaced to a computer-readable medium (not shown) on which is stored one or more sets of computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. The instructions implement one or more of the methods for controlling the operation of the stock water monitoring system. In an embodiment the instructions reside completely or at least partially within the controller 206 during execution. In that case, the controller 206 comprises machine- readable tangible storage media.

In an embodiment the monitor 104 includes a power supply unit 208 for supplying power to the monitor 104. In an embodiment the power supply unit 208 comprises a lead-acid battery, for example, a two-cell lead-acid battery. According to other embodiments of the system, the power supply unit 208 comprises a lithium battery, a lithium ion battery, or another battery. According to further embodiments, the power supply unit 206 comprises an electrical charge storage component, such as a super capacitor for example. The power supply unit 158 is arranged to provide a voltage of about 2 V to about 24 V, and preferably 4.2 V.

In an embodiment the monitor 104 includes a power generator 210, for example at least one photovoltaic cell for collecting solar energy. In an embodiment the power generator 210 is configured to charge the power supply unit 208. In an embodiment the power generator unit 210 is configured to power the controller 206 and/or other components of the monitor 104 directly.

In an embodiment the controller 206 and/or other components of the monitor 104 is/are powered from a mains power supply (not shown).

In an embodiment the monitor 104 includes an identification module 212 for generating a unique identifier of the tank. In an embodiment the communications module 204 is configured to transmit the identifier of the tank over the communications module 204. In an embodiment the identification module 212 comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and a GPS antenna, and the identifier comprises a position or location of the water trough 102. In an embodiment the communications module 204 is configured to transmit an alert signal over the communications network 106 responsive to the low level sensor 200 detecting a level of water within the water trough below, or substantially equal to, a predetermined lower threshold or amount. In an embodiment the communications module 204 is configured to transmit an alert signal over the communications network 106 responsive to the high level sensor 200 detecting a level of water within the water trough above, or substantially equal to, a predetermined upper threshold or amount. Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an example of monitor 104. In an embodiment the monitor 104 comprises a housing 300 within which for example the

communications module 204, the controller 206, the power supply unit 208, the power generator 210, and the identification module 212 are located. In an

embodiment the housing 300 comprises one or more of polycarbonate, other suitable polymeric materials, aluminium, other suitable materials.

In an embodiment the monitor 104 includes a mounting arrangement to permit the monitor 104 to be secured to a sidewall of the water trough 102. In an embodiment the mounting arrangement comprises a threaded clamp 302 or similar. In an embodiment the mounting arrangement is configured to permit the monitor 104 to be securely fastened to a sidewall of the water trough in a manner that is resistant to accidental or intentional dislodging by stock animals. In an embodiment the mounting arrangement is configured to permit the monitor 104 to be quickly disengaged from the water trough 102 by a human operator.

In an embodiment the monitor 104 includes at least one extension 304 extending from the housing 300. The extension 304 is at least partially locatable within the water trough 102. In an embodiment the low level sensor 200 and/or high level sensor 202 are located within the extension 304.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof.

Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the accompanying claims.