Feedback Sensor Development for IR-Based Heaters Used in Animal Housing Micro-Climate Control

The development of a feedback control sensor for flame‐based infrared (IR) heaters used in animal agriculture is described. The intended use of this sensor is to control the heating pattern at desired levels for young animals in enclosed housing applications to desired micro‐climate specifications. The sensor developed was sensitive to placement position in the IR heat pattern but once a suitable location was found, representative heating temperatures in the heating pattern were described very well. The first‐ordered behaving IR sensor developed had a heat‐up time constant of 7.5 min and a cool‐down time constant of 9.5 min. The IR sensor was demonstrated in a closed‐loop control scenario where the controlled IR heating zone was maintained within ±1.2 C ±2.2 F) using a three‐stage gas modulating control system.