Method of regulating the vacuum level in a milking apparatus, and a milking apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of regulating the vacuum level in a milking apparatus comprising a vacuum pump, a milking device having at least one milking means to be attached to an animal to be milked, and a conduit connecting the milking device to a suction side of the vacuum pump for the transport of a flow of air from the milking device to the vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is of a dynamic type arranged to accelerate the air and to transfer the kinetic energy of the air to pressure, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the actual vacuum level in the conduit; and
regulating the rate of the flow through the conduit and through the vacuum pump in response to the vacuum level sensed in order to adjust the vacuum level to a desired value.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A milking apparatus includes a vacuum pump (1), a milking device (6) having at least one milking claw and teatcups (7, 12, 13) provided to be attached to an animal to be milked, and a conduit (5) connecting the milking claw and teatcups (7, 12, 13) to a suction side (2) of the vacuum pump and being adapted to transport a flow from the milking device (6). The vacuum pump (1) is of a dynamic type. Furthermore, a regulating device (22, 23, 24, 25) is adapted to maintain the vacuum level of the milking apparatus at a desired, constant value. Furthermore, the regulating device comprises a sensor (23) for sensing the actual vacuum level of the conduit (5) and a regulator adapted to control the vacuum level to the desired value by regulating the size of the flow through the conduit (5) and the vacuum pump (1) in response to the vacuum level sensed.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of regulating the vacuum level in a milking apparatus comprising a vacuum pump, a milking device having at least one milking means to be attached to an animal to be milked, and a conduit connecting the milking device to a suction side of the vacuum pump for the transport of a flow of air from the milking device to the vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is of a dynamic type arranged to accelerate the air and to transfer the kinetic energy of the air to pressure, comprising the steps of:
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sensing the actual vacuum level in the conduit; and regulating the rate of the flow through the conduit and through the vacuum pump in response to the vacuum level sensed in order to adjust the vacuum level to a desired value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A milking apparatus comprising:
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a vacuum pump; a milking device having at least one milking means provided for attachment to an animal to be milked; and a conduit connecting the milking device to a suction side of the vacuum pump and being adapted to transport a flow of air from the milking device to the vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is of a dynamic type arranged to accelerate the air and to transfer the kinetic energy of the air to pressure and the apparatus comprises a control device comprising means for sensing the actual vacuum level in the conduit and a first regulating means adapted to control the vacuum level to a desired value by regulating the size of the flow through the conduit and through the vacuum pump in response to the vacuum level sensed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification