Vacuum Pressure Regulation in Automated Milking Technology

Milking control arrangement and milk extracting system that adjust milking parameters based on teat size data to improve milk extraction from teats with deviating sizes. The milking control obtains teat size data for the animal being milked and uses it to customize milking parameters like vacuum levels for that teat. This prevents air slip, slipping off, and inefficient milking when using standard liners on teats of varying sizes.

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Automatic mechanical valve for controlling milk flow in a dairy milking system. The valve is connected to multiple teat cups and automatically switches between allowing or preventing milk flow based on pressure in one group of cups. When the pressure in the first group exceeds a threshold, the valve closes to disconnect the second group from the main milk line. This prevents backflow when a cup loses suction. Below threshold, the valve opens to connect the second group. The valve is operated mechanically by cup pressure rather than electronics.

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Milking system that improves milk extraction efficiency while maintaining teat integrity by applying optimized vacuum pressure to each teat based on the animal's history and real-time measurement. The system uses sensors to measure vacuum pressure during milking, an animal ID scanner, a database, and a processing device. It determines the optimal vacuum profile for each teat based on previous milking data. During milking, it compares the measured vacuum to the profile and adjusts as needed. This prevents over-vacuuming or under-vacuuming each teat based on its unique milk flow.

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A teat dip fluid manifold for automated milking systems that protects milk lines from contamination, prevents cross-contamination of teat dip fluids, and provides reliable milk line protection while minimizing maintenance. The manifold has an upstream valve, a galley, a downstream valve, and a pressure monitor. When the upstream and downstream valves are closed, the pressure monitor senses the galley pressure. Leakage indicated by high pressure requires maintenance. The galley connects the valves and prevents fluid flow when the valves are closed, protecting milk lines from contamination. The manifold separates teat dip fluids to prevent cross-contamination.

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Milking system that improves milk extraction from cows with teats of varying sizes and shapes. The system uses sensors to measure teat size, and adjusts milking parameters like vacuum based on the measurement. This prevents slipping, air leakage, and inefficient milking that can occur when using a one-size-fits-all liner. By customizing the milking parameters for each teat, it improves extraction from atypical teats without requiring multiple liners.

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An automatic mechanical milk flow valve for milk pumping systems that automatically connects or disconnects a group of teat cups from the main milk line based on pressure in another group of teat cups. The valve has an opened configuration allowing milk flow and a closed configuration disconnecting the line. The valve switches between configurations when pressure in the first group exceeds a threshold. This prevents milk backflow and contamination when a teat cup detaches or has poor seal pressure. The valve operates mechanically based on teat cup pressure instead of electronics.

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Synchronous automatic milking control for multiple teats of a multi-nipple animal like a cow to improve efficiency of robotic milking. The method involves dynamically adjusting the order and parameters of milking each teat based on real-time monitoring of milk volume and flow during milking. A device with modules for setting teat milking data, animal identification, real-time monitoring, data analysis, and milking control executes the synchronized milking sequence.

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Vacuum pump arrangement for milking plants that allows emptying the vacuum tank of a pump unit without shutting down the system vacuum. The arrangement has features like automatic closing valves, drain valves, and communication connections that enable draining and cleaning the pump unit without interrupting system vacuum. The valves close when the pump stops, preventing backflow. A communication connection allows remote control of valves to initiate closure. This allows draining the pump tank while maintaining system vacuum.

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Teat cup liner for milking machines that improves milk extraction and teat health. The liner has a unique barrel shape with a transition section and a triangular section. The combined attachment section and transition section length matches the average cow teat length after elongation during milking. This ensures consistent vacuum pressure. The triangular section collapses more uniformly compared to a two-part barrel. The liner also has a groove at the interface with the connection section to secure it in the teat cup. This improves attachment and prevents gaps for better vacuum seal. The liner can be injection molded from rubber or silicone.

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Milking system that improves milk extraction efficiency and teat integrity by dynamically adjusting vacuum pressure for each teat based on animal and teat-specific data. The system uses sensors to measure vacuum pressure during milking, extracts historical data for each teat, and a processor calculates optimal vacuum levels for each teat during a session. This prevents over-vacuuming and ensures optimal milk flow for each teat.

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Milking device for milking dairy animals with pulsation devices that prevent teat liner folding during milking. The pulsation device has adjustable valves that control the pressure in the pulsation space between the teat liner and cup wall. The valves can be positioned during the pulsation phase to shape the pressure curve. This allows customizing the pressure profile to prevent the liner from folding during vacuum application. The device uses a control unit to generate signals to adjust the valve passages based on measured pressure and desired profiles. This allows optimizing the pulsation pressure to prevent teat damage.

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Method for milking dairy animals using an automated milking system that optimizes stimulation and milking efficiency while minimizing discomfort for the animal. The method involves dynamically adjusting the stimulation time before milking based on measured milk flow curves. If a cow's milk flow shows bimodality, indicating insufficient stimulation, the stimulation time is extended. This prevents under-stimulation and strain on the teats during milking. The adjustment is made by the milking system's control unit. The method also allows for adaptation periods to prevent cow response to stimulation changes. The system can be used in robotic milking parlors to improve milking efficiency and cow comfort.

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A teat cup storage mechanism for automated milking systems that allows larger teat cup movement strokes to better cooperate with automated milking manipulators. The mechanism uses a vertical air cylinder on a frame to move a vertical pulley that pulls the teat cups vertically. This allows the cups to be raised and lowered on the rack using air pressure. A guide mechanism helps guide the cup movement. The vacuum and milk lines pass through the rack components to connect the cups. The vertical design maximizes cup stroke for automated milking.

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Rotating milking chamber for cows that automates cleaning, massage, and milking to improve productivity and cow comfort. The chamber has a telescopic rod with a milking cup at the bottom, a rotating massage ring above it, and a limit ring between them. The rings and rods allow the cow's teats to move freely. The massage ring has hollow connecting rods and an expanding massage balloon. The balloon inflates to massage the teats during rotation. The rings mesh with a gear connected to a motor. The chamber also has a negative pressure system with a cover, hole, and tube to extract milk. This provides automated cleaning, massage, and milking in a single device.

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Improving milk quality and animal welfare in milking systems by optimizing vacuum stability and liner action. The innovation involves several features: 1. Greater than atmospheric pressure fresh air source for pulsators to quickly fill and evacuate the pulsation chamber. This prevents harsh treatment of the teat and improves milk flow. 2. Vacuum controlled volume bypassing flow restrictions like meters and sensors to provide stable vacuum directly to the liner. 3. Wireless vacuum sensor near the receiver for accurate vacuum regulation. 4. Fresh air venting when pulsator demand is low to prevent excess blower heating. 5. Sealed solenoid ends to prevent air leakage. 6. Multi-hose collection volume to prevent interference and vacuum fluctuations. 7. Detecting solenoid failures using electrical resistance or pressure monitoring.

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Automated milking system that optimizes milking duration based on real-time teat flow characteristics. The system determines optimal milking termination times through a combination of flow rate thresholds and dynamic slope analysis. It achieves this by analyzing teat flow patterns and determining the optimal milking stop point based on the rate of decline and the steepness of the decline slope. The system can also incorporate additional criteria such as animal-specific milk yield, lactation phase, age, and health status to further optimize milking duration.

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Milking system with automated vacuum monitoring and predictive maintenance. The system features a control unit that monitors the operating vacuum parameter across multiple vacuum pumps, with a backup pump ensuring continuous operation. The control compares operating values across all pumps to detect deviations, triggering maintenance when a pump fails or performance drops below predetermined thresholds. This enables proactive monitoring and predictive maintenance across the system, reducing downtime and improving overall milking efficiency.

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A teat cup design for milking machines that improves milk production and animal comfort through enhanced vacuum sealing and reduced tissue damage. The design incorporates a plate-like structure that increases the chamber volume during compression, ensuring a more complete closure of the teat cup and nipple interface. This plate-like feature enhances the vacuum seal during the compression stroke, significantly reducing the energy required to compress the nipple rubber and minimizing tissue trauma. The plate also enhances the milk flow characteristics by creating a more efficient flow path through the chamber. This design addresses the traditional limitations of teat cup designs by providing a more comprehensive seal during the critical compression stroke, thereby improving milk yield and animal comfort.

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Milking system that minimizes teat damage during milking by controlling teat pressure through a novel pulsation-volume interface. The system features a liner with a bore connected to a vacuum source at the lower end, where a pulsation volume is created between the liner and the vacuum source. The liner's bore and vacuum source are connected to a pulsation volume, allowing controlled pressure differential across the liner. A valve system regulates the pressure in the pulsation volume, enabling controlled teat pressure modulation during milking. This approach prevents excessive pressure buildup on the teat and enables efficient teat closure during the milking cycle.

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A milking device that maintains consistent vacuum levels during milking to prevent mastitis and ensure optimal milk production. The device integrates a vacuum pump, regulator, and distribution system into a single unit, with a dedicated pulsation system that maintains optimal vacuum pressure throughout the milking cycle. This design ensures stable vacuum conditions, preventing nipple damage and infection, while maintaining aseptic milking conditions. The device's precision regulation and pulsation control enable consistent vacuum levels, reducing the risk of mastitis and enabling more efficient milk production.

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Milking device for dairy animals that eliminates liner folding by dynamically controlling teat closure pressure. The device comprises a teat cup with a cup wall and teat liner, with a pulsation space between them. A pulsation device applies pressure to the pulsation space, with a first valve controlling the initial pressure and a second valve controlling the lower pressure. The control unit adjusts valve passages based on real-time pressure measurements, ensuring precise teat closure while preventing liner folding.

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Milking device for performing milkings that optimizes milking process through enhanced cleaning and system monitoring. The device comprises a milking system with multiple milking cups, including teat and pulsation spaces, connected to a pulsator system that generates vacuum pressure for milking. The pulsator is controlled by a pulsation control system that includes two valves: one for vacuum delivery and a second for aeration. The system features a sensor for monitoring pulsation parameters, including pressure and flow rates, and a flushing mode that automatically opens and holds the valves during a predetermined period. This system enables precise control over cleaning cycles and pressure levels, ensuring optimal system performance while minimizing maintenance requirements.

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Vacuum pump for milking machines with improved performance and efficiency. The pump features a unique design with a wider pallet width (58 mm) and thicker plate thickness (5.80 mm) compared to conventional pumps. The top outlet is positioned to facilitate cooling of the belts and pump components, while the fan is strategically positioned to maintain optimal airflow during operation. This design addresses the traditional limitations of vacuum pumps in milking machines by maintaining consistent vacuum performance while maintaining flow rates during milking cycles.

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A system for detecting teat attachment in robotic milking systems that ensures accurate teat preparation. The system employs a pressure-based teat attachment detection mechanism that monitors the vacuum pump's pressure and the teat preparation cup's pressure inside the cup. When the robotic arm positions the teat preparation cup on a teat, the system checks if the vacuum pump is primed to create sufficient suction. If the vacuum pump is activated, the system induces a vacuum in the teat preparation cup, causing the cup to securely attach to the teat. The system continuously monitors the teat preparation cup's pressure to verify the attachment, providing real-time feedback to the robotic arm.

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Milking system that improves teat damage control during milking by dynamically regulating teat pressure. The system employs a unique pulsation volume design where the pulsation volume is connected to a vacuum source at the liner end, creating a controlled pressure differential between the liner and the pulsation volume. The system modulates the pressure in the pulsation volume to enable milk flow from the teat during the "on" phase, while maintaining a higher pressure during the "off" phase to close the liner and apply compressive force to the teat. This pressure modulation approach prevents excessive pressure drops that can cause teat damage, while still allowing for effective milk extraction.

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A milking machine that optimizes milk flow through the mammary glands by dynamically controlling vacuum levels during milking cycles. The machine features two chamber teat cups, a pulsating and stimulating pulsator block, and a variable pressure chamber system that simultaneously controls atmospheric and vacuum pressure. The vacuum control unit utilizes a distribution box to achieve optimal vacuum levels during the milking process, while the pulsator block generates microvibrations to stimulate milk flow. This innovative design ensures consistent vacuum levels throughout the milking cycle, particularly during low milk flow periods, and provides enhanced stimulation of the mammary glands.

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Automated milking system that enables precise control over milking parameters through real-time monitoring and automated adjustments. The system integrates a milking controller with advanced sensors and processing capabilities to optimize milk production and quality through automated control of parameters such as pulsation, vacuum, and massage. The system also features automatic detection of cow health indicators and residual milk levels. The system provides real-time monitoring and alerts for potential issues like mastitis, while also enabling automated cleaning and maintenance. The system's automated control and display capabilities enable precise parameter adjustments based on real-time data, ensuring optimal milk production and cow health.

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A milking system for dairy cows that improves performance through enhanced control of vacuum pressure. The system features a novel adjustable chamber design that enables precise control over vacuum levels during milking, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of vacuum settings. This allows for optimized milk flow and reduces the risk of vacuum-related stress on the milking equipment. The chamber design incorporates communication channels that facilitate communication between the milking system and the atmosphere or vacuum system, enhancing reliability and efficiency of the milking process. The chamber design also incorporates restrictors that simplify the construction of the milking system and improve reliability of operation.

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An intelligent milking system that automates the milking process while maintaining high-quality milk production. The system comprises a milking chamber with integrated teat cup, cup holder, and sterilization processing device. The chamber features a vacuum-controlled pulsing system that maintains optimal teat pressure and vacuum levels during milking. The system connects to a storage device for fresh milk, which is processed through pasteurization and refrigeration. The system also features a robotic arm for teat cup removal and a dedicated storage area for milk. The robotic arm and storage system work together to automate the milking process, while the vacuum-controlled pulsing system ensures consistent teat pressure and milk quality.

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A system for detecting and controlling milking cup teat cup leakage in automated milking equipment through real-time monitoring of vacuum pressure and teat cup liner condition. The system uses sensors to continuously measure vacuum pressure and teat cup liner integrity, triggering alerts when leakage is detected. This enables proactive maintenance and prevents contamination of the teat cup and surrounding environment.

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A milk collection device that optimizes milk handling through advanced automation and precision control. The device features a milking apparatus, pipes, and milk storage compartment with integrated cleaning system. A control unit comprises detection, processing, and adjustment modules that monitor and manage milk quality parameters, automatically detecting issues and implementing corrective actions to maintain optimal storage conditions.

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A milking cup system with automatic leak detection and control through a novel pressure monitoring architecture. The system integrates pressure sensors into the milking cup design, specifically targeting the liner and pulsation chamber, to monitor pressure changes. These sensors feed back pressure data to a controller that activates the three-way valve. By dynamically controlling the valve position, the system prevents excessive pressure drops during teat milking and prevents foreign object contamination. This approach enables early detection of liner damage, ensuring efficient milking while minimizing waste and maintaining animal health.

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Dairy milking system with integrated cleaning and sterilization functions that addresses conventional issues of milk residue and bacterial growth. The system comprises a vacuum-assisted milking unit with a built-in cleaning and sterilization system that utilizes ozone gas to clean and sanitize the milking equipment, including teat cups, milk collection vessels, and vacuum components. The system integrates a cleaning device with a water reservoir and valve system that prevents milk contamination during cleaning operations. The system achieves both cleaning and sterilization functions through a unique valve configuration that prevents water flow into the milk storage vessels.

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An automated milking system that integrates manual and automatic functions for milking operations, with advanced features like real-time monitoring, intelligent pulsation control, and automated cup removal. The system enables automated milk flow control, intelligent pulsation adjustment based on milk flow rate, and automatic cup removal without manual intervention. It also features a programmable cleaning mode, allowing customized cleaning parameters and schedules.

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A smart milking system that optimizes milking process through automated control of cleaning, disinfection, and milking operations. The system integrates advanced technologies like automated cleaning and disinfection, air-drying, pre-squeeze, milking, medicated bath, and de-cup operations with a centralized control system. The system monitors real-time milk flow and pressure, automatically adjusting the milking process to prevent mastitis and optimize milk quality.

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Automated milking system control that monitors and optimizes vacuum line pressure to prevent system malfunctions and optimize milk production. The system continuously measures vacuum pressure fluctuations around milking stations, detecting anomalies like system start and end events, attachment events, and system wash cycles. It classifies these events into critical, minor, and normal categories based on pressure patterns, triggering alerts and automated responses to maintain optimal vacuum levels and prevent system shutdowns. The system also monitors milk flow, temperature, and refrigeration conditions to ensure optimal production parameters.

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An intelligent milking system for dairy farms that automates the standard milking process while ensuring hygiene and animal health. The system integrates a waste liquid management system that separates waste from milk, preventing contamination and maintaining product quality. The system also implements a precise pulsation control system that adjusts milk flow rate and pressure according to animal pressure and milk volume, enabling optimized milking. The system integrates a disinfection and drying process for cow nipples, as well as medicated baths, eliminating the need for manual cleaning and disinfection. This integrated approach enables efficient, sanitary milking while maintaining the quality of dairy products.

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Creating a constant vacuum level in milking systems through a method that optimizes vacuum pump operation. The method employs a dual-speed vacuum system with variable speed pumps that can be controlled independently to maintain a predetermined vacuum level. The system monitors the required vacuum level and adjusts pump speeds accordingly, with the first pump operating at its optimal speed until the required level is reached. Once the required level is achieved, the second pump is turned off. This approach enables efficient vacuum management while maintaining consistent system pressure, reduces energy consumption, and prevents pump damage by minimizing unnecessary pump operation.

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A milking facility that provides real-time monitoring of milk flow and liquid level through a single, integrated system. The system comprises a vacuum line with a pulsator and differential pressure flow sensor, connected to a milk feeding tube. A liquid level sensor is integrated with the pulsator and differential pressure flow sensor, enabling continuous monitoring of both milk flow and liquid level. The system includes a controller that processes the sensor data and performs automated cleaning of the milk cup component to prevent residual milk from affecting the milking process. This integrated monitoring solution enables continuous real-time feedback on milk flow and liquid level, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems.

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A milking machine control system that integrates multiple functions through a single electronic control unit. The system comprises two valves and a pulse device that control the vacuum system, milk collection, and pipeline cleaning. The control unit remotely starts the vacuum system and simultaneously controls the milk collection and pipeline cleaning processes. It also regulates the water inlet and air inlet to optimize milk flow and cleaning efficiency. The system enables continuous operation while maintaining optimal conditions for milk quality and machine performance.

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Mechanically milking lactating animals through continuous vacuum application to the teat end, enabling optimized milking characteristics. The method employs a teat cup with a flexible liner that is precisely positioned within the cup. The liner features a pressure chamber that maintains a constant milking vacuum pressure throughout the milking cycle, eliminating the discontinuous vacuum fluctuations characteristic of conventional milking. The teat cup's unique design ensures consistent teat-end pressure, while the liner's pressure management system prevents liner slippage and maintains optimal teat condition.

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