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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