AU2003235008A1 - Milking System - Google Patents

Description

15/08/2003 11:21 +61398987600 MORCOM PERNAT PAGE 1

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT "Milking System" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 15/08/2883 11:21 +61398857500 MORCOM PERNAT PAGE 86 2 MILKING SYSTEM Field of the Invention This invention relates to a milking system especially one which provides a range of automatic options for optimising milking conditions for each cow.

Background of the Invention Dairy fanners in many countries such as Australia, have found that the number of cows they need to milk to maintain their effective disposable income has been rising annually.

A consequence of this is that they must also in many cases milk more cows per hour which means that they have less time available for each individual cow. As the farmers have insufficient time to carefully monitor each cow, overmilking of cows under these circumstances is common. Ultimately, where overmilking occurs, this has a detrimental effect on udder health and milk quality, In order to create more time for farmers to monitor milking processes rather than actually being involved in setting them up and operating themn, automation of many of these steps in the milking process has been seen as one way to alleviate these problems. The rotary dairy is one step in this direction. However, such rotary dairies, whilst they do leave more time available to the farmer for monitoring processes, are not set up to deal with the high variability associated with the milking characteristics of individual cows. Thus for example cows that milk out quickly are still subjected to the vacuum of milking machines long after they have finished their milking as such machines generally operate on giving all cows substantially the same amount of milking time.

To some extent, the use of automatic cup removers (ACRs) can be used to prevent over milking of cows that milk out quickly. These devices are able to sense when milking has stopped and automatically remove teat cups when this occurs. Unfortunately, the cost of COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 I gjnol) Mmn I I tJw- .a -rDCojooo/ot MURCUM PERNAT PAGE 07 3 ACRs is so great currently at about $1,500 per milking position, that most farmers feel they cannot afford to use themrn in their dairies.

Even where ACRs are used, other difficulties can arise. For example, some cows characteristically take much longer to start delivering milk in response to milking vacuum and pulsating than others. Unfortunately, where ACRs are used, the ACR can sense the lack of milk flow as being the end of milking and may automatically detach from the cow's udder before any milking has occurred.

Thus there is a need for a system which can accommodate the individual milking characteristics of cows in such a way as to carry out milking effectively in a manner which is less damaging to the cow.

Disclosure of the Invention The invention provides a milking system fw simultaneously milking a plurality of cows comprising, a plurality of teat cups for milking the cows and directing their milk to a collection vessel, a flow rate sensor for measuring the milking rate of each cow, timing means for timing how long each cow is being milked, a computer having memory storage means for holding data concerning the characteristic milking times and characteristic milking flow rates for individual cows as measured by the timing means and flow rate sensor, identification means associated with each cow for linking the data for the cow stored in the computer with the teat cups used on each cow, and microprocessor means operatively associated with the computer for controlling at least one of the milking parameters for that cow based upon the data stored in the computer. The microprocessor may comprise the computer or it may comprise a separate microprocessor. The cups may comprise a shell and flexible liner forming a cavity therebetween. The primary pulsator may be used to provide a pulsation vacuum to the cavity, COMS ID No: SMSB-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 15/8/2003 11:21 +6139886760R MOROM P ERNAT PAGE 08 4 The milking parameters for a cow may comprise time of willdng, vacuum level, rate of pulsation, ratio of pulsation and removal of the teat cups using automatic cup removers.

Suitably the primary pulsator is electrically actuated. It may be actuated by a solenoid valve. Signals for the primary pulsator may be provided by a primary pulse generator.

Suitably, the signals from the primary pulse generator will be set at a predetermined pulse rate regardless of the cow being milked. The ratio of the primary pulse generator may also be set at a predetermined rate- For example the ratio may be set to have vacuum on of the time and off 50% of the time. Ratio is defined as the period of time vacuum is on to the period it is off.

There may be a secondary pulse generator. The secondary pulse generator may be arranged to provide a variable rate of electronic pulsation. The variable rate of electronic pulsation may be set according to data stored for each individual cow. Thus the primary pulsator will pulsate at different rates through the teat cups applied to individual cows in accordance with the signals from the secondary pulse generator. The microprocessor may incorporate the secondary pulse generator.

The secondary pulse generator may also set ratio for a particular cow in accordance with stored data.

The arrangement between the primary pulse generator and secondary pulse generator may be such that the secondary pulse generator will override the primary pulse generator in circumstances where data is stored in relation to a particular cow. However where data is not stored, the computer or some other electronic device such as the microprocessor means may operate to override the secondary pulse generator so that the primary pulse generator sets the rate of pulsation for the cow.

The computer or microprocessor means may also override the secondary pulse generator in any circumstances where the system is not operating correctly. For example if the system power supply is not functioning correctly the system may automatically default to the primary pulse generator, This may also be the case where a cow has not been identified COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 1S/08/2003 11:21 +6139887600OcO ENT AE9 MORCOM PERNAT PAGE 09 correctly, the computer aIls to function correctly or a power supply for the system fails to function and there is an alternative power supply.

The milking system may include shut off means for shutting off the primary pulsator when milking has continued for a predetermiined time (eg. 7 to 10 minutes) regardless of the data stored on a particular cow. Thus this shut off function may operate to override the "intelligent" function of the systemn with regard to the data stored on that particular cow in circumstances where an operator wishes to reduce the milking time for a herd.

The microprocessor mneans may itself comprise the computer. Thus the computer may control the time of milking and/or pulsation rate or ratio for each cow based upon the daba stored in the computer.

Alternativcly, the microprocessor means may be separate from the computer and may independently control the time of milking.

The microprocessor means may be associated with the flow rate sensor. Thus there may be as many microprocessors as there are flow rate sensors Similarly there may be as many primary pulsators as there are flow rate sensors or stalls for milking.

The identification means may be in the form of a transponder. This may be operatively associated with reading means for reading the signals from the transponder and communicating such signals to the computer. Thus for example, where a cow wearing a transponder passes through a gate or chute or enters a milking stall as it is about to have the teat cups applied for milking, the reading means identifies the cow to the computer which sets the milking parameters for that cow accordingly- Of course it is to be. understood that alternative identification means such as barcodes, magnetic strips, etc may be used. It is even possible that an operator may use a computer keyboard to type in the identification for a particular cow.

The systemn may include means for regulating vacuum applied for each particular cow.

This may take the form of a vacuum reduction valve. The vacuum may be regulated in the COMISID No: SMVBI-00379059 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 11:27 Date 2003-08-15

I

4t, ma', itt3981367600 MORCOM PERNAT PAGE 6 long milk tube. The long milk tube is the tube used to deliver milk from the teat cups to a collection point.

The system may also include teat cups which are automatically adapted to detach themselves from the udders of cows when the system indicates that milking is finished.

Alternatively, the teat cups themselves may incorporate a removal function such as one based upon flow rate of milking from each particular cow.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the [0 accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure A shows a block diagram of a system according to the invention for intelligent pulsation management; Figure B shows a system according to the invention for intelligent vacuum management; Figure C shows a system according to the invention for intelligent automatic cup removal management; Figure D shows a system according to the invention for intelligent pulsation rate and ratio management; and Figure E shows a system according to the invention combining the features of Figures A to D.

The various integers identified in discussing the Figures are listed in the integer list below.

Integer List I milking control system 2 power supply 3 flow rate sensor bi-directional data network COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 15/08/2003 11:21 -61398867680 MORCOM PERNAT PAGE 11 7 6 microprocessor 7 pulse generator 8 pulsator valve 9 supplementary power supply milking vacuum reduction valve 11 automatic cup remover 13 first switch 14 second switch third switch 16 fourth switch 17 fifth switch 19 manual control panel 27 identifier 29 computer Referring to Figure 1, the block diagram shows a milking control system generally designated 1.

The system has a network DC power supply 2 which can be sufficient to supply the entire power needs of the system or can be supplemented by another source. Thus, a supplementary power supply or shared network supply 9 is also provided for powering of components which are not necessarily linked directly into the DC power supply of the system The advantage of having this supplementary power supply is that if the intelligent fiuctions of the system or the power supply of the system itself break down, the system can continue to operate on an "unintelligent" basis powered by the supplementary power supply. It also allows different control voltages to be used for equipment that requires different control voltages to those of the system. Such equipment may be old existing equipment or new equipment that is retro-fitted after the installation of system 1.

A bi-directional data network 5 is provided for facilitating communication between the various electronic components of the system.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 15/18/2003 11:21 +61398867600 MORCOM PERNAT PAGE 12 8 A microprocessor 6 may be associated directly with each milk flow rate sensor 3. It is anticipated that there will be one milk flow rate sensor per cow. Thus there will be as many flow rate sensors as there are milking units and as many microprocessors as there are flow rate sensors and hence milking stations.

The microprocessors may comprise electronic devices for processing signals from the flow rate sensors and directing those signals in processed form to the network computer 29 which may typically be a networked PC.

An identifier 27 comprising an identification tag or transponder on a cow and a reading device for reading the signals from the tag or transponder is arranged to direct signals through the data network to the PC.

A manual control panel 19 is provided with various controls such as on/off, settings for vacuum and settings for other components such as the pulsation pattern of the electronic pulse generator 7. It is anticipated that the control panel should also have a setting for adjusting the maximum period of milking for all cows. Furthermore, it may have an override switch for setting the system in a "non-intelligent" mode where the system simply controls the milking operation according to a standard set of parameters regardless of the data profile for a particular cow.

The pulse generator is connected through switch 13 to the pulsator 8 which may take the form of a pulsator solenoid valve.

First, second, third, fourth and fifth switches 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 respectively are provided for manual or electronic switching of various functions of the system which will be described with reference to this and the other four drawings.

In the configuration shown in Figure A, a typical milking operator for a herd of cows may direct cows to enter individual stalls in a milking shed. The cows are then identified by the identifier 27 with the information being logged onto the network PC 29.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 15/08/2003 11:21 +6139897600M~E ERA AE1 MORCOM PERNAT PAGE 13 9 Initially, for the first time aL cow is being milked using this system, there will be no data stored for that cow apart from its identity, age, breed, parity, reproductive stage and stage of lactation. After application of the teat cups to a cow for milking, the electronic pulse generator through switch 1 which is set to direct signals to the pulsator solenoid valve 8, s causes milking to commence with the pulsation rate and ratio being fixed according to a predetermined standard. Typically the ratio may be about 50/50.

After milk flow from the cow has commenced, the milk flow rate sensor provides signals to the microprocessor 6 which converts them to a form of electronic data signals readily transferable to the network PC 29. Thus as milking proceeds, the PC gathers data on the flow rate for that cow over time and stores the data in memory.

The PC or microprocessor may incorporate programming to stop milking once flow rate goes below a predetermined limit. However it may also incorporate in that programming a feature to provide that milking will not be interrupted until flow rate goes below that predetermined limit for a minimum period of time. Thus for example if a cow has an uneven milking profile which involves a rising and failing flow rate over time, the management of that cow can be adjusted so that milking does not cease simply because the flow rate temporarily halts or reduces.

With each milking, the computer may be programmned to add the new data for the latest milking to the data already retained in miemrory. It may average the data over a number of inilkings. For example it may average the data over the previous 10 milkings so that the profile constantly adjusts to the more recent characteristics of milking for that cow with data from the earliest milkcings, being discarded.

The system may have been set to stop milkdig after a predetermined period of time regardless of the flow rate achieved from a cow at the end of that time. The advantage of having this facility is that limiting the period of milking of a herd in a milking stall means 3o that the rest of the herd is not held in the milking stall after they have finished milking just to wait for a single slow nmillcing cow to finish its milking cycle. This has the added advantage that the reduction in milking time for that slow milking cow may ultimately COMS ID No: SMBI-003790M9 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 15/88/2003 11:21 +61398867600 MORCOM PERNAT PAGE i14 improve the milking speed of that cow in response to a consistent maximum milking time that it receives day after day.

Alternuatively, the above optimization may be performed by the computer by it adjusting the milking parameters for all or some of the cows between safe upper and lower limits (set manually or set as computer default values) and correlating these changes with the differential treatments applied. The optimization could for example be based upon the value of the amount of milk lost or gained versus the cost of the additional labour saved or used in the milk harvesting process. The optimization process could also extend to varying the speed of rotation of a rotary milking platform.

Regardless of the functioning of the network PC and the network DC power supply, the system has a default mode where power from the supplementary power supply may be provided to the electronic pulse generator and milking will accordingly continue even if is the network PC and microprocessor aren't functioning. Of course, should this occur, milking will be as per ordinary milking machines ie. there will be no "intelligent" application of milking. However this default mode ensures that milking can occur even if the sophisticated electronic system management is not working, a problem which is of particular concern given the potential for computer viruses or other factors such as programming bugs which can otherwise disrupt the function of the milking system.

When for a particular cow a predetermined flow rate and/or milking duration is reached the microprocessor sets switch 13 to start the pulsation signals to the solenoid valve 9 if milking is commencing or sets the switch to stop the pulsation signals at the end of milcing.

In a particular embodiment there may be a pair of solenoid valves 8 for pairs of udder quarters. These solenoid valves may be controlled by the switches 13 and 14. This embodiment would require two sensors per udder so that the flow rate of milk per pair of quarters could be determined and the milking parameters adjusted accordingly.

In another embodiment there may be four solenoid valves 8, with one for each udder quarter. These four solenoid valves may be controlled by the switches 13, 14, 15 and 16.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 15/08/2003 11:21 +61398867600MRO ERA AE 1 MORCOM PERMAT PAGE I11 This embodiment would require four sensors per udder so that the flow rate of milk per udder could be determined and the milking parameters adjusted accordingly.

Referring to Figure B the major difference between Figure A and Figure B3 is the addition of the miling vacuum reduction valve 10 to all other integers present in Figure A.

The milking vacuum reduction valve acts upon the vacuum in the long milk tube delivering milk to a collection point. It can be operated by -the microprocessor 6 changing the state of switch 3 so that the valve 10 will reduce tbe milking vacuum or increase the vacuum to assist milk removal during high flow periods and/or stop milking vacuum altogether as part of ACR, when for a particular cow, a predetermined flow rate and/or milking duration is reached.

This is an optional feature additional to that shown in relation to Figure A. It will be noted that the other elements of operation described with reference to Figure A can remain the same. For example, the electronic pulse generator 7 may continue through the setting of switch 13 to provide pulsation signals to the pulsator solenoid valve 8.

Referring to Figure C, the diagram differs from that shown in Figure A in that it includes an intelligent automatic cup remover 11. Otherwise, the other elements described with reference to Figure A still apply. Alternatively, the addition of an intelligent automatic cup remover may also be included in the arrangement described with reference to Figure B to give a greater degree of automnation of the mlking process.

In operation of the systeum of Figure C, power from the supplementary power supply 9 is fed to switch 16. When, for a particular cow, a predetermined flow rate arid/or milking duration is reached the microprocessor can change the state of the switch so that the intelligent cup remover 1I Iwill be activated. The programming of the system will be such that when the on line data falls within broad parameters relative to the stored data the microprocessor activates switch 16.

Figure D shown a system having the same elements as that disclosed with respect to Figure A, The only difference between the two relates to the automatic setting for achieving COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 15/08/2003 11:21 +61398867600 MORCOM PERN4AT PAGE 16 intelligent pulsation rate and ratio which may apply when a cow has been previously milked and there is sufficient data in store in the PC to provide a basis for varying the pulsation parameters for that particular cow.

When this point has been reached, tbe switch 13 is set in such a manner by the microprocessor 6 that the signals from the electronic pulse generator 7 which normally generates a standardise pulse, are bypassed.

Instead, pulsation signals are generated by the microprocessor 6 or the PC 29 and these signals are used to trigger switch 14 to provide pulsation power to the pulsator Solenoid valve 8.

The pulsation signal differs from that which would otherwise be provided by the pulse generator 7 in that the rate of pulsation per second may be varied and/or the ratio of that is pulsation may be varied with respect to the standardised signal which would otherwise be provided by the pulse generator 7, Thus the pulsation characteristics of the particular cow being milked can be optimised according to the data stored in relation to that cow.

If the microprocessor should fail for any reason, then switch 13 may be set so that the pulse generator 7 will provide switch 14 with pulsation signals to maintain an emergency backup pulsation signal to drive the solenoid 8.

Similarly, this default setting also has the effect of routing power supply from the network supply 9 to the pulsator solenoid valve rather than the network power supply 2 which is operative when the pulsation signals are being provided by the microprocessor or PC.

Whilst the foregoing four drawings have been explained in terms of different possible systems falling within the scope of the invention, it is to be appreciated that the elements of each of these drawings may be combined into a single system to provide maxinmum flexibility for milkcing control. Thus Figure E shows a system incorporating all the functions of Figures A to D to give a multiple mode management for optimnisation of milking parameters for each individual cow according to data stored in relation to that cow.

COMS ID No: SMBI-0379069 Received b~y IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 15/08/2003 11:21 +61398867680 MORCOM PERNAT PAGE 17 13 It is to be understood that the word comprising as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted in its inclusive form ie. use of the word comprising does not exclude the addition of other elements.

It is to be understood that various modifications of and/or additions to the invention can be made without departing from the basic nature of the invention. These modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15

Claims (13)

1. A milking system for simultaneously milking a plurality of cows comprising, a plurality of teat cups for milking the cows and directing their milk to a collection vessel, a flow rate sensor for measuring the milking rate of each cow, timing means for timing bow long each cow is being milked, a computer having memory storage mean for holding data concerning the characteristic milking times and characteristic milking flow rates for individual cows as measured by the timing means and flow rate sensor, identification means associated with each cow for linking the data for the cow stored in the computer with the teat cups used on each cow, and microprocessor means operatively associated with the computer for controlling at least one milking parameter for that cow based upon the data stored in the computer.

2. A milking system according to claim 1 wherein the teat cups comprise a shell and a flexible liner forming a cavity therebetween and a primary pulsator is arranged to provide a pulsating vacuum to the cavity.

3. A milking system according to claim 2 wherein the at least one milking parameter is chosen from time taken to carry out milking, vacuum level generated in the cavity, rate of pulsation, ratio of pulsation and removal of the teat cups using automatic teat cup removers.

4. A milking system according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the primary pulsator is electrically actuated by a solenoid valve. A milking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising a secondary pulse generator arranged to electronically vary the rate of puLsation applied by the primary pulsator through the teat cups of different cows in accordance with data stored in the memory storage means for the different cows. COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 15/08/2003 11:21 +61396867600 MORIOM PEI1AT PAGE 19

6. A milking system according to claim 5 wherein the secondary pulse generator is arranged to override the primary pulse generator to provide a pulsation rate set by the secondary pulse generator for a particular cow when sfficient data is stored in thy memory storage means for that particular cow.

7. A milking system according to claim 5 comprising microprocessor means for overriding the secondary pulse generator in the absence of adequate data stored in the memory storage means whereby the primary pulse generator sets the rate of pulsation for a particular cow.

8. A milking system according to any one of claims 2 to 7 including means for shutting off the primary pulsator after milking has continued for a predetermined time,

9. A milking system according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a primary pulsator, microprocessor and flow rate sensor for each cow being milked A milking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the identification means comprises a transponder worn by a cow and reading means for zo reading signals encoding data specific to the cow from the transponder and communicating the signals to the computer.

11. A milking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the identification means comprises a barcode or magnetic strip.

12. A milking system according to any one of claims 2 to 11 comprising a long milk tube for delivering milk from the teat cups to the collection vessel and a vacuum reduction valve for regulating vacuum in the long milk tube in order to regulate vacuum applied through the teat cups of each cow.

13. A milking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the teat cups a-e adapted to automatically detach themselves from the udders of the cows when the system has determined that milking has finished. COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15 15/08/2003 11:21 +61398867600 MORCOM PERNAT PAGE

14. A milking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the teat cups are adapted to automatically detach themselves from the udders of the cows in response to removal sensing means in the teat cups, A milking system according to claim 14 wherein the removal sensing means are set to cause the teat cups to become detached in response to milking flow rate sensed by the removal sensing means for a particular cow.

16. A milking system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures A to E of the accompanying drawings. Dated this 15th day of August 2003 Agriculture Victoria Services Pty Ltd by their patent attorneys Morcom Pemat COMS ID No: SMBI-00379069 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:27 Date 2003-08-15