GB509152A - Improvements in or relating to milking machines - Google Patents

Abstract

509,152. Cow-milkers. TENNANT, W. J. (Gordon Vacuum Break Milkers, Ltd.). Jan. 11, 1938, No. 931. [Class 84] A milking-machine having a milking unit for each cow bail is characterized in that each of the units is adapted to receive milk from a cow, the milk so received by any one or more of such units being thereafter adapted for delivery therefrom either into an open bucket, or alternatively to a milk pipe-line common to all of said units. Each unit 1 has a slide valve 2 actuated through a rod 3 by an eccentric on a slow-running shaft 5 ; a pipe 13 forms a connection to a milk line 7 from a milk delivery tap 12 of the unit 1 and another pipe 10 extends from a vacuum nozzle 11 on the valve to a vacuum pipe-line 6 ; other pipes 15, 18 lead respectively from a nozzle 14 on the valve to the teat cup and from a nozzle controlled by a valve 20 on the unit to the pulsation nipple of the teat cup. The pipe-lines 6, 7 extend to a milk storage tank 21 which is connected by a pipe 22 to the pump and is provided with a sight glass 23 and a milk outlet 28. Each unit 1 comprises a chamber 33 and is provided with a seat for the valve 2, the seat having a milk port 35, extending into the chamber, a vacuum port 36 also extending into the chamber but provided with a tap 37 and a third port 38 extending from the valve seat to a side passage to the pulsation tap 20. The lower part of the chamber is fitted with a flap valve 43 having an inspection window 44 and also with an outlet 45 leading to the tap 12. A cylindrical baffle 47 with a branch 48 extending round the milk port 35 is fitted in the chamber 33. In operation to deliver milk directly to a bucket, the milk delivery tap 12 is closed and the taps 20 and 37 opened ; the chamber is subjected to vacuum through the port 36 and nozzle 11, this vacuum being submitted to the teat cups through port 35 and nozzle 14 ; the teat pulsator port 38 is open to the atmosphere, thus actuating the inflation in the teat cup and causing milk to be drawn through the pipe 15 and port 35 into the chamber ; as the valve moves upwardly, the vacuum nozzle 11 moves away from the port 36 and the vacuum in the chamber is destroyed by a release port 53 in the valve reaching the port 36 ; the valve 43 opens and the milk flows out into the bucket. In the Upper position of the valve, the vacuum nozzle 11 is over the pulsation port 38, so applying vacuum to the space around the inflation ; depression of the valve brings the port 35 and nozzle 14 into line again and repeats the process. To deliver milk to the milk line, the tap 37 is closed and the tap 12 opened, the chamber 33 then being brought under vacuum from the milk line through the pipe 13. The valve 2 operates as previously described, but as the tap 37 is closed a vacuum is maintained in the chamber sufficient to keep the valve 43 closed ; a small relief port 54 in the valve 2 coming into alignment with the port 35 lessens the vacuum in the chamber 33 to allow a free flow of the milk from the chamber to the pipe-line.