IE41436B1 - Milking machine - Google Patents

Abstract

1497027 Milking arrangement P J RYAN 14 July 1976 [22 July 1975] 29180/76 Heading AIM The vacuum for milking buckets in a mobile or stationary milking installation is provided from the air intake of the air filter of the engine of a tractor by connecting the outlet of a vacuum tank 6 to the air intake via a combination valve and adaptor unit 8, the valve operating to admit atmospheric air to the tank when the vacuum increases above a predetermined value. A pipe 9 leading from the inlet 24 of the vacuum tank supplies vacuum to milking buckets 31 via hose connectors 10. The vacuum tank is provided with a vacuum regulator 26 and a vacuum gauge 27 to further control the vacuum supplied.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION BY (72/PATRICK JOSEPH RYAN, TRADING AS RYAN ENGINEERING, AN IRISH COMPANY, OF GLANDINE, MILTOWN MALBAY, COUNTY CLARE Price 12|p 414 3 6 This invention relates to apparatus For milking cows and utilizes the suction pressure at the air entry of the air filter of the engine of a farm tractor to generate a vacuum for operating milking buckets having clusters for connection to the cows' teats.

Thus, the apparatus is self-contained and requires no additional source of power other than that supplied by the tractor. Moreover the tractor engine needs only to tickover at idling speed to generate the vacuum.

. It Accordingly the present invention provides a milking apparatus comprising a vacuum tank having an inlet connected to a first vacuum pipe, the pipe being provided with at least one hose connector controlled by a cock soythat a milking bucket can be connected to the pipe, a second, flexible vacuum pipe connected at one end to an outlet of the vacuum tank, and a combination valve and adaptor unit connected to the other end of the second pipe, the adaptor being engageable with the air inlet of the air filter of the engine of a tractor to provide a suction path between the engine and the outlet of the vacuum tank and generate a vacuum in the vacuum tank when the engine is running, and the valve being spring-biassed to the closed position and being opened by atmospheric pressure to admit air from the atmosphere into the combination unit upon increase of the vacuum in the unit above a predetermined value.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is mobile and comprises a frame readily transportable by the tractor, the frame forming stalls for receiving the cows when they are milked.

In another embodiment, the greater part of the apparatus is installed in a milking parlour and, when required, is connected to the tractor air inlet by driving the tractor to a position adjacent the parlour.

Embodiments of the invention are hereinafter described, by 10 way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mobile milking apparatus or milk ranger, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of 15 a milking apparatus of which the greater part is installed in a milking parlour, Figure 3 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a combined valve and adaptor unit used in the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a vacuum tank used in the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2.

As shown in Figure 1, a mobile milk ranger comprises a fabricated frame 1 made from tubular steel members 2 forming cattle stalls or pens 3 provided with hinged gates 4 at one end. The 414 3 6 frame 1 has angle iron members 5 at its base for supporting the frame on the ground, and these members and the tubular steel members are galvanised or painted to protect the frame against corrosion. As shown, the frame has two cattle pens or stalls but obviously it may be constructed to comprise a single pen or more than two pens.

A vacuum tank 6 is mounted on the top of the frame 1 at one end, the nearer end as shown in Figure 1, and this tank is connected by a flexible reinforced vacuum hose 7 to a combination valve and adaptor unit 8. In Figure 1, the unit 8 is shown releasably mounted on the frame, and in use of the apparatus the unit is removed and the hose 7 uncoiled and the unit connected to the tractor air filter inlet as later described.

The vacuum tank 6 is also connected to a vacuum pipe 9 extending 'transversely across the pens 3 and secured to the frame.

The pipe 9 is preferably of galvanised steel and is provided opposite each pen with a rubber hose connector 10 controlled by a cock 11 to enable a milking bucket 31 as shown in Figure 2 in each oen to be connected by a rubber hose 12 to the pipe.

The frame can be connected to a three point linkage on the tractor to enable the frame to be transported, by providing the nearer end of the frame, as shown in Figure 1, with vertical mounting bars 13.

The combination unit 8, Figure 3, is adapted to be readily connected to the air inlet of the tractor air filter after removal of the filter dust cap. The air inlet is commonly of 2 ins. diameter and accordingly the unit has a sleeve adaptor 14 of a diameter suitable for making a sliding fit engagement with the air inlet. The adaptor 14 has a threaded spigot 15 connected to the flexible hose 7 and a further threaded spigot 16 connected to the valve 17 itself. The valve 17 is of the mushroom type and has a part 21 movable against the pressure of a spring 18 to open holes 19 in a valve seat 20 and admit atmospheric air upon increase of vacuum within the unit above a predetermined value. Thus, the valve acts as a safety valve and is set to operate at a vacuum within the range of 17 to 18 ins. of mercury, the vacuum required for milking being 15+1 ins. of mercury. A nut 22 screwed on the valve stem and abutting one end of the spring 18 enables the valve operation to be adjusted and accommodate, ‘e.g. variation in the idling speed of the tractor engine. A ring 23 facilitates carrying of the unit.

The vacuum tank 6, Figure 4, is constructed of mild steel sheet and has inlet and outlet connectors 24, 25 connected respectively to the transverse pen pipe 9 and the flexible reinforced hose 7. The vacuum tank also includes a vacuum regulator 26 which admits ambient air and maintains the vacuum at 15 + 1 ins. of mercury, a vacuum gauge 27, a drain valve 28, and a safety ball and cage valve 29 which operates to shut-off or break the vacuum should the operator omit to empty the milking buckets 31 when they are full.

The pulsators required for the milking operation may either be provided with the milking buckets or a pulsator may be included in the transverse pen pipe 9.

To avoid the possibility of collapse of the rubber hose connecting the air filter of the engine to the engine manifold pipe due to the vacuum, it is advantageous either to replace the normal hose with a reinforced or metallic hose, or to insert tubular-shaped metal collars into the rubber hose to reinforce the hose internally.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the vacuum tank 6 is mounted 5 on a shelf or bracket 30 secured to a wall of a milking parlour and the pipe 9 connected to the inlet connector 24 of the vacuum tank is mounted to extend across the parlour. This pipe 9 has rubber hose connectors 10 controlled by cocks 11 similar to those shown in the embodiment of Figure 1, and serving a similar purpose.

The outlet connector 25 of the vacuum tank extends through a wall of the parlour and is connected to the flexible reinforced hose 7· When it is required to use the milking apparatus, the tractor is driven to a position adjacent the parlour and the valve and adaptor combination unit 8 at the Other end of the flexible reinforced hose 7 is secured to the engine air filter inlet.

Claims (15)

1. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:1. Milking apparatus comprising a vacuum tank having an inlet connected to a first vacuum pipe, the pipe being provided with at least one hose connector controlled by a cock so that a milking bucket can be connected to the pipe, a second, flexible vacuum pipe connected at one end to an outlet of the vacuum tank, and a combination valve and adaptor unit connected to the other end of the second pipe, the adaptor being engageable with the air inlet of the air filter of the engine of a tractor to provide a suction path between the engine and the outlet of the vacuum tank and generate a vacuum in the vacuum tank when the engine is running,.and the valve being spring-biassed to the closed position and being opened by atmospheric pressure to admit air from the atmosphere into the combination unit upon increase of the vacuum in the unit above a predetermined value.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the spring pressure acting on the valve is adjustable by rotating an adjusting nut abutting one end of the spring.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the valve is a mushroom-type valve,

4. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which the adaptor has a part of cylindrical shape of a diameter so .as to have a sliding fit engagement with the air inlet.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which the combination unit has a carrying handle.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which the vacuum lank has a vacuum regulator to stabilize the vacuum at a desired value, this value being below the said predetermined value at which the valve of the combination unit opens. 5

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, in which vacuum regulator stabilizes the vacuum at 15 + 1 ins. of mercury and the said valve opens at a vacuum within the range of 17 to 18 ins. of mercury.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which the 10 vacuum tank includes a safety valve which operates to shut-off or break the vacuum should the operator omit to empty a filled milking bucket.

9. Milking apparatus according to any preceding Claim which is mobile, and comprising a frame constructed to provide one 15 or more cattle pens and adapted to be transported to a place of use by connection to a three-point linkage of the tractor, the said first vacuum pipe and the vacuum tank being secured to the frame.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 comprising means for 20 releasably attaching the combination valve and adaptor unit to the frame when the combination unit is not connected to the tractor air filter inlet.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which the first vacuum pipe extends transversely of the frame across 25 the pen or pens and is provided with a hose connector controlled by a cock at a position opposite each pen.

12. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, in which the frame is fabricated from tubular and angle steel members.

13. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 9 to 12, in 5 which the frame has a pivoted gate or gates for closing one end of the pens.

14. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 9 to 13, in which one end of the frame is provided with mounting bars for attachment to the three-point linkage of the tractor. 10 15. Milking apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings. 16. Milking apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 2, 3 and 4

15. Of the accompanying drawings.