NZ199821A - Milk flow sensor and teat cup removal device - Google Patents

Description

199821 Patents Form No. 5 PATENTS ACT 195 3 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional No.: 199821 Dated: 24 February 1982 IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FLUID FLOW SENSOR AND CONTROL DEVICES AND APPARATUS We TURN-STYLES LIMITED, of Eltham Road, Mangatoki, Taranaki, New Zealand, a company organised and existing under the laws of New Zealand, hereby declare the invention for we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- 103321 This invention relates to fluid flow sensor and control devices and to milking teat cup removal apparatus, and more particularly relates to milk flow sensing and control devices and apparatus for use in 5 dairies and intended particularly for use in conjunction with cow milking equipment and teat cup removal apparatus whereby the teat cups of the milking unit can be removed from an animal automatically on cessation or substantial reduction of milk flow from the animal. 10 It will be appreciated however that the fluid flow sensor and control part of the invention may have applications other than in dairies and for milk flow sensing and control.

Some aspects of a fluid flow sensor and 15 control device invention have been described and illus trated in the complete specification and drawings accompanying our New Zealand patent application number 193600, and it is an object of this invention to provide modifications and/or alternative aspects of the 20 invention of patent application number 193600.

For the avoidance of repetition, the present 199821 specification should be read and interpreted with reference to our New Zealand complete patent specification number 193600, and as a continuance thereof - the description and drawings of specification number 193600 forming part of the disclosure and description of this specification. The accompanying drawings are designated figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 as a carry-on from the drawing figures 1 to 11 of the specification 19 3600 and employ the same reference numerals where appropriate to the previously described and illustrated constructions.

The arrangements particularly described and illustrated in specification 193600 have referred to the secondary valve chamber 18, conduit connections 19 and 20, and valve member 21, being located at the base of the device and the valve member 21 being normally biassed to a closed position under its own weight. It will be appreciated of course that the invention is not confined to these aspects as, for example:- (a) the closing or opening bias can be provided or assisted by such as a compression spring of appropriate strength located in the chamber and bearing on the valve member 21, and/or (b) the valve member 21 can be biassed to the open position if appropriate . to the air or vacuum system coupled to the conduit connection 19 and 20, and any associated apparatus actuable by such system, and/or Y(c) the secondary chamber 18, conduit connections 19 V and 20, and valve member 21 can be located on the upper side of the device and the magnetic or magnetisable (as the case may be) actuating member 26 be provided in or on the upper side of the float member for holding the valve member in the prescribed open or closed position whilst the float member is fully raised with full flow of milk into the float chamber, the magnetic hold between the float actuating member 26 and valve member 21 being broken on milk level falling below a prescribed level and being overcome by the weight of the float member 12 and attached or embedded actuating member 26.

An example of this latter modification is shown in the accompanying figure 12 with the float member 12 shown in full in the fully raised position with full milk flow and in broken outline with the float chamber 11 empty; the valve member 21 being held closed against vacuum applied to conduit connection 19 or air pressure applied to conduit 20 by the actuating member 26 and a co-operating magnetic or magnetisable member 21b depending from the valve member 21. This arrangement may suitably incorporate the variable control described with reference to figure 11 of the earlier drawing.

It is to be appreciated that the invention is not confined to a fluid flow sensor and control device having the particular body 5 and float 12 formations illustrated in the drawings of specification 19 3600 or figure 12 of the 193321 cylindrical form, tapered form (inverted frusto-conical form), or any other convenient or desired shape.

Accordingly, an example of another variation of the invention illustrated and will be described with reference to the accompanying figures 13, 14 and 15:- FIGURE 13 being a longitudinal sectional view of the alternative form of the invention, FIGURE 14 being a plan view on line X-X of figure 13, and FIGURE 15 being a view on the underside of the device of figure 13 (in the direction of arrows Y-Y) .

In this form of the invention, the body 5 is of generally cylindrical form with an integrally moulded plastics main cylindrical body part 5'1, divider member 9' and at least one milk outlet conduit 13' - the drawings illustrate the employment of three similar conduits 13" conjoining the wall of the main body part 5'1. One of said conduits is also provided with the variable bleed control described with reference to figure 11 of the earlier drawings.

The float member 12' is of substantially cylindrical form and may be dimensioned to occupy the major part of the upper milk receiving chamber 11' and may accordingly be provided with a vertical peripheral recess 12b' at each conduit 13' and conforming to the shape thereof so that the conduit(s) 13' serve as a guide for the float member 12' preventing axial rotation thereof. The float member 12' has an upper projection 12a' to limit upward movement within the body 5, and an integral co-axial depending projection 199821 27' (larger in diameter than the earlier mentioned projection or connection 27) located as a free sliding fit in the main milk bleed aperture or drain 28' in the divider member 9', and to the lower end of which is fitted the magnetic or magnetisable valve actuating member 26' - which in this arrangement is encased in a protective plastics housing 26a'.

The divider member 91 is positioned such that the upper milk receiving chamber 11' occupies the major part of the body 5 and the lower outer chamber 14' a minimal part; and the body 5 has similar upper and lower closure cap parts 5a'' and 5a''' respectively,with recessed central portions 5b*' and 5b''' and integral main milk inlet 6 and main milk outlet 61 connections. ;As with the earlier described arrangements the milk flow sensor and control device 1 is desirably arranged for quick and relatively easy assembly and dis-assembly for cleaning after milking and/or servicing, and accordingly the device 1 can be provided with an appropriately shaped mounting bracket 3a' with a retaining strap or wire 25' ;and an over-centre or cam like locking member 25a' which may hold and secure the body 5 in its assembled position on the mounting bracket 3a'. ;The lower cap part 5a''' is provided with a separately formed and subsequently fixed (such as with an appropriate plastics adhesive or heat sealing means) ;valve housing and connector piece 16; and in this arrangement the valve member 21' has its magnetic or magnetisable part ;i9982d encased in plastics with the casing having a co-axial depending tapered projection 21a' locatable in a valve seat or seal 19a at the inner end of co-axial conduit connection 19. The other conduit connection 20 is an integral part of a switching member 20' mounted for partial axial rotation about the first conduit connection ;19 externally of the connector piece so as to be moveable (such as by a projection or lever part 20a) between an automatic cup removal operating position with the connector ;20 aligning with a port 20'' communicating with the valve chamber 18, and a second position for manual setting of the cup support and removal apparatus 2 with the connector 20 out of alignment and sealed from the port 20'' (and thus sealed from chamber 18). The switching member 20' can be held in position such as by a spring retainer 20b, and alignable projections 20c and complementary recesses 20d on the base of the connector piece 16 and upper surface of the switching member 20, (or vice versa) can lock the switching member 20* in the respective positions.

The lower cap part 5a"1 and milk outlet 6' can be provided with a drain valve 6a_ such as a ball valve which is held closed whilst vacuum is applied to the milk outlet 61 during operation of the device/and cup removal apparatus 2, but which will open when operation ceases. 199331 It is to be further appreciated that still further modifications and variations to the invention, in all its aspects and to individual and collective parts, can take place without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 19982

Claims (13)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1 . A fluid flow sensor and control device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 of our New Zealand patent specification number 193600, wherein said body is formed with a main upright substantially cylindrical part having the divider member formed transversely therein, and upper and lower capping parts respectively provided with the liquid inlet to the float chamber and said main liquid outlet for the lower chamber.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 hereof wherein said at least one conduit defining the main liquid outlet from the float chamber is formed integrally with the wall of said body cylindrical part.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 hereof, wherein the valve means comprises a valve member located within the secondary chamber in a connector piece on the under outer side of the body in vertical alignment with the actuating member, said connector piece having the first and second ports for fluid under pressure or vacuum therein and at least one of which is located below the valve member so as to be closable by said valve member when resting thereover on moving to said first position under its own weight, said weight being the first position bias.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 to 3 hereof, wherein said valve means is movable against said bias by magnetic force applied between the actuating member and a or the valve member of the valve means.

5. 5' A device as claimed in claim 4 hereof wherein the -tuating member is at least in part a permanent magnet the valve member has at least a part thereof formed 199321 of a magnetisable material.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 hereof wherein the actuating member has at least a part formed of a magnetisable material and the valve member at least in part comprises a permanent magnet.

7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 hereof, wherein the closing or opening of said valve means in the secondary chamber is provided or assisted by a compression spring.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided to vary the rate at which liquid in the float chamber below the main liquid outlet can be drained or bled from said float chamber, said means comprising a second bleed aperture and co-operating needle valve assembly provided near the base of the float chamber and in addition to said first minor or bleed outlet, and said second bleed aperture is provided in a wall of a conduit member an upper end of which defines the main liquid outlet from the float chamber, and the needle valve includes a stem with a tapered end portion extending at least partially into the aperture and with a screw-threaded part extending in and through a complementary screw-threaded support part of the float chamber wall to be turnable by an external knob.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 and having the bleed rate means arranged and constructed substantially as described with reference to figure 11 of the drawings accompanying our specification number 193600 and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. -1 0- 199821

10. A fluid flow sensor and control device arranged and inbefore described with reference to the figures 13,14 and 15 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when constructed and arranged for use in dairy equipment for sensing the flow of milk from an animal and controlling the actuation of teat cup support and retraction apparatus for removing the retracting the teat cups from the animal on cessation or substantial reduction of milk flow from the animal.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11 in combination with milking teat cup support and retraction apparatus comprising a pneumatic cylinder and piston arrangement with a flexible link connected to the piston through an opening at one end of the cylinder for connection to a milking teat cup assembly, the other end of the cylinder being closed to define an operating chamber between the piston and said closed end part, a vacuum inlet to the closed end part of the operating chamber and .whereby vacuum applied to the cylinder operating chamber can effect withdrawal of the piston inwardly of said operating chamber towards the closed end part, said vacuum inlet being connected to one port of the secondary chamber and the other port of the secondary chamber being arranged for connection to a source of vacuum supply, a flexible milk line from the teat cup assembly being connected to the liquid inlet to the float chamber for the supply of milk to said float chamber, and milk line closure—mechan-ism actuable. by movement of the piston and connected flexible constructed and adapted for operation substantially as here- I 17 MAR 1987,? -1 1 - 199821 link to close said milk line on cessation of milking and permit removal and retraction of the teat cup assembly.

13. A fluid flow sensor and control device and teat cup support and retraction apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said apparatus is arranged and constructed and operable substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 2 of the drawings accompanying our specification number 193600. TURN-STYLES LIMITED, By Their Authorised Attorneys JOHN A. REMMINGTON & ASSO&tA^ -1 2-