RU2472339C1 - Device and method for measurement of milk given by animal during milking - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the dairy industry. The proposed device for measurement of amount of milk given by the animal during milking 200 comprises a reservoir 201, a supply unit 202 to supply milk to the reservoir 201, made with the ability to connect to the milking set of the milking machine, the removing unit 211 to remove milk, made with the ability to connect to the milking pipeline of the milking machine, in which milking vacuum is created. At that the removing unit 211 comprises the means to change the size of the outlet opening 213 through which the milk flows from the reservoir 201 at release, and the possibility of setting of at least two different sizes of the outlet opening 215 is provided, which allows the flow of milk through the outlet opening 215. The device 200 also comprises a device for measuring the filling level of milk in the reservoir 219, the control unit 236 for controlling the means for changing the size of the outlet opening 213, depending on the filling level of milk in the reservoir 201, defined by the device for measuring the filling level 219, in order to set the size of the outlet opening 215, so that the filling level is within the specified range, and the evaluation unit 237 for calculating from the set size of the outlet opening 215 and the filling level measured by the device for measuring the filling level 219 of the milk flow into the reservoir 201. Also a method for measurement of amount of milk given by the animal during milking using the described device 200 is proposed.

EFFECT: invention provides increased ease of transportation, measurement accuracy of milk amount in case if far different flows of milk.

40 cl, 9 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a device and method for measuring the amount of milk given to animals during milking.

In the dairy industry, it may be preferable to measure the amount of milk given to animals, for example, cow, sheep or goat during milking. Due to this, it is possible to control the performance of individual animals and coordinate the composition of the herd, as well as animal feed, in order to achieve the highest possible milk yield.

A description of a device for determining the milk production of cows, according to the prior art, is given, for example, in DE 3118865 A1. A detailed explanation of this device is given below with reference to figure 1.

The device 100 comprises a conduit 111 through which milk is sucked in together with air. Milk is collected in a receiving tank 113 into which conduit 111 enters. At the bottom of the receiving tank 111, an outlet conduit 114 is provided. The outlet conduit 114 terminates in a collecting conduit 112. A magnetic valve 115 is located near the end of the outlet conduit 114. A conduit is connected to the upper side of the reception conduit 113 116, which directs the vacuum in the collecting line 112 further through the receiving tank 113 into the suction line 111.

When the device 100 is operating, it is measured using electrodes 117, 119 whether the filling level in the receiving tank exceeds the height of the electrode 119 or is below the height of the electrode 117. As soon as milk reaches the electrode 119, the control unit 120 opens the magnetic valve 115. When the level drops below the electrode 117 solenoid valve 115 closes. The time during which the magnetic valve 115 is open is measured and the amount of milk given to the animals when milking is calculated from the measured time.

The pipe 114 of the device 100 is configured so that the milk flow that passes with the magnetic valve 115 open through the exhaust pipe 114 is larger than the maximum milk flow that occurs during milking. For cows, milk flows of up to 12 kg / min may occur. If the milk flow is much smaller, the magnetic valve 115 is only open for a very short time, and only a small number of opening and closing processes of the magnetic valve 115 can be performed during the milking process. Due to this, it may be difficult to measure small milk flows. This can occur, in particular, in cases where milking occurs in animals that give substantially less milk flows than 12 kg / min, such as, for example, sheep or goats. Also, at the beginning and end of the milking process, significantly smaller flows of milk can occur than during the average period of the milking process. For cows, a milk flow of 200 g / min can be considered as the boundary between milking and blank milking (milking without essentially getting milk). This means that for cows, measuring small flows of milk up to 0.2 kg / min can be considered appropriate.

In addition, using the device 100, only the total amount of milk given to the animals is determined. The device 100 due to its intermittent principle of operation is not suitable for measuring changes in the flow of milk during the milking process.

In the device 100, the exhaust pipe 114 is made relatively long in order to keep small changes in the milk flow through the exhaust pipe 114, which may be caused by fluctuations in the fill level of the receiving tank 113. Due to this, the relatively large structural height of the device 100 is determined, thereby limiting the suitability for transportation device 100.

Description of other devices for measuring the amount of milk, according to the prior art, is given in publications US 3919975 A, US 6497143 B1, DE 3101302 A1 and EP 0382852 A1.

The objective of the invention is to provide a device and method that provide the ability to measure very different flows of milk.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device and method that provide the ability to measure the flows of milk that occur during the milking process.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a transportable device for measuring the amount of milk given to animals during milking.

The device according to the invention for measuring the amount of milk given to the animals during milking includes a reservoir, a supply unit, a discharge unit, a filling level measuring device, a control unit and an evaluation unit. The feed unit is designed to supply milk to the tank and is configured to connect to the milking kit of the milking machine. The diverting unit is designed to divert milk and is made with the possibility of connection with the milking pipeline of the milking machine, which creates a milking vacuum. The outlet unit has means for changing the size of the outlet through which milk flows from the reservoir upon release. It is possible to install at least two outlet sizes that allow milk to flow through the outlet. The filling level measuring device is designed to measure the filling level of milk in the tank. The control unit is designed to control means for changing the size of the outlet depending on the level of filling of milk in the tank, determined using a device for measuring the level of filling, in order to set the size of the outlet so that the level of filling remains in a predetermined range. The evaluation unit is designed to calculate from the set size of the outlet and the filling level, measured using a device for measuring the level of filling, the flow of milk into the tank.

By setting the fill level in a predetermined range, which can be done using a control unit, a device for measuring the fill level and means for changing the size of the outlet, it is possible to use the device with different flows of milk under similar operating conditions. Thus, the device can be used not only for milking cows, in which milk flows up to 12 kg / min can occur, but also for milking other animals, for example, sheep and goats, in which relatively small flows from 20 to 50 g / min

The outflow from the tank essentially depends on the hydrostatic pressure that the milk has at the outlet and which in turn is a function of the filling level, as well as the size of the outlet, and can be calculated from these values and / or determined by calibration. The flow of milk into the tank is essentially equal to the sum of the outflow from the tank and the increase in the amount of milk in the tank per unit time. The increase in the amount of milk in the tank, which may also become negative when the filling level is falling, can be calculated with a known shape of the tank from the change in time of the filling level. Due to this, it is possible to measure the flow of milk into the tank during the milking process.

In some embodiments, the control unit is designed to increase the outlet when the tank fill level exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value, and to reduce the outlet when the fill level falls below a predetermined lower threshold value. The control unit may be designed to determine if the upper threshold value is exceeded or falls below the lower threshold value on the basis of the milk flow estimate calculated by the unit, so that at one of the at least two outlet openings an equilibrium is established between the flow of milk into the tank and the flow of milk from reservoir, and to set this size of the outlet in the presence of such an equilibrium.

By increasing the outlet when exceeding the upper threshold value and decreasing the outlet when falling below the lower threshold value, you can keep the fill level in a predetermined range of values in which accurate measurements can be performed. By setting the size of the outlet, at which an equilibrium is established between the flow of milk into the tank and the flow of milk from the tank, the number of necessary processes for setting the size of the outlet can be reduced.

In some embodiments of the invention, the means for changing the size of the outlet can be made so that it is possible to set three or more different values of the outlet that allow milk to flow through the outlet. By providing more than two possible outlet sizes, equilibrium can be facilitated between the flow of milk into the reservoir and the flow of milk from the reservoir, since there is more scope for matching the size of the outlet with the instantaneous flow of milk into the reservoir.

In some embodiments, one or all settable outlet sizes that allow milk to flow through the outlet are selected so that when the milk flows into the reservoir, in a part of the range from 0.5 kg / min to 12 kg / min, an equilibrium is established between the milk flow in the tank and the flow of milk from the tank at a filling level in a given range. Measurement of milk flows in the range of 0.5 kg / min to 12 kg / min is often required when measuring the amount of milk delivered to the cow. By providing one or more settable outlet values that allow equilibrium to be established in part of this range especially related to cows, it can be achieved that when measuring the amount of milk delivered to the cow, it is possible to work in a state of equilibrium between inflow into the tank and for relatively long periods of time outflow from the reservoir, so that a particularly small number of switching processes are required in which the size of the outlet is changed. Due to this, in the case of an electrically operating device, it is possible to reduce the current consumption of the device.

In addition, the evaluation unit may be designed to determine the total amount of milk given to the animals during milking by integrating over time calculated from the size of the outlet and the filling level of the milk flow from the tank. Since the flow of milk from the reservoir in some embodiments can be determined with greater accuracy than the flow of milk into the reservoir, a particularly accurate measurement of the total amount of milk delivered to the animal can be achieved.

In some embodiments, the filling level measuring device comprises a velocity pressure flow meter, a gas supply, and a pressure measuring device. The high-speed flow meter has a lower end that is inside the tank below the minimum tank fill level. The gas supply is intended for introducing gas, in particular air, into the flow meter of the pressure head, so that the gas exits from the lower end of the flow meter of the pressure head. The pressure measuring device is designed to measure the pressure difference between the internal space of the high-speed flow meter and the reservoir area above the maximum filling level.

When the gas leaves the lower end of the high-speed flow meter, it must, along with the pressure in the upper zone of the tank, which, based on the connection of the tank with the milking discharge milking pipeline, be less than the ambient air pressure, also overcome the hydrostatic pressure of milk at the lower end of the high-speed flow meter pressure. This pressure is greater, the greater the level of filling the tank. Thus, a pressure is established in the flow meter of the pressure head, which is essentially equal to the sum of the internal pressure of the tank and the hydrostatic pressure. In the area of the tank above the filling level in which milk is not located, in contrast, there is only the internal pressure of the tank. Thus, by measuring the pressure difference, it is possible to determine the hydrostatic pressure of the milk, which is a measure of the filling level of the tank. In this case, the pressure difference between the two gases is measured, so that the pressure measuring device should not come into contact with milk. Due to this, it is possible to prevent defrosting and / or calcification of the pressure measuring device, which could occur when the pressure measuring device is in contact with milk. In addition, by separating the pressure measuring device from parts of the device coming into contact with milk, the risk of mechanical damage to the pressure measuring device is reduced.

The gas supply may comprise an orifice of a high-speed pressure meter that is connected to the environment of the device, so that air from the environment is sucked by milking in the high-speed pressure meter. Due to this, it is possible to provide gas supply with low equipment costs. In this case, the energy necessary for supplying gas is provided by the milking machine, so that the device itself does not have to have an energy source for supplying gas.

The pressure head flowmeter may have at least one cutout at the edge of its open lower end. Gas can escape through a cut-out from a flow meter and rise upward through milk in the form of uniform small bubbles. Due to this, it is possible to prevent the uneven formation of bubbles, which could lead to pressure fluctuations in the flow meter of the pressure head.

In some embodiments, the pressure measuring device comprises a differential pressure sensor, which is designed to measure the pressure difference between the first section of the differential pressure sensor and the second section of the differential pressure sensor, a first pipe that connects the interior of the high-speed flow meter to the first section of the differential pressure sensor, and the second a pipeline that connects the reservoir zone above the maximum fill level to the second portion of the differential pressure sensor. Compared to measuring the pressure difference using two independent pressure sensors, the differential pressure sensor provides the ability to prevent or at least reduce the distortion of the measurement results due to a slight difference in pressure sensors, for example, with respect to linearity, displacement or temperature characteristics.

In some embodiments, the end of the first pipe inside the flow meter and / or the end of the second pipe inside the tank may have a teardrop. Due to this, it is possible to prevent the penetration of milk or cleaning fluid into the pipelines, which could cause distortions in the pressure measurement and damage to the differential pressure sensor.

A membrane made of a material that is gas permeable and liquid impermeable can be installed between the first conduit and the differential pressure transducer and / or between the second conduit and the differential pressure transducer. Due to this, the electronics of the differential pressure sensor are protected from moisture, for example, in the form of sprayed milk, cleaning liquid and / or condensate.

The device may further comprise a heating device for heating the differential pressure sensor. Due to this, the differential pressure sensor can be kept at a temperature that is slightly higher than the ambient temperature, in order to suppress the formation of condensate on the differential pressure sensor.

In some embodiments, the means for changing the size of the outlet may include a plate with at least two holes of different sizes. The plate is located in front of the outlet of the outlet block and is movable relative to the opening of the outlet block so that each of the at least two holes of the plate due to the movement of the plate can be positioned in front of the opening of the outlet block, so that milk when released from the reservoir flows through one of the at least two holes plate that is in front of the hole. In addition, a plate drive may be provided for moving the plate relative to the opening of the outlet unit.

Thus, the size of the outlet can be set so that one of the at least two holes, which has the desired size, is installed in front of the opening of the outlet block. Due to this, it is possible to set the size of the outlet at discrete intervals, due to which high accuracy of the set value is achieved.

In some embodiments, the plate is rotatably mounted about an axis perpendicular to the lower side of the plate. At least two holes of the plate are located around the axis, and the lower side of the plate is in contact with the edge of the hole of the outlet block.

Since the rotation of the plate requires a relatively small energy consumption, in particular, when milk, which has relatively good lubricating properties, is located on the bottom side of the plate and the edge of the hole, the power consumption of the device can be kept small, which makes it possible to use batteries with small and light batteries, and a relatively weak and thereby lightweight plate drive can be used. Due to this, the device can be made convenient and stable.

The tank may have a vertical direction. In at least one zone of the tank between the minimum level of filling and the maximum level of filling, the cross-sectional area of the inner space of the tank in each plane, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction and intersects the tank inside the zone, can be constant, and the axis around which the plate can be rotated is tilted relative to the vertical direction of the tank.

Due to the vertical direction of the tank, which is specified by the constancy of the cross section between the minimum and maximum levels of filling, and which, for example, in the case of a cylindrical tank can be the axis of the cylinder, the standard orientation of the tank during operation of the device, in which the vertical direction is vertical, is set. By tilting the plate, it is possible to provide a volume near the outlet in which only a small residual volume of milk can be collected. This facilitates the complete emptying of the tank at the end of the milking process.

In some embodiments, the axis around which the plate is rotated can extend perpendicular to the vertical direction. Due to this, the outlet unit can be installed on the side wall of the tank, which leads to a decrease in the structural height of the device.

In some embodiments, the plate has a zone in which there is no hole, and the plate is movable relative to the hole of the outlet block so that the zone of the plate in which there is no hole can be installed by moving the plate in front of the hole of the outlet block to close the hole of the outlet block.

Due to this, it is possible to completely prevent the outflow of liquid from the tank. This can be used to measure the relatively small flows of milk that can occur, for example, at the end of the milking process of sheep and goats. With small flows of milk, outflow from the tank can be substantially completely prevented, and milk flow can be determined by raising the filling level of the tank. When milking animals, which during the milking process give the total amount of milk, which is less than the volume of the reservoir of the device, the outlet may remain closed during the entire milking process. With small flows of milk, improved measurement accuracy can be achieved by measuring with a closed outlet compared to measuring with an open outlet.

The possibility of essentially completely closing the opening of the outlet unit can also be used when cleaning the device, with the aim of alternating essentially completely filling the tank when the outlet is closed with a cleaning liquid, for example, water, and subsequent emptying by opening the outlet. Due to this, it is also possible, with a relatively small amount of water, to effectively clean the device.

The area of the plate, in which there is no hole, can be located next to the largest of at least two holes. Due to this, you can quickly switch between a closed outlet and the maximum open outlet, which provides the ability to quickly empty the tank after the milking process and when cleaning the device.

In some embodiments, the plate has several holes, the size of which is selected so that the flow of milk through the corresponding two adjacent holes at a given level of filling of the tank differs by a given difference in flow rate.

The difference in flow rate between two adjacent openings affects the reaction time during which a decision must be made whether to keep the current size of the outlet, or whether it is necessary to set a larger or smaller size of the outlet by moving the plate so that an opening is established in front of the opening of the outlet unit, adjacent to the currently used hole. When the flow difference between adjacent holes is the same, the reaction time does not depend on the flow of milk into the tank. Due to this, device management can be simplified.

The ratio between the difference in the amount of milk in the tank at the maximum fill level and the amount of milk at the minimum fill level, on the one hand, and the flow difference, on the other hand, can be more than about 20 seconds.

When at the minimum level of filling the tank the size of the outlet decreases by one step, then the time until reaching the maximum level of filling, at which switching to a larger hole, so that the level of filling remains within the measured range, is at least approximately determined by the above ratio. Accordingly, the time to reach the minimum fill level when switching to a larger hole at the maximum fill level is also determined by at least approximately this ratio. When the ratio is more than about 20 seconds, the time between successive switching processes can be more than about 20 seconds, so that quick switching can be prevented, which could lead to high energy consumption of the device.

In some embodiments, the means for changing the size of the outlet may include a diaphragm with an adjustable hole. This makes it possible to essentially continuously control the size of the outlet.

In some embodiments, the means for changing the size of the outlet may comprise two or more openings of the reservoir and two or more closing mechanisms. Each of the closing mechanisms is designed to close or release a hole that is consistent with the closing mechanism. In this case, the outlet is formed by all released openings of the tank. The control unit is designed to control the closing mechanisms, in order to set the size of the outlet by closing and / or releasing one or more openings of the tank.

In some embodiments, the means for changing the size of the outlet may comprise a plate. The plate is mounted rotatably around an axis perpendicular to the lower side of the plate, which is located near the opening of the outlet block. The radius of the plate from the axis to the edge of the plate increases as a function of the angle around the axis from the first value that is less than or equal to the distance from the axis to the edge of the opening of the outlet block on the side facing the axis, to a second value that is greater than or equal to the distance from the axis to the edge of the hole outlet block on the opposite side of the axis.

Depending on the position of the plate, the plate may release or completely or partially close the opening of the outlet unit. The larger the portion of the hole that is closed by the plate, the more the plate restricts the flow of milk through the hole. The portion of the opening of the outlet block that is not covered by the plate forms an outlet, the value of which can be changed by turning the plate around the axis.

The device may include a tilt sensor, and the evaluation unit may be designed to correct the calculated milk flow based on the tilt measured by the tilt sensor. Due to this, it is possible to reduce the error in measuring the flow of milk due to the inclined holding of the device.

The device may further comprise a centrifugal head for separating milk and transport air, while the inlet of the centrifugal head is designed to be connected to the milking set of the milking machine, and the milk outlet of the centrifugal head leads to the tank. In addition, the device may include a bypass pipe that directs air from the centrifugal head on the opposite side of the tank to the outlet side of the outlet unit. Due to this, it is possible to reduce the distortion of the measurement by mixing air into the milk before or after the outlet. In addition, due to this, it is possible to reduce the flow loss caused by the device, due to which it is possible to increase the speed of milking and / or the quality of milk.

In some embodiments, the outlet unit may comprise a manifold that includes a first inlet that is connected to the outlet, a second inlet that is connected to the bypass, and an outlet that is designed to connect to the milking line of the milking machine. The device may further comprise a device for closing the exit.

By closing the outlet of the collector, it is possible to interrupt the flow of air and milk through the device, thereby stopping the milking process. Thus, the termination of the milking process with the help of the device can be performed to measure the amount of milk given to the animals during milking, due to which there is no longer any need for additional devices, such as, for example, a vacuum shut-off valve or a pneumatic hose clamp.

In some embodiments, the evaluation unit may be designed to determine, in order to calculate the flow of milk into the tank, the change in time of the amount of milk in the tank based on the change in time of the fill level, determine the amount of outflow from the tank based on the size of the outlet and determine the fill level and calculating the sum of the changes over time in the amount of milk in the tank and the outflow value. Due to this, it is possible to accurately determine the instantaneous flow of milk into the tank.

The method of measuring the amount of milk given to the animals during milking according to the invention comprises feeding the milk given to the animals during milking to the reservoir. Measure the level of milk filling in the tank. The size of the outlet through which milk can flow out of the tank is changed depending on the measured level of filling of milk in the tank. In this case, an outlet is used, which is designed so that it is possible to install at least two different sizes of the outlet, which allow milk to flow through the outlet. The size of the outlet is set so that the level of filling of milk in the tank remains in the specified range. The flow of milk into the tank is calculated from the set size of the outlet and the filling level, measured using a device for measuring the level of filling.

In some embodiments, the size of the outlet is increased when the level of the tank exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value, and the size of the outlet is decreased when the level of filling of the tank is below a predetermined lower threshold value. If the upper threshold value is exceeded and / or when lower than the lower threshold value, it is determined based on the calculated milk flow into the tank whether, at one of the at least two outlet openings, equilibrium is established between the milk flow into the tank and the milk flow from the tank. If so, then set this size of the outlet.

When this outlet can be made so that you can set three or more values of the outlet, which allow the flow of milk through the outlet.

At least one or all settable outlet sizes that allow milk to flow through the outlet can be selected in some embodiments so that when the milk flows into the tank in a part of the range from 0.5 kg / min to 12 kg / min the equilibrium between the flow of milk into the tank and the flow of milk from the tank when the filling level is in the specified range.

In addition, due to the integration over time calculated from the size of the outlet and the filling level of the milk flow from the tank, the amount of milk delivered to the animals during milking can be determined.

The filling level can be measured using a high-pressure flow meter that has a lower open end that is below the minimum fill level inside the tank. Gas, in particular air, can be supplied into the interior of the high-speed flow meter, so that gas at the lower end of the high-speed pressure meter is exited from it, and the pressure difference between the internal space of the high-speed flow meter and the reservoir zone can be measured above the maximum filling level. From the pressure difference, the filling level can be calculated.

Changing the size of the outlet may include the movement of the plate with two or more holes of different sizes. The plate is installed in front of the opening of the outlet block. One of the plate openings is installed in front of the opening of the outlet unit, so that milk can flow out of the reservoir through the plate opening.

In some embodiments, the reservoir may have two or more openings. Changing the size of the outlet may include closing and / or releasing one or more openings of the tank. In such embodiments, the outlet is formed by all of the freed openings of the tank.

In some embodiments, the change in the size of the outlet contains a rotation of the plate, which is mounted to rotate around a perpendicular to the lower side of the axis. The axis is located near the opening of the outlet block. The radius of the plate from the axis to the edge of the plate increases as a function of the angle around the axis from the first value that is less than or equal to the distance from the axis to the edge of the opening of the outlet block on the side facing the axis, to a second value that is greater than or equal to the distance from the axis to the edge of the hole outlet block on the opposite side of the axis.

The calculation of the milk flow may comprise determining in time the change in the amount of milk in the tank based on the change in time of the filling level and determining the amount of outflow from the tank based on the size of the outlet and the filling level, and the sum of the changes in time of the amount of milk in the tank and the outflow values can be calculated.

The slope of the tank can be measured, and the measured milk flow can be corrected based on the measured slope.

The following is a description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are schematically depicted:

figure 1 - a device for determining the milk productivity of cows, according to the prior art;

figure 2 is a section of a device for measuring the amount of milk given to animals during milking, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

figure 3 - device for measuring the amount of milk given to animals during milking, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in isometric view;

4 is a plate that can be used in means for changing the size of the outlet in the device according to this invention;

5 is a sectional view of a device for measuring the amount of milk given to animals during milking, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

figa - means for changing the size of the outlet in the device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in a top view;

Fig.6b and 6c are sections of the means shown in Fig.6a for changing the size of the outlet;

7 - means for changing the size of the outlet in the device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in a plan view.

Figure 2 schematically shows in section a device 200 for measuring the amount of milk given to animals during milking, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In figure 3, the device 200 is shown in isometric view.

The device 200 includes a reservoir 201, which is designed to receive milk.

In addition, the device 200 includes a feed unit 202, which is designed to supply milk to the tank 201. The feed unit 202 is designed to connect to the milking kit of the milking machine through the connection 205. Due to this, a mixture of milk and air from the milking can be supplied to the feed unit 202 apparatus.

The feed unit 202 may comprise, in some embodiments, a centrifugal head 250 that is designed to separate the air supplied from the milking machine from the milk.

The centrifugal head 250 comprises a cup 203, which may have a substantially rotationally symmetrical shape with a symmetry axis 251. The connection 205 ends with an inlet 204 in the upper part of the glass 203. At the lower end of the glass 203 there is a milk outlet 206 through which milk can enter the reservoir 201 from the glass 203. The glass 203 narrows from the upper part in which the inlet 204 is located, to the lower end on which the milk outlet 206 is located.

The inlet 204 is positioned so that the mixture of milk and air from the milking machine enters the centrifugal head 250 in a tangential direction, which can be essentially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 251 and essentially parallel to the inner wall of the cup 203. This results in a rotational movement of the mixture from milk and air around the axis of symmetry 251. During the rotational movement, the milk is squeezed out to the inner wall of the glass 203, while the air, which has a lower density than the milk, moves to the axis of symmetry 251.

Milk can flow out through the milk outlet 206 into the tank 201 as soon as its rotation speed is slowed down by friction with the inner wall of the glass 203 so that the gravity that pulls the milk down exceeds the centrifugal force that pulls the milk up due to the conical shape of the glass 203.

Air can enter the hole 208 at the upper end of the bypass pipe 207, which is located so that the axis of symmetry 251 passes through the hole 208. Due to the ring-shaped structure 209, which is located around the hole 208, droplets of milk can be prevented from entering the hole 208. Since due to this, the milk is fed into the tank 201, while the air passes into the bypass pipe 207, it is possible to carry out the separation of milk and air.

In some embodiments, under the milk outlet 206, a distribution plate and / or sieve grate may be provided in the tank 201 (not shown in FIG. 2 for clarity). The characteristics of the distribution plate and sieve lattice will be more precisely explained in relation to figure 5.

In addition, the device 200 includes a diverting unit 211 that is designed to divert milk from the tank 201. The diverting unit 211 is connected via a connection 212 to the milking line of the milking machine, in which the milking vacuum is created during operation of the milking machine.

The exhaust unit 211 has a manifold 240. The lower end 210 of the bypass pipe 207 enters the collector 240. In some embodiments, the bypass pipe 207 may extend substantially vertically through the milk outlet 206 of the centrifugal head 250 and the reservoir 201. In the area of the outlet 206 for milk, the bypass line 207 may narrow. Due to this, it is possible to reduce the restriction of milk flow caused by the bypass pipe 207 through the milk outlet 206. In other embodiments, the bypass pipe 207 may also be located differently, as will be more accurately explained with reference to figure 5.

The outlet unit 211 has an additional opening 205, which at the bottom of the tank 201 enters the interior of the tank 201. Milk from the interior of the tank 201 can enter through the opening 215 to the manifold 240. Due to this, milk and air are again connected to the manifold 240, which were separated in the centrifugal head 250.

The manifold 240 is connected through a bypass line 207, the inner space of the centrifugal head 250 and the milk outlet 206 to the top of the reservoir 201, so that pressure can be balanced between the manifold 240 and the reservoir 201. When the connection 212 is connected to a milking vacuum milking machine then, in the upper part of the tank 201, there is a pressure which is essentially equal to the milking discharge.

When milk that enters the tank through the milk outlet 206 is collected inside the collector 201, then at the bottom of the tank 201, in addition to the milking discharge, which is in the upper part of the tank 201 above the surface of the milk, the hydrostatic pressure created by the milk is applied. The hydrostatic pressure is greater, the higher the milk is in the tank 201.

Since there is a milking vacuum in the collector 240, there is a pressure difference between the side of the hole 215 inside the tank 201 and the side of the hole 215 in the collector 240, which is equal to the hydrostatic pressure of the milk in the tank 201, no matter how strong the milking vacuum is. The pressure that pushes the milk through the opening 215 is thus essentially independent of the exact value of the milking vacuum, whereby the influence of the fluctuations of the milking vacuum on the flow of milk through the opening 215 can be prevented.

The outlet unit 211 comprises means 213 for changing the size of the outlet through which the milk flows when discharged from the reservoir 201 into the collector 240.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the means 213 comprise a plate 214. A plate 214 is shown in FIG. 4.

The plate 214 has a circular shape and has holes 401-407 that are located around the midpoint of the plate 214. At the midpoint of the plate 214, a hole 409 can be provided through which an axis 217 can pass on which the plate 214 is mounted and around which the plate 214 can be rotated. Holes 401-407 have different sizes, while the size of the holes 401-407 decreases from the hole 401 to the hole 407 in the opposite clockwise direction. In other embodiments, the size of the holes 401-407 may also decrease in a clockwise direction.

Each of the holes 401-407 may be located in one sector of the plate 214. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, one of the holes 401-407 is located in seven of the eight substantially equally large sectors of the plate 214, while in the eighth sector 408 there are no holes. The eighth sector 408 forms a zone of the plate in which there is no hole and which is located between the smallest hole 407 and the largest hole 401.

The plate does not have to have seven holes. In other embodiments, there may also be more or fewer holes, and the number of holes may be greater than or equal to two. In some embodiments, three or more holes may be provided. Plate 214 also need not be round. In other embodiments, it may have, for example, a polygonal shape.

Smaller holes 401-407, for example, holes 405, 406 and 407, can be substantially circular, while larger holes 401-404 can have an elongated shape that tapers toward the midpoint of the plate 214. Due to this, it is possible within the boundaries of the sectors of the plate 214 to provide a larger cross-sectional area of the larger of the holes 401-407 than would be possible with the same number of sectors and the same radius of the plate with round holes. However, in other embodiments, all openings 401-407 may also be round or have a different shape.

The plate 214 is located in front of the hole 215. In this case, the lower side of the plate can be in contact with the edge of the hole 215, thereby preventing milk from flowing through the intermediate space between the plate and the edge of the hole 215 from the reservoir into the collector 240. The hole 215 may be located in some embodiments at the end of the protrusion 216 at the bottom of the tank 201. Due to this, in comparison with the embodiments in which the plate 214 is adjacent to the bottom of the tank 201, it is possible to reduce the contact surface between the layer 214 and the edge 216 of the hole 215 and thereby reduce friction between the plate 214 and the edge of the hole 215. In addition, the formation of a lubricant film between the plate 214 and the edge 216 of the hole 215 can be prevented or at least minimized, since most of the side of the plate 214 facing the hole 215 can be washed with liquid, and based on the rotation of the plate 214, fluid exchange between the plate 214 and the edge 216 of the hole 215 can occur.

The plate 214 can be rotated around the perpendicular lower side of the plate 214 of the axis 217 by the drive of the plate 218. The axis 217 can be installed near the hole 215, while the distance between the axis 217 and the opposite axis 217 of the edge of the hole 215 can be less than the radius of the plate 214. this, when turning the plate 214, one of the plate openings 401-407 can be positioned in front of the opening 215 of the take-off unit 211. The hole 215 can be shaped so that it can completely overlap with one of the sectors of the plate 214, so that milk can pass from the reservoir 201 to the collector 240 exactly through one of the holes 401-407, which is just in front of the hole 215. In some embodiments, the hole 215 may have the shape of a sector of a circle, the midpoint of which coincides with the position of the axis 217 and the opening angle of which can be equal to the ratio between the angle of 360 ° and the number of sectors of the plate 214.

That of the holes 401-407, which is just in front of the opening 215 of the outlet unit 211, forms an outlet through which milk can flow out of the reservoir 201. The size of the outlet can be changed by turning the plate 214 and positioning one of the holes 401 - 404 in front of the hole 215 of the outlet unit 211. The outflow of milk from the reservoir 201 can be stopped by positioning a sector 408 without an opening in front of the opening 215 of the outlet unit 211, so that it is substantially completely blocked by the plate 214.

The plate drive 218 may comprise, in some embodiments, a stepper motor, while in some embodiments, a reducer may be provided to reduce the rotation speed of the stepper motor to the rotation speed of the plate 214. The plate drive 218 may be configured such that a period of time necessary for changing one hole of the plate 214, located immediately in front of the hole 215, the adjacent hole of the plate in front of the hole 215, lies in the range from about 0.1 second to about 0.3 seconds. Based on the relatively good lubricating properties of milk and the relatively small pressure force on the plate 214, which can be maximally equal to the hydrostatic pressure on the sector of the plate 214, as well as the relatively small moment of inertia of the plate 214, which in some embodiments may consist of stainless steel, the plate can having a diameter of about 60 mm and a thickness of about 0.6 mm, this can also be achieved using relatively weak and lightweight stepper motors.

Based on the pressure difference between the milk at the bottom of the tank 201 and the collector 240, which, as mentioned above, is essentially equal to the hydrostatic pressure of the milk in the tank 201, the milk flows out through the outlet. Since the hydrostatic pressure increases when the level of filling of milk in the tank 201 increases, with increasing level of filling increases the flow of milk through the outlet. In addition, the flow of milk through the outlet depends on the size of the outlet, and the flow of milk at the same filling level is greater, the larger the outlet.

The flow of milk through the outlet can be determined for each set using means 213 to change the magnitude of the outlet size as a function of fill level.

In some embodiments, it is possible to measure the fill level of the reservoir 201 with the dimension “milk mass per unit surface”. When the milk does not contain air bubbles, from the filling level indicated in this dimension, the filling height of the milk in the tank 201 can be calculated by dividing by the density of milk. However, the milk in the reservoir 201 may contain a certain number of air bubbles that do not substantially increase the mass of milk, since the air density is much lower than the density of milk. In the upper part of the tank 201, there may be a lot of air bubbles, so that the milk has a foamy consistency. There may be few air bubbles in the bottom of the tank, since air bubbles in tank 201 rise due to their lower density. Thus, milk with a very small proportion of air bubbles can flow through the outlet. The flow of milk through the outlet depends on the pressure difference between the milk at the bottom of the tank 201 and the collector 240, which again depends on the force of the weight of the liquid column pressing on the bottom of the tank. Based on the negligible weight of air bubbles, its effect on the pressure difference can be neglected. Therefore, the pressure difference essentially depends on the mass of milk per surface unit, which presses on the outlet, while the filling level may additionally depend on the number and size of air bubbles, as well as on the density of milk, which can be different for different types of animals.

Thus, the flow of milk through the outlet can be determined more accurately when it is determined as a function of the mass of milk measured per unit surface area of the filling level.

The flow through the outlet may be at least approximately proportional to the root of the milk filling level s in the tank 201. The proportionality constant can be determined experimentally by releasing milk at a given filling level over a certain period of time through the outlet and measuring the amount of milk flowing out. The time interval can be chosen so that the amount of milk flowing out is small relative to the amount of milk in the tank 201, so that the filling level changes only slightly due to the flow of milk. The proportionality constant is then obtained by dividing the measured amount of milk by the product of the length of time and the root of the given filling level.

In other embodiments, the proportionality constant can be determined by measuring the amount of milk flowing out over a certain period of time at various filling levels and using the measured data as a function of the form

where M (s) is flowing during the time interval Δt at the filling level s with the amount of milk, and a is the desired constant proportionality.

Given the known constant proportionality a, it is possible to calculate the flow F of milk through the outlet from the filling level s according to the formula

In this case, the milk flow can be measured with the dimension “milk mass per unit time”.

In other embodiments, the measured data can be substituted into another function. In other embodiments, it is possible to determine the flow of milk through the hole using theoretical calculations as a function of filling level.

For each of the holes 401-407 of the plate 214, another constant of proportionality is obtained based on the different sizes of the holes 401-407.

The device 200 further comprises a filling level measuring device 219. The filling level measuring device 219 may include a pressure head flow meter 220. The pressure head flow meter 220 has an open lower end 221 that is located inside the tank 201 below the fill height that occurs at the minimum fill level of the tank 201 to be measured and which is shown in FIG. 2 with a dashed line 222, so that the lower end 221 of the pressure head flow meter 220 below the surface of the milk when the tank is filled above the minimum fill level. At the upper end of the flow meter 220, there is a gas inlet 224 that includes a throttling diaphragm that closes the flow meter 220 for the pressure head at the upper end. The upper end 224 of the flow meter 220 is located in the environment of the device, so that based on the milking vacuum, air from the environment is sucked through the orifice plate into the flow meter 220. The orifice plate may be sized such that, with a pressure difference between the environment and the interior of the high-pressure head flowmeter 50 kPa, which corresponds to a typical milking pressure value, one liter of air per minute enters the high-speed pressure meter 220.

In other embodiments, it is possible to direct air or other gas to a flow rate meter 220 using a pump or cylinder.

Air that enters through the orifice 224 into the flow meter 220 is discharged from it at the lower end of the flow meter 220. In some embodiments, a cutout 226 may be provided at the lower end 221 of the high-speed flow meter 220, which can suppress the formation of large bubbles, so that uniform airflow from the high-speed flow meter 220 is achieved.

During the exit of air from the flow meter 220, the pressure inside it is set to a pressure that is substantially equal to the pressure of the milk at the lower end of the flow meter 220. The latter is equal to the sum of the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the milk and the pressure present in the upper zone of the reservoir 201 above the surface of the milk.

In addition, the filling level measuring device 219 includes a pressure measuring device 225, which is designed to measure the pressure difference between the internal space of the high-speed flow meter 220 and the zone of the reservoir 201 above the maximum filling level, which is not exceeded during normal operation of the device 200. In FIG. 2, a dashed line line 223 shows the height of the filling of milk in the tank, which is obtained with a typical proportion of air bubbles in the milk with a maximum level of filling of the tank 201. The difference is pressured I am equal to the hydrostatic pressure at the lower end of the milk flow meter 220 dynamic pressure.

When the milk in the reservoir 201 contains air bubbles, the effect of the air bubbles on the hydrostatic pressure of the milk can be neglected, since the density of milk is much lower than the density of the milk surrounding them. Thus, hydrostatic pressure depends essentially on the mass of milk per unit surface. Thus, from the pressure difference between the internal space of the flow meter 220 and the zone of the tank 210 above the maximum filling level, it is possible to calculate the tank filling level with the dimension "milk mass per unit surface", for example, by dividing the measured pressure drop by the acceleration of gravity at the surface of the earth . In some embodiments, it is possible to add an additional correction factor, which takes into account the distance of the lower end 221 of the flow meter 220 of the pressure head from the bottom of the tank 201.

The pressure measuring device 225 may include a differential pressure sensor 227, which is designed to measure the pressure difference between the first section of the differential pressure sensor 227, which is connected to the upper part of the measuring volume 253, and the second section of the differential pressure sensor 227, which is connected to the lower part of the measuring volume 253 The upper part of the measuring volume 253 is connected through the first pipe 228 to the interior of the flow meter 220 of the pressure head, and the lower part of the measuring volume is connected through Ora conduit 231 to the reservoir 201 above the area occurring at the maximum fill level height of 223 required. Due to this, a pressure is established in the upper part of the measuring volume 253, which is essentially equal to the pressure in the internal space of the high-speed pressure flow meter 220, and a pressure is established in the lower part of the measuring volume 253, which is essentially equal to the pressure in the upper part of the tank 201. Due to this, using the differential pressure sensor 227, measure the pressure difference between the interior of the high-speed flow meter 220 and the area of the reservoir 201 above the maximum fill level 223.

When measuring the pressure difference using the differential pressure sensor 227, contact between the differential pressure sensor 227 and milk is not required, thereby preventing calcification and / or defrosting of the differential pressure sensor 227. In addition, the differential pressure sensor 227 inside the measuring volume 253 can be located with protection, so that it is protected from damage, for example, when cleaning the device 200.

In some embodiments, a teardrop 230 may be provided at the end of the first conduit 228 within the high-speed flow meter 220. Alternatively, or additionally, a teardrop 231 may be provided at the end of the second conduit 229 inside the tank 201. Due to this, penetration of milk or other liquid can be prevented. from tank 201 to pipelines 228, 229, for example, when the milking vacuum is interrupted when tank 201 is completely full, or when the device 200 is still wet during transportation not held vertically, for example, in an inverted position.

When liquid enters the pipelines 228, 229, fluid oscillations can occur relative to the compressed air between the liquid and the differential pressure sensor 217, at which the air is alternately compressed and expanded. Due to this, fluctuations in the measured pressure difference can occur. In addition, penetration of fluid into pipelines 228, 229 may result in damage to pressure sensor 227.

In addition, in some embodiments, the differential pressure sensor 217 can be protected against moisture by membranes 232, 233 of a gas permeable and liquid impermeable material, such as, for example, Gore-Tex, Teflon, or cermets. Moreover, the space between the membranes 232, 233 and the differential pressure sensor 227 may be small (for example, have a volume of from about 0.02 to 0.1 ml), in order to keep the gas exchange necessary to equalize the pressure between both sides of the membranes 232, 233.

In some embodiments, the differential pressure sensor 227 may be treated with an extremely creeping fluid, such as, for example, Parylen, to protect against moisture damage.

The fill level measuring device 219 may include, in some embodiments, a heating device 234 that is designed to heat the differential pressure sensor 227 and possibly the entire measurement volume 253. The heating device 234 may comprise, for example, an electrical heating resistance. By heating the differential pressure sensor 227 and / or the measurement volume 253, it is possible to prevent or at least reduce the formation of condensate on the differential pressure sensor 227 and / or in the measurement volume 253.

In some embodiments, the measurement volume 253 may be surrounded by thermal insulation, with a heating device provided inside the thermal insulation. Due to this, the energy required for heating the measuring volume and / or the differential pressure sensor 227 can be reduced, which provides energy-saving operation of the device 200.

The present invention is not limited to embodiments in which the filling level measuring device 219 is configured as described above.

In other embodiments, two absolute pressure sensors may be provided, one of which is below the minimum fill level of the fill height 222, and the other is above the maximum fill level of the fill height 223. The hydrostatic pressure of the milk and thus the filling level can be determined by calculating by calculating the difference between the two pressures measured by absolute pressure sensors.

In another embodiment, a differential pressure sensor may be provided that is located on the bottom side of the tank 201 and one side of which is connected via a pipe to the zone of the tank 201 above the maximum fill level 223. Due to this, the problems of calculating the pressure difference between the two absolute pressure sensors can be eliminated, which are caused by the difference between the two absolute pressure sensors, for example, with respect to linearity, displacements and temperature characteristics.

In some of these embodiments, an elastic separation membrane may be provided between the differential pressure sensor and the interior of the reservoir 201, while the intermediate space between the elastic separation membrane and the differential pressure sensor is filled with oil, for example silicone oil. Due to this, it is possible to prevent direct contact between the milk and the differential pressure sensor, which can lead to frostbite and / or calcification of the differential pressure sensor and to the risk of mechanical damage to the differential pressure sensor.

In other embodiments, the filling level of the tank 201 can be measured using several separate electrodes located at different distances from the bottom of the tank 201, which can be located, for example, on the side wall of the tank 201. These individual electrodes (measuring points) spaced apart in height can interact with a common counter electrode, which extends vertically from the bottom to the filling height in the tank, which can occur at the maximum filling level of the tank 201, essentially continuously distance from the individual electrodes. Based on the electrical conductivity of the milk, the electrical resistance between the individual electrode and the counter electrode decreases when the individual electrode is below the surface of the milk. By comparing the resistances that are measured between the counter electrode and the individual electrodes with a threshold value, it is thereby possible to determine which individual electrodes are below the surface of the milk. With the known location of the individual electrodes, one can draw a conclusion about the height of the filling of milk in the tank 201.

Since the conductivity of milk decreases when air bubbles are in the milk, it is possible to additionally determine the corresponding air fraction in the milk between the counter electrode and the individual electrodes from the measured electrical resistances and determine the milk density from it. In this case, the resistance can be normalized relative to the value measured at the bottom of the tank 201, in order to compensate for differences in the conductivity of pure milk. When carrying out such a measurement for all individual electrodes, it is possible to determine the density profile of milk along the entire height of the tank 201 at a known density of pure milk. By integrating the density profile along the height of the tank, and the density above the filling height is zero, it is possible to obtain a filling level in the dimension "milk mass per unit of surface. "

In other embodiments, it is possible to determine the fill level using capacitive, conductive or inductive measurement methods, or using a float, or a floating body, or using ultrasound.

In addition, the device 200 includes a control unit 236, which is designed to control means 213 for changing the value of the upper threshold value depending on the filling level determined by the device 219 for measuring the level of filling of milk in the tank 201, in order to set the value of the upper threshold value so that the filling level stays in the specified range, for example, between the minimum fill level and the maximum fill level.

The control unit can be formed using an electronic module 235, which is supplied with electricity from a battery 238, for example, a battery. An electronic module 235 may be coupled to a fill level measuring device 219. In embodiments where the filling level measuring device 219 is made as described with reference to FIG. 2, the electronic module 235 can be connected, in particular, to the differential pressure sensor 227 and the heating device 234 and is designed to calculate the filling level from the measured sensor 227 differential pressure differential pressure, as well as to enable, if necessary, the heating device 234.

In addition, the electronic module 235 can be connected to means 213 for changing the magnitude of the upper threshold value. In embodiments in which the means 213 are made in accordance with the description with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the electronic module can be connected, in particular, to the plate drive 218 and designed to control it, in order to move the plate 214.

In some embodiments, the control unit 236 may be designed to control means 213 for changing the size of the outlet so that the outlet increases when the level of the tank exceeds a predetermined upper threshold, and the outlet decreases when the level of the reservoir drops below a predetermined lower threshold .

In embodiments where the means 213 are made as described with reference to FIG. 2, the outlet can be increased by turning the plate 214 so that one of the holes 401-407 is larger than the hole currently located in front of the outlet 215 block 211, is positioned in front of the hole 215. The outlet may be reduced by positioning one of the smaller holes 401-407 in front of the hole 215 of the outlet block 211.

When the outlet increases, the flow of milk from the reservoir 201 increases. Due to this, the filling level of the reservoir 201 may decrease so that the filling level again falls below the upper threshold value. With very large flows of milk into the tank 201, it can occur that the level of filling of the tank after increasing the outlet increases only slower than before or remains constant. In this case, the control unit 236 can increase the flow of milk by further increasing the outlet. This may occur, for example, when the milk flow during the predetermined time interval after the last increase in the outlet does not fall below the upper threshold value. The size of the outlet can be increased for as long as the filling level does not fall below the upper threshold value.

When the outlet decreases, the flow of milk from the reservoir 201 decreases. Due to this, the filling level can again rise above the lower threshold value. If the fill level within a predetermined time interval does not rise above the lower threshold value, which may occur with small flows of milk, the outlet may be reduced until the lower threshold value is again exceeded. In some embodiments, the outlet may also be completely closed after prolonged non-exceeding the lower threshold value, for example, by positioning the sector 408 without the opening of the plate 214 in front of the opening 215 of the outlet unit 211.

In some embodiments, the upper threshold value may be equal to the maximum fill level 223, and the lower threshold value may be equal to the minimum fill level 222. In other embodiments, the upper threshold value may be less than the maximum fill level 223, and the lower threshold value may be greater than the minimum fill level. For example, the upper threshold value may be approximately 90% of the maximum fill level, and the lower threshold value may be approximately 110% of the minimum fill level. Due to this, only a slight excess of the maximum filling level and falling below the minimum filling level can also be prevented.

In some embodiments, the minimum fill level can be set as the fill level at which the milk in the tank, with the minimum amount of air bubbles in the milk that occurs during operation of the device 200, for example, with milk substantially free of air bubbles, reaches the lower end of the flow meter 220 speed head. In such embodiments, dropping below the minimum fill level can prevent fill level measurements with the fill level measuring device 219, since in this case the lower end of the high-speed flow meter may lie above the surface of the milk, so that it is no longer possible to equalize the pressure between the hydrostatic pressure of the milk and the gas pressure inside the flowmeter 220 high-speed pressure. In some embodiments, the maximum filling level can be set as the filling level at which the milk, when the fraction of air bubbles in the milk that occurs during operation of the device 200, which can be determined experimentally, reaches the opening of the pipe 231. In such embodiments, the maximum filling level is exceeded may lead to the penetration of milk into the pipe 231 and to the contamination of the differential pressure sensor 227.

Moreover, increasing the outlet when exceeding the upper threshold value that is less than the maximum fill level can help prevent milk differential pressure sensor 227 from becoming contaminated, and decreasing the outlet when the level drops below the lower threshold value that is greater than the minimum fill level can help ensure constant measuring the fill level using the device 219 measuring the fill level.

As indicated above, the flow of milk through the outlet of the tank 201 depends on the size of the outlet and the filling level of the tank 201, while with a higher level of filling, you can get a larger flow of milk. When the milk flow from the feed unit 202 to the tank 201 is in the range between the milk flow that is obtained with the set outlet size at the minimum filling level 222, and the milk flow that is obtained with the set outlet size at the maximum outlet level 223, it can be set equilibrium at which the fill level takes on a value between the minimum fill level 222 and the maximum fill level 223. With this value, the inflow of milk into the reservoir 201 and the outflow of milk from the reservoir 201 are substantially equal. By changing the size of the outlet, it is possible to change the range within which an equilibrium state can be established.

Due to the change in the size of the outlet made by the control unit 236, it is possible to change the size of the outlet so long as the outlet is not so large that a state of equilibrium can be established between the inflow and outflow of milk, or only relatively slow changes in the filling level of the reservoir 201 occur. Due to this, it is possible to prevent or at least reduce frequent changes in the size of the outlet.

In some embodiments, the outlet may be closed at the start of the milking process. The flow of milk into the tank 201 in this case leads to a rise in the filling level of the tank 201, from which it is possible to calculate the flow of milk into the tank 201, which will be explained more precisely below.

If the upper threshold level of the filling level is exceeded during the milking process, then the size of the outlet can be determined from the calculated milk flow at which the equilibrium state can be established between the milk flow into the tank 201 and the milk flow from the tank 201, while the filling level in equilibrium lies between the lower and upper threshold value. Then, with the help of means 213, a certain size of the outlet can be set.

When at a later point in time the flow of milk into the reservoir 201 increases, it may happen that the upper threshold value is again exceeded. If the flow of milk into the reservoir 201 decreases, then it may happen that the level falls below the lower threshold value.

In both cases, it is possible to determine the size of the outlet at which the equilibrium between the flow of milk into the tank 201 and the flow of milk from the tank 201 can be established from the instantaneous milk flow, as will be explained below, from the filling level and the instantaneous value of the outlet this equilibrium level is between the lower and upper threshold value. Then, with the help of means 213, a certain size of the outlet can be set.

In embodiments in which the size of the outlet can be changed, as indicated above, using a plate 214 with several holes 401-407, for each hole 401-407, you can determine the equilibrium interval of milk flows at which equilibrium can be established between the lower and upper threshold value. Moreover, the upper boundary of the interval corresponds to the flow of milk through the outlet at a filling level that is equal to the upper threshold value. The lower limit of the interval corresponds to the flow of milk through the outlet at a filling level that is equal to the lower threshold value.

In some embodiments, equilibrium intervals for some or all of the openings 401-407 may be parts of a milk flow range from about 0.5 kg / min to about 12 kg / min.

To determine the size of the outlet at which the equilibrium state can be established with the instant milk flow, one of the available outlet sizes can be selected at which the instant milk flow lies in the equilibrium range.

When the instantaneous milk flow at any of the available outlet openings does not lie in the equilibrium range, when the upper threshold value is exceeded, it is possible to position the next larger opening of the plate 214 located before the opening 215 of the outlet unit 211 of the plate 214, the next larger of the holes 401 -407. If after this, the upper threshold value is not exceeded within the specified time interval, then you can once again switch to the next larger hole.

If there is a drop below the lower threshold value and there is no outlet size at which the equilibrium state can be established, then the next smaller of the holes 401- located at the front of the opening 215 of the take-off unit 211 can be positioned in front of the hole 215 407. If after this, within the specified time interval, the lower threshold value is not exceeded, then you can again switch to the next smaller hole.

The present invention is not limited to embodiments in which the outlet size to be set is determined based on the instantaneous flow of milk. In other embodiments, it is possible to extrapolate the milk stream based on the measurement of milk flow at different points in time.

For example, in some embodiments, it is possible to linearly extrapolate the milk stream based on the instantaneous milk flow value and the milk flow value that was measured at a point in time that is a predetermined time earlier. For this, a linear function can be determined for the milk flow time, which passes through the measured values. In other embodiments, it is possible to extrapolate based on more than two measurement values, for example, by fitting a linear function to the measured values, and you can also perform non-linear extrapolation, for example, by adjusting the square function to the measured values. When extrapolating from the currently measured milk flow and the previously measured milk flow, the milk flow is estimated for a future point in time by substituting a future point in time in a function adapted to the measured values.

The determination of the size of the outlet at which the equilibrium state can be established can then be carried out in the manner described above, with the extrapolated value of the milk flow used instead of the instantaneous milk flow. Due to this, you can better take into account short-term changes in the flow of milk.

In some embodiments, execution of the means 213 for changing the size of the outlet is made so that you can set a set of values of the outlet, which allows you to reduce the number of changes in the size of the outlet. In the embodiment described above with respect to FIG. 2, this can be accomplished by a suitable choice of hole sizes 401-407, which is explained more precisely below.

The values of the openings 401-407 can be selected so that the flow rates of milk through the openings at a given filling level, for example, at an average filling level between the maximum filling level and the minimum filling level, differ by a predetermined flow rate difference.

For example, the size of the holes 401-407 can be chosen so that when the filling level of the tank 201 is 0.01 kg / cm ² , which corresponds to a filling height of about 100 mm, you can get costs of 10.5 kg / min, 9.0 kg / min, 7.5 kg / min, 6.0 kg / min, 4.5 kg / min, 3.0 kg / min and 1.5 kg / min. By positioning the sector 408 without an opening in front of the opening 215 of the outlet unit 211, a flow rate of zero can be additionally set, which differs from the flow rate at the smallest hole 407 by 1.5 kg / min. Thus, the costs of neighboring sectors of the plate 214, including sector 408 without holes, which are obtained at a given fill level of 0.01 kg / cm ² , differ in this example by a flow difference of 1.5 kg / min.

The time interval t _schalt between successive switching processes between holes 401 to 407 can be estimated using the following formula:

(3)

(3)

In this case, V _max is the amount of milk in the tank 201 at the maximum level of filling, and V _min is the amount of milk in the tank 201 at the minimum level of filling. ΔF is the flow difference between adjacent holes.

In the above example, the maximum fill level may have a value of 0.015 kg / cm ² , which corresponds to a fill height of 223 of approximately 150 mm, and the minimum fill level may have a value of 0.003 kg / cm ² , which corresponds to a fill height of 223 of approximately 30 mm, with a difference the amount of milk in the tank 201 at the maximum and minimum fill levels can be 650 g. If the milk flow at a minimum fill level of 30 mm is increased by switching to the next larger hole from the openings 401-407, the difference is yes 1.5 kg / min, then in accordance with formula (3), a period of time of about 26 seconds is obtained until the maximum filling level is reached. An appropriate time span is obtained to achieve a minimum fill level while reducing the flow rate by 1.5 kg / min at a maximum fill level. Based on the same flow difference between adjacent openings 401-407, this estimate does not depend on the set size of the outlet.

In embodiments of the present invention, the ratio given by equation (2) between the difference in the amount of milk in the tank 201 at the maximum and minimum fill level and the flow rate difference can be greater than about 20 seconds. Due to this, it can be ensured that the time interval between successive changes in the size of the outlet is large enough to prevent a quick switch between adjacent holes 401-407 of the plate 214, which could lead to a relatively high energy consumption of the device 200.

In addition, the device 200 includes an evaluation unit 237, which is designed to calculate from the set size of the outlet and the filling level of milk in the tank 201, determined using the filling level measuring device 219. In this case, the evaluation unit 237 may be provided with an electronic module 235, which may include a processor that is suitable for calculating the flow of milk into the tank 201.

The milk that flows from the supply unit 202 to the reservoir 201 can either flow out of it through the outlet of the reservoir 201 and into the collector 240, or remain in the reservoir 201. When more milk flows into the reservoir 201 than flows out of it, the level rises filling the tank 201. When the amount of flowing milk is equal to the amount of flowing milk, the filling level remains constant, and when the amount of flowing milk is greater than the amount of flowing milk, the filling level drops.

In accordance with this, it is true:

(four)

Moreover, F _in is the flow of milk into the tank, ds / dt is the time derivative of the filling level, A is the cross-sectional area of the tank, and F is the milk flow through the outlet.

The first term on the right side represents the difference between the amount of milk flowing into the tank 201 and the amount of milk flowing out, which leads to a change in the filling level s, and F represents the flow of milk through the outlet.

The cross-sectional area A of the tank 201 is the geometric value of the tank 201, which can be calculated with the known shape of the tank 201. ds / dt can be calculated from the difference between the fill levels at two consecutive points in time, and F can be calculated from the size of the outlet of the tank and fill level, as explained in detail above.

The evaluation unit 237 may be designed to calculate the flow of milk into the reservoir 201 in accordance with equation (4). In other embodiments, other calculation methods may be used. For example, you can neglect the change in fill level in the tank 201, and the milk flow can be approximately determined by calculating the flow of milk flowing from the tank 201 through the outlet. When a balance is established between the inflow and outflow in the reservoir 201, or only a slow rise or fall in the filling level occurs, then this accuracy can be achieved with good approximation.

In some embodiments, the control unit 236 may be designed to hold the fill level in the reservoir 201 within a relatively narrow range, which can be achieved by setting the upper and lower threshold values at relatively close to each other values. Since relatively small changes in the filling level occur in such embodiments, the flow of milk into the reservoir 201 in such embodiments may be approximately equal to the flow of milk from the reservoir 201 when the milk flow is determined as an average value over a period of time that is greater than the time between the following one after another changes in the size of the outlet. As an alternative solution or in addition to determining the average value, in such embodiments, a particularly fine gradation of the set outlet values may also be provided so that the milk flow from the reservoir 201 changes only slightly when the outlet size changes.

In some embodiments, it is possible before calculating the flow of milk into the tank 201 to averaging over time the level of filling measured by the device 219 measuring the level of filling. Due to this, it is possible to reduce the high-frequency components of the measured filling level, which may be due to pressure surges of the vacuum pump of the milking machine and drops of milk falling into the tank. By averaging, it is possible to suppress, for example, the frequency components of the signal from the differential pressure sensor 227 with frequencies above a threshold value in the range from about 1 Hz to about 10 Hz.

In some embodiments, it is possible to perform averaging over time of the measured fill level using the differential pressure transducer of the voltage to frequency connected to the sensor 227, which is provided in the electronic module 235. Due to this, simple and accurate averaging can be performed.

From the calculated milk flow into the tank 201, it is possible by integration to calculate all the amount of milk flowing during the milking process into the tank 201, which can essentially be equal to the total amount of milk given to the animals during the milking process. Due to this, you can determine the total amount of milk. Integration can be performed by digitally integrating the estimate of the flow of milk into the reservoir 201 calculated by the block 237. Digital integration can be performed using a processor provided in the electronic module 235.

In other embodiments, the total amount of milk can also be achieved by integrating the milk flow F through the outlet. Since the tank 201 at the beginning and at the end of the milking process is empty, the integral of the milk flow from the tank 201, which is obtained by integrating the milk flow through the outlet, also corresponds to the total milk dispensed. Since this integral does not include the time derivative of the filling level, the determination of which may contain a certain error, the total amount of milk can be determined with increased accuracy.

The tank 201 may have a high narrow shape. For example, the reservoir 201 may have a height of about 18 cm and a bottom area of about 55 cm ² . In this case, the height of the tank 201 can be measured in the direction passing in FIG. 2 from top to bottom, and the bottom area can be measured in the horizontal surface in FIG. 2, which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 2. Due to this, it is possible to keep small the impact of the deviation of the vertical direction of the tank 201 from the direction of the plumb line.

The vertical direction of the reservoir 201 may be defined in some embodiments by the side walls of the reservoir 201, which may be vertical. Other possibilities for specifying the vertical direction of the reservoir 201 are explained more precisely below with reference to FIG.

In some embodiments, device 200 may include a tilt sensor 239 of a known type that is connected to or may be provided with electronic module 235. The tilt sensor can be designed to measure the slope of the vertical direction of the tank 201 relative to the direction of the plumb line. The evaluation unit may correct the measured milk flow and / or the measured total amount of milk based on the slope measured by the slope sensor, for example, by multiplying with a slope-dependent correction index. The correction factor for a certain tilt angle can be determined experimentally by the fact that the supply unit 202 supplies a known amount of liquid, for example milk, at a known tilt angle, and the total amount of milk of the device 200 is measured. The correction index is then obtained from the ratio between the amount of liquid supplied to the device 200 and measured amount of fluid. In the evaluation unit 237, a table of values with correction indicators for various tilt angles and / or tilt directions can be stored, and the evaluation unit 237 can use the table of values to correct the measured milk flow and the measured total amount of milk.

The device 200 may include a device 241 for closing the connection 212 connected to the milking machine, which enters the collector 240 and forms the drain of the collector 240. The device 241 may include a plate 242, which can be connected to the rotary axis 243 using the rotary lever 255. The rotary axis 243 can pass through the bottom of the collector 240 and is installed in it with the possibility of rotation and with a seal. The pivot arm 255 can be rotated around an axis 243, for example, with a pivoting magnet 244, which can comprise, for example, a pivoting magnet with a rotation angle in the range of about 10 ° to about 60 °. Due to this, the plate 242 can be moved before the connection 212, c the purpose of closing it, or to remove from it, in order to release connection 212.

Plate 242 may have a flat cylindrical shape, consist of steel, plastic or ebonite, have a diameter of from about 18 mm to about 20 mm, and also a height of about 3 mm. The outlet of the joint 212 may have an inner diameter of 16 mm, so that it can be completely covered by the plate 242. The bottom of the manifold 240 can be substantially flat, so that a substantially completely tight closure of the joint 212 by the plate 242 is achieved.

Special tool 241 can be used to close the connection between the milking unit and the milking set at the end of the milking process, so that the milking discharge does not affect the nipples of the animal, and the milking set can be removed. In some milking machines this can happen automatically. Special tool 241 can be used in place of the known, deactivated interruption valves or pneumatic hose clamps.

In some embodiments, the fixture 241 may be coupled to the electronic module 235. The electronic module 235 may include means for controlling the fixture 241. It may be designed to detect completion of the milking process based on the evaluation of the flow of milk into the tank 201 measured by the block 237 and closing the connection 212 c using the tool 241 when detecting the end of the milking process. To detect the end of the milking process, the measured milk flow can be compared with a threshold value, while the milking process can be considered complete when the flow falls below the threshold value.

The measuring volume 253 with a differential pressure sensor 227, a heating device 234, an electronic module 235, a battery 238 and a tilt sensor 239 can be located in the electronic compartment 301, which is located on the side of the reservoir 201. In this case, the battery 238 can be installed in the lower part of the electronic compartment 301 with a possibility of pushing in from below. Locking the battery 238 can be performed relatively weak, so that the battery 238 when falling down the device 200 comes out of its holder. Due to this, you can reduce the risk of breaking the device 200 upon impact with the ground. In addition, the battery 238 can be removed from the charging device 200 and recharged independently of the device 200. This may be logistically preferable when using a large number of devices 200, for example, when milking a herd of goats, in which, for example, 50 devices are used 200.

The electronic compartment 301 may have a keyboard 304 and a display 302 for servicing the device 200 and for issuing measurement data using the device 200.

Figure 5 shows schematically in cross section another device 200, according to the invention, for measuring the amount of milk given to animals during milking. In FIGS. 5 and 2, the same reference numbers are used to indicate parts of the devices 200 and 500 corresponding to each other. In addition, in FIG. 5, some components of the device 500 are not shown for clarity. In particular, FIG. 5 does not depict a fill level measuring device 219, an electronic module 235, and a tilt sensor 239. However, the device 500 may have such components with features that correspond to the above features of the respective components.

The device 500 comprises a reservoir 201. In addition, the device 500 comprises a feed unit 202 that has a centrifugal head 250 with a cup 203 connected to the milking machine by a connection 205, an inlet 204 and an milk outlet 206 that enters the tank 201. Signs of a centrifugal head 250 and its parts may coincide with those indicated in relation to figure 2 signs. The air that the inlet unit 202 supplies mixed with milk through the connection 205 can be led through a bypass line 207, the upper end 208 of which is located in the centrifugal head 250, while the milk flows through the milk outlet 206 into the tank 201.

In the device 500, the bypass pipe 207 does not extend vertically through the reservoir, as in the device 200, according to FIGS. 2-4. Instead, it is bent inside the reservoir 201 toward the inner wall of the reservoir and extends downward along the side wall. In some embodiments, the bypass pipe 207 may also extend through the side wall of the reservoir 201 or from the upper center of the centrifugal head 203 up or to the side and extend along the outside of the reservoir 201.

Under the outlet 206 of the centrifugal head 203 in the tank 201, a substantially horizontal, gable or conical shaped distribution plate 551 may be disposed. The distribution plate 551 may have a larger radius than the milk outlet 206 so that the milk that enters through the outlet the hole 206 for milk in the tank 201, falls on the distribution plate 551 and is directed by it to the side walls of the tank 201.

Milk can flow into the tank 201 between the distribution plate 551 and the side machines of the tank 201. The distance between the edge 553 of the distribution plate 551 and the side walls 201 can be selected so that the cross-sectional area of the zone between the distribution plate 551 and the side surfaces is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the outlet holes 206 for milk. Due to this, it is possible to ensure the flow of milk, which enters the tank 201 through the milk outlet 206, between the distribution plate 551 and the side walls of the tank 201. In some embodiments, the distance between the edge 553 of the distribution plate 551 and the side walls of the tank 201 has a value in the range from about 1.5 mm to about 3 mm, for example, have a value of about 2 mm.

Due to the edge 553 of the distribution plate 551 and the side walls of the tank 201, a transition hole is defined through which milk flowing into the tank 201 can flow to the side walls of the tank 201 and flow down along the side walls. Due to this, the transfer of milk to the tank 201 and the formation of foam in the tank 201 can be achieved especially uniformly and substantially without shock. A sieve grill 552 may be located between the distribution plate 551 and the covering surface of the tank, which in some embodiments may be substantially vertical. Using a sieve lattice 552, it is possible to capture and collect milk contaminants, such as, for example, straw residues, in order to reduce the contamination of the reservoir 201. In some embodiments, the distribution plate 551 and the sieve lattice 552 are mounted so that they can be removed from the reservoir 201, in order to simplify cleaning the distribution plate 551 and the screen 552.

In some embodiments, the sieve 552 may be located at a distance from the edge 553 of the distribution plate 551, in order to provide a more homogeneous flow of milk through the edge 553. In some embodiments, the sieve 552 may be approximately 5-7 mm from the edge 553 of the distribution plates 551.

In addition, the device 500 includes a diverting unit 211 that is designed to divert milk from the reservoir 201. The diverting unit 211 has an opening 215 through which milk can flow from the reservoir 201 to the collector 240. The lower end 210 of the bypass pipe 207 enters the collector 240, so that milk and air again converge in the manifold 240. Through a connection 212, the outlet unit 211 is connected to the milking line of the milking machine, in which milking vacuum can be generated.

The outlet block 211 contains means 213 for changing the size of the outlet through which milk can flow from the reservoir 201 to the collector 240. They contain a plate 214 that is located in front of the opening 215 of the outlet block 211 and has at least two openings of different sizes. The characteristics of the plate 214 may correspond to those indicated in relation to figures 2 and 4.

By turning the plate 214 around the axis 217, one of the openings 401-407 of the plate 214 can be positioned in front of the opening 215 of the outlet unit 211, so that an outlet is formed through which milk can flow out of the reservoir 201. The size of the outlet can be changed by positioning one other opening 401 -407 in front of hole 215.

The axis 217 passes through the bottom of the tank 201 into the space 505 in which the engine 218, for example, a stepper motor, is located to rotate the plate 214 around the axis 217. The axis 217 can be guided by an axial bearing 501. With gears 502, 503, reduction between the rotation speed of the engine 218 and the rotation speed of the plate 214, which allows more accurate positioning of the plate and a sufficiently lower force for the movement of the plate 214. Due to the seal 550 on the axis 217 and below the plate 214, for example, in the form of ltsa circular cross-section can substantially prevent the entry of milk into the space 505.

Between a gear wheel 503 fixed on an axis 217 and an axial bearing 501 or, alternatively for an axial bearing 501, another structural element fixed on the reservoir 201, a compression spring 503 can be installed by means of which the gear wheel 503 is pressed from the axial bearing 501 or another structural element, and the plate 214 is pressed against the edge of the hole 215 of the outlet unit 211. This results in a good seal between the plate 214 and the edge of the hole 215, so that milk does not leak between the plate 214 and hole paradise 215.

The reservoir 201 has a predetermined vertical direction, which is shown in FIG. 5 with a dashed line at 507. During operation of the device 500, the device 500 may be oriented so that the vertical direction 507 does not extend along a plumb line. Calibration of the device 500 can be performed with this orientation.

In some embodiments, the side walls of the reservoir 201 may be parallel to the vertical direction 507. For example, the reservoir 201 may be cylindrical, and the vertical direction 507 may be defined by the direction of the cylinder axis.

In at least one zone of the reservoir 201, between a minimum fill level below which the level does not fall during normal operation of the device 500 and a maximum fill level that is not exceeded during normal operation of the device 500, as indicated above with respect to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, which is achieved by appropriately controlling the size of the outlet using a suitably made control unit, the cross-sectional area of the interior of the tank 201 may be constant.

Moreover, the cross-sectional area is defined by the surface area of the plane, which is located in the inner space of the tank 201, while the plane runs perpendicular to the vertical direction 507 of the tank 201.

The present invention is not limited to embodiments with vertical side walls of the reservoir 201. In other embodiments, the side walls of the reservoir 201 or parts thereof may also be bent relative to the vertical direction 507. The vertical direction of the reservoir 201 with a suitable shape of the reservoir in such embodiments may be defined as that the cross-sectional area of the inner space of the tank in the area between the minimum and maximum level of filling can be constant.

In some embodiments, the axis 217, around which the plate 214 rotates, can be inclined to the vertical direction 507, while the vertical direction 507 and the axis 217 form an angle with each other, which is indicated in FIG. 5 by 509. The angle 509 may have a value in the range from about 2 to about 10 °.

By tilting the axis 217 to the vertical direction 507, a portion of the plate 214 lies below the midpoint of the plate 214 when the vertical direction 507 is oriented along a plumb line. The hole 215 of the take-off unit 211 can be positioned relative to the plate 214 so that one of the holes 401-407 of the plate 214, which is currently in front of the hole 215, is below the midpoint of the plate. Due to this, it is possible to provide a particularly deep location of the outlet of the tank 201, which contributes to the effective emptying of the tank 201.

The surface of the bottom of the tank may have a zone 510 in which it is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction 507. Another area 511 of the bottom surface may be substantially parallel to the underside of the plate 214. The hole 215 may be located in the zone 511, and the edge of the hole may be located lower the height of the zone 510, which is shown in FIG. 5 by the dashed line 506. Due to this, when the vertical direction 507 is oriented along the plumb line, the tank 201 can be emptied so much through the opening 215 and the opening 401-407 located in front of it ins 214, that zone 510 is no longer covered by milk. Due to this, it is possible to reduce the residual milk in the tank 201 after emptying the tank 201 after completion of the milking process.

The present invention is not limited to embodiments in which the opening 215 and means 213 for changing the size of the outlet are located at the bottom of the reservoir 201. In some embodiments, the opening 215 may also be located in the side wall of the reservoir 201, and the axis of the plate 214 may extend through the side wall reservoir 201, so that it is perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this case, the hole 215 can be located below the axis 217, in order to reduce the residual amount of milk in the tank 201, the possibility of emptying through the hole 215 is not provided when the vertical direction 507 is oriented along the plumb line.

The present invention is not limited to embodiments in which the means 213 for changing the size of the outlet contain a rotatable plate with holes, as indicated above with respect to FIGS. 2-5.

In other embodiments, the means 213 for changing the size of the outlet may comprise two or more holes of the outlet unit 211, which can be opened individually and / or in combination with each other, wherein the outlet is formed by one or more openings that are open. A description of such means 213 for changing the size of the outlet is given below with reference to figa-6C.

Means 213 can be used in a device 600 for measuring the amount of milk given to animals during milking, other signs of which correspond to those of the above devices 200, 500.

Fig. 6a shows a schematic top view of a means 213 for changing the size of the outlet from the vertical direction of the reservoir 201 of the device 600 for measuring the amount of milk given to the animals during milking. Fig. 6b schematically shows a cross section along a plane 650 that is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 6a, and Fig. 6c schematically shows a cross section along a plane 651 that is perpendicular to both the plane of the drawing in Fig. 6a and to plane 650 and passes through the side wall of the tank 201.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6a, means 213 for changing the size of the outlet are provided in the bottom of the reservoir 201. However, in other embodiments, means 213 may also be provided in one side wall of the reservoir 201.

The means 213 comprise a diaphragm 601 with a first opening 603, a second opening 604 and a third opening 605, as well as a first closing mechanism 654, a second closing mechanism 655 and a third closing mechanism 656. The first closing mechanism 654 is designed to release and close the first opening 603. Accordingly, the second closing mechanism 655 and the third closing mechanism 656 are designed to release or close the second hole 604, respectively, of the third hole 605.

In some embodiments, the diaphragm 601 may comprise a metal plate with a thickness in the range of from about 3 mm to about 6 mm. Aperture 601 may be secured to a metal plate 602, for example by gluing. The metal plate 602 may have a greater thickness than the diaphragm 601, and have a hole under each of the holes 603, 604, 605 that is larger than the holes 603, 604, 605 located above them. Due to the metal plate, at least as the bend of the diaphragm 601 decreases. Due to this arrangement, it is possible to carry out a particularly thin aperture 601, which with respect to its transmission characteristic is almost independent of the flow velocity and therefore allows easy calibration and therefore, it is particularly suitable for the most uniform mass production.

The diaphragm 601 can be installed in the bottom or in other embodiments in the side wall of the tank 201, while a collector 240 can be located on the side of the diaphragm 601 opposite to the interior of the tank 201. Thus, milk can flow from the interior of the tank 201 through one or more holes that are released by closing mechanisms 654, 655, 656, into the manifold 240.

Similarly to those indicated with reference to FIGS. 2-5, a bypass pipe (not shown in FIGS. 6a-6c), which is designed to supply air that is separated from the milk in a centrifugal head, to the collector 240, may additionally enter the manifold 240 that air and milk are mixed in the collector 240. An additional connection 212 may be included in the collector 240, which may be connected to the milking line of the milking machine.

In some embodiments, the openings 603, 604, 605 may be sized such that the milk flow through the opening 605 is approximately two times greater than the milk flow through the opening 604, and the milk flow through the opening 604 is approximately two times larger than the milk flow through the opening 603. Streams milk through the holes 603, 604, 605 may depend, as mentioned above, on the filling level of the tank 201. However, since the form of the dependence of the milk flows on the filling level for all holes 603, 604, 605 is essentially the same, the relations between the milk flows through the hole The openings 603, 604, 605 may essentially be independent of the fill level of the reservoir 201. The relationships between the flows of milk through the openings 603, 604, 605 can be established by a suitable choice of cross-sectional areas and the shape of the openings 603, 604, 605.

In some embodiments, the control unit of the device 600 may be designed to control the closing mechanisms 654, 655, 656 in accordance with the digits of the binary number in the range from zero to seven. This opens the first (smallest) hole 603 when the digit with the smallest bit value of the binary number is one, and closes when the digit with the smallest bit value is zero. The third (largest) hole 605 opens when the digit with the highest bit value is one, and closes when the digit with the highest bit value is zero. The second hole 604 opens when the middle digit is one, and closes when the middle digit is zero.

Thus, when the binary number is zero, then all three holes 603, 604, 605 are closed. If the binary number is seven, then all three holes 603, 604, 605 are open. For values in the range from one to six, part of the holes 603, 604, 606 is open and part of the holes 603, 604, 605 is closed. Moreover, the total milk flow through the holes 603, 604, 605 is essentially equal to the product of the binary number and the milk flow through the smallest of the holes 603, 604, 605.

Those of the openings 603, 604, 605 that are just open form an outlet through which milk is drained from the reservoir 201 to the collector 240. If more than one opening 603, 604, 605 is open, then the outlet consists of several partial openings, which are separated from each other by the zones of the diaphragm 601 and / or parts of the closing mechanisms 654, 655, 656, and the outlet is formed by a combination of just a few openings 603, 604, 605. If only one of the openings 603, 604, 605 is open, then the outlet the hole is formed just open about tverst 603, 604, 605.

If the binary number, in accordance with the discharge of which the closing mechanisms 654, 655, 656 are controlled, increases or decreases by one, then the milk flow through the outlet increases and decreases, respectively, by a predetermined flow difference, which corresponds to the milk flow through the hole 603 with the hole open 603. Moreover, the difference in flow rate is essentially the same for each initial value of the binary number.

Similarly to those indicated with reference to FIGS. 2-5, the relationship between the difference in the amount of milk in the tank 201 at the maximum filling level and the amount of milk in the tank 201 at the minimum milk level, on the one hand, and the flow rate difference, on the other hand, are more than 20 seconds , which helps to reduce the number of switching processes between the open and closed state of the holes 603, 604, 605.

Similarly to those indicated with respect to FIGS. 2-5, it is true for at least one or all set values of the outlet that the range of milk flows in which the equilibrium state can be established at a filling level between the minimum and maximum filling levels is a partial range range from about 0.5 kg / min to about 12 kg / min.

The present invention is not limited to embodiments in which openings 603, 604, 605 are formed in one common diaphragm 601. In other embodiments, several diaphragms may be provided, in each of which one or more openings 603, 604, 605 are formed.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to embodiments in which three holes 603, 604, 605 are provided. In other embodiments, more or fewer holes may be provided. In this case, the holes can have different sizes and are made so that the milk flows through the holes are equal to the product of the milk flow through the smallest hole and two degrees, and the closing mechanisms that are aligned with the holes can be controlled in accordance with the binary numbers to close individual or all holes.

However, the present invention is not limited to embodiments in which openings open or close in accordance with binary numbers. In other embodiments, several holes of various sizes may be provided, of which one opens and the others are closed, or several identical holes may be provided, and the flow of milk through the holes can be controlled by changing the number of open holes.

The following is a more detailed explanation of the closing mechanism 656 for closing and releasing the third hole 605. The closing mechanisms 654, 655 for closing and releasing the first hole 603 and the second hole 605 may have a substantially identical design.

The closing mechanism 656 comprises a shutter 608 that is movable between a first position in which the hole 605 is closed and thereby closed, and a second position in which it releases the hole 605. The shutter 608 may have a portion 626 that is guided by means of strips 627, 628, 629, which are connected to the reservoir 201, so that the shutter 608 can linearly move along a direction that is parallel to the interior of the reservoir 201 of the surface of the diaphragm 601. In some embodiments, part 626 the shutters 608 may have a substantially cylindrical shape and be movable within the substantially cylindrical hollow space 630.

The shutter portion 626 contains a permanent magnet 625. The electromagnet 622 is positioned so that when current flows through the electromagnet 622, it exerts a force on the permanent magnet 625. Depending on the direction of current flow, the permanent magnet and the shutter 608 connected to it can either move to hole 605 to closing it, or from opening 605 to release it. The electromagnet 622 may include a coil that surrounds the portion 626 of the shutter 608 in which the permanent magnet 625 resides.

When the shutter 608 moves, it can slide over the surface of the diaphragm 601. By means of a recess 624 on the side of the shutter 608 facing the diaphragm 601, the friction between the shutter 608 and the diaphragm 601 can be reduced.

The hollow space 630 passes through the side wall of the reservoir 201 into the space 660 adjacent to the reservoir 201, in which the electromagnet 622 is located and which may be in some embodiments an electronic compartment 301 (see FIG. 3). In this case, the hollow space 630 may have liquid-tight walls, in order to prevent the penetration of liquid from the reservoir, such as, for example, milk and / or cleaning liquid, into the space 660.

The portion 626 of the shutter 608 may have an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow space 630, so that fluid can flow between the shutter part 626 and the walls of the hollow space when the shutter 608 moves. This can reduce the resistance that the shutter must overcome when moving the shutter. 608, while fluid exchange can help prevent contamination of the hollow space 630.

A guide extension 619 can be formed on the side wall of the tank 201, which protrudes into the interior of the tank 201. Due to this, a better direction of the shutter 608 can be ensured, in particular when it is close to or in a position in which it closes the hole 605.

6b, the first dashed line 652 indicates the position of the end of the permanent magnet 201 of the end of the permanent magnet 625 in the position in which the shutter 608 covers the hole 605. The second line 653 indicates the position of the opposite of the inner space of the reservoir 201 of the end of the permanent magnet 625 in the position in which the shutter 608 frees the hole 605. Positions 652, 653 can be removed a third of the length of the electromagnet 622 from its ends. Due to this, a relatively large force effect of the electromagnet 622 on the permanent magnet 625 and the unambiguous direction of movement of the permanent magnet when the current passes through the electromagnet 622 can be achieved.

The damper 608 may have a first cutout 623, which can be located, for example, on the opposite diaphragm 601 of the upper side of the shutter 608, and a second cutout 610, which can be located, for example, on one side of the shutter 608. The first spring can be located on the reservoir 201 616, which enters the closed position of the shutter 608 in the first cutout 623, and a second spring 613, which in the open position of the shutter 608 enters the second cutout 610. Due to this, the shutter 608 can be held both in the open position and in the closed position, so what he It remains in its position when the current through the electromagnet 622. Thus, the passage of current through the electromagnet 622 is only required to change the position of valve 608 (pulse magnetic technique). Due to this, it is possible to keep the current consumption of the device 600 relatively low even with high magnetic strength, which may be particularly preferred, in particular, when working with batteries.

In other embodiments, suitably arranged permanent magnets may be provided instead of the springs 613, 616 to hold the shutter, which act on the permanent magnet 625 of the shutter 608.

The control unit 236 of the device 600 can be connected to the closing mechanisms 654, 655, 656 and is designed to control the closing mechanisms 654, 655, 656 for closing and opening the holes 603, 604, 605. In embodiments, in which the closing mechanisms 654, 655, 656 have the above construction, the control unit 236 may be designed to control electric current through the electromagnets of the closing mechanisms 654, 655, 656.

In other embodiments, closing mechanisms 654, 655, 656 may be closed or opened individually or in combination also pneumatically, for example, by means of a membrane or piston.

In other embodiments, the means 213 may comprise a plate that is linearly movable along the guide direction, with at least two holes located along the guide direction and the bottom side of the plate in contact with the edge of the hole 215 of the take-off unit 211. In such embodiments, the plate may take the form a substantially rectangular strip with at least two holes, and the guide direction may extend in the longitudinal direction of the strip. The linear movement of the plate can be provided by a linear drive, for example, by using a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, which exerts a force on the permanent magnet when the current passes through the electromagnet, similar to the description with reference to figa-6c.

In other embodiments, it may be possible to continuously change the size of the outlet. An explanation of such an embodiment is provided below with reference to FIG. 7.

7 schematically shows the means 213 for changing the size of the outlet, which in some embodiments are used instead of those indicated in relation to FIGS. 2-5 of the means 213. The means 213 comprise a plate 714 that is rotatable about an axis 217. Moreover, axis 217 correspond to the features of axis 217 indicated above with respect to FIGS. 2-5. In particular, axis 217 is connected to a plate drive 218, which is designed to rotate the plate 714 around axis 217. In some embodiments, it may also be provided gears, similar to that of gears 502, 503 specified in FIG. 5, an axial bearing similar to that of axial bearing 501 of FIG. 5, a seal similar to that of seal 550 of FIG. 5, and a spring for pressing plate 714 against the edge of the hole 215, similar to that indicated with respect to figure 5, the spring 504.

The radius r of the plate 714 depends on the angle φ about the axis 217, while the radius r increases from the first radius r ₁ at an angle φ equal to 0 ° to the second radius r ₂ at an angle φ equal to 360 °.

In this case, the contour of the plate 714 may take the form of a snail shell. In this case, the radius r should not increase clockwise, as shown in Fig.7. In other embodiments, the radius r may also increase counterclockwise.

The distance d between the axis 217 and the part of the edge of the hole 215 of the outlet unit 211 on the side of the hole 215 facing the axis 217 may be greater than or approximately equal to the first radius r ₁ , and the distance D between the axis 217 and the part of the edge of the hole 215 opposite the axis 217 may be less than or approximately equal to the radius r ₂ . Due to this, the hole 215 can be completely or partially blocked by the plate 714 depending on the position of the plate 714, or the plate 714 can free the hole 215.

The hole 215, respectively, that part of the hole 215 that is not blocked by the plate 714, forms an outlet through which milk can flow out of the reservoir 201. By turning the plate 714, the size of the outlet can be continuously changed between the open position in which the area of the plate 714 with a radius that is approximately equal to the first radius r ₁ is adjacent to the hole 215, and a closed position in which the area of the plate 714 with a radius that is approximately equal to the second radius r ₂ is adjacent and above the hole 215.

In some embodiments, the radius r of the plate 714 may be exponentially dependent on the angle φ, so that the edge of the plate 714 has a substantially logarithmic spiral shape.

In other embodiments, an iris, a reflective diaphragm, or a cone introduced into the opening 214 can be used to continuously change the size of the outlet.

In embodiments with a continuously variable outlet size, an engine can be used to control the size of the outlet, which can be a stepper motor or a drive motor. Instead of a motor, a pneumatic or magnetic rotary or linear actuator can also be used. The drive can be designed to provide relatively high accuracy control, in order to ensure reproducible installation of the size of the outlet over the entire range of values.

In embodiments of the present invention in which it is possible to continuously control the size of the outlet, the milk flow through the outlet can be calibrated for several discrete values of the outlet as a function of the fill level of the reservoir 201. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 7 milk through the outlet can be calibrated for several angles of rotation of the plate 714. For the values of the outlet between these values, you can perform The interpolation between the milk flows defined for adjacent outlet sizes in order to determine the milk flow through the outlet. For discrete values of the size of the outlet, it is possible to calculate the flow of milk from the size of the outlet and the filling level, as described above with respect to figure 2-5.

In some embodiments, the openings 401-407 of the plate 214, respectively, the holes 603, 604, 605 may have edges that extend substantially vertically to the surface of the plate 214, respectively, of the surface of the diaphragm 601. Compared to the embodiments in which the holes 401- 407, respectively, the openings 603, 604, 605 are rounded, due to this, better measurement accuracy of the device 200, 500, 600 can be achieved, since vertical and sharp-edged edges can be produced with particularly great accuracy. The edge indicated in relation to Fig.7 plate 714 may also have vertical and sharp edges.

During operation of the device 200, 500, milk that is dispensed to the animals during milking can be fed through the supply unit 202 to the reservoir 201. The filling level of the milk in the reservoir 201 can be measured, as indicated above, using the filling level measuring device 219. Depending on the measured filling level, it is possible to change, as indicated above, the size of the outlet so that the filling level of milk in the tank 201 remains within a predetermined range, which can be set using the minimum filling level and the maximum filling level or using threshold values. The flow of milk into the tank 201 and / or the total amount of milk flowing into the tank 201 can be calculated, as indicated above, from the set size of the outlet and the measured filling level.

Claims (40)

1. A device for measuring the amount of milk given to animals during milking, comprising:
storage tank;
a feeding unit for supplying milk to the tank and configured to connect to the milking kit of the milking machine;
a diverting unit for diverting milk and configured to be connected to the milking line of the milking machine in which the milking discharge is created, the diverting unit having means for changing the size of the outlet through which the milk flows from the reservoir upon release, and it is possible to install at least two different outlet sizes that allow milk to flow through the outlet;
a filling level measuring device for measuring a filling level of milk in a tank;
a control unit for controlling means for changing the size of the outlet depending on the level of filling of milk in the tank, determined using a device for measuring the level of filling, in order to set the size of the outlet so that the level of filling remains in a predetermined range; and
an evaluation unit for calculating from the set size of the outlet and the filling level, measured using the device for measuring the level of filling, the flow of milk into the tank. 2. The device according to claim 1, in which the control unit is configured to increase the outlet when the filling level of the tank exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value and to reduce the outlet when the filling level falls below a predetermined lower threshold value, while the control unit is configured to determine when exceeding the upper threshold value and / or falling below the lower threshold value on the basis of the calculated milk flow assessment unit, is set at one of the at least two quantities outlet equilibrium between the flow of milk into the tank and the flow of milk from the reservoir, and install this quantity outlet in the presence of such an equilibrium. 3. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the means for changing the size of the outlet are made so that it is possible to install three or more different sizes of the outlet, which allow the flow of milk through the outlet. 4. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which at least one set value of the outlet, which allows the flow of milk through the outlet, is selected so that when the milk flows into the tank in a partial range from 0.5 kg / min up to 12 kg / min equilibrium is established between the flow of milk into the tank and the flow of milk from the tank at a filling level in a given range. 5. The device according to claim 4, in which each set value of the outlet, which allows the flow of milk through the outlet, is selected so that when the milk flows into the tank in a partial range of 0.5 kg / min to 12 kg / min the balance between the flow of milk into the tank and the flow of milk from the tank at a filling level in a given range. 6. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the means for changing the size of the outlet contain:
a plate with at least two holes of different sizes, the plate being installed in front of the opening of the outlet block with the possibility of movement relative to the opening of the outlet block so that it is possible to install each of at least two holes of the plate in front of the opening of the outlet block, so that milk passes during removal from the reservoir through one of the at least two holes of the plate, which is located in front of the opening of the outlet block; and a plate drive for moving the plate relative to the opening of the outlet unit. 7. The device according to claim 6, in which the plate is mounted to rotate around the axis perpendicular to the lower side of the plate, at least two holes of the plate are located around the axis, and the bottom side of the plate is in contact with the edge of the opening of the outlet block. 8. The device according to claim 7, in which the tank has a vertical direction, with at least one zone of the tank between the corresponding minimum level of filling, the filling height and the corresponding maximum level of filling, the filling height, the cross-sectional area of the inner space of the tank in each plane, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction and crosses the reservoir within the zone between the filling heights corresponding to the minimum and maximum fill levels, is tinuous, while the axis about which the rotatable plate is provided, the tank is inclined relative to the vertical direction. 9. The device of claim 8, in which the axis around which the plate can be rotated is perpendicular to the vertical direction of the tank. 10. The device according to claim 6, in which the plate has a zone in which there is no hole, while the plate is movable relative to the outlet block so that it is possible to set the zone of the plate in which there is no hole by moving the plate in front of the hole of the outlet block, in order to close the holes of the outlet block. 11. The device according to claim 10, in which the area of the plate, in which there is no hole, is located next to the largest of at least two holes. 12. The device according to claim 6, in which the plate has several holes, the size of which is selected so that the milk flow through every two adjacent holes at a given tank filling level differs by a given flow difference. 13. The device according to item 12, in which the ratio between the difference in the amount of milk in the tank at the maximum level of filling and the amount of milk in the tank at the minimum level of filling on the one hand and the difference in flow rate on the other hand is more than 20 s. 14. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the means for changing the size of the outlet contain a diaphragm with an adjustable hole. 15. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the means for changing the size of the outlet contain:
two or more tank openings; and
two or more closing mechanisms, wherein each of the closing mechanisms is designed to close and release the corresponding opening of the reservoir opening of the tank;
wherein the outlet is formed by a set of vacated reservoir openings; and
while the control unit is configured to control closing mechanisms, in order to set the size of the outlet by closing and / or releasing one or more openings of the tank. 16. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the means for changing the size of the outlet contain: a plate that is mounted to rotate around an axis perpendicular to the lower side of the plate, the axis being located next to the opening of the outlet block, the radius of the plate from the axis to the edge of the plate increases as a function of the angle around the axis from the first value that is less than or equal to the distance from the axis to the edge of the opening of the outlet block on the side facing the axis, to the second value that is greater than or equal to the distance from the axis to the edge of the opening of the outlet unit on the opposite side of the axis. 17. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, which further comprises a tilt sensor, while the evaluation unit is configured to correct the calculated milk flow based on the tilt measured by the tilt sensor. 18. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the supply unit contains a centrifugal head for separating milk and transport air, while the inlet of the centrifugal head is configured to connect to the milking set of the milking machine, and the milk outlet of the centrifugal head leads to the tank while the device also contains a bypass pipe, which is configured to direct air from the centrifugal head on the opposite side of the reservoir to the outlet of the outlet unit. 19. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the outlet unit contains a collector that contains a first inlet that is connected to the outlet, a second inlet that is connected to the bypass pipe, and an outlet that is configured to connect to the milking pipeline milking machine, while the device further comprises a device for closing the exit. 20. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the evaluation unit is configured to determine, in order to calculate the flow of milk into the tank, the change in time of the amount of milk in the tank based on the change in time of the filling level, determine the amount of outflow from the tank to based on the size of the outlet and the filling level and calculating the amount of change over time of the amount of milk in the tank and the magnitude of the outflow. 21. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the evaluation unit is additionally configured to determine the total amount of milk given to the animals during milking by integrating over time calculated from the size of the outlet and the filling level of the milk flow from the tank. 22. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the device for measuring the level of filling contains:
a pressure head flow meter that has an open lower end that is located inside the tank below the minimum fill level of the tank, a gas inlet that is used to introduce gas, in particular air, into the speed head flow meter, so that gas exits the lower end of the flow meter pressure head; and a pressure measuring device, which is designed to measure the pressure difference between the internal space of the flow meter of the high-pressure head and the zone of the tank above the corresponding maximum level of filling filling height. 23. The device according to item 22, in which the gas supply contains a hole in the flow meter of the pressure head, which is connected to the environment of the device, so that air from the environment is sucked into the flow meter of the pressure head due to milking vacuum in the tank. 24. The device according to item 22, in which the flow meter of the pressure head has at the edge of its open lower end, at least one cutout. 25. The device according to item 22, in which the pressure measuring device comprises:
differential pressure sensor, which is designed to measure the pressure difference between the first section of the differential pressure sensor and the second section of the differential pressure sensor;
a first pipeline that connects the interior of the high-speed flow meter to a first portion of the differential pressure sensor; and
the second pipeline, which connects the zone of the tank above the corresponding maximum level of filling of the filling height with the second section of the differential pressure sensor. 26. The device according A.25, in which the end of the first pipe inside the flow meter of the high-pressure head and / or the end of the second pipe inside the tank has a teardrop. 27. The device according A.25, in which in the first pipe to the differential pressure sensor and / or in the second pipe to the differential pressure sensor is installed a membrane of a material that is permeable to gas and impermeable to liquid. 28. The device according A.25, optionally containing a heating device for heating the differential pressure sensor. 29. A method of measuring the amount of milk given to an animal during milking, comprising the steps of:
feed the milk given to the animals during milking to the tank;
measure the level of milk filling in the tank;
change the size of the outlet through which milk can flow out of the tank, depending on the measured level of filling of milk in the tank, while the outlet is made so that it is possible to install at least two different sizes of the outlet that allow milk to flow through the outlet, while the size of the outlet is set so that the level of filling of milk in the tank remains in a predetermined range; and
calculate the flow of milk into the tank from the set size of the outlet and the filling level, measured using a device for measuring the level of filling. 30. The method according to clause 29, in which increase the size of the outlet when the level of the tank exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value, and reduce the size of the outlet when the level of filling of the tank falls below a predetermined lower threshold; and
in this case, when the upper threshold value is exceeded and / or when lowering below the lower threshold value, based on the calculated milk flow into the tank, it is determined whether at one of the at least two outlet sizes the equilibrium is established between the milk flow into the tank and the milk flow from reservoir, and if so, then set this value of the outlet. 31. The method according to any of paragraphs.29 or 30, in which the outlet is made so that it is possible to set three or more different sizes of the outlet, which allow the flow of milk through the outlet. 32. The method according to any one of paragraphs.29 or 30, in which at least one of the set values of the outlet, which allow the flow of milk through the outlet, is selected so that when the milk flows into the tank in a partial range from 0, 5 kg / min to 12 kg / min equilibrium is established between the flow of milk into the tank and the flow of milk from the tank when the filling level is in the specified range. 33. The method according to any of paragraphs.29 or 30, in which each of the set values of the outlet, which ensure the flow of milk through the outlet, is selected so that when the milk flows into the tank in a partial range from 0.5 kg / min to 12 kg / min equilibrium is established between the flow of milk into the tank and the flow of milk from the tank when the filling level is in the specified range. 34. The method according to any one of claims 29 or 30, further comprising calculating the total amount of milk given to the animals during milking by integrating over time calculated from the size of the outlet and the filling level of the milk stream from the reservoir. 35. The method according to any one of paragraphs.29 or 30, in which the measurement of the level of filling includes the steps in which:
provide a flow meter of a pressure head, which has an open lower end, which is below the corresponding minimum level of filling of the filling height in the inner space of the tank;
supplying gas, in particular air, to the interior of the high-speed flow meter, so that gas at the lower end of the high-speed pressure meter is exiting from it;
measure the pressure difference between the internal space of the high-speed pressure flowmeter and the reservoir area above the corresponding maximum fill level with the fill height. 36. The method according to any one of paragraphs.29 or 30, in which changing the size of the outlet includes moving a plate with two or more holes of different sizes, which is installed in front of the opening of the outlet block of the tank, while one of the holes in the plate is installed in front of the opening of the outlet block of the tank, so that milk can flow out of the tank through the opening of the plate. 37. The method according to any one of claims 29 or 30, wherein the reservoir has two or more openings, wherein changing the size of the outlet includes closing and / or releasing one or more openings of the reservoir, wherein the outlet is formed by a plurality of released openings of the reservoir. 38. The method according to any of paragraphs.29 or 30, in which changing the size of the outlet includes turning a plate that is mounted to rotate around an axis perpendicular to the lower side of the plate, the axis being located near the opening of the outlet block, with the radius of the plate from the axis to the edge of the plate increases as a function of the angle around the axis from the first value that is less than or equal to the distance from the axis to the edge of the opening of the outlet block on the side facing the axis, to a second value that is greater than or equal to the distance from the axis to block discharge hole edge on the opposite side of the axis. 39. The method according to any one of paragraphs.29 or 30, in which the calculation of the flow of milk includes the steps in which:
determining a time change in the amount of milk in the tank based on a change in time of the fill level;
determine the amount of outflow from the tank based on the size of the outlet and the level of filling; and
calculate the amount of change over time the amount of milk in the tank and the magnitude of the outflow. 40. The method according to any one of paragraphs.29 or 30, in which the slope of the tank is measured and the measured milk flow is corrected based on the measured slope.

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