Importance

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Abstract

A vacuum control system for controlling vacuum while an animal is being milked. The vacuum control system comprises a vacuum pump which is interconnected to a buffer vessel via a vacuum line. Each teat cup of the milking apparatus has a milk line which interconnects the teat cup to the buffer vessel. The teat cup is also interconnected to the vacuum pump via a pulse line which contains a pulsator. A regulator which includes an rpm governor and an electronic filter unit is connected to the vacuum pump and also by the filter unit to a vacuum sensor which, in turn is connected to the vacuum line. The filter unit is connected both to the rpm governor and to an electronic fast-acting control valve which is activated by the regulator on the basis of signals which it receives from the vacuum sensor. If the vacuum decreases in the vacuum line (and thus the buffer vessel) as result of, for example, a teat cup being disconnected from the teat of an animal being milked, the rpm governor causes the vacuum pump to increase its rpm and therefore capacity whereby the vacuum and vacuum line is maintained in a constant value. On the other hand, if the vacuum and vacuum line increases over its desired level, the electronic fast-acting valve is actuated to admit air to the vacuum line and thereby maintain the vacuum therein at a constant desired level.

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First Claim