Abstract:
A grounding system for grounding the neutral conductor of an electrical distribution system. A point of reference potential with respect to true earth ground potential is provided. An amplifier has a first input connected to the reference potential and a second input connected to the grounded neutral conductor. The amplifier provides an output signal indicative of the difference between the undesired stray voltage on the grounded neutral conductor and the reference potential. The amplifier develops the output signal across the secondary winding of an output transformer. One terminal of the output transformer is connected to the grounded neutral conductor of the distribution system. The other output terminal of the transformer is connected to true earth ground by way of an auxiliary ground path having a finite resistance. The grounding system thus reduces the magnitude of the neutral-to-earth voltage, including transient variations thereof, to a value approaching, or more nearly equal to, true earth ground potential.
Abstract:
To provide for germ-free milk removal, a suction element, introduced into the udder of a dairy animal is connected to a catheter which is carried beneath the skin of the animal to a point conveniently accessible for germ-free connection of milking apparatus, such as, for example, near the knee of one of the legs of the animal. The suction element may be an open, perforated tube, ball-shaped or the like, and the catheter secured thereto. The exit wound is closed off by means of a collar or sleeve, which may be perforated to promote tissue regrowth and effective sealing of regrown skin.
Abstract:
A method apparatus for teat dipping for sanitizing the udder of a cow either before or after milking. The apparatus has an extension arm with a dispersion portion so that when a cow is in a cleaning location the extension arm will extend underneath a cow's udder and dispersed cleaning fluid onto the cow's udder. A sensing system is used that detects the rotation of the parlor to determine if a cow is at a cleaning location. Further, the sensing system detects whether a cow is present in a stall of the rotary milking parlor.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to modular apparatuses for manipulation of animals and to methods of manipulating animals with the modular apparatuses of the invention. A modular apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: (a) a main support fixed to a stationary point, (b) a number of arms, each of said arms comprising a proximal end and a distal end, each changeable arm having a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein said proximal end is pivotally mounted to the main support for rotation thereof about a first pivot axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and (c) one or more end of arm changeable tools, wherein said one or more end of arm changeable tools are pivotally coupled to the distal ends of each arm for rotation thereof about a second pivot axis, wherein the second pivot axis is substantially parallel to the first pivot axis.
Abstract:
A method, comprises receiving a flow of milk at an inlet of a manifold. The inlet comprises a first end coupled to a hose that receives a flow of milk from a teat cup and a second end terminating in a chamber of the manifold. The manifold comprises one or more other inlets and a plurality of outlets. The plurality of outlets includes one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. The method proceeds by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding milk collector outlet by causing a shut-off valve corresponding to the inlet to open, and by causing a drain valve corresponding to the inlet to close. The method concludes by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding drain outlet by causing the shut-off valve corresponding to the inlet to close, and by causing the drain valve corresponding to the inlet to open.
Abstract:
Teat cups are fetched from a teat cup magazine by a gripper carried on a robotic arm. The gripper grips and removes teat cups from the teat cup magazine. The gripper also holds at least one teat cup during transport thereof towards an udder where an animal's teats are located. A positioning element determines position estimates representing at least one spatial characteristic of the udder. Based on the position estimates, the robotic arm and the gripper are controlled to attach the teat cups to the teats where the position estimates constitutes a basis for controlling the robotic arm and the gripper to remove teat cups from the teat cup magazine in such a manner that a teat-receiving end of the teat cup attains a horizontal level in the gripper, which horizontal level is adapted to the at least one spatial characteristic of the udder.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for milking animals wherein a negative pressure is periodically built up and relieved in a teat cup gap at a predetermined rate. The negative pressure is maintained over a predetermined suction phase (b) and relieved over a predetermined rest phase (d). The ratio between the suction phase (b) and the rest phase (d) changes at least once during the milking operation. In a preferred embodiment the first duration does not exceed a predetermined, first limit value and the second duration does not fall beneath a predetermined, second limit value.
Abstract:
A method of attaching and/or removing a teat cup from an animal with a liner inflatable and deflatable by a pulsator which alternately introduces air and vacuum to a pulsation chamber surrounding the liner. The method comprising the steps of: setting the pulsator to constantly introduce vacuum to the pulsation chamber to open and maintain the liner in an open position for an attachment time period; attaching the teat cup to the animal during the attachment time period; setting the pulsator to alternate between introducing air and vacuum to the pulsation chamber during a milking time period to milk the animal; and removing the teat cup from the animal.