Abstract: A system method and device for evaluating the Quality of Service (QoS) performance of mobile telephone devices in the concurrent performance of different services through a mobile telephone network is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing a first logical communication channel via the mobile telephone network, communicating first information over the first logical communication channel, establishing a second logical communication channel over a communication network, concurrently with said communicating first information, communicating second information over the second logical communication channel, and determining a plurality of service quality metrics for the first and second information communicated over the first and second logical communication channel.

Abstract: A system method and device for evaluating the Quality of Service (QoS) performance of mobile telephone devices in the concurrent performance of different services through a mobile telephone network is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing a first logical communication channel via the mobile telephone network, communicating first information over the first logical communication channel, establishing a second logical communication channel over a communication network, concurrently with said communicating first information, communicating second information over the second logical communication channel, and determining a plurality of service quality metrics for the first and second information communicated over the first and second logical communication channel.

Abstract: A system method and device for evaluating the Quality of Service (QoS) performance of mobile telephone devices in the concurrent performance of different services through a mobile telephone network is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing a first logical communication channel via the mobile telephone network, communicating first information over the first logical communication channel, establishing a second logical communication channel over a communication network, concurrently with said communicating first information, communicating second information over the second logical communication channel, and determining a plurality of service quality metrics for the first and second information communicated over the first and second logical communication channel.

Abstract: A system method and device for evaluating the Quality of Service (QoS) performance of mobile telephone devices in the concurrent performance of different services through a mobile telephone network is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing a first logical communication channel via the mobile telephone network, communicating first information over the first logical communication channel, establishing a second logical communication channel over a communication network, concurrently with said communicating first information, communicating second information over the second logical communication channel, and determining a plurality of service quality metrics for the first and second information communicated over the first and second logical communication channel.

Abstract: A method is provided for eliminating the risk of leakage from a first one to a second one of two fluid systems in an apparatus for handling a fluid for human consumption, with a shut-off device including a cavity and a respective valve element connecting the cavity to each of the two fluid systems, each valve means being capable of preventing any fluid communication from the cavity to the respective fluid system. When the valve element prevents any fluid communication from the cavity to the fluid systems, a fluid is supplied to the cavity and a pressure is provided in the cavity which is higher than one or each of the respective pressures in the two fluid systems, thereby eliminating the risk of leakage from a first one to a second one of two fluid systems in case of failure of the valve element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution for cleaning a milking plant, which includes a milk line system (MLS), connectable to a collecting means, and is adapted to deliver milk that has been withdrawn from animals to a milk storage means (250). The milking plant also includes milk storage valve means (100; 235, 240), arranged between the milk line system (MLS) and the milk storage means (250). The valve means (240) are selectively adjustable to prevent fluid communication between the milk line system (MLS) and the milk storage means (250) during cleaning of the milk line system (MLS). Moreover, the valve means (100; 235, 240) are associated with a monitoring arrangement (275, EPS), which is adapted to determine an amount of leakage through the valve means (100; 235, 240) during the cleaning of the milk line system (MLS), and produce a valve health status signal (Sv) reflecting the amount of leakage. Hence, the functionality status of the valve means (100; 235, 240) may be qualitatively evaluated.

Abstract: A method is provided for eliminating the risk of leakage from a first one to a second one of two fluid systems (123, 124) in an apparatus provided for handling a fluid for human consumption, which comprises a shut-off device including a cavity (122; 154) and a respective valve means (111, 121; 151, 152) connecting the cavity to each of the two fluid systems, each of the valve means being capable of preventing any fluid communication from the cavity to the respective fluid system. According to the method, when the valve means (111, 121; 151, 152) prevent any fluid communication from the cavity to the fluid systems, a fluid is supplied to the cavity (122; 154) and a pressure (P3) is provided in the cavity which is higher than one or each of the respective pressures (P1, P2) in the two fluid systems, thereby eliminating the risk of leakage from a first one to a second one of two fluid systems in case of failure of the valve means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution for cleaning a milking plant, which includes a milk line system (MLS), connectable to a collecting means, and is adapted to deliver milk that has been withdrawn from animals to a milk storage means (250). The milking plant also includes milk storage valve means (100; 235, 240), arranged between the milk line system (MLS) and the milk storage means (250). The valve means (240) are selectively adjustable to prevent fluid communication between the milk line system (MLS) and the milk storage means (250) during cleaning of the milk line system (MLS). Moreover, the valve means (100; 235, 240) are associated with a monitoring arrangement (275, EPS), which is adapted to determine an amount of leakage through the valve means (100; 235, 240) during the cleaning of the milk line system (MLS), and produce a valve health status signal (Sv) reflecting the amount of leakage. Hence, the functionality status of the valve means (100; 235, 240) may be qualitatively evaluated.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and arrangements for cooling milk in a milk storage tank of an automatic milking system comprising (i) measuring an amount of extracted milk by a milk flow meter; (ii) determining a cooling need for milk stored or to be stored in the milk storage tank based on the amount of milk; (iii) measuring a quantity indicative of a temperature of an inner surface area of a bottom portion of the milk storage tank; and cooling the bottom portion of the milk storage tank in consecutive periods, such that each period of cooling (?1, ?3) is followed by a respective period of non-cooling (?2, ?4), wherein the duration of each period of cooling and/or non-cooling is based on the measured quantity indicative of the inner surface area temperature, and the cooling need.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cooling milk in a milk storage tank of an automatic milling system comprising the steps of (i) measuring an amount of extracted milk by means of a milk flow meter, (ii) determining a cooling need for milk stored or to be stored in said milk storage tank based on said amount of milk; (iii) measuring a quantity indicative of a temperature of an inner surface area of a bottom portion of the milk storage tank; and cooling said bottom portion of said milk storage tank in consecutive periods, such that each period of cooling (?1, ?3) is followed by a respective period of non-cooling (?2, ?4), wherein the duration of each period of cooling and/or noncooling is based on said measured quantity indicative of said inner surface area temperature, and said cooling need. The invention also relates to an arrangement for performing the method.

Abstract: A milking plant for milking animals, such as cows, wherein milk collecting means, prefeably in the form of teat cups, are attached to the teat of the animal whereafter milk is taken from the animal by use of vacuum. The milk is transported by a milk line system (31) to milks storage means comprising a cooling tank (30). For cleaning purposes the milk line system from each milk collecting means can be shut off from the milk tank by valve means (32) in order for separate cleaning of the milk line system. The invention is characterized by preventing any possible leakage of detergent from a cleaning fluid to the milk that has been collected in the milk tank, by providing a pressure difference between the two fluids. The pressure difference between the fluids is preferably achieved by connecting the cleaning fluid to the vacuum supply (4) of the milking plant.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the cooling of small milk quantities in a cooling tank (2) having a bottom wall portion (12) with a milk cooling surface (12′) within the tank being part of a cooling circuit an agitator (19) within the tank for stirring the milk therein. The gist of the invention is a) providing an element for measuring the milk quantity in the tank, and a temperature transducer (11) for monitoring the milk temperature in the tank, b) providing, in the cooling circuit, an evaporator (4) connected to the bottom wall portion of the tank, a compressor (5), and a condenser (7), c) controlling the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator by regulating the vaporizing pressure, so that the temperature of the milk cooling surface (12′) is always higher than 0° C. when the compressor (5) is running, d) monitoring the milk quantity in the tank, and, when sufficient/insufficient for the agitator to work properly.

Abstract: A system for controlling the cooling of small milk quantities in a cooling tank (4). An agitation pipe (2) extended through a regular milk outlet (26) in a first end wall (6) of the tank is provided, having a nozzle end (32) for introducing incoming/re-circulated milk onto a milk cooling surface (14) at a predetermined position (dp). The position (dp) being situated (1) between a first end wall (6) and a central part of the tank (4) and laterally displaced (b) relative to the perpendicular central axis of the tank. The nozzle end (32) is directed towards a second end wall (8) of the tank (4). Agitation is performed by the agitation pipe (2) upon demand or when the milk quantity is insufficient for a regular agitator element (27) to work properly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cooling milk in a milk storage tank of an automatic milling system comprising the steps of (i) measuring an amount of extracted milk by means of a milk flow meter, (ii) determining a cooling need for milk stored or to be stored in said milk storage tank based on said amount of milk; (iii) measuring a quantity indicative of a temperature of an inner surface area of a bottom portion of the milk storage tank; and cooling said bottom portion of said milk storage tank in consecutive periods, such that each period of cooling (&tgr;1, &tgr;3) is followed by a respective period of non-cooling (&tgr;2, &tgr;4), wherein the duration of each period of cooling and/or noncooling is based on said measured quantity indicative of said inner surface area temperature, and said cooling need. The invention also relates to an arrangement for performing the method.

Abstract: A system for controlling the cooling of small milk quantities in a cooling tank (4). An agitation pipe (2) extended through a regular milk outlet (26) in a first end wall (6) of the tank is provided, having a nozzle end (32) for introducing incoming/re-circulated milk onto a milk cooling surface (14) at a predetermined position (dp). The position (dp) being situated (1) between a first end wall (6) and a central part of the tank (4) and laterally displaced (b) relative to the perpendicular central axis of the tank. The nozzle end (32) is directed towards a second end wall (8) of the tank (4). Agitation is performed by the agitation pipe (2) upon demand or when the milk quantity is insufficient for a regular agitator element (27) to work properly.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus (11) and a method for milk filtration and filter regeneration. The apparatus comprises a filter vessel (13); a loose filter material (37) housed within the vessel for filtering out contaminants in the milk; and a grid (31) arranged in front of the milk flow outlet to prevent the loose filter material from leaving the vessel. The vessel includes inner walls (15, 17); a milk inlet (21); a milk outlet (23); a cleaning fluid inlet (23) arranged substantially vertically at the lowermost portion of the vessel, through which a cleaning fluid jet can be injected, and a cleaning fluid outlet (21) arranged at the upper portion of the vessel. The lower portions (17) of the inner walls of the vessel form an angle (&agr;) with respect to the horizontal plane, the angle being larger than the angle of repose for the filter material in the cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the cooling of small milk quantities in a cooling tank (2) having a bottom wall portion (12) with a milk cooling surface (12′) within the tank being part of a cooling circuit, an agitator means (19) within the tank for stirring the milk therein. The gist of the invention is: a) providing a means (10) for measuring the milk quantity in the tank, and a temperature transducer (11) for monitoring the milk temperature in the tank, b) providing, in the cooling circuit, an evaporator (4) connected to the bottom wall portion of the tank, a compressor (5), and a condenser (7), c) controlling the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator by regulating the vaporizing pressure, so that the temperature of the milk cooling surface (12′) is always higher than 0° C., whereas the refrigerant temperature in the evaporator (4) is below O° C.

Abstract: Continuous production of milk with a predetermined fat content wherein whole milk is divided into a cream fraction and a skim milk fraction in a centrifugal separator. A part of the cream fraction is remixed into the skim milk fraction in order to obtain a mixed fraction of milk with desired fat content. The whole flow of cream fraction which has been obtained from an outlet from the centrifugal separator is remixed with a flow of skim milk fraction from a second outlet from the centrifugal separator by way of a valve in the outlet for cream fraction during a certain period. During a second intermediate period the whole flow of cream fraction is discharged by the valve for separate collection. The periods mentioned above are so short that the fat content and the flow per time unit of the mixed fraction may be regarded as homogenous.

Abstract: A pulsator has two valve devices (1, 2), each of which is adapted to alternately subject a pulsation space to two different pressures. In order to avoid the two valve devices (1, 2) from disturbing each other during the alternations between the two pressures a third valve device (23) is arranged, for closing communication between one of the valve devices and the lower one of said two pressures, when the other valve device is operated to alternate the pressure in the pulsation space from the lower one to the higher one of said two pressures.

Abstract: When continuously heat treating a liquid the flow of which varies, incoming liquid is preheated by already heated liquid and is then heated to a predetermined temperature-time-effect by a medium giving off heat in a second step. The flow of incoming liquid is sensed and controlled by a pump (1) with a variable capacity. The amount of heat needed to obtain the desired heating effect is influenced by a control unit (9). The heating effect is adjusted to the liquid flow by increasing/decreasing the temperature of the medium giving off heat or increasing/diminishing the flow of this medium from a heat store (6).