Patents by Inventor Otto Krone

Otto Krone has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20150020739
    Abstract: The invention relates to a milking parlor arrangement (1), in particular a milking carousel, comprising at least one milking parlor (3) for milking milk-producing animals (T) and comprising an inner robot device with at least one robot arm (9). The at least one milking parlor (3) comprises two longitudinal sides and two narrow sides, namely a head narrow side and a hindquarters narrow side, one narrow side being paired with the head side of a milk-producing animal (T) to be milked as the head narrow side. The milking parlor also comprises an arm device (6) with a milking machine (5), said arm device being adjustable between a parked position and a working position and back. The at least one robot arm (9) is arranged on the head narrow side paired with the head side of the animal (T) to be milked of the at least one milking parlor (3) of the milking parlor arrangement (1) in order to adjust the arm device (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Otto Krone, Olaf Suhr, Bernhard Schulze-Wartenhorst, Erich Schneider, Thomas Mader
  • Publication number: 20150020738
    Abstract: A space divider (4) of a milking parlor arrangement (1, 1?, 1?, 1??) for at least one milking parlor (3) for milking milk-producing animals (T), wherein the space divider (4) is arranged approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the animal (T) to be milked, has an arm device (6) having a milking cluster (5), which can be adjusted from a parking position to a working position and back. The arm device (6) is arranged with the milking cluster (5) in the parking position in the space divider (4) and can be adjusted into the working position laterally to the animal (T) to be milked between the front and rear legs thereof. The space divider (4) is designed in such a way that no additional space is required between adjacent animals (T), so that many animals (T) can be milked in a milking parlor arrangement (1, 1?, 1?, 1??) while the smallest possible amount of space is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Otto Krone, Derk Hensel, Thomas Mader, Rolf Teckentrup, Armin Hönscheid, Dieter Hille, Magnus Wiethoff, Marc Trossehl, Reinhard Balkenhol
  • Publication number: 20140060436
    Abstract: A milking cluster used for milking a dairy animal in a milking parlor, the milking cluster including a teat cup unit, a teat cup, a drive device, a hose arrangement joined to the teat cup, a hose guide engaging the hose arrangement, and a flexible element that pivots the hose guide between a fixed position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Otto Krone
  • Publication number: 20140041591
    Abstract: A milking cluster for a milking parlour for milking milk-giving animals, having at least one teat cup unit having a housing, a teat cup, a drive appliance, a pulling element arrangement connected to the teat cup, and the pulling element arrangement has a segment unit having at least two pulling elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Otto Krone
  • Patent number: 8567345
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for machine-milking an animal using a pulsed vacuum with sequential evacuation and ventilation phases in a teat cup pulse chamber by creating an improved pressure curve during the evacuation phase, the ventilation phase, or both pressure changing phases by controlling a pressure change phase using at least two pressure changing speed rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kaever, Bernhard Schulze Wartenhorst, Otto Krone, Reinhard Frenser
  • Patent number: 8342123
    Abstract: The invention relates to a milk collecting device and a method for operating a milk collecting device, comprising a milk collecting vessel with an inlet and a controllable outlet and a measuring device, said measuring device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode at a separation from the first electrode, a power supply electrically connected to both electrodes and a measuring device for recording an electrical parameter. The power supply is connected to two connection points on the first electrode at a separation from each other such as to be in parallel with relation to the first electrode and connected to the second electrode by the measuring device in order to determine a characteristic measure for the filling level of a liquid in the milk collecting vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Springer, Otto Krone
  • Patent number: 8250930
    Abstract: The device for measuring the mass flow of a foaming fluid, in particular of milk during milking, comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a measuring device for determining the mass flow. The housing is structured such that mixing the foam portion with the liquid portion of the fluid can be achieved. To this end, the inlet runs substantially tangentially into the housing interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies, GmbH
    Inventors: Otto Krone, Andreas Springer
  • Patent number: 7992450
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the mass flow, in particular of a foaming liquid, comprising a measuring device with two electrodes and at least one electrical means for generation of an electrical parameter and an analytical device. The electrical means is connected to the first electrode at two remote points, such as to be wired in parallel with the first electrode. The second electrode is connected to the first electrode by means of the analytical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Gea Farm Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Springer, Otto Krone
  • Patent number: 7938082
    Abstract: A milking machine cylinder comprising a flexible element and at least one sensor element which detects at least a substantial weight relief of the flexible element in order to trigger a start signal for a milking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Stolte, Otto Krone, Olaf Suhr
  • Publication number: 20090165726
    Abstract: The invention relates to a milk collecting device and a method for operating a milk collecting device, comprising a milk collecting vessel with an inlet and a controllable outlet and a measuring device, said measuring device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode at a separation from the first electrode, a power supply electrically connected to both electrodes and a measuring device for recording an electrical parameter. The power supply is connected to two connection points on the first electrode at a separation from each other such as to be in parallel with relation to the first electrode and connected to the second electrode by the measuring device in order to determine a characteristic measure for the filling level of a liquid in the milk collecting vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: WESTFALIASURGE GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Springer, Otto Krone
  • Publication number: 20090025485
    Abstract: The device for measuring the mass flow of a foaming fluid, in particular of milk during milking, comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a measuring device for determining the mass flow. The housing is structured such that mixing the foam portion with the liquid portion of the fluid can be achieved. To this end, the inlet runs substantially tangentially into the housing interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Otto Krone, Andreas Springer
  • Publication number: 20090025484
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the mass flow, in particular of a foaming liquid, comprising a measuring device with two electrodes and at least one electrical means for generation of an electrical parameter and an analytical device. The electrical means is connected to the first electrode at two remote points, such as to be wired in parallel with the first electrode. The second electrode is connected to the first electrode by means of the analytical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: WESTFALIASURGE GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Springer, Otto Krone
  • Publication number: 20080210171
    Abstract: A milking parlor, milking module, and a closing unit comprising at least two closing members to optionally release or close a corresponding number of openings in a milking parlor floor which serves as a standing area. The closing members are disposed to be rotatable about a rotational axis at least between a closed position and an open position, wherein the open position allows at least one animal-related treatment means to be guided through said opening. Said rotational axis is disposed in a central region between the closing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Mader, Michael Heinrich, Otto Krone, Peter Kaever, Reinhard Frenser, Magnus Wiethoff, Matthias Ahrens, Klaus Fleck
  • Publication number: 20070261640
    Abstract: A milking machine cylinder comprising a flexible element and at least one sensor element which detects at least a substantial weight relief of the flexible element in order to trigger a start signal for a milking process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Friedrich Stolte, Otto Krone, Olaf Surh
  • Publication number: 20060243210
    Abstract: For machine-milking an animal such as a cow it is proposed that a pulsed vacuum with sequential evacuation and ventilation phases is generated in a teat cup of a milking unit by means of a pulsator, wherein the pressure curve during the evacuation phase and/or the ventilation phase is controlled in at least two speed rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Kaever, Bernhard Wartenhorst, Otto Krone, Reinhard Frenser
  • Patent number: 6009834
    Abstract: A teat cup assembly for a milking machine and having a teat receptacle 21 which is in the form of an elastic sleeve 2 having an upper inlet opening 18 and a lower outlet opening 22. The teat cup assembly is provided with an outlet 6 connecting to a milking line. In the flow passage below the teat receptacle, a valve arrangement is formed with a valve chamber 12 accommodating a moveable valve body 8, by which the flow passage is closed in a closed position and opened in an open position. Arranged on the teat cup casing 1 is an actuating element 10 that is connected to valve body 8 and can be displaced away from the inlet opening 18 for closing the flow passage or displaced in a direction toward the inlet opening 18 for opening the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Westfalia Landtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Otto Krone, Manfred Wulle
  • Patent number: 5628491
    Abstract: A pilot valve for controlling a pneumatically actuated main valve of a milking-system pulsator, has an electromagnet that it is alternately energized and de-energized displacing an armature back and forth between each end of a stroke. At one end, the armature seals an air-supply line and at the other end a vacuumizing line. The lines are accordingly alternately connected to a valve chamber, and the valve chamber communicates with the main valve through a control channel. The armature is connected to a diaphragm so as to provide axial guidance for the armature without friction. The diaphragm is made of resilient material and is interposed between the armature and the electromagnet such that, when the armature is at one end of its stroke, it seals off the air-supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Otto Krone
  • Patent number: 5167200
    Abstract: A pulsator for milking machines comprises a bolt which travels back and forth in a housing and activates a slide. The slide alternately connects the pulsator's outlets to a source of vacuum and to the atmosphere. A diaphragm accommodated in a chamber at each end of the slide moves the bolt back and forth. An alternator is triggered by the slide as it arrives at one end or the other of its stroke. The alternator connects the chambers back and forth and alternately to the source of vacuum and to the atmosphere. The distance between the slide and at least one of the diaphragms is varied to suppress stagger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Icking, Otto Krone