Abstract: A vacuum pump arrangement for a milking plant includes a main vacuum conduit with at least two vacuum pump units for maintaining a system vacuum in the main vacuum conduit. Each of the vacuum pump units includes a pump, a vacuum tank connected to the pump by an intermediate conduit, and an inlet conduit connecting the vacuum tank to the main vacuum conduit. A drainage extends from the vacuum tank and includes a draining valve. The pump sucks air from the main vacuum conduit via the inlet conduit, the vacuum tank and the intermediate conduit. The vacuum pump unit includes a closing valve provided on the inlet conduit and configured to close the inlet conduit in an automatic manner when the pump has been stopped.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a cylinder and a piston, the piston positioned within the cylinder and operable to move within the cylinder from a retracted position to an extended position. The system further includes a vacuum port facilitating application of a vacuum pressure to the cylinder, the vacuum pressure resulting in a vacuum force being applied to the piston, the vacuum force causing the piston to move toward the retracted position. The system further includes a spring member configured to apply a spring force to the piston when the piston is in the retracted position, the spring force offsetting at least a portion of the vacuum force. The system further includes a sensor operable to generate a displacement signal in response to detecting movement of the piston from the retracted position toward the extended position.

Abstract: There is provided a method for improving the reliability and performance of a valve device that transitions between the pressure and vacuum phases for the purpose of milking animals. The improvement reduces physical wear of the movable parts within the valve device while ensuring proper function of said movable parts.

Abstract: A mammal milking device includes a milk collection container, a vacuum generating device, and a teat attachment member. The teat attachment member is formed such that it forms an angle of between about 45 and 135 degrees between the teat attachment end and the vacuum attachment end. The vacuum generating device operates to pass milk from a mammal's teat, through the teat attachment member, and into the milk collection container. The teat attachment end is configured with a predetermined size for attachment to relatively small teats.

Abstract: A device for automatically milking dairy animals. The device has a teat cup for drawing milk from a dairy animal and for generating a milk-air mixture, a robot arm for automatically connecting the teat cup to a teat of the dairy animal, a single milk-collecting vessel provided with a vacuum connection connected to a vacuum source, a milk outlet for discharging the milk to milk-processing means, such as a milk-cooling tank and at least one milk inlet for letting the milk-air mixture in, at least one milk connection device between a teat cup and the milk inlet for conveying the milk-air mixture, and a vessel-cooling device for cooling the contents of a milk-collecting vessel, which vessel-cooling device comprises a cooling surface having a milk side for contact with the milk and having a cooling medium side for contact with a cooling medium.

Abstract: Device for pneumatically milking a cow, comprising a number of milk extractors, each comprising a teat cup as well as milk line connected to the lower end of the teat cup, which line leads from the teat cup to a collection chamber for the milk from the teat cup, each milk extractor being provided with a supply for a cleansing medium, such as a disinfectant, to the teat cup, in particular to a teat present in the teat cup, the supply comprising a line having an end portion with discharge end, and each milk extractor being provided with means for closing off the passage of the milk extraction at or downstream of the discharge end of the line for cleansing

Abstract: An easily bendable tubing for conducting two separate fluids, which tubing (18) comprises two laterally spaced flexible tubes (50, 52) which are spaced apart and kept together alongside each other by a connection (54) between them. On opposite sides of the tubing (18) there are provided, in the tube wall of each tube, transverse, spaced apart recesses (62) arranged at the side of each other in a respective row along each tube (50, 52). The recesses in each tube (50 or 52) are straight grooves (62) extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis (58 or 60) of the tube and are arranged at regular intervals along the tubes. These straight grooves are disposed in at least one plane parallel to and spaced from a plane containing the central longitudinal axes (58, 60) of the tube.