A method for cooling milk in a milking arrangement, and a milk cooling apparatus of the milking arrangement that has a coolant circuit for heat exchange between milk and a coolant and a refrigerant circuit for heat exchange between a refrigerant and the coolant, where the method includes controlling the refrigerant circuit to maintain a predefined temperature range, receiving a first signal relating to commencement or increase of a milk flow from a milking system of the milking arrangement, starting or increasing circulation of coolant in the coolant circuit, and leading the milk flow through the milk cooling apparatus.

A method for cooling milk in a milking arrangement, and a milk cooling apparatus of the milking arrangement that has a coolant circuit for heat exchange between milk and a coolant and a refrigerant circuit for heat exchange between a refrigerant and the coolant, where the method includes controlling the refrigerant circuit to maintain a predefined temperature range, receiving a first signal relating to commencement or increase of a milk flow from a milking system of the milking arrangement, starting or increasing circulation of coolant in the coolant circuit, and leading the milk flow through the milk cooling apparatus.

A control unit, computer-implemented method, and computer program for controlling a milk transport and cooling apparatus where a flow of milk is controlled from a balance tank to a storage tank, based on a temperature-indicating signal measuring a temperature of the flow of milk before entering the storage tank, and a level-indicating signal reflecting a milk level in the balance tank in relation to low- and high-threshold levels respectively, such that the control unit generates a first control signal controlling the speed of the milk pump based on the temperature-indicating signal when the level-indicating signal is within low- and high-threshold levels respectively, and can also generate a second control signal controlling a capacity of a chiller based on the temperature-indicating signal with respect to an uninterrupted time period.

A control unit, computer-implemented method, and computer program for controlling a milk transport and cooling apparatus where a flow of milk is controlled from a balance tank to a storage tank, based on a temperature-indicating signal measuring a temperature of the flow of milk before entering the storage tank, and a level-indicating signal reflecting a milk level in the balance tank in relation to low- and high-threshold levels respectively, such that the control unit generates a first control signal controlling the speed of the milk pump based on the temperature-indicating signal when the level-indicating signal is within low- and high-threshold levels respectively, and can also generate a second control signal controlling a capacity of a chiller based on the temperature-indicating signal with respect to an uninterrupted time period.

A cooling system for cooling a flow of milk includes a first and a second refrigeration system; a first and a second intermediate coolant circulating system; and a line manifold interconnectable between the first and second intermediate coolant circulating systems, wherein coolant in the first intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the first refrigeration system in a first heat exchange section and coolant in the second intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the second refrigeration system in a second heat exchange section. The cooling system is reconfigurable between first operation configuration providing two-stage cooling of the flow of milk and a second operation configuration providing one-stage cooling of the flow of milk.

A cooling system for cooling a flow of milk includes a first and a second refrigeration system; a first and a second intermediate coolant circulating system; and a line manifold interconnectable between the first and second intermediate coolant circulating systems, wherein coolant in the first intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the first refrigeration system in a first heat exchange section and coolant in the second intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the second refrigeration system in a second heat exchange section. The cooling system is reconfigurable between first operation configuration providing two-stage cooling of the flow of milk and a second operation configuration providing one-stage cooling of the flow of milk.

A control unit arranged to control a flow of milk through a cooling system from a balance tank to a storage tank where the balance tank receives an input in the form of milk from a number of milking points and the control unit receives a first level-indicating signal reflecting a milk level in the balance tank and a prediction parameter indicating an estimated future input of milk from the number of milking points for generating a first control signal to a milk pump in the cooling system for causing the flow of milk to be pumped out from the balance tank at a flow rate determined by the first control signal.

A control unit arranged to control a flow of milk through a cooling system from a balance tank to a storage tank where the balance tank receives an input in the form of milk from a number of milking points and the control unit receives a first level-indicating signal reflecting a milk level in the balance tank and a prediction parameter indicating an estimated future input of milk from the number of milking points for generating a first control signal to a milk pump in the cooling system for causing the flow of milk to be pumped out from the balance tank at a flow rate determined by the first control signal.

Milking clusters for a miling installation have four teat cups, each teat cup having a cup housing and a teat cup liner with a top region and a suction region. A connection for a milk tube is arranged at the cup bottom or at the end of the suction region of the teat cup liner. A mouth portion of a sterile air pressure line is arranged in the top region of the teat cup liner, through which pressure line sterile air is introduced at a volumetric flow rate greater than a fluid aspiration volumetric flow rate at the milk tube, such that a sterile air blanket is established in the top region of the teat cup liner. The milking clusters with the cup liner and sterile air blanket prevent milked milk from being contaminated by contaminants and microorganisms from the shed air, extending storage life for untreated raw milk.

Milking clusters for a miling installation have four teat cups, each teat cup having a cup housing and a teat cup liner with a top region and a suction region. A connection for a milk tube is arranged at the cup bottom or at the end of the suction region of the teat cup liner. A mouth portion of a sterile air pressure line is arranged in the top region of the teat cup liner, through which pressure line sterile air is introduced at a volumetric flow rate greater than a fluid aspiration volumetric flow rate at the milk tube, such that a sterile air blanket is established in the top region of the teat cup liner. The milking clusters with the cup liner and sterile air blanket prevent milked milk from being contaminated by contaminants and microorganisms from the shed air, extending storage life for untreated raw milk.