This invention provides a thermal energy battery having an insulated tank containing a multitude of densely packed plastic tubes filled with a phase-change material (PCM, such as ice) that changes from solid to liquid and vice-versa. Energy is stored when the PCM transitions from liquid to solid form, and released when the PCM transitions back from solid to liquid form. The tubes are arranged vertically, span the height of a well-insulated tank, and are immersed in heat transfer fluid (HTF) contained within the tank. The HTF is an aqueous solution with a freezing point temperature below the freezing point temperature of the chosen PCM. The HTF remains in liquid form at all times during the operation of the battery. Diffusers located allow the HTF to be extracted uniformly from the tank, pumped and cooled by a liquid chiller situated outside the tank and then and inserted back into the tank.

Cooling assemblies having a sealable cooling chamber formed as the interior volume of a curved or spherical outer container and a sealable inner canister are disclosed. The outer container may be provided as a multi-layer container having an external elastomeric shell. The external elastomeric shell may have an inner framework including a plurality of longitudinal ribs and a reinforcing wall. A movable flap adjustable between a projecting condition in which the flap extends from the exterior surface of the outer container and a closed position in which the flap doesn't project may be provided for supporting the cooling assembly in a stationary condition and the flap may be used as a handle for opening a lid.

Cooling assemblies having a sealable cooling chamber formed as the interior volume of a curved or spherical outer container and a sealable inner canister are disclosed. The outer container may be provided as a multi-layer container having an external elastomeric shell. The external elastomeric shell may have an inner framework including a plurality of longitudinal ribs and a reinforcing wall. A movable flap adjustable between a projecting condition in which the flap extends from the exterior surface of the outer container and a closed position in which the flap doesn't project may be provided for supporting the cooling assembly in a stationary condition and the flap may be used as a handle for opening a lid.

A bulk fluid monitoring system and method for monitoring milk is provided, including a plurality of sensors for providing information in relation to properties of a bulk fluid, a memory for holding data parameters including information provided by the sensors and a predetermined time-and-temperature curve for a fluid, a processor for determining whether the information in relation to properties of the bulk fluid is within the bounds of the time and temperature curve for a fluid.

A bulk fluid monitoring system and method for monitoring milk is provided, including a plurality of sensors for providing information in relation to properties of a bulk fluid, a memory for holding data parameters including information provided by the sensors and a predetermined time-and-temperature curve for a fluid, a processor for determining whether the information in relation to properties of the bulk fluid is within the bounds of the time and temperature curve for a fluid.

This invention provides a thermal energy battery having an insulated tank contains a multitude of densely packed plastic tubes filled with a phase-change material (PCM, such as ice) that changes from solid to liquid and vice-versa. Energy is stored when the PCM transitions from liquid to solid form, and released when the PCM transitions back from solid to liquid form. The tubes are arranged vertically, span the height of a well-insulated tank, and are immersed in heat transfer fluid (HTF) contained within the tank. The HTF is an aqueous solution with a freezing point temperature below the freezing point temperature of the chosen PCM. The HTF remains in liquid form at all times during the operation of the battery. Diffusers located allow the HTF to be extracted uniformly from the tank, pumped and cooled by a liquid chiller situated outside the tank and then and inserted back into the tank.

A system for storing and cooling milk includes a cooling tank to store milk, a first sensor monitoring the filling level of milk in the cooling tank, and a cooling system cooling the milk in the cooling tank including a cooling device, a second sensor, and a control device. The cooling device includes an evaporator, a varying-capacity modulated scroll compressor connected with its suction side to the evaporator, a condenser connected to the high pressure side of the compressor, and an expansion valve interconnected between the condenser and the evaporator. The second sensor monitors a parameter indicative of the pressure at the suction side of the compressor. The control device is operatively connected to the first sensor to receive the monitored filling level, the second sensor to receive the monitored parameter, and the compressor to control the capacity thereof in response to the monitored filling level and the monitored parameter.

A system for storing and cooling milk includes a cooling tank to store milk, a first sensor monitoring the filling level of milk in the cooling tank, and a cooling system cooling the milk in the cooling tank including a cooling device, a second sensor, and a control device. The cooling device includes an evaporator, a varying-capacity modulated scroll compressor connected with its suction side to the evaporator, a condenser connected to the high pressure side of the compressor, and an expansion valve interconnected between the condenser and the evaporator. The second sensor monitors a parameter indicative of the pressure at the suction side of the compressor. The control device is operatively connected to the first sensor to receive the monitored filling level, the second sensor to receive the monitored parameter, and the compressor to control the capacity thereof in response to the monitored filling level and the monitored parameter.

The disclosure concerns a milking installation including milking positions configured to milk one animal at a time, a first common milk line connected to a first milk receiver, a second common milk line connected to a second milk receiver, a control arrangement, and at least one robot arm. Each milking position includes at least one teat cup and a flow directing arrangement, the flow directing arrangement including an inlet arrangement connected to the teat cup, a first outlet arrangement connected to the first milk line, and a second outlet arrangement connected to the second milk line. The control arrangement is configured to control the flow directing arrangement to fluidly connect the teat cup via the inlet arrangement with either the first outlet arrangement or the second outlet arrangement.

The disclosure concerns a milking installation including milking positions configured to milk one animal at a time, a first common milk line connected to a first milk receiver, a second common milk line connected to a second milk receiver, a control arrangement, and at least one robot arm. Each milking position includes at least one teat cup and a flow directing arrangement, the flow directing arrangement including an inlet arrangement connected to the teat cup, a first outlet arrangement connected to the first milk line, and a second outlet arrangement connected to the second milk line. The control arrangement is configured to control the flow directing arrangement to fluidly connect the teat cup via the inlet arrangement with either the first outlet arrangement or the second outlet arrangement.