A method for operating a valve, comprises directing fluid flow through a housing of the valve, wherein the fluid flows into the housing through a housing inlet and flows out of the housing through a housing outlet. The method continues by directing a first electric current into a solenoid coupled to the housing to generate a first magnetic field, wherein the first magnetic field exerts a force upon a plunger positioned inside the housing and causes the plunger to magnetically connect to a magnet. The method continues by directing a second electrical current into the solenoid to generate a second magnetic field, wherein the second magnetic field exerts a force upon the plunger causing the plunger to disconnect from the magnet and engage with the housing outlet. Fluid flows into the inlet through a milking hose, and fluid flows out of the outlet into a milking pipeline.

A method for operating a valve, comprises directing fluid flow through a housing of the valve, wherein the fluid flows into the housing through a housing inlet and flows out of the housing through a housing outlet. The method continues by directing a first electric current into a solenoid coupled to the housing to generate a first magnetic field, wherein the first magnetic field exerts a force upon a plunger positioned inside the housing and causes the plunger to magnetically connect to a magnet. The method continues by directing a second electrical current into the solenoid to generate a second magnetic field, wherein the second magnetic field exerts a force upon the plunger causing the plunger to disconnect from the magnet and engage with the housing outlet. Fluid flows into the inlet through a milking hose, and fluid flows out of the outlet into a milking pipeline.

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.

A milk meter operably coupled to a controller, the milk meter comprising an inlet, an outlet, an inner column coupled to an opening of the outlet. The milk meter further comprises a conductivity sensor comprising a first conductive strip positioned at a first portion of the milk meter and a second conductive strip positioned substantially parallel to the first conductive strip wherein the conductivity sensor measures a change in resistance between the first and second conductive strips as fluid collects inside the milk meter before the fluid exits the milk meter through the outlet opening. The controller is operable to receive data about the fluid from the conductivity sensor and calculate a total quantity of fluid flow through the milk meter over a period of time.

A milk meter operably coupled to a controller, the milk meter comprising an inlet, an outlet, an inner column coupled to an opening of the outlet. The milk meter further comprises a conductivity sensor comprising a first conductive strip positioned at a first portion of the milk meter and a second conductive strip positioned substantially parallel to the first conductive strip wherein the conductivity sensor measures a change in resistance between the first and second conductive strips as fluid collects inside the milk meter before the fluid exits the milk meter through the outlet opening. The controller is operable to receive data about the fluid from the conductivity sensor and calculate a total quantity of fluid flow through the milk meter over a period of time.

The present disclosure provides a method of milking a mammal which includes, applying a vacuum to the lower end of a milking cup liner; and modulating the pressure in the pulsation volume to cause a milking operation on a teat of an animal that is inserted into the top end of the bore. The modulation includes an on phase in which the vacuum applied to the liner bore is less than a vacuum applied to the pulsation volume to thereby enable milk flow from the teat, and an off phase in which the pulsation volume is at an increased pressure relative to the on phase to close the liner bore to thereby stop milk flow from the teat. The modulation includes applying positive pressure to the pulsation volume to apply compressive load to the teat.

The present disclosure provides a method of milking a mammal which includes, applying a vacuum to the lower end of a milking cup liner; and modulating the pressure in the pulsation volume to cause a milking operation on a teat of an animal that is inserted into the top end of the bore. The modulation includes an on phase in which the vacuum applied to the liner bore is less than a vacuum applied to the pulsation volume to thereby enable milk flow from the teat, and an off phase in which the pulsation volume is at an increased pressure relative to the on phase to close the liner bore to thereby stop milk flow from the teat. The modulation includes applying positive pressure to the pulsation volume to apply compressive load to the teat.

An apparatus includes a tube, first and second pairs of electrodes, a reference device, and a processor. The processor determines a speed of a fluid traveling between the first and second pairs of electrodes and determines a reference conductance of the fluid using the reference device. The processor also determines a measured conductance of the fluid using at least one of the first and second pairs of electrodes and determines, based on the reference conductance and the measured conductance, a cross-sectional area of the fluid at an electrode. The processor further adds a correction factor to the determined speed to produce a bulk speed of the fluid. The processor further determines a volumetric flow rate of the fluid based on the bulk speed and the determined area and determines a volume of the fluid based on the determined volumetric flow rate.

Milk meter (10) for milking plants comprising an upper collecting chamber (30) delimited at the top by a covering membrane (33), a first discharge opening (22) connectable to a milk passage manifold of a milking plant, said first discharge opening (22) being adapted to put in communication the milk passage manifold with the upper collecting chamber (30), a lower measuring chamber (40) connected to the upper collecting chamber (30) and communicating with it by means of a second discharge opening (32), a shutter (31) comprising a central portion (36), adapted to open and/or close the second discharge opening (32), and an upper portion (37) connected to the central portion (36) and associated with the covering membrane (33), wherein the central portion (36) of the shutter (31) comprises a chimney (51) to discharge upwards, that is towards the upper collecting chamber (30) and towards the first discharge opening (22), the air rising from the lower measuring chamber (40) when the latter chamber becomes filled with milk.