A milking control arrangement and milk extracting system, configured to obtain teat size data of at least one teat of an animal to be milked and to adjust a milking parameter of a milk extraction unit when milk is extracted from the teat based on the obtained teat size data of the teat.

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.

A valve apparatus comprises a housing, a solenoid operable to receive electrical current flow, and an enclosure, the enclosure housing the solenoid, a magnet coupled to the enclosure, a plunger comprising a stopper and a conductive portion, and a spring coupled to the plunger. When the solenoid receives a first current, the solenoid applies a first magnetic force onto the plunger causing the stopper to disengage from the housing outlet, the conductive portion of the plunger magnetically connects with the magnet, and the stopper remains disengaged from the housing outlet after the first period of time expires. When the conductive portion is magnetically connected to the magnet and the solenoid receives a second current, the solenoid applies a second magnetic force onto the plunger causing the conductive portion of the plunger to disconnect from the magnet so that the stopper engages with the housing outlet.

A fluid measurement device and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The fluid measurement device includes a conduit configured to transport a fluid, a conductivity sensor in the conduit, and a voltage sensor in the conduit and having first and second rings, probes, or plates. The conductivity sensor is configured to determine the conductivity of the fluid. The voltage sensor is configured to receive a first voltage on the first ring, probe, or plate and detect a capacitance or a second voltage on the second ring, probe, or plate. A value of the capacitance or second voltage corresponds to the amount of fluid in the voltage sensor. The total amount of fluid through the conduit may be determined from amount of fluid in the voltage sensor, the fluid flow rate, the fluid velocity, and the number of samples or the sampling rate.

A fluid measurement device and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The fluid measurement device includes a conduit configured to transport a fluid, a conductivity sensor in the conduit, and a voltage sensor in the conduit and having first and second rings, probes, or plates. The conductivity sensor is configured to determine the conductivity of the fluid. The voltage sensor is configured to receive a first voltage on the first ring, probe, or plate and detect a capacitance or a second voltage on the second ring, probe, or plate. A value of the capacitance or second voltage corresponds to the amount of fluid in the voltage sensor. The total amount of fluid through the conduit may be determined from amount of fluid in the voltage sensor, the fluid flow rate, the fluid velocity, and the number of samples or the sampling rate.

A milking system includes one or more milking devices and a control unit. The system is provided with a plurality of milking cups, a first milk jar for receiving the milking, a first pumping device for pumping the milking, a second milk jar for receiving the milking from the first milk jar, a second pumping device for pumping at least a part of the milking, and at least one storage tank for storing at least a part of the milking. The second pumping device pumps the milking at a lower flow rate than that at which the first pumping device pumps the milking. As a result, the milk is for the most part moved with low mechanical load and little admixture with air which improves milk quality. In the case of a plurality of milking devices in the milking system, various milkings can be moved and treated separately.

A milking system includes one or more milking devices and a control unit. The system is provided with a plurality of milking cups, a first milk jar for receiving the milking, a first pumping device for pumping the milking, a second milk jar for receiving the milking from the first milk jar, a second pumping device for pumping at least a part of the milking, and at least one storage tank for storing at least a part of the milking. The second pumping device pumps the milking at a lower flow rate than that at which the first pumping device pumps the milking. As a result, the milk is for the most part moved with low mechanical load and little admixture with air which improves milk quality. In the case of a plurality of milking devices in the milking system, various milkings can be moved and treated separately.

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.

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.