Vacuum supply source

Abstract

A vacuum supply source (100) includes: a first vacuum pump (110) configured to provide a vacuum pressure at a first maximum vacuum level (Pj); a second vacuum pump (120) configured to provide a vacuum pressure at a second maximum vacuum level (P2); wherein the first vacuum pump (110) has a larger capacity than the second vacuum pump (120); a flow limiter valve (140) disposed between the vacuum pumps (110, 120); a vacuum conduit (130) connected to the vacuum pumps (110, 120); and a controller (150) configured to: receive a request for a desired vacuum level (PR); determine the required pump speed of the first vacuum pump and / or the second vacuum pump (110, 120) to provide a vacuum pressure at the desired vacuum level (PR); and adjust the pump speed of the first vacuum pump and / or the second vacuum pump (110, 120) via a control signal according to the determined required pump speed.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a vacuum supply source according to claim 1.

[0002] In dairy farms, milk is typically extracted from animals by attaching padded milking cups to each of their teats and applying a milking vacuum below the tips of the teats in addition to a pulsating vacuum. This mimics the rhythmic sucking of calves, where the sucking of the milking vacuum is interrupted by the rhythmic movement (opening and closing) of the pads caused by the pulsating vacuum.

[0003] A recently developed efficient milk extraction method is called Flow-Responsive from DeLaval. TM Milking. This method involves accelerating milk extraction by applying a flow-regulated vacuum. More precisely, when the animal's milk flow rate is high (i.e., at peak milk flow exceeding a specific milk flow rate threshold), the milking vacuum can be further increased without negatively impacting teat health and animal welfare. Therefore, it may be desirable to increase the system vacuum level used for the milking system (e.g., a fixed milking chamber, a rotary milking chamber, or several automated milking machines) by a few kPa, for example, to -55 kPa. The system vacuum level is maintained at such a constant (high) level, while the milking vacuum at a specific milking point for an individual animal can be adjusted according to the milk flow rate from the animal.

[0004] One problem with dairy farms using relatively large vacuum pumps (which have relatively high capacity and, for example, take the form of a cam vacuum pump, designed to generate more conventional system vacuum levels) is that the larger vacuum pumps have a vacuum limit lower than (e.g., a limit of -50 kPa) the vacuum level required to achieve the aforementioned faster milk extraction. As this limit approaches, the efficiency of the larger (cam) vacuum pump decreases rapidly, and it can also wear out quickly if the farmer chooses to force the pump to operate at or even above its designed vacuum limit for extended periods.

[0005] Another problem with dairy farms equipped with relatively large vacuum pumps of relatively high capacity is that adapting their operation to varying capacity demands from the milking system is quite difficult. These varying capacity demands depend, for example, on changing airflow patterns that occur during milking operations. Many vacuum pumps include the possibility of speed regulation, but larger vacuum pumps are relatively slow in responding to such varying capacity demands due to their higher inertia. Therefore, instead of adapting the pump's speed to varying capacity demands, a common practice is to operate (open / close) a vacuum regulating valve to allow air into the vacuum system when the system vacuum level increases (due to lower capacity demands from the milking system) and to shut off the air supply when the system vacuum level decreases (due to higher capacity demands from the milking system) to maintain the system vacuum level. However, with the vacuum regulating valve allowing air into the vacuum system, the larger vacuum pump is thus operating at a higher speed than required under low-demand conditions, which is not an energy-efficient way to maintain the vacuum level.

[0006] Therefore, for those who support Flow-Responsive TM For dairy farms, it would be beneficial to allow the upgrading or replacement of existing vacuum pump setups with new, enhanced vacuum pump setups, enabling the achievement of higher system vacuum levels. Additionally, it would be advantageous to provide enhanced performance by adjusting system vacuum levels in a more energy-efficient manner.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum supply source that solves the above-mentioned problems by providing an enhanced vacuum pump setup concept for providing a desired vacuum level to a milking system.

[0008] This objective is achieved by a vacuum supply source for providing vacuum pressure to a milking system according to claim 1. The vacuum supply source of the present invention aims to provide a vacuum pressure at a desired vacuum level to the milking system by adjusting the pumping speed of at least one of the vacuum pumps in the vacuum supply source.

[0009] The vacuum supply source includes a first vacuum pump configured to provide the milking system with a maximum vacuum pressure at a first maximum vacuum level. The vacuum supply source also includes a second vacuum pump configured to provide the milking system with a maximum vacuum pressure at a second maximum vacuum level. The first vacuum pump thus has a larger capacity than the second vacuum pump. Furthermore, the first maximum vacuum level is therefore equal to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, which is less than the second maximum vacuum level.

[0010] The vacuum supply source also includes a flow limiter valve disposed between the first vacuum pump and the second vacuum pump. Additionally, the vacuum supply source includes a vacuum conduit connected to the first and second vacuum pumps, configured to supply the milking system with the vacuum pressure generated by the first and / or second vacuum pumps. The first and second vacuum pumps may be connected in parallel to the vacuum conduit, with the flow limiter valve disposed between them.

[0011] Furthermore, the vacuum supply source also includes at least one controller communicatively connected to the first and second vacuum pumps. This at least one controller is configured to receive a request for a desired vacuum level to be supplied to the milking system. The at least one controller is also configured to monitor the vacuum level and determine the required pump speed of the first and / or second vacuum pumps to provide a vacuum pressure at the desired vacuum level. The at least one controller is thus configured to adjust the pump speed of the first and / or second vacuum pumps via a control signal according to the determined, respectively required pump speeds, thereby providing a vacuum pressure at the desired vacuum level to the milking system. Vacuum level monitoring is achieved by providing at least one vacuum sensor on the vacuum conduit in a known manner, wherein the vacuum sensor is connected to the at least one controller, which is configured to determine the required pump speed to achieve the desired vacuum level.

[0012] In this way, by providing a second vacuum pump and other features of the vacuum supply source, it becomes possible to upgrade or modify an existing vacuum system to achieve a flow-responsive system with a higher vacuum level by adding a high vacuum zone with a second vacuum pump to the existing facility. TM Milking. This is achieved through a flow restrictor valve arranged such that the first and second vacuum pumps operate in the low-vacuum and high-vacuum regions, respectively. In other words, the first (larger) vacuum pump, designed for a larger capacity but lower vacuum limit, operates within its intended operating range, while the second (smaller) vacuum pump, designed for a lower capacity but higher vacuum limit, operates in the higher vacuum region to provide a higher system vacuum level. Furthermore, due to its relatively low inertia, the vacuum supply source also allows for relatively quick speed regulation of the second pump in response to changing capacity demands.

[0013] In one embodiment, a second vacuum pump of the vacuum supply source is connected to the vacuum conduit via a branch conduit at a connection point closer to the milking system than the connection point of the first vacuum pump. In other words, the first and second vacuum pumps are arranged in parallel, such that the second vacuum pump is connected to the vacuum conduit via a branch conduit at a location closer to the milking system than the connection point of the first vacuum pump.

[0014] In another embodiment, the at least one controller of the vacuum supply source is configured to maintain the level of vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system at the desired vacuum level by adjusting the pumping speeds of the first and second vacuum pumps when the desired vacuum level is higher than a first maximum vacuum level. Both the first and second vacuum pumps are speed-regulated in such a way that they maintain low and high vacuum levels respectively in their low and high vacuum zones, wherein the high vacuum zone supplies the milking system with a (higher) desired vacuum level (for flow-responsive systems). TM (Milking). The vacuum level monitoring of the at least one controller can thus be achieved by arranging a first vacuum sensor in the low vacuum region and a second vacuum sensor in the high vacuum region.

[0015] In another embodiment, the at least one controller is configured to maintain the vacuum pressure level supplied to the milking system at a desired vacuum level by maintaining the pumping speed of the first vacuum pump at a constant level while adjusting the pumping speed of the second vacuum pump, thereby adapting the pumping speed of the second pump to the varying capacity demands from the milking system. The first (larger) vacuum pump thus provides a more or less constant basic capacity to the milking system, while the speed of the second (smaller) vacuum pump is adjusted to handle the varying capacity demands from the milking system. In this way, the desired vacuum level can be maintained in an energy-efficient manner by controlling only the speed of the second (smaller) vacuum pump, which has relatively lower inertia compared to the first (larger) vacuum pump. The vacuum system may still include a vacuum regulating valve to ensure that the vacuum level does not exceed a specific threshold at or above the desired vacuum level. However, due to the rapid adjustment of the second vacuum pump, the vacuum regulating valve will not be actuated frequently or often to allow air into the vacuum system.

[0016] Therefore, when the monitored vacuum level supplied to the milking system decreases, the pump speed of the second vacuum pump increases. Thus, the vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system can be maintained or adjusted by regulating the pump speed of the second vacuum pump, which requires less energy than, for example, using a larger, high-capacity vacuum pump in conjunction with a vacuum regulating valve.

[0017] In another embodiment, the vacuum supply source includes an automatic control valve communicatively connected to a controller, wherein the automatic control valve is configured to regulate the vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system. The controller is thus configured to monitor the level of vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system and maintain it at a desired vacuum level by regulating the automatic control valve while simultaneously maintaining the pump speed of the first vacuum pump at a first constant level and the pump speed of the second vacuum pump at a second constant level. In this way, the automatic control valve advantageously operates in conjunction with the controller of the vacuum pumps to achieve stable vacuum regulation. Under certain operating conditions, such as when the vacuum / capacity demand from the milking system is low, and the second vacuum pump is operating at its minimum possible speed and the monitored vacuum level still exceeds the desired vacuum level, the automatic control valve can be opened to allow air into the vacuum conduit. The automatic control valve can be a modulating valve or a proportional valve to open / close proportionally, thereby allowing varying amounts of air to be used for regulating the vacuum level. This embodiment is advantageous for configurations with independent mechanical vacuum regulating valves, which can lead to unstable regulation where the pump controller conflicts with the independent mechanical vacuum regulating valve. Conversely, an automatic control valve (preferably an electric valve) controlled by the same controller as the vacuum pump will achieve more stable and energy-efficient vacuum regulation based on input from a vacuum sensor connected to the vacuum conduit. Mechanical vacuum regulating valves are also more sensitive to changes in ambient pressure / temperature, which may necessitate frequent manual adjustments.

[0018] This arrangement allows for real-time control of the automatic control valves, and consequently, real-time control of the vacuum pressure in the vacuum conduits leading to the milking system.

[0019] In one implementation, the controller is configured to adjust the automatic control valve when the pump speed or desired vacuum level is below a predetermined threshold level. In this way, the automatic control valve is activated only under specific operating conditions, such as when the second pump is operating at a minimum speed or the desired vacuum level is set below a specific threshold level, which may require the second pump to operate at such a minimum speed or to be shut down.

[0020] In another embodiment, the first vacuum pump includes a cam vacuum pump, and the second vacuum pump includes a vane vacuum pump.

[0021] Optionally or alternatively, the first vacuum pump may include a cam vacuum pump, and the second vacuum pump may include a claw vacuum pump.

[0022] In one embodiment of the vacuum supply source, the first maximum vacuum level is in the range of -45 kPa to -50 kPa below atmospheric pressure, or more specifically, about -50 kPa below atmospheric pressure, and the second maximum vacuum level is in the range of at least 5 kPa to 10 kPa lower than the first maximum vacuum level below atmospheric pressure. Of course, the second maximum vacuum level of the second vacuum pump can be significantly higher than the first maximum vacuum level of the first vacuum pump. Therefore, the second vacuum pump can, for example, be designed to have a second maximum vacuum level in the range of -70 kPa to -80 kPa, while the first vacuum pump is designed to have the first maximum vacuum level of said -50 kPa.

[0023] Other advantages and additional novel features will become apparent in the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 An implementation scheme for a vacuum supply source in an agricultural environment including a milking system is shown.

[0026] Figure 2A The vacuum pressure level supplied to the milking system according to one embodiment is shown.

[0027] Figure 2B The vacuum pressure level supplied to the milking system according to one embodiment is shown.

[0028] Figure 3 The vacuum pressure capacity of a vacuum supply source according to one embodiment is conceptually illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as vacuum supply sources, which can be put into practice in the embodiments described below. However, these embodiments can be illustrated and implemented in many different forms and are not limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these illustrative examples of embodiments are provided to make this disclosure thorough and complete.

[0030] Other objects and features may become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the embodiments disclosed herein, for which reference may be made to the appended claims. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are merely for conceptual illustration of the structures and procedures described herein.

[0031] Figure 1An embodiment of a vacuum supply source 100 in a dairy farm environment is schematically illustrated. The vacuum supply source 100 includes a first vacuum pump 110 and a second vacuum pump 120. The first vacuum pump 110 is a main pump providing basic capacity, and the additional second vacuum pump 120 serves as a higher vacuum generator.

[0032] The vacuum supply source 100 can be divided into two distinct zones 111 and 121: a low vacuum zone 111, in which a first vacuum pump 110 is designed to provide a maximum vacuum pressure at a first maximum vacuum level P1; and a high vacuum zone 121, in which a second vacuum pump 120 is designed to provide a maximum vacuum pressure at a second maximum vacuum level P2. The first maximum vacuum level P1 can be, for example, in the range of -45 kPa to -50 kPa below atmospheric pressure. In this embodiment, the first maximum vacuum pressure of the first vacuum pump is below atmospheric pressure -50 kPa. The second maximum vacuum level P2 of the second vacuum pump 120 can be designed to be at least 5 kPa to 10 kPa lower than the first maximum vacuum level P1 below atmospheric pressure. Therefore, depending on the first maximum vacuum level P1, the second maximum vacuum level P2 can be in the range of at least -50 kPa to -60 kPa below atmospheric pressure. In this embodiment, the second vacuum pump 120 is designed to provide a significantly higher second maximum vacuum pressure P2 at approximately -80 kPa.

[0033] The system vacuum pressure used in the milking system remains essentially constant over time during the milking process.

[0034] The terms “vacuum pressure,” “fluid pressure,” “milking vacuum,” and / or “system vacuum pressure” used in this article refer to negative pressure / lower pressure compared to ambient atmospheric pressure, respectively. Therefore, a vacuum pressure level of -10 kPa means a vacuum pressure level that is 10 kPa lower than ambient atmospheric pressure.

[0035] The first vacuum pump 110 has a larger capacity than the second vacuum pump 120. Therefore, at a given vacuum pressure level, the first vacuum pump discharges more liters of air per minute than the second vacuum pump. However, the first maximum vacuum level P1 of the first vacuum pump 110 is equal to a pressure below atmospheric pressure that is smaller than the second maximum vacuum level P2 of the second vacuum pump 120.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first vacuum pump 110 is a cam vacuum pump, and the second vacuum pump 120 is a vane vacuum pump. However, in other embodiments, the first vacuum pump may be a cam vacuum pump, and the second vacuum pump may be a claw vacuum pump. In still other alternative embodiments, both the first and second vacuum pumps may be vane vacuum pumps or claw vacuum pumps.

[0037] In other embodiments, other pump configurations are also possible, wherein the first vacuum pump 110 has a larger capacity than the second vacuum pump 120, and the first maximum vacuum level P1 is equal to a pressure below atmospheric pressure that is smaller than the second maximum vacuum level P2.

[0038] The vacuum supply source 100 also includes a flow restrictor valve 140 disposed between the first vacuum pump 110 and the second vacuum pump 120. Furthermore, the vacuum supply source 100 includes a vacuum conduit 130 connected to the first vacuum pump 110 and the second vacuum pump 120. The first vacuum pump 110 and the second vacuum pump 120 are arranged in parallel with the vacuum conduit 130, while the flow restrictor valve 140 is disposed between them. The vacuum conduit 130 is configured to provide the milking system with the vacuum pressure generated by the first vacuum pump 110 and the second vacuum pump 120.

[0039] The opening / closing of the flow limiter valve 140 can be adjusted based on the vacuum pressure difference between the low vacuum zone 111 and the high vacuum zone 121 on the respective sides of the flow limiter valve 140. When the flow limiter valve 140 is fully open, the vacuum pressures in the low vacuum zone 111 and the high vacuum zone 121 will be equal.

[0040] The second vacuum pump 120 is connected to the vacuum conduit 130 via a branch conduit 160 at a connection point 125 of the milking system that is closer than the connection point 115 of the first vacuum pump 110.

[0041] The vacuum supply source 100 includes at least one controller 150 communicatively connected to the first vacuum pump 110 and the second vacuum pump 120. In some embodiments, a single controller 150 may be used to control both the first vacuum pump 110 and the second vacuum pump 120. In other embodiments, a separate controller 150 may be used to control the first vacuum pump 110 and the second vacuum pump 120 separately.

[0042] At least one controller 150 is configured to obtain the desired vacuum level P to be supplied to the milking system. R The request. When it is desired to apply a vacuum during Clean In-Place (CIP) of the milk line / milking equipment in the milking system, and / or to achieve a flow-response system including a relatively high vacuum level. TM When applying a vacuum in order to milk more quickly in the milking system, the desired vacuum level P is... R This can be set automatically by the controller or manually by the operator. Desired vacuum level P R It can also be obtained through, for example, the control logic of the milking system or the cleaning system of the milking system.

[0043] Additionally, at least one controller 150 is configured to monitor the vacuum level and determine the required pump speed of the first vacuum pump 110 and / or the second vacuum pump 120 in order to provide a vacuum at the desired level P. R The vacuum pressure. At least one controller 150 is also configured to adjust the pump speed of the first vacuum pump 110 and / or the second vacuum pump 120 via a control signal according to the determined, respectively required pump speed, and thereby provide the milking system with a vacuum pressure at the desired level P. R Vacuum pressure.

[0044] Vacuum supply source 100 includes a first vacuum pressure sensor 112 for measuring the vacuum level in a low vacuum region 111. Vacuum supply source 100 also includes a second vacuum pressure sensor 122 for measuring the vacuum level in a high vacuum region 121. The first vacuum pressure sensor 112 and the second vacuum pressure sensor 122 are communicatively connected, either wired or wirelessly, to at least one controller 150 of vacuum supply source 100. At least one controller 150 may continuously or at specific time intervals; or upon explicit request, measure the vacuum level in the low vacuum region 111 via the first vacuum pressure sensor 112 and measure the vacuum level in the high vacuum region 121 via the second vacuum pressure sensor 122.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, a first vacuum sensor 112 associated with the first vacuum pump 110 is located downstream of the flow limiter 140 and is used to regulate the vacuum level in the low vacuum region 111. A second vacuum sensor 122 associated with the second vacuum pump 120 is located upstream of the flow limiter 140 and is used to regulate the vacuum level in the high vacuum region 121.

[0046] Then, at least one controller 150 can monitor the corresponding vacuum level to compare it with the desired corresponding vacuum pressure in the low vacuum zone 111 and / or the high vacuum zone 121. Based on the result of the comparison, at least one controller 150 can then generate and send commands to increase or decrease the corresponding results of the first vacuum pump 110 (in the low vacuum zone 111) and / or the second vacuum pump 120 (in the high vacuum zone 121).

[0047] Thanks to the solution provided, existing facilities at dairy farms with a single vacuum pump can be easily upgraded to achieve higher vacuum milking by adding a high vacuum zone 121 with a second vacuum pump 120 to the existing facilities.

[0048] In some implementations, the desired vacuum level P of the milking system R Below the first maximum vacuum level P1, at least one controller 150 can be configured to monitor and maintain the level of vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system by operating the first vacuum pump 110. This situation occurs in... Figure 2AThe diagram schematically shows that at least one controller 150 operates only the first vacuum pump 110, while the second vacuum pump 120 is turned off.

[0049] However, when the desired vacuum level P of the milking system R When the first maximum vacuum level P1 is exceeded, at least one controller 150 is configured to maintain the level of vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system by adjusting the pumping speeds of the first vacuum pump 110 and the second vacuum pump 120, such as... Figure 2B It is shown schematically in the middle.

[0050] At least one controller 150 can be configured to monitor the level of vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system and maintain the level of vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system at a desired vacuum level P by maintaining the pumping speed of the first vacuum pump 110 at a constant level while adjusting the pumping speed of the second vacuum pump 120. R Thus, the pump speed of the second pump is adapted to the changing volume demand from the milking system. This situation occurs in... Figure 3 It is shown schematically in the diagram.

[0051] The vacuum supply source 100 may include an automatic control valve 170. In some embodiments, the automatic control valve 170 may be electronically operated. The automatic control valve 170 is configured to regulate the vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system.

[0052] The second vacuum pump 120 can be used in the system's variable capacity range. The first vacuum pump 110 can operate at a constant speed to provide basic capacity performance. The automatic control valve 170 can be activated only when there is a small capacity or vacuum requirement in the system, and the second vacuum pump 120 is operating at minimum speed. Compared to systems equipped with vacuum regulating valves for adjusting vacuum levels, significant energy savings are achieved by allowing air into the vacuum duct while operating the vacuum pump at a speed higher than required. Therefore, energy loss is minimized or at least reduced compared to opening such vacuum regulating valves in the vacuum system.

[0053] Furthermore, compared to conventional systems based on mechanical vacuum control valves, the vacuum supply source 100 is resistant to the effects of external factors such as ambient pressure and temperature.

[0054] At least one controller 150 can be configured to maintain the vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system at a desired vacuum level P by adjusting the automatic control valve 170 while maintaining the pumping speed of the first vacuum pump 110 at a first constant level and the pumping speed of the second vacuum pump 120 at a second constant level. R .

[0055] When the pumping speed of the second pump or the desired vacuum level P RWhen the level is below a predetermined threshold, at least one controller 150 may also be configured to regulate the automatic control valve 170.

[0056] The automatic control valve 170 can be configured to activate only when there is a small vacuum demand from the milking system and the second vacuum pump 120 is running at minimum speed.

[0057] At least one controller 150 is communicatively connected to the first vacuum sensor 112 and the second vacuum sensor 122, and can be configured to further control the flow limiter 140, which is in the form of an adjustable valve, for example, via a wireless connection based on radio or optical technology, or a wired connection implemented by cable or fiber optics. In this way, the vacuum difference between the high vacuum region and the low vacuum region can be adjusted by controlling the adjustable flow limiter valve 140.

[0058] At least one controller 150 may include one or more instances of processing circuitry / circuit systems, i.e., a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), an electronic control unit (ECU), or other processing logic capable of interpreting and executing instructions. Therefore, the expression "processing circuitry system" as used herein can refer to a processing circuitry system comprising multiple processing circuits, such as any, some, or all of the processing circuits listed above.

[0059] At least one controller 150 may also be configured to repeatedly acquire vacuum pressure level measurements from a first vacuum sensor and a second vacuum sensor during a milking session, and to generate a control signal based on the acquired vacuum level difference and provide the control signal to an adjustable flow limiter valve 140 to adjust the adjustable channel to achieve the desired vacuum level difference between the low vacuum zone and the high vacuum zone. The control signal may, for example, include an electrical control signal.

[0060] By adjusting the adjustable channel of the adjustable flow limiter valve 140, the vacuum pressure difference between the upstream and downstream positions of the flow limiter valve 140 is adjusted accordingly.

[0061] In some embodiments, at least one controller 150 may be configured to generate a control signal and provide the control signal to an adjustable flow limiter valve 140 to maintain the vacuum pressure downstream of the controllable valve arrangement 140 in the vacuum conduit within a suitable operating range of the first vacuum pump.

[0062] In different implementations, the direction and / or magnitude of adjustment of the adjustable channel, i.e., increasing or decreasing / closing the channel, can be determined by at least one controller 150 in several different ways. For example, at least one controller 150 can compare the obtained corresponding pressure level measurement with a desired vacuum pressure level; or alternatively, a desired vacuum pressure interval.

[0063] When the monitored pressure level measurement result is lower than (e.g., lower than atmospheric pressure -48 kPa) the expected vacuum pressure level P R (For example, below atmospheric pressure -50 kPa) at least one controller 150 can generate a control signal and provide the control signal to the second pump 120 to increase the speed so as to provide an increased vacuum level, i.e., a greater negative pressure, upstream of the flow limiter valve 140.

[0064] Alternatively, when the monitored pressure level measurement is higher than (e.g., lower than atmospheric pressure -52 kPa) the desired vacuum pressure level P R When (e.g., below atmospheric pressure -50 kPa), at least one controller 150 can generate a control signal and provide that control signal to the second pump 120 to reduce its speed, thereby providing a reduced vacuum level, i.e., a smaller negative pressure, upstream of the flow limiter valve 140. In this embodiment, the first vacuum pump 110 can operate at a constant speed, whereby the speed of the second pump 120 is adjusted to accommodate varying capacity demands from the milking system.

[0065] Therefore, the desired vacuum pressure level P can be maintained in the milking system. R The vacuum pressure level is essentially constant.

[0066] At least one controller 150 is generally configured to automatically perform the above-described process by executing a computer program. Therefore, according to some embodiments, at least one controller 150 may include a memory unit (i.e., a non-volatile data carrier) storing a computer program, which may in turn include software for causing the processing circuitry to perform the above-described actions when the computer program is run on at least one processor-type processing circuitry in at least one controller 150.

[0067] The vacuum supply source 100 and / or at least one controller 150 may also include or be communicatively connected to a database or data storage device, which in some embodiments is communicatively connected to at least one controller 150. Optional databases may be configured to store, for example, various desired vacuum pressure levels P. RRelevant data, such as the expected vacuum pressure level for milking and another expected vacuum pressure level for cleaning, or the expected vacuum pressure interval for milking, such as the expected vacuum pressure level for milking different groups of animals at different times of the day, etc.

[0068] Based on the disclosed concept, methods have been developed aimed at achieving efficient milk extraction by ensuring an energy-efficient and stable vacuum pressure level in the milking system.

[0069] The terminology used in the description of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the described vacuum supply source 100, milking system, at least one controller 150, and / or computer program. Various changes, substitutions, and / or modifications may be made without departing from the embodiments of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0070] exist Figures 1 to 3 The various illustrated embodiments described and / or discussed in the corresponding paragraphs of the specification can be advantageously combined with each other, for example, by mixing and compiling features of some or all of the described embodiments, thereby achieving additional advantages.

[0071] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the term “or” should be interpreted as mathematical OR, i.e., as inclusive disjunction; rather than as mathematical exclusive OR (XOR), unless otherwise expressly stated. Additionally, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” should be interpreted as “at least one,” and thus may also include multiple entities of the same kind, unless otherwise expressly stated. It will be further understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and “containing” specify the presence of the stated features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. A single unit, such as, for example, a processor, can perform the functions of several items recited in the claims. The fact that certain measures or features are recited in mutually different dependent claims, shown in different drawings, or discussed in conjunction with different embodiments does not mean that combinations of these measures or features cannot be advantageously used.

Claims

1. A vacuum supply source (100) for providing vacuum pressure to a milking system, wherein the vacuum supply source (100) comprises: A first vacuum pump (110) is configured to provide the milking system with a maximum vacuum pressure at a first maximum vacuum level (P1); A second vacuum pump (120) is configured to provide the milking system with a maximum vacuum pressure at a second maximum vacuum level (P2); The first vacuum pump (110) has a larger capacity than the second vacuum pump (120); and the first maximum vacuum level (P1) of the vacuum pressure is equal to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure than the second maximum vacuum level (P2); A flow limiter valve (140) is arranged between the first vacuum pump (110) and the second vacuum pump (120); A vacuum conduit (130) is connected to the first vacuum pump (110) and the second vacuum pump (120), and the vacuum conduit is configured to provide the milking system with a vacuum pressure generated by the first vacuum pump (110) and / or the second vacuum pump (120); At least one controller (150) communicatively connected to the first vacuum pump (110) and the second vacuum pump (120), wherein the at least one controller (150) is configured to: Obtain the desired vacuum level (P) to be supplied to the milking system. R The request; Monitor the vacuum level and determine the required pump speed of the first vacuum pump (110) and / or the second vacuum pump (120) in order to provide a vacuum at the desired vacuum level (P). R The vacuum pressure; and Based on the determined required pump speeds, the pump speeds of the first vacuum pump (110) and / or the second vacuum pump (120) are adjusted via control signals, thereby providing the milking system with a vacuum level (P) that is in the desired vacuum level. R Vacuum pressure; The second vacuum pump (120) is connected to the vacuum conduit (130) via a branch conduit (160) at a point closer to the connection point (125) of the milking system than the connection point (115) of the first vacuum pump (110).

2. The vacuum supply source (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one controller (150) is configured to, when the desired vacuum level (P) R When the vacuum level is higher than the first maximum vacuum level (P1), the level of the vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system is maintained at the desired vacuum level (P) by adjusting the pump speeds of the first vacuum pump (110) and the second vacuum pump (120). R ).

3. The vacuum supply source (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one controller (150) is configured to maintain the level of the vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system at the desired vacuum level (P) by maintaining the pumping speed of the first vacuum pump (110) at a constant level while adjusting the pumping speed of the second vacuum pump (120). R Thus, the pumping speed of the second vacuum pump is adapted to the changing capacity requirements of the milking system.

4. The vacuum supply source (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: An automatic control valve (170), communicatively connected to the at least one controller (150), wherein the automatic control valve (170) is configured to regulate the vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system; and The at least one controller (150) is configured to monitor the level of the vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system and maintain the level of the vacuum pressure supplied to the milking system at the desired vacuum level (P) by adjusting the automatic control valve (170), while maintaining the pumping speed of the first vacuum pump (110) at a first constant level and the pumping speed of the second vacuum pump (120) at a second constant level. R ).

5. The vacuum supply source (100) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one controller (150) is configured to operate at the pump speed or the desired vacuum level (P... R When the value is below a predetermined threshold level, the automatic control valve (170) is adjusted.

6. The vacuum supply source (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first vacuum pump (110) comprises a cam vacuum pump and the second vacuum pump (120) comprises a vane vacuum pump.

7. The vacuum supply source (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first vacuum pump (110) comprises a cam vacuum pump and the second vacuum pump (120) comprises a claw vacuum pump.

8. The vacuum supply source (100) according to claim 1, wherein both the first vacuum pump (110) and the second vacuum pump (120) comprise claw-type vacuum pumps.

9. The vacuum supply source (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first maximum vacuum level (P1) is in the range of -45 kPa to -50 kPa below atmospheric pressure, and wherein the second maximum vacuum level (P2) is in the range of at least 5 kPa to 10 kPa lower than the first maximum vacuum level (P1) below atmospheric pressure.

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