Helical Balcony Milk Separator Reduces Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current milk separation devices in automatic milking systems face challenges with milk foam formation, leading to increased volume and potential milk losses, especially in compact designs, which also result in hygiene and maintenance issues due to foam being sucked into vacuum supplies and the formation of free fatty acids from turbulence.
Innovation Solution
A milk separation device with a helically ascending balcony portion that reduces foam formation by utilizing centrifugal force to press milk outward, slowing down the flow and preventing turbulence, combined with a tangential inlet connection and a level sensor for controlled discharge, allowing for a compact design that maintains throughput and reduces foam entry into vacuum systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the separation vessel is designed to be compact, then the device size is reduced, but milk foam increases in volume and is sucked up via the overflow protection unit causing milk losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a helical balcony portion with curved surfaces that guide milk flow smoothly through the separation vessel. The helical shape creates a gradual, curved path that reduces turbulence and foam formation while maintaining a compact vessel design, resolving the contradiction between compact size and milk loss prevention
2Volume of moving object
If the separation vessel is designed to be compact, then space is reduced, but foam formation increases to such an extent that it is sucked up via the overflow protection unit
Solution Approach 1:
The helical balcony portion uses curved surfaces to guide milk flow in a smooth, continuous path. This curvature reduces turbulence and prevents foam formation while maintaining a compact design, addressing the contradiction between space reduction and foam generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of compact design (increased foam formation) into a benefit by using the helical balcony structure that actively reduces foam through controlled flow guidance, turning the space constraint into an opportunity for optimized flow dynamics
3Productivity
If high throughput rates are demanded, then productivity increases, but turbulence increases leading to free fatty acid formation
Solution Approach 1:
The helical balcony portion creates smooth, curved flow paths that maintain laminar flow conditions even at high throughput rates. The continuous curved surface guides milk without creating turbulence, preventing free fatty acid formation while enabling high productivity
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the balcony portion ascends at a pitch angle in opposition to gravity, then foam formation is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flow guidance function and the foam reduction function into a single integrated helical balcony structure. The ascending helical shape simultaneously guides milk flow and reduces foam formation, achieving multiple benefits without proportionally increasing structural complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly reduces milk foam formation and associated losses, maintains efficient milk throughput, minimizes turbulence, and prevents free fatty acid formation, thereby reducing maintenance and hygiene issues while allowing for a more compact and effective milk separation process.
Implementation Method 1
As the balcony portion ascends and the milk flows further in opposition to gravity, the flow speed of the milk is reduced. As a result, energy for possible formation of milk foam is removed from said milk
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a milk separation device of a milking system for milking, in particular automated milking, of milk-producing animals. The milk separation device comprises a body, which has an inlet connection and an outlet connection, and a cover, which has a connection to a vacuum line. The body has an inwardly protruding balcony segment on an inner periphery, wherein the balcony segment forms a ramp helically in the peripheral direction so as to rise at a pitch angle with respect to the gravitational force of the earth.