Pin-Shaped and Annular Electrodes for Milk Flow Conductance Measurement

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for measuring milk streams face challenges in accurately determining milk flow due to foaming fluids, which complicate conductance measurements, and are costly to construct and evaluate.

Innovation Solution

A device with a channel containing at least two electrically conducting elements, including a pin-shaped and annular element, arranged to minimize turbulence and pressure losses, allowing for continuous measurement of milk flow and detection of teat cup or milking machine disconnection, with a simple design that achieves high measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a reference measuring section with multiple electrodes is provided to measure specific density at different height levels, then measurement accuracy for foaming fluids is improved, but device complexity and construction cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex reference measuring section design. Instead of using multiple electrodes at different height levels with reference sections, the invention uses a single measuring section with two electrodes that directly measures the milk stream conductance, eliminating the need for complex reference measurements and multiple electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the measurement approach by measuring the conductance of the milk stream directly through two simple electrodes rather than measuring reference values and calculating ratios. This inversion simplifies the measurement principle from complex multi-point reference measurements to a direct two-electrode conductance measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If a reference measuring section with multiple electrodes is provided to measure specific density at different height levels, then measurement accuracy for foaming fluids is improved, but construction cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex reference measuring section design. Instead of using multiple electrodes at different height levels with reference sections, the invention uses a single measuring section with two electrodes that directly measures the milk stream conductance, eliminating the need for complex reference measurements and multiple electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, complex reference measuring sections with multiple electrodes with a simple, inexpensive two-electrode conductance measurement system. This substitution dramatically reduces construction costs while maintaining measurement capability for milk stream monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If two electrodes are arranged in a channel for threshold value testing, then the milking process control is achieved, but measurement reliability is reduced due to foaming fluid interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilking process controlVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from threshold value testing based on complex reference measurements to direct conductance measurement. By measuring the electrical conductance of the milk stream directly through two electrodes, the system achieves reliable measurements that are not affected by foaming, as conductance measurement responds to the liquid phase presence rather than being confounded by foam structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The device provides reliable evaluation of milk flow with high accuracy, reduces construction and evaluation costs, and can detect sudden changes in milk stream, such as teat cup or milking machine disconnection, ensuring efficient operation and animal health monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

two electrically conducting elements are provided within the channel... At least one element has an essentially annular form. Furthermore, at least one element has a pin-shaped form

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductance: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS7900581B2Device for the measurement of a milk stream

Publication Date: 2011.03.08 GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

AI summary

In order to measure a milk flow, a device is proposed that has a channel that has an inlet and an outlet. At least two electrically conducting element are provided in the channel that are arranged at a distance from one another. At least one element has an essentially annular form. Furthermore, at least one element has an essentially pin-shaped form. With the aid of this design according to the invention of a device for the measurement of a milk stream, a relatively simple construction is achieved, which has a relatively high measuring accuracy.