Milking Line Pressure Monitoring for Cleaning Liquid Slug Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring the cleaning process in milking installations are inadequate, particularly in ensuring the effective passage and dispersion of cleaning liquid through the system, which can lead to inferior cleaning results due to factors like air leakage or faulty connections.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing pressure sensor arrangements at each milking point to monitor pressure levels, allowing the central controller to evaluate the progress of cleaning liquid slugs through the common milk line, identify potential dispersion points, and issue notification signals for improved cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors and conductivity sensors are used to monitor cleaning liquids at each milking point, then the temperature and cleanliness can be monitored, but the system complexity increases and cannot effectively detect cleaning liquid dispersion issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from complex multi-parameter sensors (temperature, conductivity) and focuses solely on pressure-based monitoring. By removing unnecessary sensing capabilities and retaining only the essential pressure detection function, the system achieves effective cleaning liquid dispersion detection while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic sensor systems (temperature sensors, conductivity sensors) with a mechanical pressure-based detection system. This substitution simplifies the monitoring approach by using pressure differential measurements instead of complex electronic sensing, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining monitoring effectiveness.
2Reliability
If pressure sensors are installed at each milking point to monitor cleaning liquid progress, then real-time detection of cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring function by installing pressure sensors at specific strategic locations (milking points) rather than throughout the entire system. This segmentation allows localized detection of cleaning liquid progress at critical points, achieving reliable monitoring without requiring comprehensive system-wide sensor coverage, thus balancing reliability with reduced complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pressure sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly detect cleaning liquid presence and progress through pressure differential measurements. Instead of directly observing cleaning liquid properties, the system uses pressure changes as an intermediary indicator, simplifying the monitoring mechanism while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If cleaning liquid is circulated through the milking installation without monitoring, then the cleaning process is simple, but cleaning effectiveness cannot be verified leading to inferior cleaning results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where pressure sensor data is continuously monitored and evaluated by a control unit. This feedback loop provides real-time information about cleaning liquid progress and effectiveness, allowing operators to verify cleaning quality and make adjustments if necessary, thereby ensuring reliable cleaning results while maintaining efficient processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system operates autonomously using the existing cleaning liquid flow and pressure conditions. The pressure sensors automatically detect cleaning liquid progress without requiring additional active components or external intervention, allowing the system to self-monitor and self-evaluate cleaning effectiveness, thus maintaining productivity while improving reliability.
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
Provides real-time monitoring and notification of cleaning liquid progress, enabling operators to locate and address issues, ensuring thorough cleaning of the milking installation and maintaining operational availability.
Implementation Method 1
Each milking point of the number, n, of milking points comprises a pressure sensor arrangement configured to measure values of pressure levels, which pressure levels are indicative of pressure levels at least within a portion of the milking point and at the connecting position of the milking point
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure concerns a system (1) for monitoring a cleaning process in a milking installation (2). A central controller (3) obtains from a pressure sensor arrangement (36) at each milking point (10) of the installation (2) an identity indicator indicative, a series of measured values of pressure levels indicative of pressure levels, and temporal indicators. The central controller (3) is configured: —for each pressure sensor arrangement (36) to store in a database (5), —to evaluate the series of measured values of pressure levels to determine a progress of a slug of cleaning liquid along a common milk line (4), and—to issue a notification signal related to the progress of the slug of cleaning liquid along the common milk line (4).