Pulsed Milk Sampling Apparatus for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current milk sampling methods are inefficient and prone to contamination, especially when dealing with unknown milking intervals, leading to inaccurate results and increased milking time, due to reliance on manual precision and sensitivity to pressure and vacuum fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A sampling apparatus with a pump and controller that operates in pulsed mode based on flow rate and total quantity estimates, allowing for representative milk sampling without external pressure dependence, enabling flexible adaptation to varying milk flow rates and preventing contamination by controlling sample subset conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual sampling methods are used, then sampling can be performed with simple equipment, but sampling precision and representativeness deteriorate due to manual errors and contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling operations with an automated pump-based system. The controller automatically controls the pump to convey milk samples through defined pathways, eliminating manual handling errors and contamination risks while maintaining equipment accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling system performs self-regulation through the controller which automatically adjusts pump operation based on predefined parameters. The system autonomously manages sample collection, conveyance, and storage without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby improving precision while keeping the interface simple.
2Productivity
If sampling is performed during milking with unknown interval lengths, then sampling can be conducted in real-time, but sampling reliability deteriorates due to pressure and vacuum fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pump as an intermediary device between the milk conveying line and the sample container. The pump actively draws milk samples independent of the natural pressure and vacuum fluctuations in the milking system, thereby maintaining sampling reliability during real-time operations with unknown interval lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts the pump operation timing and duration based on the actual milking progress and flow conditions. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to varying milk flow rates and pressure conditions, ensuring reliable sampling throughout the milking process regardless of interval length variations.
3Speed
If continuous pumping is used to collect milk samples, then sampling speed increases, but sample representativeness deteriorates due to fat globule segregation
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic or pulsed pump operation rather than continuous pumping. By introducing intermittent sampling intervals, the system allows time for fat globules to redistribute within the milk flow, maintaining composition homogeneity while still achieving efficient sample collection across the milking period.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling process is segmented into multiple discrete sample collections throughout the milking interval rather than one continuous collection. This segmentation ensures samples are taken from different phases of milk flow, capturing the varying composition dynamics and producing a more representative composite sample when properly mixed.
4Quantity of substance
If large sample quantities are collected, then sufficient material is available for comprehensive testing, but carry-over contamination between animals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system acts as an intermediary that precisely controls sample conveyance. By using the pump to transfer exactly the required sample quantity directly to sealed containers, the system minimizes residual milk in conduits and reduces carry-over contamination between animals while ensuring sufficient sample volume for comprehensive testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated pump-based conveyance system replaces manual sampling operations that often result in excessive sample collection and cross-contamination. The precise mechanical control of the pump ensures exact sample quantities are transferred with minimal residue, reducing carry-over effects while maintaining adequate sample volumes.
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
Ensures accurate and representative milk sampling with reduced risk of contamination and increased efficiency by allowing sampling at any point in the milking process, independent of dynamic or hydrostatic pressure, and minimizing the risk of carry-over and start-up difficulties.
Implementation Method 1
The controller (109) is configured to control a pulsed operation of the pump (108) in a conveying interval... During a pulsed operation, the pump (108) conveys a discrete sample subset along a first conveying direction of the pump
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, the invention provides a sampling apparatus for taking a representative milk sample in a predetermined quantity range from a conveying line in which milk is conveyed at conveying intervals of unknown length. The sampling apparatus comprises a pump, a controller of the pump, and a sample container connecting element connecting member in communication with the pump, wherein the controller is configured based on the predetermined quantity range and a measured quantity indicating a flow rate of milk conveyed in the conveying line and/or a predetermined quantity indicating a total quantity of milk to be conveyed through the conveying line in a conveying interval, to control a pulsed operation of the pump in a conveying interval, wherein the pump conveys a discrete sample subset along a first conveying direction of the pump during the pulsed operation in each sample pulse interval, and wherein the predetermined quantity range is greater than or equal to a total quantity corresponding to a total number of discrete sample subsets in the conveying interval.