Sensors 2013, 13(6), 7633-7651; doi:10.3390/s130607633
Development of a Control System for the Teat-End Vacuum in Individual Quarter Milking Systems
1
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim (ATB), 14469 Potsdam, Max-Eyth-Allee 100, Germany
2
Ege Vocational Training School, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir 35100, Turkey
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 22 April 2013 / Revised: 30 May 2013 / Accepted: 31 May 2013 / Published: 13 June 2013
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)
Abstract
Progress in sensor technique and electronics has led to a decrease in the costs of electronic and sensor components. In modern dairy farms, having udders in good condition, a lower frequency of udder disease and an extended service life of dairy cows will help ensure competitiveness. The objective of this study was to develop a teat-end vacuum control system with individual quarter actor reaction. Based on a review of the literature, this system is assumed to protect the teat tissue. It reduces the mean teat-end vacuum in the maximum vacuum phase (b) to a level of 20 kPa at a flow rate of 0.25 L/min per quarter. At flow rates higher than 1.50 L/min per quarter, the teat-end vacuum can be controlled to a level of 30 kPa, because in this case it is desirable to have a higher vacuum for the transportation of the milk to the receiver. With this system it is possible for the first time to supply the teat end with low vacuum at low flow rates and with higher vacuum at increasing flow rates in a continuous process with a three second reaction-rate on individual quarter level. This system is completely automated. View Full-TextKeywords:
vacuum control valve; pressure sensor; vacuum control system; fluctuation; reduction; milk flow rate; teat-end
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MDPI and ACS Style
Ströbel, U.; Rose-Meierhöfer, S.; Öz, H.; Brunsch, R. Development of a Control System for the Teat-End Vacuum in Individual Quarter Milking Systems. Sensors 2013, 13, 7633-7651.