In-line sensor, milking cluster and associated methods

An in-line sensor configured to measure a sensed property of milk collected from a lactating animal, the in-line sensor comprising:

• an elongated housing with an inlet configured to receive a pulsed milk flow from a milking cup and an outlet configured to discharge the pulsed milk flow from the elongated housing to a claw, the elongated housing being continuous and straight and which directs the pulsed milk flow from the inlet to the outlet, the inlet, in use, being positioned generally above the outlet to allow gravity to assist with pulsed milk flow through the elongated housing;
• and
• a liquid diverter inside the elongated housing, the liquid diverter configured to split the pulsed milk flow through the elongated housing into a primary flow of milk through the elongated housing and a secondary flow of milk through the liquid diverter, the liquid diverter configured to capture less than 40% by volume of a total pulsed milk flow through the in-line sensor as the secondary flow into the liquid diverter, a majority of the total pulsed milk flow through the in-line sensor moving as an unimpeded primary flow of milk through the elongated housing and wherein the liquid diverter is configured to capture and measure characteristics of a foremilk portion of each pulse of the pulsed milk flow passing through the in-line sensor;
• wherein the liquid diverter comprises:
• a liquid receiver inlet that receives the secondary flow of milk therein;
• a sensor measuring a property of the secondary flow of milk received in the liquid receiver inlet;
• a flow restrictor outlet configured to restrict a flow rate of the secondary flow of milk from the liquid diverter;
• and
• wherein the liquid diverter is configured to:
• in use, be aligned so that the liquid receiver inlet is positioned generally above the flow restrictor outlet;
• retain secondary flow of milk about the sensor between pulses of the pulsed milk flow to the in-line sensor;
• and
• when the pulsed milk flow ceases through the in-line sensor, secondary flow of milk retained about the sensor, self-empties and drains fully via gravity from the liquid diverter via the flow restrictor outlet.