US 5,606,932 A · Implement for automatically milking animals, such as cows

Abstract

An implement for automatically milking animals, such as cows, comprising a robotic mechanism, two computers each having a display screen and keyboard, the implement having a plurality of exchangeable parts provided with signalling means to transmit information when an exchangeable part is malfunctioning, the signalling means also identifying the malfunctioning part on one of the display screens of a computer. An emergency electrical battery is provided at an individual parlor containing the implement for providing electrical power in the event of failure of the main power, a computer provided for closing down non-vital functions in the event of such power failure or of malfunctioning of the part or parts concerned. The set of teat cups which are automatically installed and removed from the farm animal being milked can also be individually installed manually on the animal's teats, and a second set of teat cups for similar manual installation and removal is also provided, including conduits for pulsating the teat cups connected to a vacuum source, and for conveying milk received in the teat cups to a receptacle.

Claims26

Dependent claims

An implement for automatically milking an animal, such as a cow, which comprises:

a milking robot, said milking robot comprising milking means that include a plurality of cups for receiving the animal's teats positioning means for automatically attaching and removing said cups to and from the animal's teats, and pulsation means for pulsating said cups and conduit means for withdrawing milk from the animal's teats when said cups are receiving milk therefrom;
a computer, including a display screen, a plurality of exchangeable parts comprising said milking means and said cups in said milking means, signalling means for each said exchangeable part for signalling when such corresponding exchangeable part is malfunctioning, said computer receiving a signal transmitted from each said signalling means when the corresponding part is malfunctioning, said display screen manifesting which said part of said exchangeable parts is malfunctioning.

An implement for automatically milking an animal, such as a cow, comprising a plurality of exchangeable parts, which comprise:

teat cups for receiving the animal's teats;
positioning means operable to attach and remove said teat cups from said animal's teat;
milking means for pulsating said teat cups and withdrawing milk from the animal's teats when said teat cups are received thereon;
and
cleansing and rinsing means for cleaning and rinsing said milking means when said teat cups are not received by the animal's teats;
and the implement further comprising:
rapid release couplings connecting each of said exchangeable parts to the remainder of the implement.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Implement for automatically milking animals, such as cows

Life of this patent

Implement for automatically milking animals, such as cows

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26