Vacuum controller and method of controlling vacuum in a dairy milking systems
AssigneeSmartEnergy Services, Inc.
InventorsG. Frederick Bova, David J. Dunn, James J. Allen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control system for a vacuum milking system, and a method of controlling vacuum in such milking system. The system comprises an electric vacuum pump motor, a vacuum transducer for providing an output signal that varies as a function of changes in vacuum in the milking line and a variable frequency drive (VFD) connected to the vacuum pump motor and the transducer for controlling the speed of the motor. The VFD varies the frequency of the power signal it provides to the motor as a function of deviation between the output signal from the transducer, which the VFD is programmed to recognize as representative of vacuum, and a setpoint representative of vacuum.
Claims15
A dairy milking system comprising:
- a) a milking line for transporting milk;
- b) a vacuum pump motor;
- c) a vacuum pump connected to said vacuum pump motor;
- d) a vacuum transducer is connected to said milking line and provides a signal that varies as a function of vacuum in said milking line;
- and
- e) a variable frequency drive connected to said transducer and said motor that controls the speed of said motor by recognizing said signal as representative of vacuum and provides such control by comparing said signal with a setpoint that is representative of vacuum.
A control system for regulating the vacuum in a dairy milking system having a milking line and a vacuum pump attached to the milking line for creating a vacuum therein, the control system comprising:
- a) a vacuum transducer is connected to the milking line and provides a signal that varies as a function of changes in vacuum in the milking line;
- b) an electric motor connected to the vacuum pump;
- and
- c) a variable frequency drive connected to said transducer and said motor that controls the speed of said motor by recognizing said signal as representative of vacuum and provides such control by comparing said signal with a setpoint that is representative of vacuum.
A method of controlling the vacuum in a vacuum dairy milking system including a vacuum milking line, a vacuum pump for providing a vacuum in the milking line, an electric motor for driving the vacuum pump, a vacuum transducer coupled with the milking line for providing a control signal that varies as a function of changes in vacuum in the milking line and a variable frequency drive for generating a power signal for controlling the speed of the electric motor, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) programming the variable frequency drive to recognize changes in the control signal provided by the vacuum transducer as representative of changes in vacuum;
- b) providing the control signal to the variable frequency drive;
- c) determining the deviation between the control signal and a setpoint representative of vacuum;
- and
- d) generating the power signal so that the frequency thereof varies as a function of said deviation.
A method of controlling a vacuum system including a vacuum line and an electric motor, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) measuring changes in vacuum in the vacuum line;
- and
- b) providing a power signal to the electric motor, the frequency of which is determined indirectly as a function of deviation between vacuum measured in said step a and a setpoint representative of vacuum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.