Controller for monitoring and controlling pulsators in a milking system

A controller for monitoring and controlling an operating pulsator in a milking system, said controller comprising:

• an input for receiving a start signal generated when a milking apparatus of a milking system is attached to a cow to be milked;
• a first sensor configured to be a operatively connected to a designated pulsator for the milking apparatus attached to a cow to be milked for receiving a pulsating vacuum therefrom and for producing a first signal representing the pulsating vacuum level received from the designated pulsator;
• a processor operatively connected to said input and to said first sensor, said processor being responsive to said start signal to commencing monitoring of said first signal representing said pulsating vacuum level from the designated pulsator, said processor including a comparator for comparing said first signal to a stored reference signal representing a predetermined vacuum range of pulsating vacuum levels programmed as acceptable for milking system pulsators, said predetermined vacuum range comprising a value determined from pulsators that are independent from the milking system, said processor generating at least one control signal when the designed pulsator pulsating vacuum level is at a vacuum level outside of the predetermined vacuum range, the processor configured for monitoring only while the milking apparatus is attached to the cow to be milked;
• and
• a control circuit responsive to said at least one control signal for signaling that the designated pulsator pulsating vacuum level is outside of the range of pulsating vacuum levels programmed as acceptable for the milking system pulsators.