Abstract:
A teat locating sensor for use in farming equipment such as robotic milking machines and teat disinfection units. One or more cameras capture an image of the udder. The captured image is processed by applying an edge detector to provide an edge image. A Hough transform is applied for detecting edges using semi-circles and near vertical forms. A feature detector then matches these to provide teat ends and teat sides and thus produces a teat location map. Colour or monochrome cameras can be used and a 2D or 3D map can be generated. Filtering is described to improve the accuracy if required.
Abstract:
A system monitors use of teat dip for each sprayer in a dairy. Sensors detect the flow of teat dip through the supply lines to each sprayer. A processor monitors the sensors and stores sensor data over a period of time. A wide variety of reports concerning use of teat dip can be generated from this sensor data.
Abstract:
Device for pneumatically milking a cow, comprising a number of milk extractors, each comprising a teat cup as well as milk line connected to the lower end of the teat cup, which line leads from the teat cup to a collection chamber for the milk from the teat cup, each milk extractor being provided with a supply for a cleansing medium, such as a disinfectant, to the teat cup, in particular to a teat present in the teat cup, the supply comprising a line having an end portion with discharge end, and each milk extractor being provided with means for closing off the passage of the milk extraction at or downstream of the discharge end of the line for cleansing medium, preferably at that level, when discharging the cleansing medium, the closing means comprising a reciprocating closing body that can be moved between a position leaving the passage of the milk extractor free and a position closing it off, the closing body being provided with a squirt line forming the end portion with discharge end of the line for supply of cleansing medium, and being positioned to debouch into the milk extractor, particularly the milk line, when in the closing-off position.
Abstract:
A controller for monitoring and controlling an operating pulsator in a milking system is shown. The controller comprises a first sensor operatively connected to a designated pulsator for receiving a pulsating vacuum therefrom. The controller produces a first signal representing the pulsating vacuum level. A processor is operatively connected to the first sensor for receiving the first signal. The processor includes a comparator for comparing the first signal to a stored reference signal representing a predetermined vacuum range of pulsating vacuum levels programmed as acceptable for milking system pulsators. The processor generates at least one control signal when the designed pulsator pulsating vacuum level is at a vacuum level outside of the predetermined vacuum range. A control circuit signals that the designated pulsator pulsating vacuum level is outside of the range of pulsating vacuum levels programmed as acceptable for the milking system pulsators.
Abstract:
A device for milking a dairy animal, comprising a teat cup with a teat liner and a disinfection device for disinfecting at any rate at least a part of the teat liner by means of a disinfecting fluid. The disinfection device comprises a heating device for heating the disinfecting fluid, and the disinfection device is suitable for bringing the disinfecting fluid into contact with at any rate at least a part of the teat liner. A control unit is suitable for controlling the disinfection device. The heating device is suitable for heating the disinfecting fluid to such a temperature that the disinfecting fluid has a temperature of at least approximately 95° C. when it is in contact with the teat liner. The control unit is suitable for registering values of at least one control parameter of the disinfection device.
Abstract:
The invention refers to a device for at least one milking stall (3) with a milking position (4) for an animal and with at least one milking equipment including a milking member arranged to be attached to including animal for milking thereof. The milking stall (3) is defined by at least one wall arrangement (5) and a floor (6) and extends between a first end (7) and a second (8) end in such a way that when an animal is present in including milking stall (3) in including milking position, the front portion of including animal is adjacent including first end (7) and the back portion of including animal is adjacent including second end (8). The device includes a cabinet-like structure (1), which has a longitudinal axis extending in a substantially vertical direction and which defines an inner space and which forms a building element of including milking stall (3). The invention also refers to a parlour (2) including a plurality of milking stalls (3) and the cabinet-like structure (1) forms a building element of including parlour (2) .
Abstract:
A method of milking an animal, in which method a movable milking platform is used. The method comprises the following steps: setting the movable milking platform in motion, allowing an animal access to the milking platform, supplying a sort of feed to an animal on the milking platform, subsequently allowing the animal exit from the milking platform, and milking the animal on the milking platform during a milking period. The method further comprises the step of providing the animal a span of time on the milking platform in which the animal is not milked, the span of time having a magnitude that amounts to at least approximately half the milking period. The speed of movement of the milking platform being selected at least partially on the basis of a feed consumption duration of an animal present on the milking platform, such that the span of time has such a magnitude that an animal is provided a sufficient time to substantially complete its feed consumption during their stay on the platform, said span of time being smaller than 75 minutes.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an apparatus for milking livestock, which apparatus has a milking box; a milking robot disposed close to or in the milking box; and a holder for receiving therein teat cups which during use are arranged on an animal for milking by the milking robot, and a holder for such an apparatus. The holder has a guard, a carriage with an engaging mechanism for engaging the teat cups and with a displacer for displacing the carriage between a first position, in which at least the teat cups are protected by the guard in the situation engaged by the carriage, and a second position, in which the teat cups are released for removal by the milking robot.
Abstract:
A method and a device for surveying animal functions by means of an animal manipulating apparatus such as a milking device, in particular a milking robot, provided with animal guiding members, animal contacting elements and/or animal nursing elements, wherein a programmable control system is used to control said elements in order to subject the animal to a predetermined sequence of operations, that is for instance, positioning, applying of teat cups, milking and subsequent or simultaneous feeding, checking the specific animal behaviour and removing the animal, wherein the operations to which the animal is subjected are programmed in respect of time and that at least one warning signal is generated by the control system if a time determined in the program for an operation is exceeded or not attained, in order to detect non-function or aberrant functions of the animal.
Abstract:
A device for automatic removal of milking equipment from an animal's udder comprises a motor, a rotatable removal member, an elongated pulling member connected to the removal member at its one end and adapted to be connected to the milking equipment at its other end, and a gear change device positioned between and connected to the motor and the removal device. According to the invention the gear change device has a first gear change member connected to the motor, a second gear change member connected to the removal member, and a third gear change member moveable between a first and a second position, in order to achieve engagement and disengagement, respectively, of the removal member relative to the motor.