Air flow meter with slide valve for milking machines

Valves and valve actuation – With selective flow regulation – Rotary

Patent

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Details

251325, 137553, F16K 510

Patent

active

055708706

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns an air-flow meter for milking machines. The meter comprises an enclosed housing with a connection to a line that is to be tested for flow and pressure. The housing has an air-intake mechanism with a variable cross-section.
A milk-flow meter of this type is known from German OS 1 757 838. It measures the output of a vacuum pump, a component of the machine, subject to various operating conditions. These measures must be repeated at various intervals, and their results must comply with domestic regulations in various countries.
The air-intake mechanism in the known meter consists of calibrated bores and of rotating disks that block them off. Since the disks are subject to considerable pressure, they are difficult to rotate. Furthermore, only discontinuous adjustments can be carried out, and no interpolations are possible. Finally, the bores can clog up and contaminate the results.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is accordingly an air-flow meter for milking machines wherein the flow of air can be adjusted easily and continuously.
This object is attained in accordance with the present invention in a milking machine of the aforesaid type by the characteristics now described. The air-intake mechanism is an air intake with a slot-shaped cross-section. A rotating slide valve is accommodated inside the housing and operates in conjunction with the slotted intake. The slide valve has an opening that tapers out as it extends along its circumference. The longitudinal axis of the intake parallels the axis the slide valve rotates around. The free cross-section of the intake is only a fraction of the length of the opening along the circumference of the slide valve. Any area of the opening can be aligned with the air intake by rotating the slide valve.
Since there is little friction between the rotating slide valve and the air intake, the amount of air flowing through the machine can be precisely and rapidly adjusted. The tapering opening makes it possible to continuously vary the width of the port by rotating the slide valve. Since the air-intake mechanism will not clog up, the results will not be contaminated.
The air intake in one practical embodiment of the invention is positioned radially movable with respect to the housing. The slot is accordingly positioned free of clearance in relation to the rotating slide valve.
The seal is created between the air intake and the rotating slide valve in one embodiment because springs force the intake toward the slide valve. This system also maintains the surface of the slide valve clean.
The rotating slide valve in another advantageous embodiment is coupled to a transmission. This design enables even more precise and easier adjustment.
The transmission in another advantageous embodiment is coupled to a motor. The procedure can be automated by providing the motor with controls. Since the meter is so easy to adjust, the motor can be small and use little electricity. This feature is a particular advantage because it is usually difficult to supply electricity to the site from outside, and the motor must be battery-powered. The battery can be accommodated in the meter's controls for example. The controls can be integrated into the housing along with the battery compartment.
An angular position sensor can be associated with the rotating slide valve and another with the motor.
One embodiment of the invention will now be specified with reference to the drawing, wherein


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a section through the air-flow meter,
FIG. 2 is a section along the line II--II in FIG. 1, and
FIG. 3 is a view of the area X in FIG. 1.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The housing 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a line connection 2 and an air-intake mechanism 3. Air-intake mechanism 3 comprises an air intake 4 on the outside of housing 1 and a rotating slide valve 5 accommodated in the housing and associated with the intake. The circumference of the slide valve is interrupted by an opening

REFERENCES:
patent: 3557821 (1971-01-01), Siegel et al.
patent: 3612102 (1971-10-01), Hulsey

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