METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GROUP COUNTING OF MILK IN MILKING UNITS Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: agriculture. SUBSTANCE: method involves cyclic supplying of milk into measuring chamber; generating counting pulse the moment milk is discharged from measuring chamber; summing up pulses for entire milking time and indicating total value; summing up first and/or subsequent counting pulses after registering of time interval between previous and subsequent counting pulses, said time interval being at least two seconds. Apparatus has milk dosing device comprising case and cover with central opening. Case incorporates receiving and measuring chambers communicated with one another via opening. Float valve mechanism and branch pipes are positioned in said openings. Branch pipes are adapted for communicating receiving and measuring chambers with milk pipeline and vacuum pipeline, respectively. Additional variable pressure chamber is fixed on cover. Variable pressure chamber of milk dosing device is communicated through flexible hose with counting pulse generator. Summer is equipped with power supply unit, two counting pulse generators, microprocessor, initial state setter, and two three-discharge indicator units. Microprocessor is equipped with two event counters, system timer and two sign site decoders. Each event counter has operative memory, timer, and symbol decoder. Counting pulse generators are made in the form of microswitches kinematically connected to vacuum bellows. Microswitch outputs of counting pulse generators are connected to respective event counter inputs. Outputs of symbol decoders are connected to respective inputs of three-discharge indicator units. Inputs of sign site decoders are connected to output of microprocessor system timer. Outputs of sign site decoders are connected to respective inputs of three-discharge indicator units. Output of initial state setter is connected to respective inputs of system time, event counters and event counter timers. EFFECT: increased efficiency by providing keeping of current indications in electronic memory for unlimited time in case of unauthorized switching off of power supply and renewal thereof after switching on of power supply. 3 cl, 10 dwg