TWO-LEVEL VACUUM SYSTEM CONTROLLER WITH ADJUSTABLE SPEED DRIVE

• Main Authors: GUO; FANGJIANG, ANESHANSLEY; DANIEL J, PELLERIN; ROGER A, LUDINGTON; DAVID C
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.08.1992
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; BLASTING; FISHING; FORESTRY; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HEATING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; LIGHTING; MANUFACTURE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TRAPPING; WEAPONS

A low-energy-consuming apparatus and method for controlling vacuum levels in machine milking and other vacuum systems subject to air leakage utilizes in combination a high vacuum reserve, a low-vacuum end (pipelines), a dual vacuum controller positioned between the high-vacuum reserve and the low-vacuum end and an adjustable speed drive (ASD) motor on a vacuum pump to regulate the delivered air to match the air usage in the low-vacuum end. The dual vacuum controller senses vacuum disturbances in the low-vacuum end and adjusts the flow rate of air from the low-vacuum end to the high-vacuum reserve rather than using external air makeup, thus providing a controlled vacuum with minimum pressure variance and energy input. Energy savings and demand reduction of about 50 percent (50%) during milking are realized under the new system.