Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ WO 95/18323 217 9 4 2 9 PCT~SE94/01250
Valve device
The present invention relates to an d~l!dldLus comprising
a housing forming a channel for a reciprocating fluid,
5 and a member arranged in the channel and adapted to
A' 1 i qh a first throughflow area in a first position,
for said fluid and to Al 1 i ch a second throughflow
area in a second position for said fluid in the channel.
Such an apparatus is known from SE-3-373 727.
The invention also relates to an apparatus comprising a
housing forming a channel for a reciprocating fluid and
a member arranged f reely movable in the channel between
2 first and a second posltion in the channel, without
15 stopping the fluid flow. Such an apparatus is known from
SE-A-8602678-8 .
SE-~-373 727 describes a valve device intended to be
placed in a teat liner for a milking machine for
20 preventing rl~qrlAqhin~ of milk in the teat liner, which
may cause pains in the cow ' s teat. When the valve device
is closed there is a pr~cslh~lity for a certain reflow of
the milk through a passage in the valve. In this way the
said first throughflow area is achieved. When the valve
25 is open said second throughflow area is achieved.
SE-A-8602678-8 describes a pulsation indicator intended
to be arranged in a pulsation tube between a pulsator
and a teatcup in a milking machine. ~he pulsation
30 indicator comprises a ball in an elongated, Llc~ L
housing. During operation, when the pulsator alternates
between normally underpressure and the atmospheric
pressure, the pressure alternation can be checked by
observing the v, L of the ball back and forth in the
35 transparent housing.
WO 95/18323 ~? 9 PCTISE94/01250
CH-A-508 144 discloses a valve for achieving different
flow resistances in opposing directions of a flow of a
liquid. In two of the four disclosed embodiments, a
valve member is formed as a ball having a density lower
5 than the liquid, whereas in the two other embodiments,
the valve member is iormed as a movable flap. Two
different throughflow areas are possible to achieve in
each of the four embodiments.
US-A-3 138 177 discloses a flow control device for
drinking fountains, lavatories, washing r-c'hin~.c or the
like, having a liquid flow in one direction. The liquid
flow is rendered constant, disregarding the liquid
pressure by means of a valve member, which, due to the
15 liquid pressure, is gradually caused to sink into a
resilient member to a compressive engagement with one
another .
US-A-631 036 discloses a check valve for preventing t~he
20 flow of a fluid from taking a direction opposite to a
single desired flow direction. To reverse the valve, a
valve member is turned instead of turning a whole valve
housing .
25 A conventional milking machine connected to a pneumatic
pressure source operates with relatively fast alter-
nations between underpressure and atmospheric pressure
alternatively underpressure and overpressure. Research
has proven that these quick pressure alternations may be
30 trollhl ~c for certain cows, having sensitive teats.
According to a method known from W0 92/12625, slower
pressure alternations can be ~( 1 i ch~fl, which
substantially reduces said trouble.
WO 95/18323 2 ~ 7 9 4 2 ~ PCI/SE94/01250
An ob~ect of the present invention is to a~ ch a
simple apparatus for carrying out said known method.
Another ob~ect of the invention is to accomplish such an
5 apparatus, which can be utilized in a milking machine
for milking of differently sensitive cows, i.e. if quick
pressure alternations are desired during milking of
insensitive cows the apparatus shall also be ad~ustable
f or this in an easy way .
Yet another ob~ect of the invention is to obtain such an
apparatus, which is adjustable to a plurality of
different pressure alternations.
15 These ob~ects are ~ , 1 i eh~(l by means of an apparatus
of the initially described kind, which is characterized
in that the member is adjustable such that it accomp-
lishes a third throughflow area, which is different from
the first throughflow area when the member is in the
20 first position. Hereby, a simple adjustment rnss~hlllty
of the pressure alternations is achieved.
Furth~ - t: these ob ~ects are ~ 1 { chPrl by an
apparatus of the thereafter described kind which is
25 characterized in that the member is adapted to change
the throughflow area in the channel when the member is
at least in the first position. Hereby, an alternative,
simple ad~ustment possibility of the pressure alter-
nations is achieved.
Furth~ ~ a rnc:.sl hl 11 ty of adapting the speed of each
pressure alternation to a desired value is achieved.
Preferably, the first throughflow area is smaller than
35 the second throughflow area, and the third throughflow
~ g PCr/SE94/01250
area is larger than the first and substantially as large
as the second. Hereby, a milking machine which is
provided with an apparatus according to the invention
may for example be operated such that said pressure
5 alternations comprise relatively slow pressure drops but
relatively fast pressure increases or vice versa.
Suitably, said housing has a transparent portion,
whereby the pressure alternations can be indicated by
10 visual observation of the member ' s movement .
Advantageously, seatings are provided in the channel,
against which seatings the member abuts when it takes
said positions, and the member is formed with at least
15 one central passage. Furth~ ~ :, it is advantageous to
provlde the member with at least one peripheral passage,
so that a desired throughflow area can be chosen.
The first throughflow area is formed in a desired case,
20 suitably by the member ' s central passage when the member
abuts the first seating. Furthr t:, the second
throughflow area is formed by the member's central and
peripheral passages when the member abuts the second
seating. When the member is in its first position and is
25 adjusted to ~ 1 i qh said third throughflow area, this
is formed by the member ' s central and peripheral
passages .
Preferably, the housing comprises at least two,
30 releasably interconnected parts, whereby the member is
~ro~Rg~hle for r-e~nln~ and for said adjustment for
~, _lich~n~ the third throughflow area, which ad~ust-
ment advantageously is ~: ,1 i qh~ by turning the
member in the channel.
-
~ wos~/18323 2g ~ / ~, i PCTISE941012~0
Furthermore, said ob ~ects are A~ 1 i ch-~(1 by an
apparatus consisting of a set of parts and comprising a
disconnectible housing, which forms a channel for a
fluid; three inte~ c:able members, which are each
5 movable in the channel between a first and a second
position; and means adapted to indicate the v. ~ of
each member; wherein
a first member is adapted to .e , 7 i ~h a first through-
lO flow area in said first position, and to accomplish a
second throughflow area in said second position, wherein
the first throughflow area is different from the second
throughf low area;
15 a second member is adapted to accomplish a reduced first
throughflow area in the channel in said first position
and to A~ h a reduced second throughf low area in
the channel in said second positon, wherein the first
throughflow area is substantially as large as the second
20 throughflow area; and whereln
a third member is adapted to ~, , 1 i ~h a substantially
unreduced first throughflow area in the channel in said
first position and to i~ ,1 i Ch a substantially
25 unreduced second throughflow area in the channel in said
second position wherein the first throughflow area is
substantially as large as the second throughflow area.
Hereby is achieved an apparatus, which is ad~ustable to
30 a plurality of desired pressure alternations, having
varying flow characteristics.
The invention will now be described more closely in
connection with the annexed drawings, in which
WO 9~/18323 ~ 9 ~ 9 PCT1SE941012S0
Figure lA shows a first ~ ' _'i L of an apparatus
according to the invention with a member in a first -
position,
5 Figure lB shows the same apparatus as figure lA, but
with the member ln a second position,
Figure lC shows a section along the line lC-lC in
figure lA,
Figure lD shows an enlarged view of a longitudinal
section through the member in the apparatus ~,-r.,rl~in~ to
figures lA and lB,
15 Figure 2A shows the same apparatus as figure lA, with
the member in the f irst position but with a changed
adj ustment of the member,
Figure 2B shows the same apparatus and ad~ustment of the
20 member as fi~ure 2A, but with the member in the second
position,
Figure 2C shows a section along the line IIC-IIC in
f igure 2A,
Figure 3A shows a second pmh~1r'~ t of an apparatus ~
according to the invention with the same member as in
f igure lA,
30 Figure 3B shows the same apparatus as figure 3B, but
with changed ad~ustment of the member,
Figure 3C shows the same apparatus as figure 3A, but
provided with a first modified member,
Wo 95~18323 2~ j . PCTJSE94/0l251)
Figure 3D shows the same apparatus as figure 3A, but
provided with a second modified member,
Figure 4 shows schematically a milking equipment
5 including two apparatuses according to the invention,
Figure 5A shows with a continuous line a normal
pulsation curve for a conventional milking machine
describing the pressure change in a pulsation chamber of
10 a teatcup with liner, and with broken line how an
apparatus according to the invention connected to the
milking machine influences an introductive phase of the
pulsation curve.
15 Figure 5B shows with a continuous line the same normal
pulsation curve as figure 5A, and with broken line how
an apparatus according to the invention connected to the
milking machine influences a f;n~eh1n~ phase of the
pulsation curve.
Figure 5C shows with a continuous line the same normal
pulsation curve as figure 5A and with broken line how an
apparatus according to the invention connected to the
milking machine influences the introductory as well as
25 the f1n1qhln~ phase of the pulsation curve.
Figure lA shows a first embodiment of an apparatus D
according to the invention comprising a housing 1 with a
first part 2 and a second part 3. The first part 2 of
30 the housing is formed as a male member with external
threads 4a, which male member forms a throughgoing,
first circular cylindrical channel 5. The second part 3
of the housing is formed as a female member which
comprises a first portion 3a, forming a throughgoing,
35 second circular cylindrical channel 6, which has the
WO95/18323 ~9479 PCT/SE:9-1/01250 1
same diameter as the f irst channel 5, a second portion
3b forming a third circular cylindrical channel 7 with
larger (l;~ L~l than the second channel 6, and a third
portion 3c formed with internal threads 4b. The female
5 member receives the male member such that the threads 4b
of the third portion engage with the threads 4a of the
male member, wherein the second part ' s channel 7 forms
an elongated circular cylindrical chamber. The first
channel 5, as well as the second channel 6, discharges
10 coaxially via openings 5a, 6a in the chamber 7.
Alternatively, other means for connection of the
housing ' s male and the female member may be used, such
as a snap ~oint, a bayonet ~oint, a ball spring ~oint, a
15 hose clamp etc.
An o-ring R or some other suitable sealing means is
arranged between the male member 2 and the female member
3 for sealing between the same.
A member 8 intended to be loosely arranged in the
chamber 7 comprises a plate 9 with a substantially
circular cross-section, wherein a passage 10 extends
centrally through the plate 9. The plate 9 has a smaller
25 diameter than the chamber 7 and is provided with four
symmetrically arranged radial protrusions lla-d
cooperating with the chamber ' s 7 circumferential wall
such that the plate 9 is ~ Led in the chamber 7. Each
of the radial protrusions lla-d has a first axial
30 protrusion 12 extending from the plate 9 in one direc-
tion along the chamber 7, and a second a~ial protrusion
13, extending from the plate 9 in the opposite direction
along the chamber 7. The radial protrusions lla-d have
the same radial extension from the plate 9.
WO95/183~3 9~2g ~ PCT/SE94J01250
The first axial protrusions 12 are shorter and have less
radial extension a seen from the chamber ' s 7 circum-
ferential wall than the other axial protrusions 13.
5 The member 8 can move f reely in the chamber 7 between
the first throughgolng channel 's opening 5a, about which
a first seating 14 for the member 8 is formed on the
male member 2, and the ~ second throughgoing channel ' s
opening 6a about which a second seating 15 for the
10 member is formed on the female member 3 . The chamber ' s 7
circumferential wall, the plate 9 and the plate's 9
radial protrusions lla-d delimit thereby four peripheral
passages 16a-d.
15 At least the second portion 3b of the housing 1 is
transparent, whereby the movement of the member 8 is
visually indlcatable.
Of course, the number of radial protrusions lla-d do not
20 need to be four, but both more or fewer radial protru-
sions would be possible to arrange on the plate 9,
whereby a varying number of passages are formed depen-
ding on the number of radial protrusions. In the same
way it would be possible to form the plate 9 such that
25 it gets substantially the same diameter as the chamber
7, i . e. without radial protrusions . Thereby, the axial
protrusions 12, 13 are arranged directly on the plate 9
in both axial directions for example in the form of one
or several pins or a ring. In this case the plate 9
30 has to be provided with peripheral recesses to form
the necessary passages between the plate 9 and the
housing 1.
Figure lA and lB show the member 8 oriented in the
35 chamber 7 such that the shorter, first axial protrusions
WO 95/18323 ~ 9 4 PCT/SE94101250
12 are closest to the first seatlng 14, whlle the
longer, second axlal protruslons 13 are closest to the
second seatlng 15. As is described above the housing is
~11qrr~nnF~tible, whereby the member 8 can be turned in
the chamber 7 such that the shorter, flrst axlal
protrusions 12 are closest to the second seating 15,
whereas the longer protruslons 13 are closest to the
first seatlng 14, as shown ln flgures 2A and 2B.
The flrst seatlng 14 is formed as a circular cylindrical
connection piece S on the male member. Between the
connection piece S and the chamber ' s 7 circumferential
wall an annular info ~iliAte space 17 is formed, in
which the shorter, first axial protrusions 12 with less
radial extension a has access (see figure lA). However,
the second axial protrusions 13 wlth larger radial
extension b do not f it in the intermediate space 17 .
The seating 15 of the second throughgoing channel is
formed with an annular surface 18, extending radially
from the second throughgolng channel ' s opening 6a
towards the periphery of the chamber 7. The axial
protrusions 12, 13 are allal~g~d on the plate 9 such that
during v - ~ of the member 8 towards the second
channel's seating 15 and ~l~r~n~11n~ on the member's 8
orientatlon ln the chamber 7, elther the shorter axial
protruslons 12 or the longer axial protrusions 13 will
abut the annular surface 18, which hence acts as a stop
member for the further ,v~ t of the member 8
(cf. the figures lB and 2B).
Figure 3A shows a second embodiment of an a~ala~ux D'
according to the invention comprising a housing 1 ' with
a first part 2, a second part 19 and a third part 2',
wherein the first part 2 constitutes a first male member
Wo 95~18323 1 79 ~ 2 9 PCT/SE94/01250
11
forming a first throughgoing channel 5, the third part
2 ' constitutes a second male member forming a second
throughgoing channel 5 ' and the second part 19 consti-
tutes a transparent sleeve with two free ends l9a, l9b
5 and forms a double female member. The both male members
2, 2' and the sleeve 19 define a central chamber 7',
wherein the first male member 2 and the second male
member 2 ' form a first seating 14 and a second seatiny
14 ', respectively, in the central chamber 7 ' . The first
10 male member 2 as well as a first portion l9c of the
sleeve, is formed with a righthand thread 4a, 4b, where-
as the other male member 2 ' as well as a second portion
of the sleeve l9d is formed with a lefthand thread 4a ',
4b ' . The sleeve 19 can hereby be taken away from the
15 male member 2, 2 ' without need for twisting tubes or
pipes connected to the male members 2, 2 ', since the
male members 2, 2 ' only perform a pure translational
,v~ ~ during rotatlon of the sleeve 19.
20 A member 8 of the same kind as has been described in
connection with the first ~mho~l 1 according to
figures lA-2C is intended to be arranged in the
chamber 7 '
25 The first as well as the second male member's seating 14
and 14 ', respectively, is provided with a connection
piece S and S ', respectively. Between the respective
connection piece S and S ' and the chamber ' s 7 circum-
ferential wall an annular interspace 17 and 17 ', respec-
30 tively, is formed, in which the shorter, first axialprotrusion 12 with less radial extension a has access
( see figure 3A~ . However, the second axial protrusion 13
with larger radial extension b does not fit in the
W095/18323 ~94~,9 PCTISE94/01250
12
annular interspace 17 and 17 ' 7 respectlvely ( see
f igure 3B ) .
It is possible to exchange the member 8 by a symmetrical
5 member, which is provided with similar axial protrusions
12, 12'; 13, 13' in both axial directions, i.e. all
axial protrusions have either~ a less radial extension a
(see figure lD and the member 8' in figure 3C) or a
larger radial e~tension b ( see figure lD and the member
10 8 " in figure 3D ) .
Figure 4 shows a milking equipment 20 comprising a
first, a second, a third and a fourth teatcup 21a-d with
shell 22a-d and liner 23a-d, wherein four pulsation
15 spacas formed between the shells and the liners (not
shown) are connected by means of four tubings 24a-d to a
claw piece 25. The first and the second teatcup 21a, b
are both connected to a iirst inner partial space 25a of
the claw piece 25 while the third and the fourth teatcup
20 21c, d are connected to a second inner partial space
25b. ~he first and the second partial spaces 25a, b are
connected via tubings 26a, b, respectively, to a pulsa-
tor 27, which in turn is connected to a vacuum pump 28.
25 In the respective tubing 26a, b between the claw piece
25 and the pulsator 27 an c~a.al us D or D' according to
the invention is provided, wherein the first through-
going channel 5 is connected closest to the pulsator and
the second throughgoing channel 6, 5 ' is connected
30 closest to the claw piece 25. The central passage 10 of
the member 8, 8 ', 8 " in each apparatus D, D ' has a
smaller area than the throughflow area of each tubing
26a, b.
~WOgS/18323 1 79~2~ 13 PCT/SE94/012~0
With the milking e~luipment 20 in operation the vacuum
pump 28 generates a vacuum in the pulsator 27. The
pulsator is adapted to cyclicly f irst connect the
pulsation spaces of the first and the second teatcups
5 21a, b to vacuum while the pulsation spaces of the third
and fourth teatcups 21c, d are connected to the atmos-
phere. Thereafter, the pulsator shifts such that the
pulsation spaces of the thir~ and the fourth teatcups
21c, d are connected to vacuum, while the pulsation
10 spaces of the first and second teatcups 21a, b are
connected to the a -, h~e
The cyclic pressure variation which hereby arises in
each pulsation space, is illustrated in the figures
15 5A-5C, where the phase a shows the y~lelclL~:d pressure
drop from the a i ~sph~ic pressure alternatively the
overpressure Pl to the underpressure P2, when the liner
is opened, the phase b shows the desired applied under-
pressure P2, when the liner is open, the phase c shows
20 the increase of pressure from the underpressure P2 to
the atmospheric pressure alternatively the overpressure
Pl, when the liner is closed, and the phase d shows the
recovery period of the teat when the liner is closed,
before the cycle is repeated.
As mentioned above, it is sometimes desirable to change
this pulsation curve especially such that the a- and/or
the c-phase gets slower. As a consequence of this the
liner will move slower during opening and closing of the
30 interior of the liner. Prolonged a-phase, i . e . slower
opening of the interior of the liner, results in that
the teat manages better to expand radially and to keep
its frictional grip with the liner, whereby the teatcup
iS ~l~v~ d from r.l 1mhln~ upwards on the teat towards
35 the udder and causing throttling of the teat ' s milk
WO 95/18323 PCT/SE94/01250
9 14
9~
conducting interior in the vicinity of the udder. Such a
rl ~r:~n~ of the teatcup aggravates the milking and gives
rise to an increased amount of rest milk. Prolonged
c-phase, i.e. slower closing of the liner's interior
5 results in that the teat is treated more leniently by
the liner .
According to the present invention an extended a-phase
is achieved by means of the apparatus according to
lO figures lA-lD or figure 3A, wherein the first through-
going channel 5 is provided closest to the pulsator 27
and the other throughgoing channel 6, 5 ' is provided
closest to the claw piece 25 . = When the pulsator 27
creates a vacuum in the chamber 7 the member 8 is sucked
15 against the first seating, i.e. against the connection
piece S with the member's first axial protrusion 12
astraddling the connection piece S such that the plate 9
of the member 8 abuts the connection p$ece ( see f igure
lA and 3A, respectively). Hereby, the first channel 5
20 , i ~-~tes with the chamber 7 substantially only via
the member ' s 8 central passage 10 . As a consequence of
this the a-phase will be prolonged as shown by means of
the broken curve line in figure 5A; since it takes
longer time to evacuate the pulsation spaces via the
25 central passages 10 than via a tubing 26a, b which lacks
~n apparatus D, D ' according to the invention.
During the b-phase, when the pulsation space in the
teatcup is evacuated, the pressure in the chamber 7 is
30 substantially constant. When the pulsator 27 causes
atmospheric pressure alternatively overpressure in the
chamber 7, the member 8 is sucked alternatively pushed
towards the other seating 15, 14 ', where the other
channel 6, 5 ' communicates with the chamber 7 via the
35 member ' s 8 central as well as its peripheral passages
WO 95/18323 21 7 9 ~l 2 9 PCT/SE94~01250
10, 16a-d. Hereby, the pulsation curve keeps its normal
character in the c-phase (see figure 5A).
In some cases it may be desirable to achieve a normal
a-phase and a prolonged c-phase ( see the broken curve
line in the pulsation curve in figure 5B ) . This is
achieved by turning the apparatus according to figure
lA-lD or figure 3A in the tubing 26a, 26b, respectively,
so that the second throughgoing channel 6, 5 ' is closest
to the pulsator 27 and the first throughgoing channel 5
is closest to the claw piece 25. Hereby, it takes a
longer time to fill the pulsation spaces, since the air
can only pass through the member's 8 central passage 10
during the c-phase.
Alternatively, the apparatus D ' accordlng to the second
embodiment is used with the member 8 turned according to
figure 3B. Then the first channel 5 communicates with
the chamber 7 ' via the member ' s 8 central and peripheral
passages 10, 16a-d, while the second channel 5 ' communi-
cates with the chamber 7 ' only through the member ' s 8
central passage 10.
If both the a- and the c-phase is to be prolonged as
shown with broken curve lines in figure 5C, an apparatus
D ' according to the second embodiment is usQd with the
modified member 8 ' according to figure 3C. Hereby the
first and the second throughgoing channel 5, 5 ', respec-
tively, communicates with the chamber 7 ' only via the
member's 8 central passage lO, when the pulsation space
is evacuated and f illed with air, respectively .
Alternatively, two opposedly directed apparatuses D
according to the first embodiment as shown in figure
Wo 95/18323 PCTISE94/012~0
~94~9 16
2~
lA-lD is used in each tubing 26a, 26b, whereby the same
result is achieved ( prolonged a-phase and c-phase ) .
If an l~nrhAn~r tl pulsation curve is desired (which may be
5 suitable during milking of certain, hardy cows ), as
shown by means of a continuous curve line in the figures
5A-C, the most simple measure is to take away the member
8 from the chamber 7, 7' but then the EQe~lhtlity dis-
appears to indicate the pulsation. For this reason an
lO apparatus according to the first embodiment is used in
this case with turned member 8, as shown in figure 2A-
2B . Alternatively an apparatus D ' according to the
second embodiment with the rttflP~ member 8" shown in
figure 3D is used. From this follows that the first and
15 the second throughgoing channel 5, 5 ', respectively,
trAteS with the chamber 7, 7' through the members'
8, 8" central as well as peripheral passages 10, 16a-d,
respectively, when the pulsation space is evacuated and
filled with air, respectively, whereby the apparatus D
20 indicates the pulsation without causing more than an
insignificant pressure drop in the tubing 26a, b.
The present invention is of course not limited to be
used in milking eq~l;, L~. Accordingly, it may also be
25 used for other purposes, such as r.ll~ntn~ of pipes in
general with a suitable liquid or a gas, which could be
abrasive. In this case, the ~L,aL~Lus according to the
invention is utilized to change the abrasive effect of
the fluid, such that the flow is rendered slower or
30 faster in different flow directions.
