Patent ID: 7954453
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: A01J

Abstract:
1. A milk extraction machinery sensor apparatus, the milk extraction machinery including a plurality of extraction elements, the sensor apparatus including: a single collection line connected to the plurality of extraction elements, wherein the plurality of extraction elements extract milk into the single collection line; a sensor associated with the single collection line, wherein the sensor detects at least one of an indicator of mastitis, a compound, a component, a contaminant, and a pathogen of the extracted milk; and a controller that controls: wherein the extraction elements are activated in at least one of a cyclical, a sequential, and a random manner, wherein the controller activates a single extraction element or pair of extraction elements and the sensor senses extracted milk from the activated extraction element or elements such that the sensor senses extracted milk from only one extraction element or one pair of extraction elements at any one time, followed by the controller entering delay period to allow the extracted milk to drain from the single collection line, and wherein the activating, sensing, and delay period are repeated for one or more additional extraction elements.