DEVICE FOR MEASURING TEMPERATURE CHANGES IN ANIMALS

Abstract: Device for measuring the temperature change in animals such as cattle. The invention is characterised in that a sensing device (1) is built in the form of two suction cup manifold valves (7) with a threaded spacer ring (10). The spacer ring (10) is fitted with four sensors (8). From the spacer ring (10), a line (2) for the supply of power (4) is connected to the central unit (3) which is provided with five rectangular areas (11) for temperature measurement to a predetermined level, instrument (12) for indicating which teats are not supplying milk, a digital number indicating instrument (13) for relevant temperatures and a reset button (14) for activating the circuit. Milk, the temperature of which is to be measured, is introduced from a selected through a teat-cup (6) to the spacer ring (10) and the milk, the temperature of which has been measured, flows from the suction cup manifold (7) through a transport hose (5) to the pipework. The power supply (4) is obtained by replaceable batteries. The object of the invention is to provide a simple, accurate and economical temperature measuring device. The temperature measuring device is manufactured in compact robust and easily fitted units.

Description: Device for measuring temperature changes in animals. This invention is a device for measuring temperature changes in animals such as cattle, for example. ' American Patent 3.022.766 describes a known method whereby a milking machine with a temperature indicating instrument creates a simple device. for detecting certain illnesses in milking animals by determining the temperature of the milk when it is removed from the udder of the animal. The object of this invention is to achieve a simple, accurate and inexpensive arrangement in comparison with hitherto known techniques. The arrangement according to the patent is characterised by the properties described in the enclosed patent claims. The invention will now be described in greater detail, with references to the enclosed drawings, of which Figure 1 shows the arrangement in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 shows the sensing device or temperature measuring device with four sensors, and Figure 3 shows the central unit with the indicators. In Figure 1, item 1 is a sensing device or temperature measurement device; 2 is a cable to the central unit; 3 is the central unit with indicators and power supply 4; 5 is a hose for transporting milk to pipework which is not shown; 6 is a teat-cup and 7 is the suction cup manifold. In addition, Figure 2 contains item 8 for sensors, 9 for milk frm each teat and 10 for a spacer ring. Figure 3 shows the central unit 3, which shows the warning rectangles 11 which light up at predetermined intervals, the .indicating instrument 12 5 for the teat which is not supplying milk, a digital indi¬ cating instrument 13, and a reset button 14 for connecting and zeroing the central unit 3. The function of the device will now be described in greater detail. ~ 10 The most accurate and fastest information is obtained from .the sensing device or temperature measuring instrument 1, if the temperature is measured independently at all four teats and the mean value is calculated and then indicated on the display, i.e. 11-13. At present, the temperature is measured - 15 when the milk enters the suction cup manfold 7 directly from each suction cup. This permits direct indication of the teat which is or is not supplying milk. The temperature drop which would result in inaccurate measurements if the measure¬ ments were carried out in the hose 5, which is affected by -20 the air temperature, is eliminated by measuring the tem¬ perature as near to the suction cups as " possible. T e tem¬ perature in a barn can vary by up to 15°C, the variation ■ outdoors being even greater. The suction cup manifold 7 is divided by a hinged joint. By inserting a spacer 10 with - 25 four sensors 8 between the two halves it is possible to measure the temperature without interfering with pipes or hoses. A sturdy cable or line 2 leads from the spacer ring 10 to the central unit 3 and is secured to a vacuum hose. The cable or 30 line 2 is impermeable to liquids, and is permanently fixed between the spacer ring 10 and the central unit 3. The central unit 3, with reading facility, must be compact and reliable, taking into consideration the moist environment in a barn. The environment also makes it impossible to arrange a mains power supply by cable, so that some type of — 5 battery must be installed in the central unit. The technique of utilising batteries requires the use of components and displays (11-13) which consume very little power and are com¬ pact so that the size of the central unit will be suitable. For financial reasons, a special circuit is therefore used -10 which far surpasses an assembly of discrete components as regards low power consumption, reliability and compactness and which can be integrated into the display unit, which is read through a window in the central unit 3. It is advisable to fill the central unit with, for example, plastic compound -15 after assembly, to prevent condensation and to protect the components from careless handling. The most economical and reliable power supply 4 is obtained by using replaceable batteries located in a case, which is impervious to liquids, in the central unit 3. -20 in the central unit 3 shown in Figure 3, the following opera¬ tions* take place. 1. The temperature is measured roughly in five stages and is displayed in five rectangular areas 11, of which the first area is lit up at a predetermined level. -25 2. The digital indicating instrument 13, with three digits, shows the difference in temperature to 0.1°C over the entire range. 3. The four-digit symbol group of the display 12 indicates which teats are not giving milk, for which purpose the .30 teat cups are marked with the same number. O FI 4. The display units locks onto the highest temperature reached. 5. The device can still measure, even if milk is not received from one or more of the teats. 6. The display indicates inadequate battery power. The circuit is activated by depressing a reset button 14. T circuit shuts itself off after a certain time if the tem¬ perature of the measurement body rises to a predetermined temperature. For reasons of accuracy, measurement should not be carried out before the measuring body has been below a certain tem¬ perature, because the lack of heat in the suction cup mani¬ fold, 7, shall give incorrect values in a subsequent measurement. The temperature measuring instrument is manufactured in com¬ pact, durable units of plastic and rubber which are easily fitted. The invention is naturally not limited to this design but can, of course, be varied within the framework of the concep of the invention. OMϊ

Claims: Patent claims 1. A device for measuring the temperature change in animals, such as cattle, characterised in that a sensing device or temperature measurement device (1) is built in the form of two suction cup manifold halves (7) with a threaded spacer ring (10) between them and to which spacer ring (10) is fitted with four sensors (3) and from the spacer ring (10) a line (2) for the supply of power (4) is connected to the central unit (3) which is provided with five rectangular areas (11) for temperature measurement to a predetermined * - level; instruπent (12) for indicating which teats are not supplying milk; a digital instrument (13) for relevant tem¬ peratures and a reset button (14) for activating the circuit, for which milk to be measured from a selected teat is intro¬ duced through a teat-cup (6) to the spacer ring (10) and the milk, the temperature of which has been measured, flows from the teat cup manifold (7) through a transport hose (5) to the pipework. 2. Arrangement in accordance with patent claim 1, charac¬ terised in that the line (2) is impermeable to liquids and permanently fixed between the spacer ring (10) and the central unit (3). 3. Arrangement in accordance with patent claim 1, charac¬ terised in that the power supply (4) is in the form of repla¬ ceable batteries of suitable type. 4. Arrangement in accordance with patent claim 1, charac¬ terised in that the instrument (12) is arranged in the form of a four-digit symbol group.

Inventors: KARLSSON A, NILSSON L
Applicants: ADIT INVENT AB, KARLSSON A, NILSSON L
Application year: 1980
Main classification: G01K13
IPC codes: A01J7, A61B5, G01K13