Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 1st Apr., 1897-Accepted, 17th July, 1897
We, WILLIAM HENRY LAWRENCE, of 102, Kenmure Street, Pollokshields, in the
County of Glasgow, North Britain, Engineer, and ROBERT KENNEDY, of 109 South
Portland Street, in the same county, Dairyman, do hereby declare the nature of this
Invention to be as follows, that is to say:
This Invention relates to milking apparatus in which suction is employed to draw
the milk from a cow's teats; and it comprises improvements connected with the
suction-producing apparatus, and in pulsation-producing devices, such devices
operating by means of the suction and being applicable with any suitable suction-
producing apparatus, at any convenient distance therefrom, and near to and in
connection with one, two, or more cows.
The improvements in suction-producing apparatus are designed to produce a
practically uniform degree of suction or vacuum, and to economise the suction-
producing power employed. An ejector or similar instrument worked by steam, or
water, or other suitable fluid under pressure, is by preference employed, and is
connected to what may be termed a vacuum reservoir, which is provided with a
piston, or plunger, or diaphragm, loaded by weight or otherwise to correspond to the
degree of vacuum required, and has connected to it a main suction pipe extending to
or through the byre or milking place, and having branches to which separate
pulsators may be attached. When the ejector or equivalent draws more air from the
reservoir than enters it from the milking apparatus, the piston moves and at length
acts directly or indirectly on a valve so as to shut-off or diminish the supply of steain
or motive fluid; and on more air entering the reservoir and the piston receding, the
increased internal pressure acting on a piston or diaphragm arranged for the purpose
reopens the valve and admits the motive fluid to the ejector, or equivalent. In some
cases as for example when a pump is used to produce suction, the vacuum reservoir
may be without a piston or equivalent and the valve on the pipe supplying steam or
motive fluid to the pump may be controlled in accordance with the internal pressure
by means of a piston or diaphragm subjected to such pressure.
The improved pulsation-producing apparatus comprised in the present Invention
is of the kind described in our earlier Patent Specification, No. 6129 of 1896, in
which a piston or equivalent is made to reciprocate by means of the suction operating
in connection with atmospheric pressure, and by its own movement as a valve or by
moving a separate valve, causing intermittent variations or pulsations in the degree
of suction in the pipes connected to the cow's teats.
In a pulsator as made with one modification of the present improvements, there is
a vertical cylinder having its lower end open and adapted to be placed upon and
communicating with the interior of a milk receptacle or pail. The lower part of the
interior of the cylinder is of a smaller diameter than the upper part, which latter has
working in it a piston at the upper end of a trunk or plunger working in the lower
part of the cylinder.
The main suction pipe is connected to a lateral inlet space at

page_text: the lower part of the cylinder and communicating with the lower open end thereof
and consequently with the pail; and the inlet space cominunicates by a small passage,
provided with an adjustable screw valve, with a small valve box on the top of the
cylinder. The space beneath the piston, diminished to an annular formn by the trunk,
is always open to the atmosphere through a passage provided with an adjustable
screw valve. In the valve box there is a small slide valve, which moved to and fro as
hereinafter described puts the top of the cylinder in communication alternately with
the atmosphere and with the suction. The air inlet to the valve is provided with an
adjustable screw valve, this valve and the others herein before mentioned serving for
suitably timing the pulsations produced, by controlling the rate at which air can pass
through the passages. The slide valve is moved by means of a rod fixed to the piston
and extending up through the cover of the cylinder. This rod has a slot through its
upper part into which slot extends one arm of a three-armed bellcrank, a second arm of
which is connected to the slide valve. The third arm of the bell-crank is connected
by a pair of springs to a fixed point so placed that when the arm is in its middle
position the springs are in line with it. The bellcrank is moved by the piston rod
near each end of the stroke, the slot in the rod allowing a large part of the stroke to
'take place without action. When the bellerank is moved it stretches the springs
until its middle position is just passed, and then the springs acting quickly turn it
over quickly so as to reverse the valve.
The reciprocating movement of the piston due to the action of the suction on the
parts herein before described produces the desired pulsation by means of the piston
trunk or plunger which is at its lower part made with four cavities for acting in
connection with four separate branch pipes for connection to the teat cups for four
cows. The apparatus may be made for one or more cows the branch connections and
valve details being modified accordingly. In its lowest position each trunk or valve
cavity puts its branch pipe in communication with the suction space at the lower end
of the cylinder and with the interior of the pail; and in the highest position the
branch pipes are put in communication with a recess formed round the inside of the
cylinder, this recess admitting a suitable quantity of atmospheric air which may be
led to it by a pipe from the outside of the byre or milking place. In this air inlet
passage there is a valve like that for the same purpose described in the earlier
Specification hereinbefore referred to, and which prevents the ingress of such an
excess of air as would render the suction insufficient to retain the teat cups on the
cow's teats. During the maximum suction periods the milk flows from the teat cups
through the branch pipes and reaching the cylinder drops thence into the pail, which
is provided with a glass cylinder upon which the cylinder is set, and through which
the milk can be seen as it drops.
In another modification of the pulsator which is simplified and rendered more
compact, and is suitable for operating with a single cow or with a small number, the
cylinder, which contains an equal-ended piston, is placed horizontally, being fixed to
a flanged base adapted to be set upon and in communication with the interior of a
pail. The piston is elongated and a slot is formed through it and through the side
of the cylinder so that a pin crossing the piston slot can act directly on the bellcrank
which moves the slide valve, this valve being arranged to work upon a port face on
the upper side of the cylinder. The piston is also made with a valve cavity on its
lower side, which by means of ports in the inside of the cylinder, causes the
alternating maximum and minimum regulated actions to take place as in the
modifications herein before described.
For the purpose of further securing uniformity of suction in the main pipe
proceeding from the vacuum reservoir a reducing or correcting valve is fitted in
connection with that pipe, this valve being a hollow plunger or cylindrical cup working
in a cylindrical casing one end of which communicates with the pipe the other end
being open to the atmosphere. Holes in the sides of the cup communicate with a
space connected to the reservoir. The cup is loaded by weight or otherwise
according to the degree of suction required and when that is exceeded the
atmospheric pressure raises the cup so as to partly close the holes,

page_text: Each branch pipe connecting the pulsation-producing apparatus to teat cups is by
preference fitted with a valve which has to be opened by hand but which closes
automatically whenever air has free ingress owing to the falling-off or removal of teat
cups. The valve consists of a hollow plunger or cylindrical cup working in a
cylindrical chainber, in the sides of which are holes communicating with the pulsating
apparatus, there being corresponding holes in the cup. The cup is made with a stem
extending out through a hole in the casing and having a button on its outer end; and
the annular space round the stem is in communication by a passage with the suction
space in the pulsator. On atmospheric air having access to the branch pipe its action
on the cup makes it move so as to close the holes in the sides of the chamber. To
open the communication the cup has to be pressed down or in again by means of its
stem.
In some cases it is desirable to prevent or diminish in the pail or milk receptacle
variations in the internal pressure due to the pulsations. For this purpose there is
adapted to the top of the pail a vessel which may be of glass and which receives the
milk; and this vessel is made with or has fixed to it a tube which descends nearly
to the bottom of the pail so that its lower end may be sealed by the milk when
there is any in the pail. Or the upper vessel may communicate with the pail
through a suitably loaded valve which will open to allow the milk to pass only
when the pressure in the upper vessel is increased above the minimum through the
pulsating action. With an appropriate adjustment or arrangement of this valve to
suit the pressures acting on it the pail may be open to the atmosphere.
Dated this First day of July 1896.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.
Improvements in Milking Apparatus.
We, WILLIAM HENRY LAWRENCE, of 102, Keninure Street, Pollokshields, in the
County of Glasgow, North Britain, Engineer, and ROBERT KENNEDY, of 109 South
Portland Street, in the same county, dairyman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to milking apparatus in which suction is employed to draw
the milk from a cow's teats; and it comprises improvements connected with the
suction-producing apparatus, and in pulsation-producing devices operating by means
of the suction and being applicable with any suitable suction-producing apparatus,
at any convenient distance therefrom, and near to and in connection with one, two,
or more cows.
The improvements in suction-producing apparatus are designed to produce a
practically uniform degree of suction or vacuum, and to economise the suction-
producing power employed. An ejector or similar instrument worked by steam, or
water, or other suitable fluid under pressure may be employed, being connected to
what may be termed a vacuum reservoir, provided with a piston, or plunger or
diaphragm, or arranged in an equivalent manner, the piston or movable part being
loaded by weight or otherwise to correspond to the degree of vacuum required.
The reservoir bas connected to it a main suction pipe extending to or through the
byre or milking place, and having branches to which separate pulsators may be
attached. When the ejector or equivalent draws more air from the reservoir than
enters it from the milking apparatus the piston or equivalent moves and at length
acts directly or indirectly on a valve so as to shut off or diminish the supply of steam
or motive fluid; and on more air entering the reservoir, the reverse action takes

page_text: place. In some cases, as for example, when a pump is used to produce suction, the
vacuum reservoir may be without a piston or equivalent, and the valve on the pipe
supplying steam or motive fluid to the pump may be controlled in accordance with
the internal pressure by means of a piston or equivalent subjected to such
pressure.
The improved pulsation-producing apparatus comprised in the present Invention
is of the kind described in our earlier Patent Specification No. 6129 of 1896; and
the improvements are hereinafter particularly described with the aid of explanatory
drawings of which two sheets are hereunto appended.
Figure, 1, on Sheet, 1, of the accompanying drawings is a sectional elevation
mainly of suction-producing apparatus and showing two modifications, Figure, 2,
being an enlarged section of a detail. Figures, 3, 4, and 5, on Sheet, 2, are a plan
a vertical section, and a horizontal section of one modification of the improved
pulsation-producing apparatus, and Figure, 6, is a vertical section of a valve detail.
A second modification is shown in Figures, 7 to 9, which are a plan, an elevation,
and a vertical section; and Figures, 10, and 11, are enlarged vertical and horizontal
sections of parts of the apparatus. In these drawings the same reference letters and
numerals are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
ก
The suction-producing apparatus, shown in Figure, 1, comprises a steam boiler, A,
which has connected to it an ejector, A 1, the suction pipe, A 2, of which is connected to
vacuum reservoir, B, consisting of a fixed trunk or hollow plunger, B 1, having
working on it, with a packed joint, a cylinder, B2, and the two being equivalent to
an ordinary cylinder and piston. The cylinder, B2, on account of its own weight
requires less additional weight than would be needed for a piston; whilst provision
is made for varying the weight if desired by attaching to the cylinder an outer
casing, B 3, between which and the cylinder materials to give additional weight may
be put.
The vacuum reservoir, B, is connected by a pipe, B4, through a valve
box, B 5, (hereinafter described) to a main suction pipe, C, extending to the byre or
milking place.
When the cylinder, B 2, approaches its lowest position a small bracket, B6, on it
acting on a stop on a rod, B 7, pulls down the rod, which being connected to a three-
way cock, B 8, admits air by a pipe, B 9, to a small cylinder, A 3, allowing the loaded
piston of this cylinder to drop its rod, A 4, opening the valve, A 5, which admits steam
to the ejector, A 1. The ejector action produces a vacuum in the reservoir, B, but is
stopped on the cylinder, B 2, reaching the upper end of its stroke, by the bracket, B6,
acting on an upper stop of the rod, B 7, and moving the valve, B 8, so as to put the
cylinder, A 3, in communication with the interior of the reservoir, the atmospheric
pressure then raising the piston and shutting the valve, A 5.
Instead of the ejector, A1, the suction may be produced by a steam pump, A6, such
for example, as is shown fixed to the other side of the steam boiler, A. The suction
pipe, 2 A, of this pump is connected to a vacuum reservoir, 2 B, which has no piston or
equivalent, but which is connected by the pipe, 2 A, and a small pipe, 9B, to a
cylinder, 3 A, in which works a piston or plunger connected to the steam controlling
valve, 5 A. The supply of steam to the pump, A6, is by the action of the parts
just described diminished or increased whenever the degree of vacuum in the
reservoir, 2 B, tends to become greater or less than what the parts are adjusted for.
In the modification of the improved pulsation-producing apparatus, or pulsator,
shown in Figures, 3, to 6, (Sheet, 2) there is a vertical cylinder, D, having its lower
end open and adapted to be placed upon and communicating with the interior of a
inilk receptacle or pail, E. A pulsator of this kind is shown on a small scale in
Figure, 1, as applied to a milk receptacle, E. The lower part of the interior of the
cylinder, D, is of a smaller diameter than the upper part, which latter has working
in it a piston, D 1, at the upper end of a trunk or plunger, D2, working in the lower
part of the cylinder. The main suction pipe (C) is by a branch pipe, C1, connected
to a lateral inlet space, D 3, at the lower part of the cylinder and communicating
with the open lower end thereof and consequently with the pail, E; and the inlet
pace, D 3, communicates by a small passage, D 4, provided with an adjustable screw

page_text: valve, D 5, with a small valve box, D6, on the top of the cylinder. The space, D 7,
beneath the piston, D 1, diminished to an annular form by the trunk, D 2, is always
open to the atmosphere through a passage (indicated by a dotted circle in Figure, 4)
provided with an adjustable screw valve. In the valve box, D6, there is a small
slide valve, D 8, which moved to and fro' as hereinafter described puts the top of
the cylinder in communication alternately with the atmosphere and with the
suction. The air inlet, D9, to the valve is provided with an adjustable screw valve,
this valve and the others hereinbefore mentioned serving for suitably timing the
pulsations produced by controlling the rate at which air can pass through the
passages. The slide valve, D 8, is moved by means of a pair of rods, F, connected to
the valve by a pin or lateral projection working in a slot so as to move part of its
stroke each way before moving the valve. The rods, F, are jointed to one arm, F 1,
of a three-armed lever, a second arm, F 2, being acted on by a rod fixed to the
piston, D 1, into a slot in which rod the arm projects. The arrangement is like what
is shown and described for the same purpose in our earlier Patent Specification
herein before referred to, and is here shown as fitted with a similar tumbler or
tripping device, the third arm, F3, of the lever having jointed to it an angular
piece, 4, the point of which bears against a blade spring, F5. During the first
part of each movement the spring, F5, is pushed away but reacts on the lever
arm, F 3, passing its middle position and then causes the quick reversal of the valve.
The reciprocating movement of the piston, D 1, due to the action of the parts
hereinbefore described produces the desired pulsation by means of the piston trunk
or plunger, D2, which is, at its lower part made with four cavities, G, for acting in
connection with four separate branch pipes, H, for connection to the teat cups for four
cows. The apparatus may be made for one or more cows the branch connections
and valve details being modified accordingly. In its lowest position (as shown in
Figure, 4) each trunk or valve cavity, G, puts its branch pipe, H, in communication
with the suction space, D3, at the lower end of the cylinder and with the interior
of the pail by spaces two of which are indicated by dotted lines in Figure, 4;
and in the highest position the branch pipes are put in communication with a
recess, J, forined round the inside of the cylinder, this recess admitting a suitable
quantity of atmospheric air which may be led to it by a pipe from the outside of
the byre or milking place. In the air inlet passage, J 1, there is a valve, J2, like,
that for the same purpose described in our earlier l'atent Specification herein before
referred to, and which prevents the ingress of such an excess of air as would
render the suction insufficient to retain the teat cups on the cow's teats, this
valve, J 2, being made with a plunger, J 3, working in a cylindrical space, and having
its bottom end subjected to the suction through a passage, J4, coninunicating with
the space, D 3. During the maximum suction periods the milk flows from the teat
cups through the branch pipes, H, and reaching the cylinder drops thence into the
pail, E, which may be provided with a glass cylinder upon which the pulsator
cylinder, D, is set, and through which the inilk can be seen as it drops.
In the other modification of the pulsator, which is shown in Figures, 7 to 11,
and which is simplified and rendered more compact and is suitable for operating
with a single cow or with a small number, the cylinder, K, which contains an equal-
ended elongated piston, K 1, (indicated by dotted lines in Figure, 8, and in section in
Figure, 9,) is placed horizontally, and may be fixed to a flanged base adapted to be
set upon and in communication with the interior of the pail. It is however shown
as fixed to the side of a pail or milk receptacle, E, its communication with which is
hereinafter described. The elongated piston, K 1, has a slot formed across its middle,
and a corresponding slot is formed through the cylinder, so that a pin, K 2, fixed to
the middle of the slotted part of the piston can act upon the tumbler or tripping
valve gear. The pin, K 2, moves a lever, K 3, which is centered on a fixed point, and
which has its outer end connected by a helical spring, K4, to a lever or arm on an
oscillating valve piece, K5, formed and fitted to act like a four-way cock in connection
with the cylinder passages, K6, and passages, K 7, K8, communicating with the suction
and with the atmosphere respectively. At each stroke of the piston, K1, the lever, K3

page_text: merely stretches the spring, K4, until the end of the stroke is nearly reached, that is,
until a position is reached in which the line tension of the spring is exactly across
the axis of the valve piece, K 5, but instantly on that position being passed in
completing the stroke, the spring acts on the valve piece so as to quickly change
its position, and thereby bring about the return stroke of the piston. The valve
piece, K5, is in two parts fitted together with a little play so that the part having the
arm on it moves a little before shifting the main part of the valve piece its action
being thereby rendered more certain. The piston, K 1, is made with a cavity, K 9, on
its lower side, which by means of ports in the inside of the cylinder causes the
alternating maximum and minimum regulated actions to take place as in the
modification hereinbefore described. The cavity, K9, works over three ports indicated
by dotted lines in Figure, 8, and below the part in which the three ports are formed
there is a concave plate, L, to which are fixed branch 1ipes, H, for connection to the
teat cups, and indicated by a dotted circle in Figure, 9. To the plate, L, there is
attached by means of a rubber band a glass vessel, 1. 1, which has dipping into it a
tube, 1.2, having a serrated bottoin end, its upper end being in communication with
the middle port in the cylinder, K. Another port of the cylinder is connected by a
pipe, L 3, to the milk receptacle, E; and the third port is connected by a pipe or
passage to an air inlet or minimum-suction valve which is not shown, but which may
be similar to the one, J 2, shown in Figure, 4. The internal tube, L2, is perforated at
its upper part the perforations being covered by a band, L4, of thin rubber. The
parts just described have for their object to diminish variations of pressure in the
.milk receptacle, E. The main suction pipe or a branch pipe from it is connected to
the milk receptacle, E, (the connection not being shown in the drawing) and the
suction draws up milk through the internal tube, L. 2, from the vessel, L'1, and also
operates in the branch pipes, H, connected to the teat cups. When the piston, K 1,
puts the middle port in communication with the minimum suction inlet, the
consequent increased pressure distends the rubber band, I-4, on the internal tube, L2,
and passes through the perforations in that tube and thence into the branch pipes, H,
without disturbing the milk in the vessel, L 1.
In the modification shown in Figures, 7, to 11, adjustable screw valves, M, are
applied to the cylinder passages, in order to control the rate of the passing of air
through them, and thereby time the pulsating action. With the valves so placed the
air passes each valve alternately in opposite directions, thereby rendering the valve
apertures less liable than they otherwise would be to be obstructed by dust.
For the purpose of securing approximate uniformity of suction in the main,
suction pipe, C, proceeding from the vacuum reservoir, B, or (2 B) Figure, 1, a reducing
or correcting valve is fitted in connection with that pipe, this valve being a hollow
plunger or cylindrical cup, N, wórking in a cylindrical casing, B6, the upper end of
which communicates with the pipe, C, the other end being open to the atinosphere.
Holes in the sides of the cup communicate with a space connected to a reservoir.
The cup is loaded by a weight, N 1, (or otherwise) according to the degree of suction.
required, and when that is exceeded the atmospheric pressure raises the cup so as to
partially close the holes.
Each branch pipe, H, connecting the pulsation-producing apparatus to teat cups is,
by preference, fitted with a valve, P, shown in Figure, 6, which has to be opened by
hand, but which closes automatically whenever air has free ingress owing to the
falling off or removal of teat cups. The valve consists of a hollow plunger or
cylindrical cup, P, working in a cylindrical chamber, P 1, in the sides of which are
holes communicating with the pulsating apparatus there being corresponding holes
in the cup. The cup, P, is made with a stein, P 2, extending out through a hole in the
casing and having a button on its outer end; and the annular space round the stem
is in communication by a passage, P 3, with the suction space in the pulsator. Or a
spring may be applied to the cup instead of the suction. On atmospheric air
having access to the branch pipe, H, its action on the cup, P, makes it move so as, to
close the holes in the sides of the chamber. To open the communication the cup, P,
has to be pressed down or in again by means of its stem, P 2..

page_text: Instead of applying apparatus such as is hereinbefore described in connection with,
the glass vessel, L. 1, Figures, 8, and 9, for diminishing in the milk receptacle, E,
variations in the internal pressure due to the pulsations, apparatus shown in Figure, 2,
and also in Figure, 1, may be used. This apparatus consists of a glass vessel, Q, the
lower end of which communicates with the receptacle, E; and the suction acts in the
vessel through an inlet, Q 1. The connection with the teat cups is by an inlet
pipe, Q2, provided with a valve Q3, which is fixed to a piston, Q4, having a rod
extending externally and acted on by an adjustable spring, Q 5. A valve, Q6, at the
bottom of the vessel controls the passage of milk into the receptacle, E. The
valve, Q3, is adjusted to close whenever the degree of vacuum in the vessel, Q, is less
than the minimum intended to act in the teat cups; and then the weight of milk in
the vessel will open the bottom valve, Q 6, and the milk will pass into the receptacle, E,
the valve, however, closing when there is little or no milk in the vessel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination of parts of suction-producing apparatus comprising an ejector
worked by steam or other motive fluid a cylinder and piston or equivalent acting as
a vacuum reservoir, and valve mechanism actuated by the movable part of the
reservoir so as to control the supply of steam, substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described with reference to Figure, 1, of the accompanying drawings.
2. The combination of parts of suction-producing apparatus comprising a steam
pump, a vacuum reservoir, and a piston or equivalent acted on by the pressure in
the reservoir and arranged to control the supply of steam substantially as and for the
purposes herein before described with reference to Figure, 1, of the accompanying
drawings.
3. The improved construction, combination and arrangement of parts forming the
pulsation-producing apparatus to be worked by suction shown in Figures, 3, 4, and 5,
of the accompanying drawings and substantially as herein before described.
4. The improved construction, combination, and arrangement of parts forming
the pulsation-producing apparatus to be worked by suction, shown in Figures, 7 to 11,
of the accompanying drawings and substantially as herein before described.
5. The combination with the vacuum reservoir (B or 2 B) of the reducing or
correcting valve (N) substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
6. The automatically closing valve (P) applied to each branch pipe from the
pulsation-producing apparatus to the teat cups substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described.
7. The arrangement of the glass vessel (Q) and parts connected therewith
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
Dated this Thirty-first day of March 1897
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.