Improvements in Milking Apparatus.
Year: 1896

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 11 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883) as required by
the decision of the Law Officer, of the 30th day of July 1897.
Date of Application, 19th Mar., 1896
A
1000
ACLL 3
1000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Milking Apparatus.
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 its object is by improved apparatus to impart a
pulsating action in a better and more convenient manner than has been hitherto
In carrying out the invention the suction may be produced by pumping
accomplished.
apparatus or by any other suitable known kind of apparatus, such apparatus being
placed at any convenient distance from the place where the milking operation is to
be conducted. Instead of producing the pulsation by direct mechanical appliances
forming part of the suction-producing apparatus, separate portable pulsation
apparatus is employed, and may be applied near a set of one, or two, or other
small number of cows although not limited to a small number so that the action
is not altered or rendered inefficient because of taking place through a considerable
length of piping. The improved pulsation apparatus, which may be termed a
pneumatic pulsator, is worked by means of the suction itself in conjunction with
atmospheric air the actions of the two being controlled by automatic appliances,
comprising a cylinder and piston together with ports and passages and valve
details.
In one pneumatic pulsator made according to this invention the piston which is
of an elongated form, is made with a trunk working through a stuffing box so as to
have a smaller effective area at one end than at the, other. The main or branch
suction pipe is put in communication with a suction space in a casting or castings
forming part of.or fixed to the cylinder casting; and the smaller piston area is
always in communication with the suction space. The cylinder is, at about its
middle part, made with a recess which acts like that of an ordinary slide valve in
relation to three ports formed in the cylinder shell. The middle port is connected
to the milk pails or teat cups with which the apparatus is to work; and a second
port communicates with the suction space; whilst the third port communicates
with an air-inlet valve. The cylinder end having the larger effective area is in
communication with a small valve box having in it a kind of piston valve which is
workel by tripping or tappet mechanism frora the main piston and this valve puts
the larger) cylinder end in communication alternately with the suction space
through a pipe or passage, and with the atmosphere by another pipe or passage.
Or a three-way cock or other equivalent valve may be substituted for the piston

page_text: -valve. Stopcocks or valves may be fitted to either or both these passages to
regulate the rate of flow through them.
In one position of the parts the larger piston end is acted on by the atmosphere
or by a regulated pressure somewhat higher than that in the suction space and the
piston moves towards the stuffing-box or trunk end of the cylinder. This makes
the suction space communicate with the passages leading to the milk pails and
teats, and then the greater degree of suction operates. At the came time the
movement of the piston causes the shifting of the valve, in consequence of which
the larger piston end is put in communication with the suction space, and then the
atmosphere acting on the trunk area of the piston makes the latter return to the
other end of the cylinder. In this position of the cylinder the space communicating
with the milk pails and teats is in communication with the air-inlet space-and the
degree of suction is diminished. The actions described are continually repeated
automatically with the result of producing the desired pulsation. And this
pulsating action can be varied in many respects by suitably adjusting the parts and
adjusting the extent of opening through the various passages.
What has been referred to as the air-inlet valve is arranged so as to prevent
such an ingress of air as would reduce the degree of internal suction too much.
The air-inlet valve is arranged to open inwards but has fixed to it a plunger or
piston working in a small chamber the further end of which is in communicating
with the suction space. This piston tends to close the air-inlet valve and does so
as soon as as much air enters past the valve as will diminish the degree of suction
to the desired minimum.
In connection with the suction space of the pneumatic pulsator there may be
arranged a valve operating to some extent like a reducing valve, to prevent
variations in the degree of suction produced by the suction-producing apparatus
from injuriously affecting the action of the pulsator. This valve is moved to and
from its seat by a differential piston working in a small chamber, the smaller
piston part or plunger working through an aperture in a cover so as to be acted
on by the atmosphere, the annular spaces between the cover and larger part of the
piston communicates through a passage or pipe with the suction space. An
adjustable spring may be applied to the plunger part. An increase of suction tends
to close the valve, and vice versa.
Instead of the main pulsator piston being differential as hereinbefore described,
it may be equal ended, and entirely enclosed; and the valve connected with it
may be similar but of smaller size, the main piston acting as a valve to control the
movements of the piston valve, and this controlling the movements of the main
piston. The piston is made, as in the first modification, with a recess, acting like
that of a slide valve, in connection with ports of the suction space, air-inlet space,
and space connected to the pails and teat cups. In addition the piston is formed
with small recesses or grooves arranged by uncovering certain small ports to put
the ends of the piston-valve chamber alternately in communication with the
suction-space and air-space, so as to move the valve as required.
Instead of rigid pistons. being. employed flexible diaphragms may be used. And
instead of the pneumatic pulsator being worked by means of suction it may be
worked by means of compressed air transmitted from any convenient distance, the
pulsator being in that case modified to produce intermittent or pulsating suction
in the pipes connecting it to the milk pails and teat cups.
In order to reduce to a minimum the possibility of the pulsator piston stopping
in a position in which the pressures acting on it are momentarily, in equilibrium,
various known devices may be adopted. I however prefer to use such devices as
are hereinafter described. The tripping gear hereinbefore referred to for moving
the valve, in the first modification; comprises a lever connected to and moved by
the pulsator piston, this lever having a fulcrum pin working in a slot in a fixi
bracket, so that the lever operates only when near either end of the stroke. The
other end of the lever is connected to the valve, and on the connecting rod there is
a pin which acts in an aperture in a tumbling piece pressed in one direction by a

page_text: spring on which it bears with a knife edge. When the connecting rod is moved! in
either direction it first turns up the tumbling piece and in doing so depresses the
spring, but on the middle point being reached the spring reacts and through the
tumbling piece makes the rod complete its stroke.
In another modification, a small flywheel is by a minion at its centre driven at a
comparatively high speed by a spurwheel which receives motion from the pulsator
piston. On the shaft of the spurwheel there is a disk having on it an adjustable
crank pin which works in a slot in a lever made to vibrate by the piston. With
this arrangement, for which any suitable analogous known device may be
substituted, the piston moves more quickly in one direction than in the other,
which, it is believed, will improve the pulsating action and render it more
efficacious.
In a further modification the completing of a stroke of the pulsator piston or of
the valve, is rendered more certain by a piston or diaphragm acted on by the
suction. The piston or its equivalent a diaphragm or a pair of unequal diaphragms
is connected to a lever centered on a bracket, and an arm of this lever is connected
to the added piston or diaphragm which is so placed that its line of action on the
lever is about at right angles to that of the action thereon of the main piston or
diaphragm, with the result that when the lever reaches its middle position in
either direction, the added piston or diaphragm assists its further movement
and that of the main piston or diaphragm, and insures the completing of the
stroke.
Dated this Eighteenth day of March 1896.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.
Improvements in Milking Apparatus.
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 and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
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 cows' teats; and its object is by improved apparatus to impart
a pulsating action in a better and more convenient manner than has been hitherto
accomplished.
In carrying out the invention the suction may be produced by pumping
apparatus, or by any other suitable known kind of apparatus, such apparatus being
placed at any convenient distance from the place where the milking operation is to
be conducted. Instead of producing the pulsation by direct mechanical appliances
forming part of the suction-producing apparatus, separate portable pulsating
apparatus is employed, and may be applied near one cow, or near a set of two OF
more cows, so that the action is not altered or rendered inefficient because of
taking place through a considerable length of piping. It is also a distinguishing
feature of the improved apparatus, which may be termed a pneumatic pulsator,
thai it is worked by means of the suction itself in conjunction with atmospheric
i. the actions of the two being controlled by automatic appliances comprising a
cylinder and piston, or equivalent, together with ports and passages, and valve
details and other parts. The pulsator can also be arranged to be worked by fluid.
pressure instead of suction.

page_text: The constructive details of the improved pulsating apparatus, and the arrange-
ments of the parts, may be varied without departing from the characteristic
peculiarities of the invention, which are embodied in examples shown upon three
accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings.
Figures, 1, and, 2, on Sheet, 1, of the drawings are a side elevation and a plan"
of one example; and Figures, 3, and 4, are vertical and horizontal sections of the
same.
Figures, 5, 6, and 7, on Sheet, 2, are sections of a second example, and
Figures, 8, and 9, show parts hereinafter more particularly referred to.
Figures, 10 to 13, on Sheet, 3, are a plan, a vertical section, a horizontal section
and a sectional elevation of an example of the pulsator as modified for being
worked by fluid pressure instead of suction. In these drawings the same reference
letters and numerals are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are
repeated.
In the example shown in Figures, 1 to 4, the cylinder, A, has working in it a
piston, B, which is of an elongated form and is made with a trunk, B 1, working
through a stuffing box in the cylinder end, so that the effective area of the piston
is smaller at one end than at the other. The main or a branch suction pipe from
the suction-producing apparatus, is by a rubber tube, C1, coupled to a nozzle, C2,
put in communication with a suction space, C, formed in a casting, A. 1, forming
part of or fixed to the cylinder, A; and the annular or smaller piston area is
always in communication with the suction space, C, by a passage, C 3. The
piston, B, is, at about its middle part made with a recess or cavity, B 2, in its side,
which acts like that of an ordinary slide valve in relation to three ports, C 4,
D, and E, formed in the cylinder shell. The middle port, D, is connected to the
milk pails with which the apparatus is to work by branch passages and nozzles, D 1,
to which rubber tubes, I) 2, are connected; and a second port, C4, communicates
with the suction space, C; whilst the third port, E, communicates with an air-inlet
passage, E1, having in it a valve, E2. The cylinder end having the larger
effective area is in communication by a passage, F 1, with a small valve box, F,
having in it a piston valve, F 2, which is worked by tripping or tappet mechanism
(hereinafter explained) from the main piston, B, and this valve, F2, puts the
(larger) cylinder end in communication alternately with the suction space, C,
through a pipe or passage, F 3, and with the atmosphere by another pipe or
passage, F4. Stopcocks, F5, F6, are fitted to these passages for regulating the
flow through them.
In one position of the parts the larger piston end is acted on by the atmosphere,
or by a regulated pressure somewhat higher than that in the suction space, C, and
the piston, B, moves towards the stuffing-box or trunk end of the cylinder, A.
This makes the port, C4, of the suction space, C, communicate through the
cavity, B2, of the piston with the port, D, which communicates with the milk
pails, and then the greater degree of suction operates. At the same time the
movement of the piston on completing its stroke causes the shifting of the
valve, F2, in consequence of which the larger piston end is put in communication
with the suction space, C, and then the atmosphere acting on the trunk area of the
piston, B, makes the piston return to the other end of the cylinder. In this
position of the piston, B, the port. D, communicating with the milk pails is in
communication with the air-inlet port, E, and the degree of suction is diminished.
The actions described are continually repeated automatically with the result of
producing the desired pulsation. And this pulsating action can be varied in many
respects by adjusting the parts and adjusting the extent of opening through the
various passages. The piston, B, is prevented from turning about its axis by a
groove in its side and a pin, B3, fixed in the cylinder and projecting into the
groove.
What has been referred to as the air-inlet valve, E2, is arranged so as to
prevent such a large ingress of air as would reduce the degree of internal suction
too much or cause the teat cups to drop from the cows' teats. The valve, E2, is

page_text: arranged too open inwards the air having access to it through holes in the box, E 3,
but has fixed to it a plunger or piston, E 4, working in a cylindrical part of the
box, E3, the further end of which is in communication by a pipe, E5, with the
suction space, C. This piston, E4, tends to close the air-inlet valve, E2, and
does so as soon as as much air enters past the valve as will diminish the degree of
suction to the desired minimum. An adjustable spring may be substituted for the
piston, E 4, and pipe, E 5.
In connection with the suction space, C, there may be arranged, as shown in
Figure, 3, a valve, C5, operating to some extent like a reducing valve, to prevent
variations in the degree of suction produced by the suction-producing apparatus
from objectionably affecting the action of the pulsator. This valve is moved to
and from its seat by a differential piston, C6, working in a small chamber, the
smaller part or plunger working through an aperture in the cover so as to be acted
on by the atmosphere. The annular space, C7, between the cover and larger part
of the piston, C6, communicates through a pipe, C8, with the suction space, C.
Au adjustable spring, C9, Figure, 1, may be applied to the plunger part of
the piston, C 6. An increase of suction tends to close the valve, C 5, and
vice versa.
In order to reduce to a minimum the possibility of the pulsator piston, B,
stopping in a position in which the pressures acting on it are, momentarily, in
equilibrium, the action on the valve, F2, is transmitted through tripping or
tumbler gear. The piston, B, is connected by a link, L, to a lever, L 1, having its
fulcrum pin working in a slot in a fixed bracket, L2, so that the lever operates
only when near either end of the stroke. The other end of the lever, L 1, is
connected by a link, L3, to the valve, F2; and on the link there is a pin L4,
which acts in an aperture in a tumbling piece, L 5, pressed in one direction by a
spring, L 6, on which it bears with a knife edge. When the link, L3, is moved
in either direction, it first turns the tumbling piece, L 5, partly over on its knife
edge, and in doing so presses out the spring, L; but on the middle point being
reached, the spring, LG, reacts, and through the tumbling piece, L5, makes the
link, L3, complete its stroke.
Instead of the passages, nozzles, and tubes, D, D1, D2, being connected to one
or more pails or milk receptacles which are connected to the teat cups, they may
be connected directly to the teat cups, in which case the passage, C2, must be
connected to a milk receptacle which is itself connected to the main or a branch
suction pipe. In other words the pulsator may be interposed between the milk
receptacle and the teat cups instead of the milk receptacle being between the
pulsator and the teat cups. This arrangement avoids action on the comparatively
large and varying contents of the milk receptacle by the variations of vacuum due
to the pulsation and thereby prevents the pulsation from being rendered irregular
and unequal.
For various parts of the pulsating apparatus as herein before described various
substantially equivalent alternative devices may be substituted. Thus instead of
the main pulsator piston being differential it may be equal-ended and entirely
enclosed, and the valve controlling its movements may be similar to it but of
smaller size, the main piston acting as a valve to control the movements of the
piston valve. Instead of the main piston acting as a valve to put the passage
leading to the milk pails or teat cups alternately in communication with the suction
space and the air-inlet space, the piston may by a rod move a separate valve piece
controlling those communications. Instead of rigid pistons being employed
flexible diaphragms may be used. And instead of the pneumatic pulsator being
worked by means of suction, it may be worked by means of compressed air or
other fluid under pressure transmitted from any convenient distance, the pulsator
being in that case modified to produce intermittent or pulsating suction in the
pipes connecting it to the milk pails or teat cups: The valve gear, also, may be
modified in various ways.
**
On Sheet, 2, of the drawings are shown examples of alternative devices or

page_text: constructions, some being shown as combined with each other, although each may
be substituted for a corresponding part of the apparatus shown on Sheet, 1, of the
drawings and hereinbefore described.
In the arrangemen. shown in Figures, 5, 6, and 7, the main piston, B, is equal-
ended and entirely enclosed and its movements are brought about by a piston
valve, H, made with a valve cavity, HJ, which puts the passages leading to the
cylinder ends alternately in communication with a port, H2, connected to the
suction space, C. Two passages, H3, formed through the valve put the cylinder
passages alternately in communication with one or other of two air-inlet passages.
ving regulating stopcocks, H 4. The piston valve, H, is itself moved by changes
of pressure in the spaces at its ends. I suitable positions on the piston, B, there
are two pairs of grooves, J 1, J2, disposed as shown in Figures, 6, and 7. When
the piston, B, is at one end of its stroke, one pair of grooves, J1, is at the middle
of the cylinder and there makes communication between ports in the cylinder side.
A middle port, K, communicates with suction space; and ports, K1, K2, next it
on opposite sides communicate with the ends of the chamber in which the piston
valve, H, works; whilst two other ports, K3, K4, communicate with the atmo-
sphere. One pair of grooves, J1, cause the suction to act at that end of the
piston-valve chamber towards which the piston-valve, H, has next to more. When
the main piston, B, reaches the opposite end of its struke, the other pair of
grooves, J2, (Figure 7) are at the middle of the cylinder and alter the com-
munications so that the pressures on the ends of the piston valve become reversed.
In this example the piston, B, is prevented from turning about its axis by a square
socket formed at one end of it and working on a square bar, B4, formed on or
fixed to the cylinder cover. The valve, H, is prevented from turning by a groove
and pin. The other parts shown in Figures, 5 and 6, and not specially referred to
are the same as in the example shown on Sheet, 1, of the drawings; and it may be
mentioned that instead of the valve, H, and parts actuating it any suitable valve
arrangement may he used, such for example as what is herein described in
connection with other modifications of the pulsator.
Figure, 8, is a vertical section of an example in which two flexible
diaphragms, M, N, of different areas are substituted for the rigid piston (B).
These diaphragms have fixed to them a rod, P, fixed to a piston valve, P1, which
works over ports, C4, D, E, communicating, respectively with a suction space or
pipe, a pipe connected to the milk pails, and an air-inlet passage. The space
between the diaphragms, M, N, is in constant communication by a pipe, M 1, with
the suction space. The smaller diaphragm, N, is externally acted on by the
atmosphere; and an enclosed space under the larger diaphragm, M, communicates.
by a passage, M 2, with a valve, Q, in the form of a three-way cock. The valve, Q,
puts the passage, M2, alternately in communication with an air-inlet passage, P4,
and with a suction passage, F3, the valve being shifted by means of a lever, Q1,
on it, connected by a link, L3, to a lever, L 1, connected to the rod, P, fixed to the
diaphragms, M, N. A tumbling piece, L5, is fitted on the rod, P, but instead of
being acted on by a metal spring like the corresponding part in the example first
hereinbefore described, it is acted on by a rod, R, fixed to a diaphragm, R1,
exposed on one side to the atmosphere, and having its other side subjected to
suction through a pipe, R 2, communicating with the space between the dia-
phragm, M, N, or it might be any other space in which the suction operates. The
action is the same as with the apparatus described as the first example.
Figure, 9, is an elevation of a device which may be substituted for tripping or
tumbler gear such as is hereinbefore described, but which is contrived so as in
addition to cause the piston to move with different speeds in opposite directions, in
order to make the greater and less pressures of the pulsations have different
durations. The piston, B, acts on a lever, S, which by a slotted part fitted with
a sliding block. S 1, acts on a crank pin, S2, on a disk, S3, which is also a spur-
wheel, having in gear with it a pinion, S4, fast on the spindle of a flywheel, S5.
The vibration of the lever, S, makes the disk, S3, rotate and the rotation is

page_text: rendered approximately uniform by the action of the flywheel, S5. The flywheel
prevents stoppage at any point of momentary equilibrium whilst the position and
action of the lever in relation to the disk cause the movement of the lever, and
therefore of the piston, B, to be slower in one direction than in the other.
The pulsating apparatus shown in Figures, 10 to 13, on Sheet, 3, of the drawings
is designed for being worked by compressed air instead of suction.
The com-
pressed air supplied by a pipe, 14, having on it a stopcock or regulating valve, 15,
enters a chamber, 16, cominunicating with two cylindrical valve boxes, 17, 18,
which communicate with the opposite ends of a cylinder, 19. In the cylinder, 19,
there works a piston, 20, fixed by a large rod or trunk, 21, to a piston, 22, working
in a large cylinder, 23, and it is the action of the piston in the upper end of
this larger cylinder which causes a pulsating suction in the teat cups and pipe
connected therewith. The top of the large cylinder, 23, is connected by pipe, 24,
with a vertical cylindrical vessel, 25, which has connected to it a pipe, 26, connected
to the teat cups, there being at the entrance into the vessel, 25, a valve, 27,
controlled by an adjustable external spring, 28, which closes the entrance whenever
the vacuum in the vessel becomes less than the minimum considered necessary for
retaining the teat cups on the cow's teats. At the bottom of the vessel, 25, there
is an outlet for delivering milk into an open pail, this outlet having fitted to it a
valve, 29, closed by a spring which is nicely adjusted to allow the valve to open by
the weight of milk in the vessel when owing to the ascent of the piston, 22, the
internal pressure is at its maximum but closing when there is little or no milk
therein, and when the internal pressure is reduced by the descent of the piston, 22.
The upper end of the small cylinder, 19, is always in communication with the
compressed-air supply and the movement of the piston is caused by alternately
admitting and exhausting the compressed air from the lower end of the cylinder,
the trunk or rod, 21, causing sufficient difference of area on the upper and lower
sides of the piston, 20, for the purpose. The admission of compressed air to the
upper side of the piston, 20, is, however, controlled, so as to avoid too quick or
abrupt a movement, by a conical-ended piston valve, 30, working in the valve
box, 17, this valve being connected to a lever, 31, controlled by an adjustable
spring, 32, and by a piston, 33, working in a cylindrical chamber, 34, at the top of
the large cylinder, 23. The admission into and exhaust from the lower end of
the small cylinder, 19, is effected by a piston valve, 35, worked by a rod, 36,
passing through it and through end pistons which close the ends of the valve box,
ports in the valve box, 18, and on opposite sides of the bottom cylinder passage, 60,
communicating one with the inlet chamber, 16, and the other with an exhaust
passage, 37, and pipe, 38, which last is fitted with a stop-cock or regulating
valve, 39. The valve rod, 36, acts on the valve, 35, by enlargements at its ends,
so placed as to allow a certain extent of movement of the rod in each direction
before acting on the valve. At one end the valve rod, 36, is connected to a
lever, 40, the upper end of which is connected to a piston, 41, working in the
chamber, 34, already mentioned. The other end of the valve rod, 36, is connected
to a bell crank lever, 42, having on it a weight, 43, and fixed on a rocking
spindle, 44, the further end of which has fixed on it a lever, 45, connected by a
spring, 46, supporting a heavy tappet, 47, made with a rod extending up through
a hole in the bottom of the large cylinder, 23, the spring, 46, being in compression.
With the parts in the positions in which they are shown (Figures 11, 13) the
large piston, 22, is at the top of its cylinder, 23, and the valve, 35, has just been
moved to allow of exhaust from the bottom of the small cylinder, 19, but owing
to the position of the valve, 30, the compressed air can enter the upper end of the
small cylinder, 19, only at a regulated moderate and suitable rate. The large
piston, 22, will next descend and exert suction in the pipes and spaces connected
with the teat cups. The extent of the descent is however automatically determined
to suit the quantity of milk being drawn from the cow or cows operated on, as, on
the vacuum produced by the descent of the piston reaching the maximum degree
for which the apparatus is adjusted, the atmospheric pressure acting on the

page_text: pistou, 41, connected to the lever, 40, will cause the shifting of the valve, 35, and
the reversal of the movement of the pistons. But if the maximum degree of
vacuum is not attained until the pistón, 22, approaches the end of its downward
stroke, the piston will then act on the tappet, 47, and through it and the connec-
tions hereinbefore described, will cause the shifting of the valve, 35, and the
reversal of the movement. When the piston, 41, is moved inwards a small
lever, 48, jointed to the end of the lever, 40, and having a lateral projection on its
end rides over a rib, 49, formed on the cylinder, 34, and becomes engaged by
turning down at the further end of the rib, a spring, 50, applied to it insuring that
action. A small tappet rod, 51, provided with a downwardly acting spring works
in holes through the large cylinder cover and through the top of the small
cylinder, 34, and when the piston, 22, approaches the upper end of its stroke it
presses up the tappet rod, 51, lifting and setting free the small lever, 48, and
leaving the lever, 40, free to act on the next downward stroke of the piston, 22.
Independently, however, of the action on the tappet rod, 51, the valve, 30, is acted
on by the piston, 33, working in the small cylinder, 34, this piston, by the
variations of internal and external pressures on it causing the valve, 30, to open
or close more or less.
The number of pulsation strokes per minute is determined by the pressure of
the compressed air employed, and by the adjustment of the inlet and exhaust
regulating valves, 15, 39, and lever spring, 32, and by adjusting each valve or
spring suitably, the plus and minus suction strokes may be severally made to act
as may be found best in practice.
The apparatus shown in Figures, 10 to 13, of the 'drawings has been designed
for compressed air of about 30 pounds per square inch above the atmosphere; it
will however be obvious that with suitably proportioned parts air or other fluid
such as steam or water with any suitable pressure may be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood
that we are aware of the Specification of Shiels and Elliott, No. 10259 of 1891
and of the Specifications of Shiels No. 20889 of 1891, 8325 of 1892, and 14638 of
1894 and we do not claim anything described and claimed in said Specifications,
we are also aware that it has been previously proposed to operate milking machines
by suction pulsating apparatus placed at a distance from the suction producing
apparatus, and we make no general claim thereto, but we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In milking apparatus operating by suction, the improved automatic pulsating
apparatus working pneumatically by means of a piston and cylinder or equivalent
acting on valves to intermittently alter the pressure or degree of suction in the
pipes connected to the milk pails or teat cups, the said pulsating apparatus being
actuated by the suction and being placed at any convenient distance from the
suction-producing apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. Apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim, modified so as to be
worked by fluid pressure substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Fourteenth day of August 1896.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.

page_text: rendered approximately uniform by the action of the flywheel, S 5. The flywheel
prevents stoppage at any point of momentary equilibrium whilst the position and
action of, the lever in relation to the disk cause the movement of the lever, and
therefore of the piston, B, to be slower in one direction than in the other.
The pulsating apparatus shown in Figures, 10 to 13, on Sheet, 3, of the drawings
is designed for being worked by compressed air instead of suction. The com-
pressed air supplied by a pipe, 14, having on it a stopcock or regulating valve, 15,
enters a chamber, 16, communicating with two cylindrical valve boxes, 17, 18,
which communicate with the opposite ends of a cylinder, 19. In the cylinder, 19,
there works a piston, 20, fixed by a large rod or trunk, 21, to a piston; 22, working
in a large cylinder, 23, and it is the action of the piston in the upper end of
this larger cylinder which causes a pulsating suction in the teat cups and pipe
connected therewith. The top of the large cylinder, 23, is connected by pipe, 24,
with a vertical cylindrical vessel, 25, which has connected to it a pipe, 26, connected
to the teat cups, there being at the entrance into the vessel, 25, a valve, 27,
controlled by an adjustable external spring, 28, which closes the entrance whenever
the vacuum in the vessel becomes less than the minimum considered necessary for
retaining the teat cups on the cow's teats. At the bottom of the vessel, 25, there
is an outlet for delivering milk into an open pail, this outlet having fitted to it a
valve, 29, closed by a spring which is nicely adjusted to allow the valve to open by
the weight of milk in the vessel when owing to the ascent of the piston, 22, the
internal pressure is at its maximum but closing when there is little or no milk
therein, and when the internal pressure is reduced by the descent of the piston, 22.
The upper end of the small cylinder, 19, is always in communication with the
compressed-air supply and the movement of the piston is caused by alternately
admitting and exhausting the compressed air from the lower end of the cylinder,
the trunk or rod, 21, causing sufficient difference of area on the upper and lower
sides of the piston, 20, for the purpose. The admission of compressed air to the
upper side of the piston, 20, is, however, controlled, so as to avoid too quick or
abrupt a movement, by. a conical-ended piston valve, 30, working in the valve
box, 17, this valve being connected to a lever, 31, controlled by an adjustable
spring, 32, and by a piston, 33, working in a cylindrical chamber, 34, at the top of
the large cylinder, 23. The admission into and exhaust from the lower end of
the small cylinder, 19, is effected by a piston valve, 35, worked by a rod, 36,
passing through it and through end pistons which close the ends of the valve box,
ports in the valve box, 18, and on opposite sides of the bottom cylinder passage, 60,
communicating one with the inlet chamber, 16, and the other with an exhaust
passage, 37, and pipe, 38, which last is fitted with a stop-cock or regulating
valve, 39. The valve rod, 36, acts on-the-valve, 35, by enlargements at its ends,
so placed as to allow a certain extent of movement of the rod in each direction
before acting on the valve. At one end the valve rod, 36, is connected to a
lever, 40, the upper end of which is connected to a piston, 41, working in the
chamber, 34, already mentioned. The other end of the valve rod, 36, is connected
to a bell crank lever, 42, having on it a weight, 43, and fixed on a rocking
spindle, 44, the further end of which has fixed on it a lever, 45, connected by a
spring, 46, supporting a heavy tappet, 47, made with a rod extending up through
a hole in the bottom of the large cylinder, 23, the spring, 46, being in compression.
With the parts in the positions in which they are shown (Figures 11, 13) the
large piston, 22, is at the top of its cylinder, 23, and the valve, 35, has just been
moved to allow of exhaust from the bottom of the small cylinder, 19, but owing
to the position of the valve, 30, the compressed air can enter the upper end of the
small cylinder, 19, only at a regulated moderate and suitable rate. The large
piston, 22, will next descend and exert suction in the pipes and spaces connected
with the teat cups. The extent of the descent is however automatically determined
to suit the quantity of milk being drawn from the cow or cows operated on, as, on
the vacuum produced by the descent of the piston reaching the maximum degree
for which the apparatus is adjusted, the atmospheric pressure acting on the

page_text: piston, 41, connected to the lever, 40, will cause the shifting of the valve, 35, and
the reversal of the movement of the pistons. But if the maximum degree of
vacuum is not attained until the piston, 22, approaches the end of its downward
stroke, the piston will then act on the tappet, 47, and through it and the connect-
tions hereinbefore described, will cause the shifting of the valve, 35, and the
reversal of the movement. When the piston, 41, is moved inwards a small
lever, 48, jointed to the end of the lever, 40, and having a lateral projection on its
end rides over a rib,, 49, formed on the cylinder, 34, and becomes engaged by
turning down at the further end of the rib, a spring, 50, applied to it insuring that
action. A small tappet rod, 51, provided with a downwardly acting spring works
in holes through the large cylinder cover and through the top of the small
cylinder, 34, and when the piston, 22, approaches the upper end of its stroke it
presses up the tappet rod, 51, lifting and setting free the small lever, 48, and
leaving the lever, 40, free to act on the next downward stroke of the piston, 22.
Independently, however, of the action on the tappet rod, 51, the valve, 30, is acted
on by the piston, 33, working in the small cylinder, 34, this piston, by the
variations of internal and external pressurés on it causing the valve, 30, to open
or close more or less.
The number of pulsation strokes per minute is determined by the pressure of
the compressed air employed, and by the adjustment of the inlet and. exhaust
regulating valves, 15, 39, and lever spring, 32, and by adjusting each valve or
spring suitably, the plus and minus suction strokes may be severally made to act
as may be found best in practice.
The apparatus shown in Figures, 10 to 13, of the drawings has been designed
for compressed air of about 30 pounds per square inch above the atmosphere; it
will however be obvious that with suitably proportioned parts air or other fluid
such as steam or water with any suitable pressure may be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood
that we are aware of the Specification of Shiels and Elliott, No. 10259 of 1891
and of the Specifications of Shiels No. 20889 of 1891, 8325 of 1892, and 14638 of
1894 and we do not claim anything described and claimed in said Specifications,
we are also aware that it has been previously proposed to operate by suction
pulsating apparatus placed at a distance from the suction producing apparatus,
and we make no general claim thereto, but we declare that what we claim is:-
1. In milking apparatus operating by suction, the improved automatic pulsating
apparatus working pneumatically by means of a piston and cylinder or equivalent
acting on valves to intermittently alter the pressure or degree of suction in the
pipes connected to the milk pails or teat cups, the said pulsating apparatus being
actuated by the suction and being placed at any convenient distance from the
suction-producing apparatus, substantially as herein before described.
2. Apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim, modified so as to be
worked by fluid pressure substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Fourteenth day of August 1896.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.