| 摘要 |
<p>The direct in-line milk meter is of the non-invasive type and comprises two electrodes (10, 12; 10A, 12A) which are incorporated (10A, 12A) into the wall of a pipe (22) carrying the milk from an animal during the milking process, or are (10, 12) applied to the outside of the wall of the pipe (22). The two electrodes (10, 12; 10A, 12A) form the plates of a capacitor, while the milk flowing through the pipe (22) between the plates (10, 12; 10A, 12A) acts as the capacitor's dielectric. There are provided means (14; 14A) for detecting changes in the capacitor's capacitance over time as the flow of milk in the pipe (22) varies, so that it is possible to determine the quantity of milk produced by the animal during milking. There are also provided means of ensuring that the flow of milk through the pipe (22) at the capacitor's plates (10, 12; 10A, 12A) is laminar and helicoidal, the pitch of the helix exceeding the length of that section of the pipe (22) covered by the plates (10, 12; 10A, 12A).</p> |
