CONTROLLING VACUUM LEVEL WITH A TWO-LEVEL VACUUM SYSTEM CONTROLLER AND ADJUSTABLE SPEED DRIVE

摘要

A low-energy-consuming apparatus and method for controlling vacuum levels in machine milking and other vacuum systems subject to air leakage utilizes in combination a high vacuum reserve, a low-vacuum end (pipelines), a dual vacuum controller positioned between the high-vacu-um reserve (20) and the low-vacuum end and an adjustable speed drive (ASD) motor (26) on a vacuum pump (28) to regulate the delivered air to match the air usage in the lowvacuum end. The dual vacuum controller senses vacuum disturbances in the low-vacuum end and adjusts the flow rate of air from the low-vacuum end to the high-vacuum reserve rather than using external air makeup, thus providing a controlled vacuum with minimum pressure variance and energy input. Energy savings and demand reduction of about 50 percent (50 %) during milking are realized under the new system.