Milk weight metering method and apparatus

摘要

A milk weight metering apparatus (10) is disclosed which uses a standard glass milk weigh jar (14) which is suspended from a load cell weight measuring unit (15). A hydraulic output line (16) extends from the weight measuring unit (15) to a pressure transducer (17) at a position remote from the cow being milked, preferably outside the milking parlor. As milk accumulates within the milk weigh jar (14) greater pressure is provided on fluid sealed within a chamber defined by a load cell body (55) and a diaphragm (63), which pressure is transmitted through the hydraulic line (16) to the pressure transducer. The change in weight of the suspended weigh jar (14) after the milk has been accumulated therein will be proportional to the change in the pressure in the hydraulic line (16), allowing the weight, and thereby the volume, of the milk from the cow to be determined and recorded. The production from the cow may also be correlated with the cow's identity and the time of milking.