The present invention relates to a conditioning device for conditioning a fluid mixture, such as in a throughflow system and/or measuring system, such as in a milking plant for milking mammals. The present invention also relates to a mass flow measuring device for determin ^¬ ing a mass flow rate of a fluid, such as comprising milk, such as one for a milking plant for milking mammals, com- prising a conditioning device according to the present invention. The present invention also relates to a respec ^¬ tive method for conditioning and for measuring.

The present applicant has an international patent application WO 2013/165236 relating to a mass flow measur- ing device for a milking system. The publication of this international patent application is included here by way of reference for the purpose of sufficiency of disclosure of a mass flow measuring device. It is a characteristic of a milking system that the milk is drawn off pulse-wise from the mammal such as a cow. This creates liquid slugs in the discharge conduits which are highly irregular in respect of the pressure in the conduit and the mass flow rate. Another way of formulating this is to say that quantities of liquid with a greater kinetic energy are alter- nated with quantities of gas. In order to carry out a quantity measurement for the milk it is advantageous for a uniform flow to be guided through the quantity meter.

The present invention provides for this purpose a conditioning device for conditioning a fluid mixture in a throughflow system and/or measuring system, such as in a milking plant for milking mammals, the device comprising:

- a conditioning chamber,

- an inlet for feeding the fluid mixture into the conditioning chamber,

- an outlet for discharging the fluid mixture from the conditioning chamber,

- at least one conditioning chamber wall for providing a conditioning action along the conditioning chamber wall to the conditioning device.

An advantage of the present invention is that the conditioning action is provided by the conditioning chamber wall so that the fluid is carried in conditioned state through the outlet. Because the conditioning action is provided by the conditioning chamber wall along the condi ^¬ tioning wall, a fluid introduced in substantially pulse or slug-like manner is discharged relatively uniformly. The relatively uniformly discharged fluid can be measured in reliable manner. A reflux caused by differences in air pressure in the system and differences in air pressure be ^¬ cause of the slug-wise transport is also prevented, this increasing the reliability of the measurements. A further advantage is that kinetic energy from the slugs is ab- sorbed along the conditioning chamber wall and the flow becomes calmer as a result.

In a first preferred embodiment the conditioning device comprises flow influencing means such as blades, fins, ribs, recesses and/or a coating. The action of the conditioning chamber wall is hereby further enhanced due to the slowing effect of the flow influencing means.

The at least one conditioning chamber wall in the conditioning device more preferably comprises a side wall and a bottom wall, more preferably an upper wall. The ac- tion can hereby be spread over different wall parts. The bottom wall and the space between the bottom wall and side wall also imparts a volume shaping effect.

The at least one conditioning chamber wall more preferably comprises a lower wall or lower wall part with an inclination in the direction of the outlet, preferably wherein the lower wall or the lower wall part comprises ribs or recesses for the purpose of slowing a fluid flow- ing thereover. An advantage of such an inclination is that such a bottom wall can easily be flushed clean after use.

In a further preferred embodiment the conditioning device provides an effect during use which provides that, while fluid is flowing through, pressure fluctuations due to a blocking action of the fluid such as a liquid between the conditioning chamber wall and a downstream space, such as the discharge conduits, are prevented. This effect im ^¬ proves the reliability of the measurement and regularity of the throughflow in the downstream route.

In a further preferred embodiment the conditioning device provides an effect during use which entails that a pulse-wise supply of liquid through the inlet is converted to a flow-like discharge of liquid through the outlet. This effect also improves the reliability of the measure- ment and regularity of the throughflow in the downstream route .

For this and other purposes the conditioning device comprises flow influencing means against a side wall, wherein the flow influencing means are preferably elon- gate, and more preferably have a greater effect on the upper side thereof than on the underside, preferably embod ^¬ ied as a relatively high top close to the upper side in ^¬ clining downward to a relatively low foot on the under ^¬ side. Owing to the relatively high top close to the upper side the liquid flowing against a side wall is slowed down, or forced downward, relatively strongly. Owing to the relatively low foot on the underside the flow along the lower part of the side wall is slowed relatively lit- tie, whereby it slows uniformly. A volume-buffering action is hereby realized at this position for holding liquid when the slugs are relatively large and/or frequent.

It is important that the conditioning device can process both the minimum flow rate and the maximum flow rate within a predetermined bandwidth irrespective of the intensity of the slugs with this flow rate is supplied. The form of the space provides a buffer for this purpose.

The at least one conditioning chamber wall more preferably comprises a side wall or side wall part prefer ^¬ ably running substantially vertically, more preferably running outward at an angle from the underside, more pref ^¬ erably running inward at an angle from the underside. Depending on the bandwidth to be predetermined in respect of the minimum flow rate and maximum flow rate to be processed and variability in the slugs, a skilled person can define a suitable wall configuration within the scope of the present invention.

In a further preferred embodiment the inlet is oriented during use in horizontal direction toward the conditioning chamber, more preferably oriented toward the conditioning chamber wall such that a fluid flow is directed so that it flows in along the wall. This provides the advantage that a downward, to relatively great extent spiralling flow is realized along the walls or wall parts. Hereby also realized is that the flow through the outlet likewise flows to relatively great extent in spiralling manner along the edges, at least to greater extent than without a central inlet running along the wall and to greater extent than the usual tendency of a liquid to flow along the wall.

The conditioning chamber wall more preferably comprises a cavity for holding a quantity of fluid for the purpose of performing specific resistance measurements, wherein the cavity is preferably suitable for arranging therein at least two electrodes for performing the meas ^¬ urements. It is hereby possible to already integrate a specific resistance meter in the conditioning chamber wall, whereby a mass flow measuring device can be arranged under the conditioning chamber. It hereby becomes possible to minimize the overall height of the device, this being a great advantage in determined setups in practice.

An effect of the conditioning is more preferably that a virtual bypass is provided during throughflow and conditioning of a liguid, wherein the virtual bypass is arranged substantially coaxially in the outlet. Such a virtual bypass can be deemed a liquid-free core of a vor- tex with the particular advantage in the present case that an open gas connection is realized by means of this virtu ^¬ al bypass between for instance a supply conduit of a milk ^¬ ing plant and the conditioning chamber wall.

One of the effects of the conditioning is there- fore more preferably that a liquid is brought into a rota ^¬ tional flow relative to the conditioning chamber wall.

The device more preferably comprises coupling means for coupling to a mass flow meter or a liquid meter. The above stated advantage of the small overall height is hereby realized.

The conditioning chamber wall more preferably has space on the upper side of the inlet for free flow-off of liquid.

In a further preferred embodiment the inlet is ar- ranged for infeed from an upper side, preferably further provided with distributing means for lateral distribution of the fluid, more preferably with a spiralling effect. This preferred embodiment has advantages in, among others, setups where the measuring unit is arranged under a milk ^¬ ing plant or on the underside thereof.

A further embodiment comprises an external return conduit external to the conditioning chamber and outlet which is connectable between an outfeed space of the outlet and the conditioning chamber wall. A venting of the conditioning chamber wall to for instance a discharge con ^¬ duit hereby becomes possible in alternative manner.

Further preferred embodiments according to the in ^¬ vention relate to a conditioning device for conditioning a fluid mixture in a throughflow system and/or measuring system, such as in a milking plant for milking mammals, the device comprising:

- a conditioning chamber,

- an inlet for feeding the fluid mixture into the conditioning chamber,

- an outlet for discharging the fluid mixture from the conditioning chamber,

- at least one conditioning chamber wall for providing a conditioning action to the conditioning device,

- at least one upright or lamella for influencing transfer of the fluid mixture from the conditioning chamber to the outlet.

This achieves that a part of the fluid mixture will leave the chamber in slowed manner depending on the configuration of the at least one upright or lamella. In suitable manner the flow is hereby partially allowed through and remains partially outside the upright or the lamella. A volume of the fluid mixture will then flow gradually through openings between the lamellas into the outlet. Unevenly supplied volumes of the fluid mixture are hereby held back temporarily, whereby the outflow volume is more homogenous, or at least has a more uniform flow rate .

A conditioning device preferably comprises for this purpose a number of uprights or lamellas in a sub- stantially annular arrangement round the outlet.

During use the at least one upright or lamella more preferably covers more than 30% of the periphery, and preferably covers more than 40%, more preferably more than 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and/or 90% of a periphery of the outlet or an annular area therearound, preferably in top view. This ratio depends on the flow rate variations to be an ^¬ ticipated in the supply of the fluid mixture and the de ^¬ sirable variations in the flow rate to the outlet. The skilled person can determine a predetermined ratio within the scope of the present invention.

A further aspect according to the present inven ^¬ tion relates to a mass flow measuring device for determining a mass flow rate of a fluid, such as comprising milk, such as one for a milking plant for milking mammals, com- prising a conditioning device according to the present invention. An advantage of such a mass flow measuring device is that measurement is possible while applying the positive effects of the conditioning device.

A further aspect according to the present inven- tion relates to a method for conditioning a liquid, comprising steps for:

- extracting kinetic energy from a pulsing fluid flow, and/or

- minimizing pressure differences between a condi- tioning space or a supply conduit and a discharge conduit.

An advantage of such a method is that measurement is pos ^¬ sible while applying the positive effects of a conditioned flow . According to a first preferred embodiment, the method is applied with a device according to the present invention. An advantage of such a method is that measure ^¬ ment is possible while applying the positive effects of the conditioning device.

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be described in greater detail hereinbelow on the basis of one or more preferred embodi ^¬ ments with reference to the accompanying figures. Similar, though not necessarily identical components of different preferred embodiments are designated with the same refer ^¬ ence numerals.

Fig. 1A-C show three views of a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 2A shows a detail view of the preferred embodiment according to Fig. 1, and Fig. 2B shows a view of a further preferred embodiment.

Fig. 3A-F show views of preferred embodiments with different embodiments of conditioning walls.

Fig. 4 shows a further preferred embodiment ac ^¬ cording to the present invention.

Fig. 5A, B show a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 and 7 each show a sectional view of a con- ditioning chamber according to a further embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows a part according to the invention comprising moulded electrodes of a flow rate meter accord ^¬ ing to the present invention for the purpose of the out- flow from the conditioning chamber.

A first preferred embodiment (Fig. 1) according to the present invention relates to a conditioning device 1. This comprises a conditioning chamber 2 which is formed by a conditioning chamber wall comprising a conically arranged upper wall 4, a substantially vertically arranged side wall 6 and a bottom wall 8.

A fluid inlet 10 is arranged close to the upper side of vertical wall part 6. Infeed takes place such that inflowing liquid is pushed along or against the inner side of wall 6. Blades or fins 12 are arranged on the inner side of the wall. These blades 12 serve to slow down the liquid flow fed in along the wall. On the upper side the blades have a relatively high top as seen from the wall, while on the underside the blades have a relatively low foot as seen from the wall. As a result the liquid is slowed down more quickly on the upper side than on the underside, whereby a circulating flow can be maintained on the underside, or can at least be maintained sufficiently to create a liquid buffer due to the circulating flow.

The bottom 16 of the conditioning chamber wall inclines downward to some extent at a predetermined angle a. The size of this angle defines the buffering action of the space defined by the bottom and the wall.

Situated on the bottom are ribs 18 which likewise impart a slowing effect to the flowing, preferably circulating liquid. Discharge conduit 18 is located centrally in the bottom.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a liquid as may be present between the feed of two liquid slugs. The preceding liquid slug has already been slowed by the upper side of the blades and is present in the underside of the condi ^¬ tioning chamber, forced by the circulating flow against the bottom and the side wall. Owing to the slowing action of the walls, the ribs and the blades the liquid flows gradually into discharge conduit 18. Important for the present invention is that the liquid flows along the walls of discharge conduit 18, whereby a gas passage space 20 remains available during outflow of the liquid.

Through a suitable choice of predetermined rela ^¬ tive dimensions an optimally functioning conditioning de- vice can be designed by a skilled person within the scope of the present invention. Depending on the anticipated flow rate, intensity of flow and slugs, and for instance the volume per minute, it is envisaged that a plurality of conditioning devices are arranged in parallel. It is also envisaged that several conditioning devices are switched on or off depending on the incidentally required capacity.

Fig. 2A shows how liquid space 17 is arranged in bottom 16 for receiving electrodes for an ohmmeter. The resistance of the liquid currently being treated can here- by be determined. Fig. 2B shows a variant of the liquid space 17' wherein the liquid flows into the chamber on the upper side and hereby flows out of a very small opening 19 through discharge conduit 18. The liquid is hereby re ^¬ freshed continuously in alternative manner whereby the re- sistance of the liquid currently being treated can be measured at all times.

Fig. 3A-3F show schematic views of the shape of the conditioning chamber wall. In Fig. 3A a relatively large buffer is present on the underside. The shape of the side wall does however cause a relatively rapid descent of the liquid. In Fig. 3B the liquid is fed in at a relative ^¬ ly low position, with a relatively large buffer on the underside. Only in the case of large slugs is liquid pushed higher against the side wall. Shown in Fig. 3C is an em- bodiment wherein there is substantially no bottom part. This embodiment has a relatively small buffer action and can therefore be applied in the case of relatively small slugs. Fig. 3D and Fig. 3E show a configuration with a very rapid descent because of the shape of the side wall. The relatively wide bottom part nevertheless provides for a relatively large buffering action. The difference is a shape of the ribs in the side wall of these parts. Shown in Fig. 3F is a shape likewise having substantially no bottom, and even no ribs, whereby the effect of the slowing is achieved mainly by the conditioning action of the side wall as well as by the inflow direction of the slugs. This embodiment is hereby suitable for relatively fast slugs, preferably when these are relatively small.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment wherein an external by ^¬ pass 31 runs from an outfeed space 32, which is embodied in practical manner as a conduit in a milking system for a farm, to the upper side of conditioning chamber 2. Hereby realized in alternative manner is that, when the liquid volume through outlet 18 fully fills it, pressure differ ^¬ ences blocking the flow are prevented.

In Fig. 5A a mass flow meter 40 is mounted direct ^¬ ly below conditioning device 1. Shown from the outside are the electrodes 41, 41', 42, 42', the operation of which corresponds to those of the measuring device according to the cited PCT publication. An alternative variant is shown schematically in similar manner in Fig. 5B .

Fig. 6 and 7 show sectional views of the condi- tioning chamber with the lamellas or uprights according to the present invention. There is a conditioning chamber with a bottom wall 16 and a side wall 6 which is provided with fins 12 having a similar function as in the above embodiments. The outflow channel with wall 18 likewise has a function similar to the above embodiments. Arranged around the mouth of the outflow channel are lamellas 51 for the purpose of influencing the flow of the liquid mixture so that, when excess liquid flows in, it flows out in uniform manner. It is advantageous here for the outflow to be such that not the whole surface of the outflow channel is full, so that no pressure differences occur in the outflow chan ^¬ nel between the inlet and the outlet of the device. The bottom has an opening 17 for measuring therein the specific resistance of the currently present mixture.

The channel has electrodes 61,62,63,64 which are arranged in the wall. These electrodes are provided with respective wires 61 ' , 62 ' , 63 ' , 64 ' . These wires are arranged in the wall material by means of a welding operation be ^¬ fore moulding of the electrodes. It is envisaged to place these electrodes in a separate electrode holder (Fig. 8) or directly into the wall of the channel. This electrode holder can be applied separately or can form the wall 18 of an outlet.

An advantageous method of manufacture comprises the following steps. The electrodes are first punched out of a metal plate. The electrodes are then arranged accu ^¬ rately relative to a metal tube 68 around which the open- ings in the electrode fit. These electrodes are then weld ^¬ ed fixedly to this tube. The connecting wires are welded to the electrodes before injection moulding takes place. The tube is then arranged in an injection moulding die, after which the whole is moulded in a suitable plastic.

The wall of the outlet channel is subsequently manufactured by means of a milling operation wherein the whole of the temporary tube 68 and an inner edge of the electrode is cut away in one operation. This creates a flat channel wall 18.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sensor, preferably for a throughflow system or mass flow meter, comprising steps fo : - attaching, preferably by means of welding, at least two annular electrodes to a temporary support member such as a tubular member,

- forming a body round at least the electrodes by means of a forming operation such as moulding or injection moulding,

- removing material by means of a mechanical re ^¬ moving operation, such as milling, for the purpose of forming a channel wall wherein the electrodes form part of the channel wall or are in contact therewith following this operation.

Further steps provided in accordance with pre ^¬ ferred embodiments according to this aspect relate to removing, as part of the steps of the removal operation, the temporary support member and optionally material of the electrode and/or material formed by means of the forming operation .

A further preferred embodiment comprises steps for attaching, such as by means of welding, a wire to the electrode and/or an arm-like member extending from the electrode for the purpose of transporting signals from and/or to the electrodes. When these wires are attached by means of for instance welding, determined types of injection mouldable material would be damaged if this were per- formed after the injection moulding. In these cases it is advantageous according to this embodiment that the elec ^¬ trodes are first provided with the wires and injection moulding is then performed.

The removal operation is advantageous here because the electrodes can be positioned very firmly and accurate ^¬ ly and the support member is removed by means of the re ^¬ moval operation after the moulding operation. Removal processes which are envisaged are, among others, drilling, milling, grinding, cutting etc. A further advantage of a removal process is that a punched edge which may be left behind when the electrodes are punched out of a metal sheet can hereby also be removed in one operation.

It is envisaged to mould the electrodes in an element to be formed separately. It is however likewise envisaged to insert the electrodes in a wall of a channel serving as outflow channel of a conditioning device according to the present invention. A further aspect relates to a mass flow meter with conditioning chamber comprising a moulded space for holding electronics such as measure ^¬ ment electronics. The lower half of the device comprises for this purpose a space for holding electronic elements which is liquid-tight relative to the upper half.

The present invention has been described in the foregoing on the basis of several preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments are deemed de ^¬ scribed in combination with each other, wherein all combinations which can be deemed by a skilled person in the field as falling within the scope of the invention on the basis of reading of this document are included. These pre ^¬ ferred embodiments are not limitative for the scope of protection of this document. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims.