milking vacuum Regulator

What is the role of vacuum regulater in milking machine?

An automatic valve to maintain a steady vacuum inspite of varying air usage. A preset force (weight or spring) holds the valve closed until vacuum lifts it and allows air to enter. Valve should maintain vacuum to within the limits of ±kPa of the designed working vacuum.

How vacuum regulator works?

Vacuum regulator is an automatic valve fitted into the main vacuum pipeline near to the milking units that is designed to maintain the working vacuum level in the milking machine, despite the varying air usage during milking. It operates by admitting air into the pipeline when the vacuum increases above the predetermined level. The valve is held closed by a weight or spring until the vacuum in the system overcomes the closing force, allowing atmospheric pressure to open the valve. 

A good regulator should be able to control the vacuum to within plus or minus 2 kPa of the working vacuum, be stable and not leak by more than 35 l/min, when nominally closed. All vacuum regulators have an air filter to filter the incoming air. The vacuum gauge indicates the vacuum in the pipeline system. Its most important function is to indicate abnormal levels and fluctuations in vacuum, eg. serious air leaks, dirty regulator and slipping vacuum pump drive belts.