US Patent 11758877 Vacuum pump arrangement for a milking plant

A vacuum pump arrangement for a milking plant includes a main vacuum conduit with at least two vacuum pump units for maintaining a system vacuum in the main vacuum conduit. Each of the vacuum pump units includes a pump, a vacuum tank connected to the pump by an intermediate conduit, and an inlet conduit connecting the vacuum tank to the main vacuum conduit. A drainage extends from the vacuum tank and includes a draining valve. The pump sucks air from the main vacuum conduit via the inlet conduit, the vacuum tank and the intermediate conduit. The vacuum pump unit includes a closing valve provided on the inlet conduit and configured to close the inlet conduit in an automatic manner when the pump has been stopped.