Computer-controlled fermentation means for wines
First Claim
1. Fermentation control means for controlling fermentation of sugar solution in the production of an alcoholic beverage, comprising:
- (a) a yeast propagating tank;
(b) a continuous fermenting tank;
(c) a first pump having an input conduit connected to a source of sugar solution and an output conduit connected to the continuous fermenting tank;
(d) a second pump having an input conduit connected to an outlet of said continuous fermenting tank;
(e) at least one of Baume sensing means and yeast concentration sensing means in communication with the contents of the continuous fermenting tank and both indirectly sensitive to yeast activity therein; and
(f) a computer interconnecting said sensing means with both said pumps and arranged to control the pumps so that the feed rate of sugar solution and product discharge are controlled to vary in accordance with yeast activity in said continuous fermenting tank so as to retain both the Baume and yeast cell count substantially constant in said tank during most of the time of fermentation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In the production of wine it is desireable that yeast propagation should remain substantially constant during fermentation and the wine to yeast propagation is normally cyclic. A computer controls functions between limits which are set both for Baume and cell count in a continuous fermenting tank. A Baume sensing means (for example a specific gravity sensing means) and a turbidity sensing means (for example a nephelometer sensor) sense the contents of the continuous fermenting tank. A pump pumps yeast from a yeast propagating tank in response to the requirements of the continuous fermenting tank. A second pump pumps partly fermented wine from the continuous fermenting tank into a buffer tank.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. Fermentation control means for controlling fermentation of sugar solution in the production of an alcoholic beverage, comprising:
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(a) a yeast propagating tank; (b) a continuous fermenting tank; (c) a first pump having an input conduit connected to a source of sugar solution and an output conduit connected to the continuous fermenting tank; (d) a second pump having an input conduit connected to an outlet of said continuous fermenting tank; (e) at least one of Baume sensing means and yeast concentration sensing means in communication with the contents of the continuous fermenting tank and both indirectly sensitive to yeast activity therein; and (f) a computer interconnecting said sensing means with both said pumps and arranged to control the pumps so that the feed rate of sugar solution and product discharge are controlled to vary in accordance with yeast activity in said continuous fermenting tank so as to retain both the Baume and yeast cell count substantially constant in said tank during most of the time of fermentation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. Fermentation control means for controlling fermentation of sugar solution in the production of an alcoholic beverage, comprising:
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(a) a yeast propagating tank; (b) a continuous fermenting tank; (c) a fermentation buffer tank; (d) a first pump having an input conduit connected to a source of sugar solution and an output conduit connected to the continuous fermenting tank; (e) a second pump having an input conduit connected to an outlet of said continuous fermenting tank and an output conduit connected to said fermentation buffer tank; (f) at least one of Baume sensing means and yeast concentration sensing means in communication with the contents of the continuous fermenting tank and both indirectly sensitive to yeast activity therein; and (g) a computer interconnecting said sensing means with both said pumps and arranged to control the pumps so that the feed rate of sugar solution and product discharge are controlled to vary in accordance with yeast activity in said continuous fermenting tank so as to retain both the Baume and yeast cell count substantially constant in said tank during most of the time of fermentation. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Fermentation control means for controlling fermentation of sugar solution in the production of an alcoholic beverage, comprising:
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(a) a yeast propagating tank; (b) a continuous fermenting tank; (c) a first pump having an input conduit connected to a source of sugar solution and an output conduit connected to the continuous fermenting tank; (d) a second pump having an input conduit connected to an outlet of said continuous fermenting tank; (e) at least one of Baume sensing means and yeast concentration sensing means in communication with the contents of the continuous fermenting tank, and both indirectly sensitive to yeast activity therein, wherein the yeast concentration sensing means is a light sensitive nephelometer which determines yeast cell count by sensing liquid turbidity; and (f) a computer interconnecting said sensing means with both said pumps and arranged to control the pumps so that the feed rate of sugar solution and product discharge are controlled to vary in accordance with yeast activity in said continuous fermenting tank so as to retain both the Baume and yeast cell count substantially constant in said tank during most of the time of fermentation.
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Specification