US 11,702,624 B2
System and method for monitoring and controlling conditions within a vessel
Christian Gastón Palmaz, Napa, CA (US)
Assigned to Cedar Knoll Vineyards, Inc., Napa, CA (US)
Filed by Cedar Knoll Vineyard, Inc., Napa, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 20, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/545,492.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/724,288, filed on Aug. 29, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0071655 A1, Mar. 5, 2020
Int. Cl. C12G 1/02 (2006.01); G01K 1/02 (2021.01); C12M 1/36 (2006.01); C12G 1/028 (2006.01); C12M 3/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/34 (2006.01); C12M 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC C12M 41/48 (2013.01) [C12G 1/0213 (2013.01); C12M 23/42 (2013.01); C12M 41/12 (2013.01); C12M 41/18 (2013.01); C12M 41/26 (2013.01); C12M 41/32 (2013.01); C12M 41/34 (2013.01); C12M 41/40 (2013.01); G01K 1/026 (2013.01); G01K 2213/00 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for monitoring and controlling conditions within a wine fermentation tank, comprising:
a. at least two of a plurality of sensor arrays, each of the plurality of sensor arrays having a length configured to allow each sensor array to extend between an inner bottom surface and an inner top surface of the wine fermentation tank; each of the plurality of sensor arrays having a plurality of sensors spaced along the length of the sensor array and placed within a thermowell that isolates each sensor array from fluid within the wine fermentation tank, each of the plurality of sensors configured to sense a condition to be monitored or controlled within the wine fermentation tank;
b. a first of the plurality of sensor arrays being positioned at or proximate to a center position of the wine fermentation tank and a second of the plurality of sensor arrays being positioned at or proximate to an inner peripheral wall of the wine fermentation tank such that each sensor of the first plurality of sensor arrays are in vertical alignment with each sensor of the second plurality of sensor arrays;
c. a computer in communication with each of the plurality of sensors which receives signals from each of the plurality of sensors corresponding to the condition sensed by each of the plurality of sensors; and
d. a processor configured to process the signals from each of the plurality of sensors, assign known sensor data points associated with each of the plurality of sensors, generate estimated sensor data points, each estimated sensor data point being diametrically opposite from each known sensor data point from the first of the plurality of sensor arrays and the second of the plurality of sensor arrays in the wine fermentation tank, and interpolate the signals across a majority of volume within the wine fermentation tank between the known sensor data points and the estimated sensor data points.