Fermentation monitoring system

Inventors: Rogério Nunes Nogueira (Gafanha da Boa Hora, PT); Lúcia Maria Botas Bilro (Gafanha da Encarnação, PT); Fábio Patrício Domingues Gonçalves (Pombal, PT); Pedro Miguel Estima da Costa (Aveiro, PT); Ricardo José Ventura de Sousa e Carvalho Pereira (Oporto, PT)

Assignee: WATGRID, S.A.

G01N1/12 G01N33/146 G01N2001/1037

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12,669,414
App. No.: 18/541,156
Granted: Jun 30, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A method and system for monitoring wine fermentation is provided. The system comprises a sensor conduit and a sensor enclosure. The sensor enclosure comprises a leveling indicator that indicates if the sensor conduit is vertical.

Claims (34)

1 . A system for monitoring, wherein the system comprises:

a conduit;

a sensor;

at least three legs; and

an enclosure operably coupled to the sensor and the at least three legs, wherein:

the enclosure comprises a level configured to indicate when the conduit is vertical,

the at least three legs enable the conduit to be vertically positioned for monitoring, and

each of the at least three legs is individually adjustable in height.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the level comprises a bubble level.

3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system is operable to monitor wine fermentation.

4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system is operable to monitor a vat.

5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein a filter is coupled to the enclosure.

6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein an antenna is coupled to the enclosure.

7 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system is operable to monitor wine fermentation in a barrel.

8 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the conduit extends through a bung.

9 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein a size of the bung is selected according to a bung hole of a barrel, and wherein the bung is interchangeable with bungs of other diameters.

10 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the bung is made of a material that degrades over time, and wherein a degraded bung is interchangeable with a new bung.

11 . A method for monitoring, wherein the method comprises:

inserting a conduit into a container; and

positioning the enclosure according to a level, wherein:

the conduit is operably coupled to an enclosure,

a sensor is operably coupled to the enclosure,

the level indicates when the conduit is vertical,

the enclosure is coupled to a plurality of legs, and

positioning the enclosure comprises adjusting a height of at least one of the plurality of legs.

12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the level comprises a bubble level.

13 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the method is operable to monitor wine fermentation.

14 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the container is a vat.

15 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein a filter is coupled to the enclosure.

16 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein an antenna is coupled to the enclosure.

17 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the container is a barrel.

18 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the conduit extends through a bung.

19 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein a size of the bung is selected according to a bung hole of a barrel, and wherein the bung is interchangeable with bungs of other diameters.

20 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein the bung is made of a material that degrades over time, and wherein a degraded bung is interchangeable with a new bung.