Flight-Based Spirit Aging System with Pressure-Equalizing Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for aging distilled spirits are either lengthy and dependent on traditional techniques or rely on mechanical interventions, lacking efficiency and flexibility in achieving high-quality spirits within shorter intervals.
Innovation Solution
A method and system involving the transportation of spirit storage vessels on aircraft, exposing them to varying altitudes and environmental conditions to accelerate the aging process, using containment vessels with modified bung plugs and vapor collection systems to manage pressure and vapor expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional warehousing methods are used to age spirits, then the spirits achieve maturity through natural climatic changes, but the aging process takes years and storage costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by moving barrels from static storage to dynamic transportation environments. Spirits are transported in vehicles that expose them to varying temperatures, pressures, and movements during transit, accelerating the aging process. The system transforms the static aging process into a dynamic one where environmental variables change continuously during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by deliberately exposing spirits to varying temperature, pressure, and humidity conditions during transportation. The system controls and modifies environmental parameters during transit to accelerate chemical reactions and maturation processes, reducing aging time from years to days or weeks.
2Productivity
If mechanical devices are used to directly alter temperature and pressure, then aging can be achieved in weeks, but the process relies heavily on artificial intervention rather than natural processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by allowing spirits to undergo natural aging processes through exposure to environmental conditions during transportation. The system leverages natural temperature fluctuations, pressure changes, and humidity variations that occur during vehicle transit, enabling spirits to age naturally without direct mechanical intervention while still achieving accelerated maturation.
3Reliability
If spirits are stored in pressurized environments, then vapor expansion is controlled, but the natural aging process is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using expandable bladders that can dynamically adjust their volume in response to pressure changes during transportation. The bladders expand when pressure decreases and contract when pressure increases, maintaining structural integrity while allowing spirits to experience natural pressure variations that accelerate aging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible bladders made of expandable materials to contain spirits during transportation. These flexible containers can adapt to pressure and temperature changes, expanding and contracting as needed, while still providing containment and protection. This allows the spirits to experience environmental variations necessary for accelerated aging.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly shortens the aging process, allowing for accelerated maturation and unique flavor profiles by leveraging natural and mechanical variables, reducing storage costs and environmental risks while maintaining organic quality.
Implementation Method 1
forming a through hole in the one or more containment vessels, and fitting an expandable diaphragm to the through hole so as to allow for pressure changes in the one or more containment vessels
Implementation Method 2
The selected flights may be based on variables including destination, duration at destination, cruise altitude, duration of flight, location of frontal boundaries, ambient temperature, humidity at all phases of flight, turbulence, size of the containment vessels, amount of distilled spirits in the containment vessels
Implementation Method 3
the basic premise of aging spirits has always relied upon, and remains dependent upon, distilled spirits moving across a charred, cellulose medium such as white oak or other suitable wood. The primary and favorable results of using charred white oak are the removal of any remaining impurities from the distilled spirit
Implementation Method 4
the ebb and tide of absorption of distilled spirits into charred wood allows for the adsorption of unwanted compounds such as Sulphur
Implementation Method 5
The one or more containment vessels may include white oak barrels. The selected flights may be based on variables including destination, duration at destination, cruise altitude, duration of flight, location of frontal boundaries, ambient temperature, humidity at all phases of flight
Implementation Method 6
transporting the containment vessels from at least a first destination to at least a second destination upon the selected flight vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A method of aging distilled spirits, and a system to perform the method, the method including storing the distilled spirits in one or more containment vessels, securing the containment vessels in an unpressurized and ventilated cargo area of a selected flight vessel, and transporting the containment vessels from at least a first destination to at least a second destination upon the selected flight vessel.