Continuous Grape Pressing via Hydraulic Piston Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grape pressing technologies, such as mechanical and membrane presses, fail to ensure continuous, high-quality wine production as they either cause mechanical mishandling of grapes or lack adaptability in pressing parameters, and are not suitable for processing whole grapes with stalks.
Innovation Solution
A press system with a cylindrical container and a piston controlled by a central control system, allowing for adjustable pressure and continuous operation while maintaining sensitivity, capable of processing both de-stemmed and whole grapes by regulating the piston's position and the pump's capacity to ensure optimal pressing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical presses with augers are used for continuous pressing, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to mechanical mishandling of grapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical auger system with a fluid pressure system. A pump circulates fluid through a distribution manifold that delivers fluid to the grape mass, while a collection manifold gathers the pressed must. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical contact with moving parts, preventing skin breakage and seed destruction while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs hydraulic principles by using a fluid circulation system to apply pressure to the grape mass. The pump creates fluid flow that exerts distributed pressure through the perforated containers, achieving soft pressing without mechanical impact. This hydraulic approach allows continuous operation while preserving grape integrity.
2Manufacturing precision
If membrane presses are used to ensure gentle pressing, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to discontinuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous pressing operation through a fluid circulation system that continuously pumps fluid through the grape mass. The distribution manifold continuously delivers pressurized fluid, and the collection manifold continuously collects must, eliminating the loading-unloading cycles required by membrane presses. This maintains gentle pressing while achieving continuous productivity.
3Productivity
If traditional presses are used, then productivity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as they cannot adjust pressing parameters to variable product conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic control through a programmable controller that regulates the pump's operation. The controller can adjust fluid flow rate, pressure, and circulation patterns based on grape characteristics and desired must quality. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize pressing parameters for different grape types while maintaining continuous operation.
4Productivity
If mechanical presses are used, then productivity is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to contact with mobile mechanical parts causing skin breakage and seed destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mobile mechanical parts that contact the grapes by replacing the auger system with a fluid pressure system. The pump-driven fluid circulation through perforated containers applies pressure without physical contact from moving components, preventing skin rupture and seed breakage while enabling continuous pressing operation.
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
Enables continuous, high-quality grape pressing with controlled pressure, preserving the characteristics of the product and allowing for efficient processing of whole grapes without mechanical mishandling, while maintaining the quality of the must throughout the process.
Implementation Method 1
A pump sends the product into the container (1) through the connection (12) located in the bottom wall (11)
Implementation Method 2
a piston (9) slidable within the container (1) and pressed by the product
Implementation Method 3
The surface of the container (1) has a plurality of holes at the bottom thereof from which the liquid that separates during pressing flow to an underlying collection manifold
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Continuous pressing line comprising: a cylindrical chamber (120) with perforated wall, having a closed bottom (11) and an opposite open bottom with adjustable discharge opening; a piston (9) moved by an actuator (8) adapted to sealingly slide along the axis of said chamber (120) to be positioned in proximity of the closed bottom (11) or immediately outside the open bottom of the cylindrical chamber (120) to adjust the discharge opening; a variable displacement pump adapted to supply the product to be pressed to said container (1), through the closed bottom (11) thereof; a centralised control system adapted to control said actuator (8) of said piston (9) and said variable displacement pump.