CA2014568A1 - Method of producing artificial snow - Google Patents
Method of producing artificial snowInfo
- Publication number
- CA2014568A1 CA2014568A1 CA 2014568 CA2014568A CA2014568A1 CA 2014568 A1 CA2014568 A1 CA 2014568A1 CA 2014568 CA2014568 CA 2014568 CA 2014568 A CA2014568 A CA 2014568A CA 2014568 A1 CA2014568 A1 CA 2014568A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ice
- snow
- block
- vehicle
- ski
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
- E01H4/00—Working on surfaces of snow or ice in order to make them suitable for traffic or sporting purposes, e.g. by compacting snow
- E01H4/02—Working on surfaces of snow or ice in order to make them suitable for traffic or sporting purposes, e.g. by compacting snow for sporting purposes, e.g. preparation of ski trails; Construction of artificial surfacings for snow or ice sports ; Trails specially adapted for on-the-snow vehicles, e.g. devices adapted for ski-trails
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C3/00—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow
- F25C3/04—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow for sledging or ski trails; Producing artificial snow
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/02—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice
- F25C5/04—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws
- F25C5/046—Ice-crusher machines
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2303/00—Special arrangements or features for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Special arrangements or features for producing artificial snow
- F25C2303/042—Snow making by using solid ice, e.g. ice crushing
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Crushing And Grinding (AREA)
- Cleaning Of Streets, Tracks, Or Beaches (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
In a stationary deep-freeze plant, ice is produced, which is then processed into artificial snow in stationary or mobile ice-crushing apparatus. The artificial snow may then be deposited at the desired location by a full-track ski-run vehicle and compacted. By means of this method, all of the snow produced comes to lie where it is actually de-sired. Moreover, no water-pipe system is required for pro-ducing artificial snow, and production is independent of weather conditions.
In a stationary deep-freeze plant, ice is produced, which is then processed into artificial snow in stationary or mobile ice-crushing apparatus. The artificial snow may then be deposited at the desired location by a full-track ski-run vehicle and compacted. By means of this method, all of the snow produced comes to lie where it is actually de-sired. Moreover, no water-pipe system is required for pro-ducing artificial snow, and production is independent of weather conditions.
Description
METHOD OF PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL SNOW
This invention relates to a method for producing arti-ficial snow, to an installation for carrying out the method, and to a full-track ski-run vehicle as a means for carrying out the method.
In recent years, winter resorts have increasingly had recourse to so-called snow guns in order to offer their guests at least one possibility of doing some skiing in win-ters when there is little snowfall. However, the operation of snow guns requires an expensive network of water lines so that the snow can be produced on the ski-run. The snow guns spray the water out together with compressed air. Prerequi-sites for the successful production of snow by snow guns are very particular atmospheric conditions, especially a low temperature and a certain relative humidity.
If the snow is produced in this way, the yield is also relatively low since part of the snow produced is carried away by the wind, and a further proportion of the sprayed water evaporates. Another problem in the production of ar-tificial snow is icing, which under certain circumstancesmay jam a snow maker.
European Patent Application Publication No. 0 274 305 discloses a method of artificially depositing snow on ski-runs. Here the terrain is first coated with a compact layer of ice and then treated by a special machine. This machine contains a rotary cylinder with blades used for milling off the ice. The shortcoming of this method is that the de-posit of snow is possible only on mostly even terrain, 5~3 particularly for cross-country skiing. The method can hardly be used on steep slopes such as are required for the so-called alpine skiing disciplines. Moreover, the result is a layer of snow covering a substrate of sheer ice, which may lead to a hard track having unpleasant ski-ing properties.
It is an ob;ect of this invention to provide an im-proved method and installation for producing artificial snow which eliminates the foregoing shortcomings of prior art equipment and which is largely independent of weather conditions.
To this end, in the method of producing artificial snow according to the present invention, ice, e.g., as blocks, flakes, granules, cubes, or sheets of ice, is pro-duced by means of a stationary deep-freeze installation, this ice is conveyed into a crushing installation, and the ice material is crushed into snow having the desired grain size.
The ideal temperature in the deep-freeze chamber is preferably between -15C and -40-C. The ice may, for exam-ple, be in the form of an elongated cylindrical block or fragments of sheet ice produced by spraying water through a water dispenser in the form of a rotating pipe, on one side of which nozzles are disposed, onto the inside of a cylin-drical mold. With every rotation a thin layer of ice isformed, and in a relatively short time these layers build up a compact coating of ice. However, the water dispenser with the nozzles may also be stationary if the cylindrical mold ~4568 is rotated. As soon as the coating of ice reaches the de-sired thickness, or the block of ice the necessary size, the ice can be ejected from the formation chamber. Ejection of the coating of ice can be facilitated by using an elastic-ally deformable cylindrical mold, as soon as the ice isthick enough, pressure is applied to the mold from the out-side, whereupon the layer o~ ice breaks up and the fragments drop out. Formation of the coating or block of ice may take place in any desired position (e.g., horizontally or verti-cally). Production of the layer or block of ice can befully automated so that a stock of fragmented sheet ice or of blocks of ice is produced overnight, and these can then be crushed and distributed whenever desired.
Once the ice is obtained, whether as a compact block, as ice cubes, broken sheet fragments, or in some other form, it may be crushed immediately after production and made ready for distribution. If the ice is to be stored for any length of time at temperatures above 0C, however, it is preferable to have it in block form and not to crush it un-til immediately prior to distribution.
In one embodiment, the ice is produced in a refrigera-tion chamber and thereafter converted directly into snow by a crushing apparatus. Various possibilities enter into con-sideration as crushing apparatus. For the crushing of com-pact blocks, for instance, rotary or vibratory blades whichgrate or scrape the bloc~ may be used. If fragmented sheet ice, ice cubes, or similar forms of ice exist, they are crushed to the desired grain size between rotary cylinders ~.
2~S~
or disks, for example.
If the crushing procedure takes place within the same installation as the ic~ production, the resultant snow may be conveyed to its place of use in various ways. The sim-plest possibility is offered by a full-track ski-run vehicle on which a loading platform serving to receive the snow is mounted. The loaded vehicle moves to the part of the ski-run where additional snow is required. The snow is dumped onto the ski-run and then spread and compacted by means of the vehicle.
Alternatively, the artificially made snow may equally well be transported to the desired location by means of an expedient conveyor installation. Such a conveyor apparatus preferably consists of a pipe system. If necessary, the pipe system may consist of individual sections of pipe hav-ing joints and an electric line with plug devices so that when the pipe elements are joined, electrical contacts can likewise be established. For downhill conveyance, no addi-tional auxiliary means may be needed. In this way, snow made in a higher production installation could be distrib-uted over a lower-lying ski-run by means of the pipe system.
Otherwise, conveyor apparatus would have to be provided in the pipeline at regular intervals. Such apparatus may be either blowers for fluffy snow or worm conveyors for compact snow.
Another possibility of distributing the artificial snow consists in loading a block of ice on an appropriately equipped full-track ski-run vehicle. At a suitable 56~3 location, the vehicle has a trough or tub for receiving at -least one block of ice measuring several cubic meters, say, 1-3 cu.m. As a rule, the vehicle must have for this purpose a hydraulic hoisting crane by means of which the heavy blocks of ice can be brought to the proper place. The blocks may also be pushed directly into the trough of the appropriately positioned sXi-run treatment apparatus. The ice is crushed and snow having ~he desired grain size is made by means of a crushing apparatus which usually has ro-tary knives or scraping cylinders that grind the snow offthe compact block of ice, so to speak. In this way, about three parts of snow by volume are produced from one part of compact ice by volume. During the crushing operation, the block of ice can remain stationary on the full-track vehi-cle, and the crushing apparatus is movable for the purposeof adaptation to the size of the particular block of ice.
As a rule, the device for receiving the block of ice should be disposed in such a way that there is optimum distribution of weight for the vehicle. The snow produced must be con-veyed in front of the caterpillar tracks after it has beenmade so that it may be compacted at the desired location of the ski-run. The vehicle preferably has a storage bin for snow as well so that the latter need be discharged only where there is actually a requirement for it. If there is sufficient snow on the ski-run being travelled, the crushing process may continue nonetheless so that a reserve supply of snow is constituted.
The rotary blades of the crushing apparatus may be , ... .
:: . : :
;~Q~
driven mechanically from the vehicle drive by means of a shaft, or they may be driven by an electric motor powered by the vehicle's generator. The axle of the rotary blades may, for example, be disposed either along the longitudinal a~is of the block of ice or at right angles thereto. Alterna-tively, a self-motivated movement, e.g., a rotation, may be imparted to the block of ice, with stationary or rotary knives then being used for the crushing.
If the crushing apparatus for the blocks or fragments of ice is disposed permanently in the vicinity of the plant for making the ice, the snow produced is conveyed to a sta-tionary supply bin serving as an intermediate storage loca-tion. Alternatively, the snow produced may equally be con-veyed directly into a storage bin on a full-track vehicle.
However, the vehicle bin might also be filled from the sta-tionary supply bin. The vehicle distributes the snow and compacts it at the desired location of the s~i-run. The snow is naturally discharged only where there is actually a need for it.
For increasing the efficiency of the ice production, energy may additionally be withdrawn from the system by means of a heat pump. mhis energy can be used for heating purposes, e.g., for supplementing the heating of a hotel or a swimming pool. Heat pumps entering into consideration for this use are such as have long been commercially available and have proven satisfactory for heating purposes.
Conse~uently, a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for carrying out the inventive method also comprises a heat 2Q~4~6~
pump which is coupled to the refrigeration unit.
The above-mentioned stationary apparatus for crushing the ice may be analogous to that which has been described for the full-track ski-run vehicle.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying draw-ings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an arrangement for making a cylinder of ice in a refrigeration chamber, ~
Figure 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an ice-crushing apparatus for mounting on a full-track vehicle or in a refrigeration chamber, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic elevation of a full-track ski-run vehicle on which an ice-crushing apparatus is dis-posed, and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic elevation of a full-track ski-run vehicle having a storage bin.
Figure 1 illustrates the an arrangement for making a cylinder of ice. A water supply-line l supplies water to a rotating pipe 3 which is provided along a hollow cylinder 2 with nozzles. Cylinder 2 is used for building up an ice cylinder 5 which is formed on the inside of the cylinder wall from water-jets 4 owing to the 'ow temperatures. By means of the rotation about the longitudinal axis of the pipe, which is connected to water supply-line 1 by a rotary coupling 7, water-jets 4 are guided evenly onto the inside surface of hollow cylinder 2. Correct regulation of the re-frigeration chamber temperature, the water supply, and the ... . . . .
2~ 6~3 speed of rotation leads to the continuous formation of a layer of ice which serves to build up a coating of ice of a specific thickness, or of a block o~ ice. Rotary water pipe 3 is mounted on bearings 6 and is moved via a pulley 8 by means of a V-belt driven over a drive pulley 9 by a motor 10, As soon as the coating of ice is thick enough, or the block of ice is large enough, the ice is pulled away from pipe 3 and released from its cylinder mold 2. A coating of ice may be released by means of a temporary deformation of an elastic version of cylinder 2 or through the opening thereof, or a block of ice may be temporarily placed in a warmer environment so that hollow cylinder 2 can be easily removed and reused for forming a new cylinder of ice. The block of ice produced may then be put in storage and loaded on the ski-run vehicle when needed. Such loading may take place by means of a stationary crane or one secured to the vehicle and having one or more grab arms. The blocks of ice may also be pushed directly from hollow cylinder 2 into a trough 11 of the suitably positioned ski-run vehicle.
Figure 2 shows ice-crushing apparatus as may be used either stationary or on the ski-run vehicle. An ice block 12 is placed in trough 11, with rotary blades 13, driven by a shaft 14, serving to convert the ice into snow. The snow goes temporarily into a housing 15 and is conveyed by worm gearing 16 into a conveyor hose 17 which may lead to a stor-age bin or to the desired location next to the vehicle. Ice block 12 is pressed toward blades 13 by means of a hydraulic cylinder and a contact plate 19. When ice block 12 has been ~4~
crushed almost completely into snow of the desired grain size, a new block can be laid in trough 11, and the produc-tion and distribution of snow by means of the ski-run vehi-cle can continue. The snow produced may likewise be con-veyed through hose 17 into a storage bin (not shown) dispo-sed on the vehicle. When there is enough snow in this bin, it may be dumped at the desired location, and the ski-run vehicle can roll the snow and work it with the appropriate tools. , Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a full-track ski-run vehicle having caterpillar tracks 20, a cab 21, and ski-run preparation fixtures 22, 23, and 24. Such fixtures normally comprise a ram blade for moving and spreading snow, a rake for roughening or scarifying the ski-run, and an additional roller for producing a homogene-ous surface structure of the ski-run. Disposed on this ve-hicle is a crushing machine 25 such as is illustrated in Figure 2. This crushing apparatus may be driven by an elec-tric motor or by a shaft connected to the driving unit of the vehicle. The snow produced can be conveyed through pipe 17 directly in front of blade 24, and the processing of ice can take place simultaneously with the rolling of the ski-run. If fairly large qUantities of snow are required, the ice block can be processed into a supply of snow on the ve-hicle. In such a case, the vehicle would be provided with aplatform for receiving the snow. This would have to be a tilting platform so that the snow could be unloaded at the proper place. Finally, the ski-run vehicle may be further 2~
provided with a crane for loading the blocks of ice, which may weigh anywhere from a few kilograms to several tons.
However, the crane may also be situated at the place where the ice is made so that the vehicle is not unnecessarily S burdened by a heavy unit.
It is obvious that the arrangement of the crushing ap-paratus on the ski-run vehicle may also be disposed dif-ferently, as illustrated in Figure 3. For an expedient dis-tribution of weight on the vehicle, the apparatus for pro-cessing the block of ice may alternatively be disposed sothat its longitudinal direction is the same as the direction of travel. Once the block of ice is immovably mounted on the vehicle, the rotary blades for abrading the block must be adapted. In a particular embodiment, a wheel with rotary blades might then be disposed on a movable arm and would be driven by a flexible shaft. By the positioning of the blades and by controlling the contact pressure, the struc-ture of the snow may be adapted to the requirements.
Instead of the illustrated crushing apparatus, the full-track vehicle may equally well have a storage bin for ice fragments and a crushing apparatus. Such apparatus may, for example, consist of rollers disposed side by side or else of intermeshing disks.
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a full-track ski-run vehicle having the caterpillar track 20, the cab 21, and the ski-run preparation fixtures 22, 23, and 24 according to the description of Figure 3. However, the vehicle shown here additionally comprises a storage bin 2~
26. The lower, wedge-shaped part of bin 26 opens out into a worm conveyor 27 by which the snow stored in bin 26 is con-veyed through pipe 17 directly in front of blade 24. If fairly large amounts of snow are required at any location, it is preferable to dispose a tilting bin 26 on the vehicle.
This invention relates to a method for producing arti-ficial snow, to an installation for carrying out the method, and to a full-track ski-run vehicle as a means for carrying out the method.
In recent years, winter resorts have increasingly had recourse to so-called snow guns in order to offer their guests at least one possibility of doing some skiing in win-ters when there is little snowfall. However, the operation of snow guns requires an expensive network of water lines so that the snow can be produced on the ski-run. The snow guns spray the water out together with compressed air. Prerequi-sites for the successful production of snow by snow guns are very particular atmospheric conditions, especially a low temperature and a certain relative humidity.
If the snow is produced in this way, the yield is also relatively low since part of the snow produced is carried away by the wind, and a further proportion of the sprayed water evaporates. Another problem in the production of ar-tificial snow is icing, which under certain circumstancesmay jam a snow maker.
European Patent Application Publication No. 0 274 305 discloses a method of artificially depositing snow on ski-runs. Here the terrain is first coated with a compact layer of ice and then treated by a special machine. This machine contains a rotary cylinder with blades used for milling off the ice. The shortcoming of this method is that the de-posit of snow is possible only on mostly even terrain, 5~3 particularly for cross-country skiing. The method can hardly be used on steep slopes such as are required for the so-called alpine skiing disciplines. Moreover, the result is a layer of snow covering a substrate of sheer ice, which may lead to a hard track having unpleasant ski-ing properties.
It is an ob;ect of this invention to provide an im-proved method and installation for producing artificial snow which eliminates the foregoing shortcomings of prior art equipment and which is largely independent of weather conditions.
To this end, in the method of producing artificial snow according to the present invention, ice, e.g., as blocks, flakes, granules, cubes, or sheets of ice, is pro-duced by means of a stationary deep-freeze installation, this ice is conveyed into a crushing installation, and the ice material is crushed into snow having the desired grain size.
The ideal temperature in the deep-freeze chamber is preferably between -15C and -40-C. The ice may, for exam-ple, be in the form of an elongated cylindrical block or fragments of sheet ice produced by spraying water through a water dispenser in the form of a rotating pipe, on one side of which nozzles are disposed, onto the inside of a cylin-drical mold. With every rotation a thin layer of ice isformed, and in a relatively short time these layers build up a compact coating of ice. However, the water dispenser with the nozzles may also be stationary if the cylindrical mold ~4568 is rotated. As soon as the coating of ice reaches the de-sired thickness, or the block of ice the necessary size, the ice can be ejected from the formation chamber. Ejection of the coating of ice can be facilitated by using an elastic-ally deformable cylindrical mold, as soon as the ice isthick enough, pressure is applied to the mold from the out-side, whereupon the layer o~ ice breaks up and the fragments drop out. Formation of the coating or block of ice may take place in any desired position (e.g., horizontally or verti-cally). Production of the layer or block of ice can befully automated so that a stock of fragmented sheet ice or of blocks of ice is produced overnight, and these can then be crushed and distributed whenever desired.
Once the ice is obtained, whether as a compact block, as ice cubes, broken sheet fragments, or in some other form, it may be crushed immediately after production and made ready for distribution. If the ice is to be stored for any length of time at temperatures above 0C, however, it is preferable to have it in block form and not to crush it un-til immediately prior to distribution.
In one embodiment, the ice is produced in a refrigera-tion chamber and thereafter converted directly into snow by a crushing apparatus. Various possibilities enter into con-sideration as crushing apparatus. For the crushing of com-pact blocks, for instance, rotary or vibratory blades whichgrate or scrape the bloc~ may be used. If fragmented sheet ice, ice cubes, or similar forms of ice exist, they are crushed to the desired grain size between rotary cylinders ~.
2~S~
or disks, for example.
If the crushing procedure takes place within the same installation as the ic~ production, the resultant snow may be conveyed to its place of use in various ways. The sim-plest possibility is offered by a full-track ski-run vehicle on which a loading platform serving to receive the snow is mounted. The loaded vehicle moves to the part of the ski-run where additional snow is required. The snow is dumped onto the ski-run and then spread and compacted by means of the vehicle.
Alternatively, the artificially made snow may equally well be transported to the desired location by means of an expedient conveyor installation. Such a conveyor apparatus preferably consists of a pipe system. If necessary, the pipe system may consist of individual sections of pipe hav-ing joints and an electric line with plug devices so that when the pipe elements are joined, electrical contacts can likewise be established. For downhill conveyance, no addi-tional auxiliary means may be needed. In this way, snow made in a higher production installation could be distrib-uted over a lower-lying ski-run by means of the pipe system.
Otherwise, conveyor apparatus would have to be provided in the pipeline at regular intervals. Such apparatus may be either blowers for fluffy snow or worm conveyors for compact snow.
Another possibility of distributing the artificial snow consists in loading a block of ice on an appropriately equipped full-track ski-run vehicle. At a suitable 56~3 location, the vehicle has a trough or tub for receiving at -least one block of ice measuring several cubic meters, say, 1-3 cu.m. As a rule, the vehicle must have for this purpose a hydraulic hoisting crane by means of which the heavy blocks of ice can be brought to the proper place. The blocks may also be pushed directly into the trough of the appropriately positioned sXi-run treatment apparatus. The ice is crushed and snow having ~he desired grain size is made by means of a crushing apparatus which usually has ro-tary knives or scraping cylinders that grind the snow offthe compact block of ice, so to speak. In this way, about three parts of snow by volume are produced from one part of compact ice by volume. During the crushing operation, the block of ice can remain stationary on the full-track vehi-cle, and the crushing apparatus is movable for the purposeof adaptation to the size of the particular block of ice.
As a rule, the device for receiving the block of ice should be disposed in such a way that there is optimum distribution of weight for the vehicle. The snow produced must be con-veyed in front of the caterpillar tracks after it has beenmade so that it may be compacted at the desired location of the ski-run. The vehicle preferably has a storage bin for snow as well so that the latter need be discharged only where there is actually a requirement for it. If there is sufficient snow on the ski-run being travelled, the crushing process may continue nonetheless so that a reserve supply of snow is constituted.
The rotary blades of the crushing apparatus may be , ... .
:: . : :
;~Q~
driven mechanically from the vehicle drive by means of a shaft, or they may be driven by an electric motor powered by the vehicle's generator. The axle of the rotary blades may, for example, be disposed either along the longitudinal a~is of the block of ice or at right angles thereto. Alterna-tively, a self-motivated movement, e.g., a rotation, may be imparted to the block of ice, with stationary or rotary knives then being used for the crushing.
If the crushing apparatus for the blocks or fragments of ice is disposed permanently in the vicinity of the plant for making the ice, the snow produced is conveyed to a sta-tionary supply bin serving as an intermediate storage loca-tion. Alternatively, the snow produced may equally be con-veyed directly into a storage bin on a full-track vehicle.
However, the vehicle bin might also be filled from the sta-tionary supply bin. The vehicle distributes the snow and compacts it at the desired location of the s~i-run. The snow is naturally discharged only where there is actually a need for it.
For increasing the efficiency of the ice production, energy may additionally be withdrawn from the system by means of a heat pump. mhis energy can be used for heating purposes, e.g., for supplementing the heating of a hotel or a swimming pool. Heat pumps entering into consideration for this use are such as have long been commercially available and have proven satisfactory for heating purposes.
Conse~uently, a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for carrying out the inventive method also comprises a heat 2Q~4~6~
pump which is coupled to the refrigeration unit.
The above-mentioned stationary apparatus for crushing the ice may be analogous to that which has been described for the full-track ski-run vehicle.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying draw-ings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an arrangement for making a cylinder of ice in a refrigeration chamber, ~
Figure 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an ice-crushing apparatus for mounting on a full-track vehicle or in a refrigeration chamber, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic elevation of a full-track ski-run vehicle on which an ice-crushing apparatus is dis-posed, and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic elevation of a full-track ski-run vehicle having a storage bin.
Figure 1 illustrates the an arrangement for making a cylinder of ice. A water supply-line l supplies water to a rotating pipe 3 which is provided along a hollow cylinder 2 with nozzles. Cylinder 2 is used for building up an ice cylinder 5 which is formed on the inside of the cylinder wall from water-jets 4 owing to the 'ow temperatures. By means of the rotation about the longitudinal axis of the pipe, which is connected to water supply-line 1 by a rotary coupling 7, water-jets 4 are guided evenly onto the inside surface of hollow cylinder 2. Correct regulation of the re-frigeration chamber temperature, the water supply, and the ... . . . .
2~ 6~3 speed of rotation leads to the continuous formation of a layer of ice which serves to build up a coating of ice of a specific thickness, or of a block o~ ice. Rotary water pipe 3 is mounted on bearings 6 and is moved via a pulley 8 by means of a V-belt driven over a drive pulley 9 by a motor 10, As soon as the coating of ice is thick enough, or the block of ice is large enough, the ice is pulled away from pipe 3 and released from its cylinder mold 2. A coating of ice may be released by means of a temporary deformation of an elastic version of cylinder 2 or through the opening thereof, or a block of ice may be temporarily placed in a warmer environment so that hollow cylinder 2 can be easily removed and reused for forming a new cylinder of ice. The block of ice produced may then be put in storage and loaded on the ski-run vehicle when needed. Such loading may take place by means of a stationary crane or one secured to the vehicle and having one or more grab arms. The blocks of ice may also be pushed directly from hollow cylinder 2 into a trough 11 of the suitably positioned ski-run vehicle.
Figure 2 shows ice-crushing apparatus as may be used either stationary or on the ski-run vehicle. An ice block 12 is placed in trough 11, with rotary blades 13, driven by a shaft 14, serving to convert the ice into snow. The snow goes temporarily into a housing 15 and is conveyed by worm gearing 16 into a conveyor hose 17 which may lead to a stor-age bin or to the desired location next to the vehicle. Ice block 12 is pressed toward blades 13 by means of a hydraulic cylinder and a contact plate 19. When ice block 12 has been ~4~
crushed almost completely into snow of the desired grain size, a new block can be laid in trough 11, and the produc-tion and distribution of snow by means of the ski-run vehi-cle can continue. The snow produced may likewise be con-veyed through hose 17 into a storage bin (not shown) dispo-sed on the vehicle. When there is enough snow in this bin, it may be dumped at the desired location, and the ski-run vehicle can roll the snow and work it with the appropriate tools. , Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a full-track ski-run vehicle having caterpillar tracks 20, a cab 21, and ski-run preparation fixtures 22, 23, and 24. Such fixtures normally comprise a ram blade for moving and spreading snow, a rake for roughening or scarifying the ski-run, and an additional roller for producing a homogene-ous surface structure of the ski-run. Disposed on this ve-hicle is a crushing machine 25 such as is illustrated in Figure 2. This crushing apparatus may be driven by an elec-tric motor or by a shaft connected to the driving unit of the vehicle. The snow produced can be conveyed through pipe 17 directly in front of blade 24, and the processing of ice can take place simultaneously with the rolling of the ski-run. If fairly large qUantities of snow are required, the ice block can be processed into a supply of snow on the ve-hicle. In such a case, the vehicle would be provided with aplatform for receiving the snow. This would have to be a tilting platform so that the snow could be unloaded at the proper place. Finally, the ski-run vehicle may be further 2~
provided with a crane for loading the blocks of ice, which may weigh anywhere from a few kilograms to several tons.
However, the crane may also be situated at the place where the ice is made so that the vehicle is not unnecessarily S burdened by a heavy unit.
It is obvious that the arrangement of the crushing ap-paratus on the ski-run vehicle may also be disposed dif-ferently, as illustrated in Figure 3. For an expedient dis-tribution of weight on the vehicle, the apparatus for pro-cessing the block of ice may alternatively be disposed sothat its longitudinal direction is the same as the direction of travel. Once the block of ice is immovably mounted on the vehicle, the rotary blades for abrading the block must be adapted. In a particular embodiment, a wheel with rotary blades might then be disposed on a movable arm and would be driven by a flexible shaft. By the positioning of the blades and by controlling the contact pressure, the struc-ture of the snow may be adapted to the requirements.
Instead of the illustrated crushing apparatus, the full-track vehicle may equally well have a storage bin for ice fragments and a crushing apparatus. Such apparatus may, for example, consist of rollers disposed side by side or else of intermeshing disks.
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a full-track ski-run vehicle having the caterpillar track 20, the cab 21, and the ski-run preparation fixtures 22, 23, and 24 according to the description of Figure 3. However, the vehicle shown here additionally comprises a storage bin 2~
26. The lower, wedge-shaped part of bin 26 opens out into a worm conveyor 27 by which the snow stored in bin 26 is con-veyed through pipe 17 directly in front of blade 24. If fairly large amounts of snow are required at any location, it is preferable to dispose a tilting bin 26 on the vehicle.
Claims (24)
1. A method of producing artificial snow, com-prising the steps of:
producing ice by means of a stationary deep-freeze plant and crushing the resultant ice into snow having the de-sired grain size by means of stationary or mobile mechanical crushing apparatus.
producing ice by means of a stationary deep-freeze plant and crushing the resultant ice into snow having the de-sired grain size by means of stationary or mobile mechanical crushing apparatus.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ice is produced in the form of a block of ice of from 1-3 cu.m.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the ice is produced by the layer-wise spraying of water.
4. The method of claim 2, comprising the further step of conveying the block of ice onto a holding device on a ski-run vehicle.
5. The method of claim 4, comprising the further step of conveying the snow produced directly in front of the ski-run vehicle for compaction at the required location of the ski-run.
6. The method of claim 4, comprising the further step of moving the block of ice hydraulically toward the crushing apparatus during the crushing operation.
7. The method of claim 6, comprising the further step of conveying the snow into a storage bin disposed on the ski-run vehicle.
8. The method of claim 2, comprising the further step of moving the block of ice hydraulically toward the crushing apparatus during the crushing operation.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the ice is produced in the form of flakes, cubes, or granules.
10. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of conveying the snow produced into a supply bin.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the ice is crushed into snow in stationary crushing apparatus, compris-ing the further step of transporting the snow to the desired location through a pipeline.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy withdrawn from the system by production of the ice is used for heating purposes.
13. An installation for producing artificial snow, comprising:
a stationary deep-freeze plant for producing ice, apparatus for crushing the ice into snow, and a supply bin for holding the snow produced.
a stationary deep-freeze plant for producing ice, apparatus for crushing the ice into snow, and a supply bin for holding the snow produced.
14. The installation of claim 13, further compris-ing a heat pump coupled to said stationary deep-freeze plant.
15. The installation of claim 13, further compris-ing a pipeline system for conveying the snow directly to the location of its use, said pipeline system being connected to said supply bin and comprising conveyor means disposed at predetermined intervals.
16. The installation of claim 13, further compris-ing a pipeline system for conveying the snow onto a means of transportation, said pipeline system being connected to said supply bin and comprising conveyor means disposed at prede-termined intervals.
17. The installation of claim 16, wherein said conveyor means include electrically operated worm conveyors or blowers.
18. The installation of claim 13, wherein said crushing apparatus comprises rotary blades.
19. The installation of claim 18, wherein said ro-tary blades are movably disposed for the purpose of adapta-tion to the diminishing size of the block of ice.
20. The installation of claim 13, wherein said crushing apparatus comprises one or more scraping cylinders.
21. A ski-run vehicle equipped with a facility for receiving ice produced by a stationary deep-freeze plant and with a mechanical ice-crushing apparatus.
22. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein said ice-crushing apparatus comprises rotary blades to be pressed against the block of ice.
23. The vehicle of claim 21, further comprising a holding device for blocks of ice and conveyor means disposed in said holding device for moving the blocks of ice into said ice-crushing apparatus.
24. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein said holding device takes the form of a tub or trough, further comprising hydraulic hoist means for hoisting the block of ice from an ice-block store onto said holding device.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH152889 | 1989-04-21 | ||
| CH1528/89 | 1989-04-21 | ||
| CH265789 | 1989-07-14 | ||
| CH2657/89 | 1989-07-14 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2014568A1 true CA2014568A1 (en) | 1990-10-21 |
Family
ID=25687909
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2014568 Abandoned CA2014568A1 (en) | 1989-04-21 | 1990-04-12 | Method of producing artificial snow |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0399946A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2014568A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2716383B1 (en) * | 1994-02-18 | 1996-07-19 | Gil Guillaume | Method for developing an ice track and means of implementation. |
| FR2716382A1 (en) * | 1994-02-23 | 1995-08-25 | Liset Jean Pierre | Process making temporary ice track for mechanical sports |
| DE19813359A1 (en) * | 1998-03-26 | 1999-09-30 | Innotec Vertriebs Ges M B H | Method and device for producing snow |
| BE1012067A3 (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 2000-04-04 | Snow Valley Naamloze Vennootsc | Method and apparatus for producing snow. |
| FR2784454B1 (en) * | 1998-10-13 | 2001-01-19 | York Neige | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL SNOW |
| AU6095599A (en) * | 1998-10-13 | 2000-05-01 | York Neige | Method for producing artificial snow |
| DE102004010280B3 (en) * | 2004-03-03 | 2005-09-22 | Brockmann, Karl, Dipl.-Ing. | Mobile snow generator for winter sports has a chassis with an ice block holder resting on a lift/lower floor |
| WO2008031462A1 (en) * | 2006-09-15 | 2008-03-20 | Bächler Top Track Ag | Device and method for creating artificial snow |
| CN111023645B (en) * | 2019-12-31 | 2024-03-26 | 北京华体体育场馆施工有限责任公司 | Preparation process and tool of ice-like snow race track |
Family Cites Families (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR404902A (en) * | 1908-07-16 | 1909-12-15 | Thomas H Ray | Improvements in ice-making machines |
| US1432153A (en) * | 1921-06-16 | 1922-10-17 | Charles O Bosworth | Means and method of preparing artificial snow |
| US1977320A (en) * | 1932-09-10 | 1934-10-16 | William H Mattox | Snow making machine |
| US2097219A (en) * | 1936-12-12 | 1937-10-26 | Creighton D Macvean | Icing machine |
| US2435285A (en) * | 1944-03-16 | 1948-02-03 | Louis V Lucia | Ice machine |
| US2435030A (en) * | 1946-10-21 | 1948-01-27 | Frank W Brady | Device for handling cakes of ice and delivering same in comminuted form |
| US2602303A (en) * | 1947-08-05 | 1952-07-08 | Mclain | Icing machine |
| US2676471A (en) * | 1950-12-14 | 1954-04-27 | Tey Mfg Corp | Method for making and distributing snow |
| GB709330A (en) * | 1952-01-28 | 1954-05-19 | Fr De Transp S Et Entrepots Fr | Improvements in devices, called ice-throwers, for disintegrating and projecting ice in the form of snow |
| US3257815A (en) * | 1964-07-10 | 1966-06-28 | Conch Int Methane Ltd | Method and apparatus for the largescale production of snow fields for sports use |
| CH598102A5 (en) * | 1974-10-30 | 1978-04-28 | Tech Et Realisations E T R Et | |
| US4345439A (en) * | 1980-02-20 | 1982-08-24 | Vencraft Corp. | Snowmaking method and apparatus |
| US4510768A (en) * | 1983-06-30 | 1985-04-16 | Paul Keller | Adjustable ice breaker for an ice machine producing sheet ice |
| FR2597131B1 (en) * | 1986-04-15 | 1988-06-24 | Tech Realisations Et | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT OF SNOW |
-
1990
- 1990-04-12 CA CA 2014568 patent/CA2014568A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-04-20 EP EP90810318A patent/EP0399946A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0399946A1 (en) | 1990-11-28 |
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