EP0089590A1 - Appareil de production de neige - Google Patents

Appareil de production de neige Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0089590A1
EP0089590A1 EP83102459A EP83102459A EP0089590A1 EP 0089590 A1 EP0089590 A1 EP 0089590A1 EP 83102459 A EP83102459 A EP 83102459A EP 83102459 A EP83102459 A EP 83102459A EP 0089590 A1 EP0089590 A1 EP 0089590A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
air
nozzles
shroud
compressed air
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP83102459A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0089590B1 (fr
Inventor
Stig L. Albertsson
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AT83102459T priority Critical patent/ATE24604T1/de
Publication of EP0089590A1 publication Critical patent/EP0089590A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0089590B1 publication Critical patent/EP0089590B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • F25C2303/046—Snow making by using low pressure air ventilators, e.g. fan type snow canons
    • 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
    • F25C2303/048—Snow making by using means for spraying water
    • F25C2303/0481—Snow making by using means for spraying water with the use of compressed air

Definitions

  • the manufacture of man-made snow at commercial ski areas is widely practiced, as a means for not only extending the useful season of the ski area, but also improving the quality and uniformity of the surface during the primary season.
  • the snow making areas are furnished with supplies of compressed air and water under pressure.
  • these are in the form of permanent distributional installations, with provisions being made for connection of the snow making equipment at appropriate locations.
  • the Pierce, Jr. U.S. Patent No. 2,676,471 is representative of such an installation.
  • One of the common techniques for the production of man-made snow is the mixture and discharge of water and compressed air through a simple discharge gun as, for example, the type shown in the Lindlof U.S. Patent No. 3,716,190.
  • the water is partially atomized within the gun, when it is mixed with the high pressure compressed air, and the high velocity discharge of the water/compressed air mixture serves to complete the atomization and to convey the atomized water particles then an appropriate distance from the discharge nozzle.
  • Snow making guns of this type are simple and reliable, but suffer a disadvantage in requiring a substantial consumption of compressed air, which is an expensive component of the snow making process.
  • snow making apparatus incorporates an engine driven fan, which directs a stream of air at relatively high velocity through a confining shroud and out over the snow making area.
  • a plurality of atomizing water nozzles are distributed around the periphery of the shroud, discharging streams of atomized water at an angle, forwardly and into the fan-driven air stream.
  • small amounts of compressed air are injected into the water streams immediately prior to discharge from the atomizing nozzles, to facilitate the atomizing process.
  • This technique either eliminates or greatly minimizes the requirement for a compressed air distribution system over the ski area, but in turn suffers the disadvantage that the equipment is both very expensive, and inconvenient to operate.
  • a novel and improved high efficiency, fan-type snow making apparatus which derives motive power for driving a fan from the 'high pressure water supply, prior to discharging of the water through snow making nozzles.
  • This utilization of a turbine powered by the high pressure water source produces unique and advantageous results in reducing or eliminating the difficulties associated with the prior snow making equipment listed above.
  • the snow making nozzles are of the compressed air-water type, similar in principle to the conventional snow making guns that do not use fans.
  • the compressed air is introduced into the water supply upstream of the nozzle discharge, enabling mixing and partial atomization to occur prior to discharge from the nozzle extremity.
  • the atomized mixture is discharged directly into the fan-driven stream of distributional air.
  • all of the compressed air-water atomizing nozzles are placed directly in the fan-induced air stream, and preferably within the confines of a shroud which surrounds the fan.
  • the atomized air/water mixture is discharged directly into the distributional air stream for atomization and snow particle formation.
  • the constant bathing of the atomizing nozzles in the distributional air stream serves to keep the -nozzles clean and free of ice accumulation, which can otherwise have a deleterious effect on the atomizing efficiency and effectiveness of the nozzles.
  • the reference numeral 10 designates generally a support structure for the snow making equipment, which typically may be a skid suitable for being towed into position for use, either manually or by the usual snow eat equipment normally available at commercial ski areas.
  • the support structure 10 advantageously may include a swivel arrangement 11, for accommodating rotational movement of the snow generator, generally designated by the numeral 12.
  • a .support frame 13 is mounted on the swivel unit 11 and is adapted for adjustable angular positioning by a pivoted support 14, enabling the snow generator to be disposed at a desirable angle to the ground surface.
  • a generally cylindrical metal shroud 15 having a downstream or discharge end 16 and an upstream or intake end 17.
  • the intake end is provided with an outwardly flared collar 18 to accommodate a relatively efficient flow of air through the shroud.
  • the shroud Internally the shroud is a support tube 19, which is positioned concentrically within the shroud by means of a plurality of radial fins 20.
  • the support tube 19 has a bearing platform 21 mounted rigidly within, to which are bolted a pair of spaced bearing blocks 22, 23.
  • the bearing blocks journal a shaft 24 which carries, positioned just within the upstream end of the shroud 15 and axial fan 25.
  • the shaft 24 carries at its upstream extremity a pulley 26, which is driven from a turbine motor 27 via the output shaft 28 of the latter, a drive pulley 29 and a flexible belt 30.
  • an axial fan may be a twelve inch Vaneaxial fan, as manufactured by Hartzell Propeller Fan Co., Piqua, Ohio, designed to move approximately 2400 cmf of air at approximately 3500 rpm, with a power input of approximately one horsepower.
  • This level of power is easily derived from a multistage turbine 27 having a water flow-through of approximately 33 gallons per minute at a pressure drop of approximately 140 psi.
  • the turbine 27 was a Gould multistage pump, modified slightly for operation as a turbine motor.
  • all of the water flow to the snow generator is supplied through a line 31 leading to the intake of the turbine 27.
  • the use of the water turbine 27 has proven most advantageous in the efficient production of man-made snow.
  • the discharge outlet 32 of the turbine is connected to a circular manifold 33, mounted at the back of the shroud 15 and connected, in a manner to be described, to a plurality of water atomizing nozzles.
  • a series of nine (for example) atomizing nozzles 34 arranged in a generally circular array, at the forward end of the shroud 15, and, in this illustrated form of the invention, slightly inside the inner wall of the shroud.
  • discharge lines 35 for the outgoing air/water mixture may pass through the wall of the shroud, near the discharge end thereof.
  • the discharge nozzles may be located totally within the confines of the shroud, or slightly in front of the end thereof, as shown in Fig. 3, for example.
  • the water atomizing arrangements comprise an elongated mixing tube 36 for each discharge nozzle, which may be mounted along the outside of the shroud 15, extending axially forward from the water manifold 33.
  • Each mixing tube is of relatively large diameter (e.g., 1.5. inches) than the discharge line leading therefrom and is connected at its upstream end to the water manifold 33 through a short delivery tube 37 provided with a restricted orifice.
  • Also entering the upstream end of the mixing tube 36 is an air nozzle 38 carrying compressed air and discharging through a nozzle or orifice 39.
  • Within the mixing tube there is highly turbulent mixing of the water and compressed air which then exits the mixing tube through the outlet tube 35 leading to the discharge nozzle 34.
  • the discharge nozzle 34 is provided with a plurality (e.g., seven) of discharge orifices, from which issue a plurality of streams of air mixed with highly atomized water particles, expelled at relatively high velocity by the compressed air.
  • valved water and air supplies 40, 41 are provided adjacent the snow making areas, arranged with quick detachable couplings 42, 43 for connection to the snow making apparatus.
  • the water inlet system of the snow maker may include an inlet pressure gauge 44, a flow meter 45, a throttling valve 46, turbine inlet pressure gauge 47 and outlet pressure gauge 48. Downstream of the turbine 27, the water supply divides and enters the manifold 33 from opposite ends, for maximum uniformity of water distribution to the several nozzles. As reflected in the schematic of Fig. 5, all of the incoming water supply is, in the illustrated apparatus, directed through the turbine 27.
  • the compressed air system of the snow making apparatus includes an incoming pressure gauge 49, flow meter 50, throttling valve 51 and manifold pressure gauge 52 on the downstream side of the throttling valve.
  • the air manifold 53 which may be a circular manifold similar to the water manifold 33, is arranged to distribute the incoming compressed air uniformly to the several air injector nozzles 38.
  • the percentage of compressed air required to be mixed with water in the snow making process is highly variable, as a function of both the temperature and humidity. The higher the temperature and/or relative humidity, the greater proportions of air are required to form ice crystals from the water particles.
  • the amounts of compressed air per unit of water required with the apparatus of the invention are significantly lower than with conventional air/water atomizing guns under corresponding conditions.
  • approximately 180 cfm of air is used with approximately 33 gallons per minute of water.
  • Compressed air is supplied to the generator at pressures in the range of 85-110 psi.
  • some of the output of the turbine unit 27 may be utilized for other functions, such as driving a small alternator 55.
  • the output of the alternator may be utilized to provide for electrical control functions and/or to effect oscillation of the snow generator for wider distribution of the snow over the area to be covered.
  • a high efficiency turbine unit may readily derive approximately one horsepower via a pressure drop of less than 100 psi at 33 gallons per minute, such that the system can easily accommodate the extraction of minor amounts of energy to service an alternator 55.
  • One of the advantageous aspects of the system of the invention is that it enables the production of snow to be maximized under all conditions.
  • one feature of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention is that the flow of water to, and its discharge from, the snow generator may be maximized at a constant value, and the primary variable in the process is the amount of air supplied. This, of course, is adjusted to a level as low as the ambient conditions will permit. This feature, which exists in the particular illustrated embodiment, is most advantageous when these particular ambient conditions exist. In general, the volumes of compressed air required to be supplied are significantly less than would have to be supplied to a conventional air/water gun of similar capacity.
  • the arrangement of the atomizing nozzles directly within the distributional air stream issuing from the fan 25 also serves to increase the overall efficient operation of the system. Because the nozzles are continuously bathed in a relatively high velocity flow of air through the shroud, the nozzles remain clean and free of ice build up, which can significantly substantially degrade performance of the nozzles.
  • a rather surprising characteristic of the snow generator of the invention is the fact that it is extremely quiet in operation. Typically, the operation of air/water snow making guns is accompanied by a great deal of penetrating, annoying noise. In the operation of the snow generator of the invention, possibly because of the reduced requirements for compressed air usage, the noise level of the equipment in operation was sufficiently low as to not be disagreeable and annoying even at locations immediately adjacent to the discharge nozzles.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Soil Working Implements (AREA)
  • Disintegrating Or Milling (AREA)
  • Buildings Adapted To Withstand Abnormal External Influences (AREA)
  • Surgical Instruments (AREA)
  • Motor Or Generator Cooling System (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Window Of Vehicle (AREA)
EP83102459A 1982-03-22 1983-03-12 Appareil de production de neige Expired EP0089590B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT83102459T ATE24604T1 (de) 1982-03-22 1983-03-12 Maschine zum erzeugen von schnee.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US36061082A 1982-03-22 1982-03-22
US360610 1982-03-22

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0089590A1 true EP0089590A1 (fr) 1983-09-28
EP0089590B1 EP0089590B1 (fr) 1986-12-30

Family

ID=23418732

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83102459A Expired EP0089590B1 (fr) 1982-03-22 1983-03-12 Appareil de production de neige

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0089590B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS58193066A (fr)
AT (1) ATE24604T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU1253483A (fr)
DE (1) DE3368757D1 (fr)
NO (1) NO830982L (fr)
NZ (1) NZ203640A (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0206705A1 (fr) * 1985-06-19 1986-12-30 Louis Handfield Machine pour la production de neige
US4828175A (en) * 1987-02-03 1989-05-09 Sufag Sport- Und Freizeitanlagen Gesellschaft M.B.H. Snow-making machine
WO1992009857A1 (fr) * 1990-12-03 1992-06-11 Aqua Dynamics Group Corp. Traitement d'eau destinee a la production de glace
US5180106A (en) * 1990-04-24 1993-01-19 Turbines S.M.S. Inc. Snow making machine
WO1999040381A1 (fr) * 1998-02-06 1999-08-12 York Neige Generateur de particules de glace, de neige, ou nucleateur, integre dans une tete de pulverisation d'eau
WO1999063286A1 (fr) * 1998-06-02 1999-12-09 Crea A/S Canon a neige
EP3940318A1 (fr) * 2020-07-15 2022-01-19 Technoalpin France Installation de production de neige de culture
CN114251887A (zh) * 2022-01-14 2022-03-29 中国飞机强度研究所 一种造雪机及其在飞机测试中的应用

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2581194Y2 (ja) * 1993-04-30 1998-09-21 ヤンマーディーゼル株式会社 人工降雪装置

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3010660A (en) * 1958-10-10 1961-11-28 Barrett Francis Device for making snow
US3298612A (en) * 1964-08-18 1967-01-17 Robert L Torrens Snow-making unit
US3606971A (en) * 1970-05-28 1971-09-21 Curtiss Wright Corp Gas turbine air compressor and control therefor
US3733029A (en) * 1971-07-23 1973-05-15 Hedco Snow precipitator
US3760598A (en) * 1968-04-08 1973-09-25 Linde Ag Process for making artificial snow
US3945567A (en) * 1975-07-17 1976-03-23 Gerry Rambach Snow making apparatus
FR2358917A1 (fr) * 1976-07-19 1978-02-17 Colmant Cuvelier Perfectionnements aux dispositifs d'emulsion a grand foisonnement
FR2376384A1 (en) * 1976-12-30 1978-07-28 Cecil Snow cannon for making ski slopes - has adjustable nozzles for water and air to suit different ambient conditions
EP0004803A2 (fr) * 1978-03-31 1979-10-17 Pasquier, Armand René Procédé et dispositif de fabrication automatique de neige

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3010660A (en) * 1958-10-10 1961-11-28 Barrett Francis Device for making snow
US3298612A (en) * 1964-08-18 1967-01-17 Robert L Torrens Snow-making unit
US3760598A (en) * 1968-04-08 1973-09-25 Linde Ag Process for making artificial snow
US3606971A (en) * 1970-05-28 1971-09-21 Curtiss Wright Corp Gas turbine air compressor and control therefor
US3733029A (en) * 1971-07-23 1973-05-15 Hedco Snow precipitator
US3945567A (en) * 1975-07-17 1976-03-23 Gerry Rambach Snow making apparatus
FR2358917A1 (fr) * 1976-07-19 1978-02-17 Colmant Cuvelier Perfectionnements aux dispositifs d'emulsion a grand foisonnement
FR2376384A1 (en) * 1976-12-30 1978-07-28 Cecil Snow cannon for making ski slopes - has adjustable nozzles for water and air to suit different ambient conditions
EP0004803A2 (fr) * 1978-03-31 1979-10-17 Pasquier, Armand René Procédé et dispositif de fabrication automatique de neige

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0206705A1 (fr) * 1985-06-19 1986-12-30 Louis Handfield Machine pour la production de neige
US4828175A (en) * 1987-02-03 1989-05-09 Sufag Sport- Und Freizeitanlagen Gesellschaft M.B.H. Snow-making machine
US5180106A (en) * 1990-04-24 1993-01-19 Turbines S.M.S. Inc. Snow making machine
WO1992009857A1 (fr) * 1990-12-03 1992-06-11 Aqua Dynamics Group Corp. Traitement d'eau destinee a la production de glace
WO1999040381A1 (fr) * 1998-02-06 1999-08-12 York Neige Generateur de particules de glace, de neige, ou nucleateur, integre dans une tete de pulverisation d'eau
US6508412B1 (en) 1998-02-06 2003-01-21 York Neige Snow, ice particle generator, or nucleation device, integrated in a pressurized water spray head for making artificial snow
WO1999063286A1 (fr) * 1998-06-02 1999-12-09 Crea A/S Canon a neige
US6378778B1 (en) 1998-06-02 2002-04-30 Crea As Snow gun
EP3940318A1 (fr) * 2020-07-15 2022-01-19 Technoalpin France Installation de production de neige de culture
FR3112596A1 (fr) * 2020-07-15 2022-01-21 Technoalpin France Installation de production de neige de culture
CN114251887A (zh) * 2022-01-14 2022-03-29 中国飞机强度研究所 一种造雪机及其在飞机测试中的应用

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NZ203640A (en) 1985-07-31
ATE24604T1 (de) 1987-01-15
NO830982L (no) 1983-09-23
JPS58193066A (ja) 1983-11-10
AU1253483A (en) 1983-09-29
DE3368757D1 (en) 1987-02-05
EP0089590B1 (fr) 1986-12-30

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