EP0089590B1 - Snow making machine - Google Patents
Snow making machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0089590B1 EP0089590B1 EP83102459A EP83102459A EP0089590B1 EP 0089590 B1 EP0089590 B1 EP 0089590B1 EP 83102459 A EP83102459 A EP 83102459A EP 83102459 A EP83102459 A EP 83102459A EP 0089590 B1 EP0089590 B1 EP 0089590B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- water
- air
- turbine
- compressed air
- snow
- 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.)
- Expired
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 63
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000009692 water atomization Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 52
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000000889 atomisation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000282326 Felis catus Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003287 bathing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002939 deleterious effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008239 natural water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000010355 oscillation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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 invention relates to a snow making apparatus, comprising an open-ended shroud, a fan for directing a flow of air through said shroud, a plurality of water spraying nozzles arranged circumferentially about said shroud and adapted to spray water forwardly along with said flow of air.
- 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 US-A-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 drive fan, which directs a stream of air at relatively high velocity through a confining shroud and outcover 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.
- such equipment incorporates a self-contained internal combustion engine.
- each snow making unit requires a substantial capital investment.
- the equipment is large, heavy and difficult to move easily around the snow making site.
- snow making equipment provided with engine-driven fans has certain significant advantages, it also has important compensating disadvantages.
- Illustrative of snow making equipment utilizing self-contained engine-driven fan is US-A-4 083 492.
- a further known snow making apparatus of the kind specified in the first paragraph hereof utilizes compressed air from the primary compressed air supply source to supply motive power to a fan-type snow maker which imposes limitations on the operation of the system.
- the relationship of air to water in the atomizing process is a variable function of temperature and humidity, particularly temperature.
- the utilization of compressed air as a motive source for the fan tends to impose limitations upon the flow of compressed air to the system, requiring that the pressurized water serves as the primary variable on the control of the snow making process. This leads to significant inefficiencies in the overall operation and importantly limits the capacity of the apparatus to make snow under marginal conditions.
- 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, since a natural water source can be utilized which is available at the locations where the apparatus is operated.
- 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 can be discharged directly into the fan-driven stream of distributional air.
- All of the compressed air-water atomizing nozzles can be placed directly in the fan-induced air stream, and in particular 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. Due to this feature, 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 cat 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 30,5 cm Vaneaxial fan, as manufactured by Hartzell Propeller Fan Co., Pi- qua, Ohio, designed to move approximately 68 m 3 /min 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 approximately 125 I per minute at a pressure drop of approximately 10 kg/cm 2 .
- the turbine 27 was a Gould multistage pump, modified slightly for operation as a turbine motor. Desirably, 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 illustratedform 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., 38 mm or 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.
- Compressed air is supplied to the generator at pressures in the range of 6 to 7,7 kg/cm 2 .
- 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/orto 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 7 kg/cm 2 at 125 1 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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Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a snow making apparatus, comprising an open-ended shroud, a fan for directing a flow of air through said shroud, a plurality of water spraying nozzles arranged circumferentially about said shroud and adapted to spray water forwardly along with said flow of air.
- 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. Typically, in the production of made-made snow, the snow making areas are furnished with supplies of compressed air and water under pressure. Usually, these are in the form of permanent distributional installations, with provisions being made for connection of the snow making equipment at appropriate locations. US-A-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 US-A-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.
- Another common form of snow making apparatus incorporates an engine drive fan, which directs a stream of air at relatively high velocity through a confining shroud and outcover 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. Typically, 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. Typically, such equipment incorporates a self-contained internal combustion engine. Thus, each snow making unit requires a substantial capital investment. Moreover, the equipment is large, heavy and difficult to move easily around the snow making site. There is an additional inconvenience of having to provide constant maintenance for the internal combustion engines, as well as constant delivery of fuel, etc. Thus, although snow making equipment provided with engine-driven fans has certain significant advantages, it also has important compensating disadvantages. Illustrative of snow making equipment utilizing self-contained engine-driven fan is US-A-4 083 492.
- In an effort to avoid the inconvenience and investment cost of providing internal combustion engines with each snow making unit, some of the commercially available fan-type snow making units have employed electric motors for powering the fan. While this has certain conveniences in comparison to the use of self-contained internal combustion engines, it requires the installation and maintenance of heavy-duty electrical service throughout the ski area, and also presents certain maintenance and safety problems. Accordingly, notwithstanding the apparent advantages, the use of electrically driven fans has not proven to be particularly successful commercially. Illustrative of snow making equipment utilizing electrically driven fans are US-A-3 760 598, US-A-4 004 732, and US-A-4 105 161.
- A further known snow making apparatus of the kind specified in the first paragraph hereof (US-A-3 945 567) utilizes compressed air from the primary compressed air supply source to supply motive power to a fan-type snow maker which imposes limitations on the operation of the system. In this respect, the relationship of air to water in the atomizing process, for optimum results, is a variable function of temperature and humidity, particularly temperature. Thus, the utilization of compressed air as a motive source for the fan tends to impose limitations upon the flow of compressed air to the system, requiring that the pressurized water serves as the primary variable on the control of the snow making process. This leads to significant inefficiencies in the overall operation and importantly limits the capacity of the apparatus to make snow under marginal conditions.
- It is the object of the present invention to provide a snow making apparatus which avoids these disadvantages and which operates more efficient and with no important capacity limitations.
- This object is solved by a snow making apparatus comprising the features of claim 1. A preferred improvement of the invention is subject of claim 2.
- It is one of the significant aspects of the present invention that a novel and improved high efficiency, fan-type snow making apparatus is provided, 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, since a natural water source can be utilized which is available at the locations where the apparatus is operated.
- 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. In this respect, 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 can be discharged directly into the fan-driven stream of distributional air.
- The use of motive power from the high pressure water supply, advantageously when combined with the nozzle arrangement, provides for the making and effective widespread distribution of a high quality snow with outstanding efficiencies in terms of the consumption of high pressure compressed air from the primary source. Of course, there is energy utilization from the water supply, but this is more than offset by significant reductions in the consumption requirements for compressed air, the most expensive component of the snow making process.
- All of the compressed air-water atomizing nozzles can be placed directly in the fan-induced air stream, and in particular within the confines of a shroud which surrounds the fan.
- Thus, the atomized air/water mixture is discharged directly into the distributional air stream for atomization and snow particle formation. Due to this feature, 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.
- For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and to the accompanying drawing.
- Fig. 1 is a simplified, side elevational view of a snow making apparatus of the type incorporating principles of the invention.
- Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the atomizing and discharging unit of the apparatus of Fig.1.
- Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view as taken generally on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.
- Fig. 4 is a simplified top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 5 is a simplified schematic flow diagram of the apparatus of the invention.
- Referring now to the drawing, 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 cat equipment normally available at commercial ski areas. Thesupport structure 10 advantageously may include aswivel arrangement 11, for accommodating rotational movement of the snow generator, generally designated by thenumeral 12. Asupport frame 13 is mounted on theswivel unit 11 and is adapted for adjustable angular positioning by apivoted support 14, enabling the snow generator to be disposed at a desirable angle to the ground surface. - Mounted on the
frame 13 is a generallycylindrical metal shroud 15 having a downstream ordischarge end 16 and an upstream orintake end 17. Desirably, the intake end is provided with an outwardly flaredcollar 18 to accommodate a relatively efficient flow of air through the shroud. - Internally the shroud is a
support tube 19, which is positioned concentrically within the shroud by means of a plurality ofradial fins 20. Thesupport tube 19 has a bearingplatform 21 mounted rigidly within, to which are bolted a pair of spaced bearingblocks shaft 24 which carries, positioned just within the upstream end of theshroud 15 andaxial fan 25. In the illustrated structure, theshaft 24 carries at its upstream extremity apulley 26, which is driven from aturbine motor 27 via theoutput shaft 28 of the latter, adrive pulley 29 and aflexible belt 30. - In a practical embodiment of the invention, an axial fan may be a 30,5 cm Vaneaxial fan, as manufactured by Hartzell Propeller Fan Co., Pi- qua, Ohio, designed to move approximately 68 m3/min 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 approximately 125 I per minute at a pressure drop of approximately 10 kg/cm2. In a prototype unit theturbine 27 was a Gould multistage pump, modified slightly for operation as a turbine motor. Desirably, all of the water flow to the snow generator is supplied through aline 31 leading to the intake of theturbine 27. The use of thewater turbine 27 has proven most advantageous in the efficient production of man-made _snow. Thedischarge outlet 32 of the turbine is connected to acircular manifold 33, mounted at the back of theshroud 15 and connected, in a manner to be described, to a plurality of water atomizing nozzles. - In the illustrated form of the snow generator, there are shown a series of nine (for example) atomizing
nozzles 34, arranged in a generally circular array, at the forward end of theshroud 15, and, in this illustratedform of the invention, slightly inside the inner wall of the shroud. To this end,discharge lines 35 for the outgoing air/water mixture may pass through the wall of the shroud, near the discharge end thereof. In this particular form of the invention, 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. - To advantage, the water atomizing arrangements comprise an
elongated mixing tube 36 for each discharge nozzle, which may be mounted along the outside of theshroud 15, extending axially forward from thewater manifold 33. Each mixing tube is of relatively large diameter (e.g., 38 mm or 1.5 inches) than the discharge line leading therefrom and is connected at its upstream end to thewater manifold 33 through ashort delivery tube 37 provided with a restricted orifice. Also entering the upstream end of the mixingtube 36 is anair nozzle 38 carrying compressed air and discharging through a nozzle ororifice 39. Within the mixing tube, there is highly turbulent mixing of the water and compressed air which then exits the mixing tube through theoutlet tube 35 leading to thedischarge nozzle 34. Typically and desirably, thedischarge 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. - In a typical ski area installation with snow making facilities, valved water and air supplies 40, 41 (Fig. 5) are provided adjacent the snow making areas, arranged with quick
detachable couplings inlet pressure gauge 44, aflow meter 45, a throttlingvalve 46, turbine inlet pressure gauge 47 andoutlet pressure gauge 48. Downstream of theturbine 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 theturbine 27. - The compressed air system of the snow making apparatus includes an
incoming pressure gauge 49,flow meter 50, throttlingvalve 51 andmanifold pressure gauge 52 on the downstream side of the throttling valve. Theair manifold 53, which may be a circular manifold similar to thewater manifold 33, is arranged to distribute the incoming compressed air uniformly to the severalair injector nozzles 38. - In typical operation of the illustrated embodiment of the novel system, approximately 125 I per minute of water was delivered to the inlet of the
turbine 27 at a pressure on the order of 17,5 kg/ cm2. In this prototype unit, approximately 10 kg/ cm2 was dropped through the turbine to drive the fan at around 3200 rpm. The discharge water, at a pressure on the order of 7 kg/cm2, was then directed to the water manifold and discharged into the mixingchambers 36, from which the air/ atomized water mixture is discharged from thenozzles 34. In the illustrated form of the invention, the mixture is discharged directly into the distributional stream of ambient air. - As is well known and recognized, 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. In all cases, however, 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. For example, under relatively favorable snow making conditions, it is possible, with the illustrated embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, to produce large quantities of quality snow utilizing as little as 2,5 m3/min of air to approximately 125 I per minute of water, an extremely favorable ratio. Under extremely unfavorable snow making conditions, approximately 5 m3/min of air is used with approximately 125 per minute of water. Compressed air is supplied to the generator at pressures in the range of 6 to 7,7 kg/cm2.
- Desirably, some of the output of the
turbine unit 27 may be utilized for other functions, such as driving asmall alternator 55. The output of the alternator may be utilized to provide for electrical control functions and/orto effect oscillation of the snow generator for wider distribution of the snow over the area to be covered. In this respect, it is anticipated that a high efficiency turbine unit may readily derive approximately one horsepower via a pressure drop of less than 7 kg/cm2 at 125 1 per minute, such that the system can easily accommodate the extraction of minor amounts of energy to service analternator 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. In this respect, 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.
- In the illustrated embodiment, 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.
Claims (2)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AT83102459T ATE24604T1 (en) | 1982-03-22 | 1983-03-12 | MACHINE FOR MAKING SNOW. |
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 EP0089590A1 (en) | 1983-09-28 |
EP0089590B1 true EP0089590B1 (en) | 1986-12-30 |
Family
ID=23418732
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP83102459A Expired EP0089590B1 (en) | 1982-03-22 | 1983-03-12 | Snow making machine |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0089590B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPS58193066A (en) |
AT (1) | ATE24604T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU1253483A (en) |
DE (1) | DE3368757D1 (en) |
NO (1) | NO830982L (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ203640A (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA1275815C (en) * | 1985-06-19 | 1990-11-06 | Louis Handfield | Method and apparatus for making snow |
AT387277B (en) * | 1987-02-03 | 1988-12-27 | Sufag Sport Freizeitanlagen | DEVICE FOR PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL SNOW |
CA2015259A1 (en) * | 1990-04-24 | 1991-10-24 | Louis Handfield | Snow making machine |
WO1992009857A1 (en) * | 1990-12-03 | 1992-06-11 | Aqua Dynamics Group Corp. | Ice making water treatment |
JP2581194Y2 (en) * | 1993-04-30 | 1998-09-21 | ヤンマーディーゼル株式会社 | Artificial snowfall equipment |
CA2319692A1 (en) | 1998-02-06 | 1999-08-12 | Patrick Charriau | Snow, ice particle generator, or nucleation device, integrated in a pressurised water spray head for making artificial snow |
NO982507L (en) * | 1998-06-02 | 1999-12-03 | Arne Widar Luros | Snowblowers |
FR3112596B1 (en) * | 2020-07-15 | 2022-09-09 | Technoalpin France | Artificial snow production facility |
CN114251887B (en) * | 2022-01-14 | 2023-03-14 | 中国飞机强度研究所 | Snow making machine and application thereof in airplane test |
Family Cites Families (9)
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 |
AT283398B (en) * | 1968-04-08 | 1970-08-10 | Linde Ag | Method and device for producing 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 (en) * | 1976-07-19 | 1978-02-17 | Colmant Cuvelier | Emulsifying appts. for mixt. of water, air and emulsifying agent - for use in e.g. fighting hydrocarbon fires produces thousand-fold vol. increase of foam |
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 |
FR2421353A1 (en) * | 1978-03-31 | 1979-10-26 | Armand Daniel | PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC SNOW MANUFACTURING |
-
1983
- 1983-03-12 DE DE8383102459T patent/DE3368757D1/en not_active Expired
- 1983-03-12 AT AT83102459T patent/ATE24604T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1983-03-12 EP EP83102459A patent/EP0089590B1/en not_active Expired
- 1983-03-17 AU AU12534/83A patent/AU1253483A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1983-03-21 NO NO830982A patent/NO830982L/en unknown
- 1983-03-21 NZ NZ203640A patent/NZ203640A/en unknown
- 1983-03-22 JP JP58046132A patent/JPS58193066A/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPS58193066A (en) | 1983-11-10 |
AU1253483A (en) | 1983-09-29 |
DE3368757D1 (en) | 1987-02-05 |
NO830982L (en) | 1983-09-23 |
NZ203640A (en) | 1985-07-31 |
EP0089590A1 (en) | 1983-09-28 |
ATE24604T1 (en) | 1987-01-15 |
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