Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L27/00—Adjustable joints, Joints allowing movement
  • F16L27/08—Adjustable joints, Joints allowing movement allowing adjustment or movement only about the axis of one pipe
  • F16L27/087—Joints with radial fluid passages
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
  • B05B15/60—Arrangements for mounting, supporting or holding spraying apparatus
  • B05B15/65—Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits
  • B05B15/652—Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits whereby the jet can be oriented
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B3/00—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
  • B05B3/02—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B3/00—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
  • B05B3/14—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with oscillating elements; with intermittent operation
• • 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
  • F25C2303/048—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 present invention relates to a support for a device for spraying a mixture of water and air under pressure. Under certain temperature conditions, these devices are used to make artificial snow and are then called snow cannons.
• the support according to the invention corresponds to the part which is located between the spraying device itself and for example the pole on which it is fixed; the latter being anchored on a fixed shelter or on a sled.
• the spraying devices or snow cannons, are used to reload a portion of the runway. They are also used to make a certain amount of snow which will be spread out using suitable equipment.
• Document US-A-3 964 682 describes, among other things, a snow cannon arranged on a platform arranged so as to accommodate an operator who, taking advantage of favorable weather conditions, will control and direct the snow cannon along desired zones.
• the barrel is mounted on a kind of tower, which tower is pivotable relative to an envelope which is integral with the platform. Maneuvering bars fixed on the tower, above the envelope, are available to the operator to rotate the barrel. This pivoting requires relatively large forces due to the friction which is due not only to the seals, but also to the reaction forces due to the pressure of water and air and which impede the movements of the tower by compared to the fixed part. These efforts also have a harmful influence on the seals which wear out more quickly.
• the present invention provides a support which overcomes all these drawbacks.
• This support makes it possible to pivot without significant effort and at will, the spraying device about a substantially vertical axis to make it operational very easily on a single selected angular sector, or even on a circular sector.
• the support according to the invention can also be used in fields other than the field of the snow cover of the ski slopes. It can also be used to spray a mist, in an area such as that of fire fighting, or others.
• This support comprises a base fixed on a pole or the like and, articulated on this base around a substantially vertical axis, a turret which carries the spraying device; this base and this turret are arranged to allow the passage of water and pressurized air between inputs arranged on said base and outputs arranged on said turret with, between the two, rotating joints to isolate the passages d water and air.
• the base of the support is in the form of a body provided, around a cylindrical central bore, with superimposed annular radial chambers communicating with the water and air inlets respectively; the lower chamber corresponding to the water inlet and the upper chamber corresponding to the air inlet and, still according to the invention, the turret consists of a cylinder-shaped pivot intended to be positioned in the central bore of the base; this pivot comprises an axial vertical partition delimiting two separate channels, the lower part of each of which is open to the radial chambers of the base, which pivot is surmounted by a head disposed at the upper part of the channels, provided with orifices which serve to supply the spraying device.
• the base of the support comprises, in its lower part, under the radial chambers, a cavity containing means for operating the turret, cooperating with the lower part of the pivot of the latter.
• the lower part of the base containing the maneuvering means of the turret comprises, at least partially, a double wall allowing the circulation of water under pressure in order to maintain a suitable temperature for said means of maneuver; preferably, this double wall is located at the level of a cylindrical appendage disposed tangentially with respect to the lower cavity of the base, which appendage is lined, internally, with a cylinder which also contains part of the operating means from the turret.
• the maneuvering means of the turret consist of - a motor device housed in the cylinder arranged in the lower part of the base, arranged tangentially relative to the pivot of the turret, and - a drive system for said turret, interposed between said motor device and a gear-shaped member for example, integral with the pivot, which drive system is housed in the lower cavity of one base.
• the motor device consists of: - a reciprocating piston of the double effect type, mobile under the effect of the pressure exerted by one of the supply fluids of the spraying device; - a distributor of the drawer type, housed in said piston, movable axially between two positions to supply alternately the chambers located at each end of said piston; - an automatic distributor control system.
• the driving piston is in the form of a cylinder provided with seals between which peripheral chambers are arranged; one of the chambers being in connection with the arrival of the pressurized fluid to serve by means of a channel, the distributor drawer which in turn supplies the chambers of the driving piston, which drawer also places these same chambers, in communication with the exhaust orifices which open into another peripheral chamber of the piston communicating with the lower cavity of the base.
• the drawer is subjected: - to means which make it possible to temporarily lock its position inside the piston, - to an automatic control system which makes it possible to unlock it and to move it from a position to the other, which means comprise at least one jack actuated automatically by the pressurized fluid which serves to supply the chambers of the driving piston, - to timing means which make it possible to adjust the rate of this drawer to move from a position to the other.
• the dispenser drawer is maneuvered in one direction and in the other by means of jacks arranged on each side, co-axially, each jack comprising a piston and an elastic element in the form of a helical spring. interposed between said piston and the corresponding end of the drawer, each internal chamber of the jacks, that is to say the chambers situated on the side of the drawer, being supplied or drained at the same time as the corresponding chamber of the piston motor, which pistons of the jacks being moreover connected to each other preferably by means of a hydraulic fluid which fills the external chambers of said jacks and which circulates from one to the other of these chambers by means of a tube of connection.
• the time delay means consist of a throttling system which makes it possible to adjust the cross-section of the hydraulic fluid at will, for example at the level of the connection pipe which connects the external chambers of the cylinders, so as to impose a rate of operation of the drawer.
• the throttling system consists of a needle screw disposed at the end of the driving piston, centered on the axis of the latter, which at least v-is passes through in a sealed manner, the cylinder head of the corresponding chamber of said engine piston and comprises a wheel adjustable from the outside by an operator.
• This time delay makes it possible to adjust, in a range from a few minutes to several hours, the movements of the distributor drawer and, consequently, the movements of the turret via the motor device.
• the intermittent operation of this motor device makes it possible to maintain the spraying at a precise location for a selected time.
• the operating system of the turret interposed between the motor device and a toothed wheel secured to the lower part of this turret, consists of a rack secured to the driving piston.
• the turret operating system consists of a ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet lever, articulated on the main axis of the turret, which lever carries, arranged symmetrically and in the plane of the toothed wheel, two pawls which mesh in turn with the latter, under the effect of a reversing member articulated around the main axis of said turret ; this reversing member is temporarily locked on said lever by means of a ball-type lock pressed by a spring, which makes it possible to position it in at least two distinct positions, relative to said lever, which reversing member comprises ramps for deactivating pawls, which pawls move into the active or inactive engagement position with the toothed wheel, automatically, when the lever moves back and forth, when the reversing member locks on one of the stops preset by an operator, which stops are integral with the toothed wheel.
• the ratchet mechanism consists on the one hand, of a central core forming a spacer, integral with the lower part of the turret, on which are fixed: - the toothed wheel and - a perforated plate, the holes of which are intended to receive the operating stops of the reversing member, and, on the other hand, of complementary parts articulated on said core, around its main axis, constituted by: - said reversing member and - the supports of said retractable stops.
• the ratchet mechanism comprises a core which is integral with the lower part of the turret at the same time as the toothed wheel and an index preferably oriented in the direction of the spraying device, which index cooperates with the adjustable stops which are positioned in orifices arranged directly on the reversing member.
• the pawls of the mechanism are kept in the active position under the effect of an elastic member in the form of a spring stretched between lugs arranged at the ends of said pawls, which lugs cooperate with the deactivation ramps arranged on the reversing member to move said pawls from the active position to the inactive position , which ramps of the reversing member serve to put the pawls in the inactive position and are preferably asymmetrical to avoid maintaining said pawls in an intermediate neutral position.
• means make it possible to adjust and / or limit the amplitude of the rotational movement of the turret.
• these means consist of adjustable cams centered on the axis of the turret, which cams retain the pawl (s) to temporarily keep them in the inactive engagement position when they are in a position capable of engaging with the toothed wheel secured to the turret, which cams are moreover adjustable by means of stops which cooperate with a fixed part secured to the base in which said turret rotates.
• these means may consist of axial stops arranged projecting from a sort of indexed turnstile, which turnstile is guided in rotation on a tubular body integral with the piston which crosses in a sealed manner the cylinder head of said piston on the side of the needle screw, serving as a sheath for the latter, which turnstile is immobilized in translation at the outer end of said tubular body, which axial stops of said turnstile cooperate with orifices whose depth is stepped, arranged on the outer wall of said breech.
• the reciprocating movement of the piston is transformed in circular motion by 9 the rack and pinion system or by the ratchet mechanism. Adjusting the stroke of the piston makes it possible to vary the pivoting angle of the turret around its vertical axis.
• each round trip of the piston angularly advances the turret in one direction or the other depending on the pawl in action.
• This angular progression is carried out step by step, at an angle of a few degrees to several tens of degrees depending on the stroke of the piston and the active stroke of the pawls.
• the maneuvering means of the turret consist of at least one electric motor, with reduction gear, provided with a member of the worm screw type cooperating with the toothed wheel integral with the turret. ._
• the head of the turret receives a spraying device arranged in the extension of a yoke whose lateral branches constitute the conduits for supplying water and pressurized air; these branches are articulated on said head by means of rotary joints; the articulation comprises rings movable relative to the head and a system for tightening said branches on said head by means of elastic members in the form of washers which press said rings against a shoulder of the head.
• FIG. 1 is a general view of the support according to the invention
• FIG. 2 shows the support in section along its main vertical axis
• FIG. 3 shows the turret alone in section along its main vertical axis
• FIG. 4 represents the spraying device mounted on the head of the turret with a section passing through the axis of the rotary joints
• FIG. 5 represents, in the form of a functional diagram, the detail of an embodiment of the maneuvering means of the turret
• Figure 6 also shows in detail, the first embodiment of the turret drive means, in a horizontal section made at the axis of the motor device;
• FIG. 7 shows in a detailed and enlarged manner, the central part of the engine piston of Figure 6;
• FIG. 8 shows in detail and more enlarged, the dispenser drawer of Figure 7;
• FIG. 9 shows in section along the main axis, the pawl mechanism, according to the first embodiment
• FIG. 10 shows in perspective, part of the parts used in the composition of the ratchet mechanism shown in Figure 9;
• FIG. 12 represents an alternative embodiment of the ratchet mechanism comprising means for adjusting the amplitude of the movement of the turret;
• - Figure 13 shows in perspective, part of the parts used in the composition of the ratchet mechanism shown in Figure 12;
• FIG. 14 is a view showing schematically and superimposed all of the parts constituting the ratchet mechanism
• FIG. 15 shows a bottom view of the ratchet mechanism as it appears to the operator responsible for example to adjust the circular stroke of the snow cannon and the pitch of each movement.
• This support 1 is itself carried by a pole 3, shown partially in thin broken lines, and it comprises, at its lower part, a water inlet 4 and air inlet 5.
• This support 1 can be attached, via the pole 3, to a shelter 6 shown in thin broken lines.
• This shelter 6 is crossed by the conduits 7 and 8 which serve to supply water and pressurized air to several spraying devices.
• This shelter notably contains the connection valves, not shown, from which there are the pipes 9 and 10 which are connected respectively to the inputs 4 and 5 to bring the water and the air under pressure to the spraying device.
• This support 1 consists of a base 11 and a turret 12 which is articulated on said base around an axis 13 kept substantially vertical.
• the base 11 has conduits 14 and 15 grafted onto its central part which is in the form of a cylindrical barrel
• conduits 14 and 15 are arranged along generators and in the angle formed by the barrel
• This appendage 17 is arranged tangentially to the lower part of the barrel 16 and its role will be explained later.
• the base 11 is surmounted by the head 19 of the turret 12.
• the spraying device 2 is articulated either directly on this head 19 by means of rotary joints detailed below, in connection with the figure
• a cap or skirt 22 which covers the upper part of the barrel 16 of the base 11; this cap 22 above all makes it possible to avoid any untimely penetration of water by runoff or the like, into said barrel 16.
• the base 11 is preferably in the form of a molded body of light alloy or the like.
• the water and the pressurized air circulate through the base 11 and the turret 12, to end up at the spraying device 2.
• the base 11 and the turret 12 are fitted with rotary joints.
• the upper part of the barrel 16 of the base 11 is provided, FIG. 2, with a central bore around the axis
• Room 24 is in communication with the water supply 4 and room 25, located above the room
• the two chambers 24 and 25 are separated by a horizontal partition 26 in the form of a crown which extends inside the barrel 16 from the external wall of the latter.
• the chamber 24 is delimited at its lower part by the partition 27 in the form of a crown also and the chamber 25 is delimited at its upper part by the edge 28 which is located under the skirt 22 of the turret 12.
• This turret 12 shown alone, Figure 3 has a pivot 29 of cylindrical shape, centered on the axis 13, which is housed in the central bore of the barrel 16 of the base 11. This pivot 29 is located under the head 19 of the turret 12, and in particular below the level of the skirt 22 which masks the upper edge 28 of the barrel 16. 0
• the turret 12 can consist of a molded part, made of light alloy for example.
• the pivot 29 has two orifices 30 and 31 in the form of a half-moon, which are located at the level of the chambers 24 and 25 respectively.
• This pivot 29 has, at its lower part 5, a circular wall 32 which is located at the bottom of the chamber 24 arranged in the barrel 16. This wall 32 is located in a bore arranged in the wall 27 of the barrel 16.
• the pivot 29 also has a horizontal wall 0 in the form of a half-moon, which is situated at the level of the partition 26 of the barrel 16, which partition separates the chambers 24 and 25 from the base 11.
• the head 19 of the turret 12 has orifices 34 and 35 to which the spraying device 2 is connected. These orifices 34 and 35 communicate with the annular chambers 24 and 25 of the base 11 by means of the channels 36 and 37 arranged inside the turret 12. These channels 36 and 37 are delimited by a vertical partition 38 which is centered on the axis 13, and which divides
• This partition 38 is planar and extends between the wall 33 in the form of a half-moon which is situated at the level of the partition 26 of the base 11, and the upper part of the head 19 of the turret.
• This partition 38 is also perpendicular to the axis o r 39 of the outlet orifices 34 and 35 which are arranged in the head 19 of the turret 12.
• This axis 39 is itself perpendicular to the axis 13 and intersects with the latter.
• the chambers 24 and 25 are isolated from each other and from the outside by means of O-rings 40, - which are arranged in grooves 41 arranged on the cylindrical casing of the pivot 29.
• the pivot 29 is guided on the barrel 16 by means of, on the one hand, a ring 42 of self-lubricating plastic material, placed at the top of the barrel 0 16, under the skirt 22, and, on the other hand, a bearing 43 which is arranged at the lower part of the pivot 29.
• This bearing 43 is mounted on a shaft 44 which extends under the wall 32 which constitutes the bottom of said pivot.
• the bearing 43 is also housed in a bore 5 in the lower partition 27 of the base 11, against a shoulder 45 located at the lower part of said partition 27.
• the lower part of the base 11 has, under the partition 27, a cavity 46 and we find, arranged laterally and tangentially at this cavity
• This channel 48 is therefore in communication with the conduit 14, and the supply water of the spraying device 0 passes around the wall 47 and, in part, around the cavity 46 so as to maintain a temperature in this zone, which corresponds to the temperature of the water used to supply the spraying device 2.
• the cylindrical wall 47 delimits another cavity 49, which communicates with the central cavity 46. In these cavities 46 and 49, it is possible to house a set of means which make it possible to set in motion the spraying device 2 by means of the turret 12.
• the lower part of the base 11 has a cover 50 which closes the cavity 46.
• This cover 50 has an orifice 51 which allows the evacuation of fluids, condensations and the like which can penetrate or stagnate in the cavity 46.
• a vent 52 which allows the flow of water in case of untimely leakage at the lower joint 40 for example.
• These possible leaks _s' escape into the cavity 46 and are evacuated through the orifice 51 of the cover 50.
• FIG. 4 illustrates the mounting of the spraying device 2, directly on the head 19 of the turret 12. It is also noted, at this head 19, the partition 38 which makes it possible to define in the turret 12, the channels 36 and 37 which supply water and air respectively to the spraying device.
• the spray device 2 comprises a cylindrical part 53 which constitutes the spray nozzle; this nozzle is located in the extension of a sort of yoke whose lateral branches 54 and 55 respectively constitute the conduits for supplying water and air to said nozzle 53.
• the spraying device 2 is also produced in a single piece, molded for example from light alloy or other.
• the ends of the branches 54 and 55 include bores centered on the axis 39 of the head 19, in which are positioned rings 56, which are closed at their outer end by a sealed cover 57.
• the seal between the rings 56 and, on the one hand the head 19 and, on the other hand, the branches 54 and 55, is produced by means of O-rings 58 arranged on said rings.
• the ring 56 has a shoulder 60 which bears on a suitable surface provided on the head, by means of a seal 61 made of a material of the teflon type, as shown in FIG. 4b.
• the spraying device 2 is mounted directly on the head 19 by means of rotating joints which thus make it possible to adjust its inclination.
• FIG. 5 illustrates, by means of a functional diagram, the means which make it possible to maneuver the turret 12. These means consist of: - a motor device 62 with reciprocating movement, comprising a piston of the double-acting type operating under the effect of a pressurized fluid, and, - a drive system
• This drive system 63 includes a toothed wheel
• this toothed wheel 64 which is integral with the shaft 44 located at the lower part of the turret 12.
• this toothed wheel 64 can be driven either by a simple rack 65 partially shown, or by a ratchet mechanism detailed below.
• This rack 65 or the ratchet mechanism are actuated directly by the motor device 62_.
• the driving device 62 comprises a piston 66 of the double-acting type, disposed in a cylinder constituted by the cylindrical internal wall 47 of the base 11.
• the piston 66 changes as a function of the pressure of the fluid which is introduced into the chambers 67 and 68 disposed at each end of said piston.
• the movement of the piston 66 is a back and forth movement.
• the stroke of the piston 66 is adjustable as required, by means of a stop system 69, which is operated by an operator. This embodiment will be detailed later in connection with FIG. 6.
• the movement of the piston is transmitted to the toothed wheel 64 by means of a connecting rod
• the connecting rod 70 is secured to the piston 66 by any suitable means.
• the head of the connecting rod is rounded and it takes place in a housing 74 arranged on the piston 66.
• the toothed wheel 64 is integral with the shaft 44 located at the lower part of the turret 12.
• piston stroke 66 can vary either as a function of the stroke of this piston, or as a function of the number of teeth of the wheel 64 taken into account by one and / or the other of the pawls 72, 73.
• this amplitude of movement of the spraying device 2 will depend solely on the stroke of the piston 66, adjusted by the stop system 69,
• the spray device 2 with ratchets, allows an angular rotational movement of the spraying device, of the step-by-step type, in one direction or the other.
• the amplitude of movement of the spray device 2 is no longer limited by the stroke of the piston 66.
• the motor device 62 is supplied by a distributor 75 interposed between the inlet
• This distributor 75 includes a drawer 77 which places the chambers 67 and 68 in communication with the inlet 76 for pressurized fluid or with the outlets 78 which serve for the escape of this fluid for emptying the chambers.
• the distributor slide 77 is movable between two positions and it is held in each of these positions by means of a ball 81 guided in a radial bore of the piston 66, and pressed by a spring 82; this ball 81 cooperates with two grooves 83 arranged adjacent to the periphery of the drawer.
• Each position of the drawer 77 makes it possible to supply one or the other of the chambers 67 and 68 of the motor device, or to put these same chambers 67 and 68 in communication with the exhaust outlets 78, in turn.
• the position of the drawer 77 is fixed by the ball 81; its travel is limited by stops 84 arranged at each of its ends. These stops 84 can be fixed by screws, as shown below in FIG. 8.
• the drawer 77 is not operated by the piston 66. It is operated separately, by means of a control system comprising a time delay. This time delay thus makes it possible to adjust the cadence of the piston 66 at will and, therefore, the time between two angular movements of the spraying device 2.
• the slide 77 is moved from one position to the other, by means of jacks 85 and 86 which are arranged in its axial extension.
• Each cylinder 85, 86 contains a piston 87 which acts on the slide 77 by means of an elastic member 88 in the form of a helical spring, the role of which will be explained below.
• the cylinders 85 and 86 are coupled together by means of a pipe 89 which connects the external chambers 90 of each of them; these chambers 90 and the piping 89 are filled with a suitable hydraulic fluid.
• a throttling device 91 is arranged on the piping 89 so as to regulate at will the speed of flow of the hydraulic fluid between the chambers
• pistons 87 of the cylinders 85 and 86 are set in motion by the pressure of the fluid which is also exerted on the piston 66, and this as a function of the position of the drawer 77.
• the slide 77 is positioned so as to supply pressurized fluid, on the one hand, the chamber 68 of the motor device 62 and on the other hand the chamber 92 of the jack 86 while the chamber 67 of the engine device and chamber 92 of the jack 85 are placed in communication with the exhaust outlet 78.
• the speed of movement of the hydraulic fluid and therefore of the pistons 87 is adjusted by means of the throttling device 91.
• the controlled movement of these pistons 87 makes it possible to spread over a period of the order of a few minutes to a few hours, each moving drawer 77.
• This time delay makes it possible to give an intermittent character to the angular movement of the spraying device 2 around its vertical axis 13. In this way, the spraying device can be kept in a fixed position for a variable period of time ranging from a few minutes to a few hours.
• spraying device 2 If the spraying device 2 is driven with the rack 65, spraying is carried out at two places, the spacing of which depends on the stroke d.u piston 66.
• ratchet mechanism to drive the barrel 2 allows spraying to be carried out in several places, regularly spaced, chosen according to needs.
• the gear wheel drive mechanism 64 by means of the lever 71, comprises the pawls 72 and 73 which are articulated on said lever 71, and which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the latter; they are located in the plane, or rather in the thickness, of the toothed wheel 64.
• These pawls 72, 73 are mounted on the lever 71 by means of the hinge pins 101 0 and 102 which are parallel to the axis 13 of the gear wheel
• reversing member 103 which can take two stable positions relative to the lever 71.
• This reversing member 103 is locked relative to the lever 71 o c by means of at minus a ball 104 pushed by a spring 105, which ball is positioned in one of the two orifices 106 arranged on said reversing member 103.
• the pawl 72 is maintained in the inactive meshing position by the reversing member 103 by means of a ramp 107 arranged on this reversing member; the pawl 72 is in the active engagement position for maneuvering the toothed wheel 64; it is kept in contact with the teeth of this toothed wheel 64 by means of a spring 108 which is interposed between the support lever 71 and an extension of the pawl beyond its articulation axis 102.
• This pawl 72 advances the toothed wheel 64 at each stroke of the piston 66, when the latter moves from the chamber 68 towards the chamber 67, that is to say when the chamber 68 is supplied with fluid under pressure, while the chamber 67 is in communication with the exhaust, thanks to the drawer 77.
• the toothed wheel 64 advances step by step in the direction indicated by the arrow 109.
• stops 110 and 111 associated integrally with the toothed wheel 64, stops 110 and 111 arranged on a circumference centered on the axis 13. These stops 110 and 111 cooperate with a finger or index finger 112 which is integral with the reversing member 103.
• the stop 110 progresses simultaneously, step by step, towards the finger 112 of the reversing member 103.
• the pawl 72 drives the toothed wheel 64, thanks to the lever 71, the latter also drives the reversing member 103 which is secured to said lever by the spring ball system 104, 105.
• the finger 112, secured to the reversing member 103 approaches the stop 110 which advances step by step at the same time as the wheel 64.
• the finger 112 meets the stop 110 when the lever 71 returns empty.
• the reversing member 103 changes position relative to the lever 71 by unlocking automatically, which allows, by means of the ramp 107 ad hoc, the lifting of the pawl 72 and its inactive position.
• the pawl 73 will leave its ramp 107 and place itself in the active position to drive the toothed wheel 64 until the stop 111, by the same phenomenon, reverses the movement.
• the positions of the stops 110 and 111 it is obviously possible to vary the amplitude of the movement of the spraying device around the axis 13.
• the scanning movement takes place over an angular sector. close to 360 °. If the two stops are retracted, the toothed wheel 64 performs a step-by-step but continuous rotation movement around the axis 13, in one direction or the other depending on the pawl which is in the active drive position.
• the movement of the slide 77 is not directly controlled by the piston 66 of the motor device.
• the drawer 77 of the dispenser continues to operate, that is to say that it switches from one position to the other at a set rate. by the timing device and in particular by the throttling system 91.
• FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the maneuvering means of the turret, represented by a section of the base 11, at the level of the axis 18 of the motor device 62.
• the cavity 46 located at the bottom of the base 11 and in which is housed the drive system 63.
• the wall of the appendix 17 which envelops the wall 47 forming the piston cylinder 66, and the space
• the pressurized water circulates in the conduit 14 situated in the angle formed by the cylinder 47 and the barrel 16 of the base 11.
• the compressed air circulates in the conduit 15 situated in the opposite angle.
• An orifice 120 raw foundry for example, allows the passage of compressed air to supply the motor device 62.
• This motor device 62 can be supplied either with air or with pressurized water. Its use in the exclusive field of snow cannons will be done rather with compressed air to avoid complications due to the problems of frost and water drainage.
• the piston 66 consists of a cylindrical monobloc piece sliding in the cylinder 47. This piston 66 is equipped at its ends with O-ring seals. There is a seal 121 at the end face 122 where the chamber 67 is located. At the other end 123 of the piston 66, on the side of the chamber 68, there is a seal 124.
• seals 121 and 124 seal the chambers 67 and 68 which are also closed by cylinder heads 125 and 126 disposed at each end of the cylinder 47. It should also be noted that these cylinder heads 125 and 126 close the space 48 located between the walls 47 and 17 from the base. Between the seals 121 and 124, there is an intermediate seal 127. The seals 121 and 127 seal the peripheral chamber 128 into which the pressurized air arrives. The axial length of this
• chamber 128 is adapted to the stroke of the piston 66 so as to always remain opposite the orifice 120.
• the pressurized air then leaves towards the distributor 77 by means of the channel 129 which connects the latter to the chamber 128.
• the distributor 75 is housed inside the piston
• FIG. 6 also shows the conduit 89 which places the external chambers 90 of the jacks 85 and 86 in communication with each other, and the device throttling which allows for an adjustable delay.
• This throttling device is housed in a tubular body 130, one end of which acts as a cylinder head for the jack 86.
• This tubular body 130 sealingly passes through the cylinder head 126 to allow, by means of the wheel 131 which is located outside , the adjustment of the needle screw 132 which performs the throttling and thus regulates the speed of circulation of the hydraulic fluid between the external chambers 90 of the jacks 85 and 86.
• Another embodiment is detailed below in figure
• the filling of the external chambers 90 of the cylinders 85 and 86 and the filling of the conduit 89 are effected 0 before the positioning of the piston 66 in the cylinder 47.
• the hydraulic fluid is introduced into these different cavities before the positioning of the body tubular 130 on the piston 66.
• the pistons 87 then occupy a position which is established by the length of the springs 5 88. For the delay to work, it is necessary that one of the springs is compressed when the other is relaxed.
• the piston to which it is attached is moved; this movement is made in the cylinder 86 with the help of the hydraulic fluid and the tubular body 130 when it is put in place after filling.
• This body 130 is positioned in the chamber
• the volume of trapped hydraulic fluid is used to move the piston 87 and to compress the spring 88, all of this in the cylinder 86.
• the body 130 is fixed to the piston 66 by means of screws 136 which cooperate with the collar 134.
• the drawer 77 has internal channels which allow the passage of pressurized air to the cylinders 85 and 86 and, from the chambers 92 of these cylinders to chambers 67 and 68 of the piston via the conduits
• the stroke of the piston 66 is regulated by a system of stops marked 69, which is accessible from the outside of the base.
• This system of stops is also detailed in FIG. 6; it is disposed on the side of the cylinder head 126.
• This cylinder head 126 has for this purpose j cavities 140 of different depths, in which can be accommodated stops 141 mounted on a turnstile 142.
• This turnstile is for example indexed by means of a spring ball not shown. It is positioned at the end of the tubular body 130, and it can rotate
• This stop system makes it possible to adjust the stroke of the piston 66 and, consequently, to adjust the amplitude of the movement of the toothed wheel 64, at each stroke of the piston.
• FIG. 7 shows in more detail the central part of the piston 66, which contains the drawer 77, which drawer also appears in an enlarged manner in FIG. 8.
• the drawer 77 is in the form of an elongated cylindrical element. It has two grooves 83 slightly
• the drawer 77 has a duct 144 which opens out from the side of the jack 85 and a duct 145 which opens out from the side of the jack 86.
• the internal end of these two ducts 144 and 145 is in relation to either the channel 129 which introduces pressurized air, i.e.
• conduits 144 and 145 which extends conduits 144 and 145.
• This drawer 77 also has O-rings
• FIG. 7 we note the pistons 87 of the cylinders 85 and 86. These pistons have a skirt provided with a seal 151 located at the end of the side of the drawer 77. This feature allows to lubricate 3 Q the drawers with the hydraulic fluid which transmits the movement of these drawers.
• each piston 87 There is a threaded bore 152 on the outer face of each piston 87. This threaded bore makes it possible to extract each piston from its cavity by means of an appropriate gold tool.
• the cylinder head 85 consists of a simple obturator plug 153 mounted in leaktight manner at the end 122 of the piston 66.
• the drive mechanism 63 is only partially shown in FIG. 6.
• the lever 71 whose end 70, in form of rod, is housed in an arrangement 74 of the piston 66.
• This lever 71 is articulated on the axis 13 and it supports, by means of the articulation axes 101 and 102, the pawls 72 and 73.
• the axes 101 and 102 are available " s ⁇ és symmetrically with respect to the main axis of the lever 71.
• the reversing member 103 also articulated on the axis 13, and the ramps 107 which cooperate with cylindrical pins 157 and 158 arranged at the end of the pawls 72 and 73 respectively.
• the pins 157 and 158 are located at the end of the pawls, substantially at the point of the latter, and they also serve to maintain these pawls in the active position and in contact with the ramps 107 by means of a spring tensioned between both, which spring 171 appears partially in FIGS. 9 and 10.
• This spring corresponds to the springs 108 and 113 of the functional diagram of FIG. 5.
• the pawls 72 and 73 mesh in turn on the teeth of the wheel 64.
• This toothed wheel 64 is lined with a perforated disc 160 on which there are orifices 161 used to receive the stops 110, 111 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5.
• These stops 110 and 111 are mounted on rotating supports 162 and 163 which are centered on the axis 13. We still notice, figure 6, the two orifices
• the ramps 107 of the pawls 101 and 102 are asymmetrical in order to force the reversing member 103 to be positioned in one or the other of the holes 106. This asymmetry prevents the pawls from being lifted both when the reversing member 103 is located in the intermediate equilibrium position.
• the drive mechanism 63 with pawls, is also shown in Figures 9 and 10.
• Figure 9 the shaft 44 located at the bottom of the pivot of the turret 12 and on which is fi-_xé this mechanism.
• the toothed wheel 64 • as well as the perforated disc 160 on which the orifices 161 are arranged intended to receive the stops 110 and 111.
• a spacer ring 165 is interposed between the ratchet mechanism and the bearing 43, in order to maintain the latter in position on the one hand, and also, on the other hand, to ensure a bearing and thus prohibit a translational movement towards the top of the shaft 44 and consequently of the turret 12.
• the ring 165 has an internal diameter which corresponds to the diameter of the shaft 44 and an external diameter which is substantially greater than the external diameter of the bearing 43 so as to bear, if necessary, on the shoulder 45 of the partition 27.
• the toothed wheel 64 and the disc 160 are assembled on the shaft 44 by means of three screws 167 by means of a first spacer ring 168, interposed between said toothed wheel 64 and said disc 160, and a second ring spacer 169 interposed between, on the one hand, the shaft 44 and the heads of the screws 167 and, on the other hand, between the disc 160 and said screw heads 167.
• This second spacer ring 169 in fact constitutes the core and the main axis of the ratchet mechanism.
• the first ring 168 guides the lever 71 in rotation on the one hand, and the reversing member 103 on the other hand.
• the finger 112 which cooperates with the stops 110 and 111.
• This finger is preferably an insert by any suitable means on the reversing member 103; it is located between the latter and the disc 160, which are kept spaced apart by a flange 170 which is part of the first spacer 168.
• the ball 104 housed in the lever 71, the ball 104 which cooperates with the orifices 106 ⁇ arranged on the reversing member 103. This ball 104 is kept under pressure by the spring 105 which is supported either directly on the toothed wheel 64 or on a plug which closes the corresponding cavity.
• the stops 110 and 111 are mounted on the supports 162, 163 respectively, which supports are guided in rotation by the second spacer 169.
• the ratchet mechanism forms a whole which can be pre-assembled on the core 169.
• the screw 173 which allows this pre-assembly.
• the head of this screw 173 is housed in a suitable bore arranged in the end of the shaft A4. This bore also serves as a benchmark for positioning the mechanism relative to the turret 12.
• the stops 110 and 111 are shown in the active position. They retract by pulling on the buttons
• buttons 174 and 174 are kept in this inactive position thanks to a rotation of these buttons by a quarter turn for example.
• the pawl mechanism is also illustrated, in part only, in FIG. 10. We find in particular the toothed wheel 64 and the pawls 72 and 73 carried by the lever 71.
• the pawls 72 and 73 are articulated on the pins 101 and 102 integral with the lever 71.
• the lugs 157 and 158 arranged at the respective ends of the pawls 72 and 73, and which cooperate with the reversing member 103.
• the spring 171 stretched between the two pins 157 and 158.
• the pin 158 cooperates with the reversing member 103 and in particular with its ramp 107; it maintains the pawl 73 in the inactive engagement position.
• the reversing member 103 includes the finger 112 which cooperates with the stops 110 and 111.
• the perforated disc 160 integral with the toothed wheel 64, and which cooperates with the stops 110 and 111.
• This ratchet mechanism is easily adjusted by access to the lower part of the base 12 after removing the cover 50.
• This ratchet mechanism also allows the operator to check at any time the angular amplitude of the possible movement of the spray device. Indeed, it is possible to operate the spraying device 2 and in particular to rotate it around its vertical axis 13 in one direction or the other, depending on the active pawl 72 or 73; this rotation takes place until the tilting of the inverter 103 when one of the stops is encountered
• the turret drive system can consist of one or more motor members of the electric motor type with reducing gear cooperating, by means of an endless screw for example, with the toothed wheel 64 fixed on the lower part of the turret 12.
• the electric motor or motors can be supplied by a cable fixed to the pole 3.
• Figure 11 shows a y-ariante embodiment of part of the maneuvering means of the turret. Only the motor mechanism is shown, in the base 11, with a section at the axis 18.
• the cavity 46 which is located at the bottom of the base 11 normally receives the drive system of the turret.
• This drive system is shown in an alternative embodiment, in the following figures 12 to 15.
• the dial 131 which makes it possible to adjust the needle screw 132, is driven by the same back and forth movement as the piston 66.
• This wheel 131 is housed in a space 180 arranged in the external part of the cylinder head 126, and it is easily maneuverable by an operator, for adjusting the rate of the piston 66. 0
• the piston 66 has at each of its ends, segments 181 which guide it in the cylinder 49. These segments are made of plastic material of the self-lubricating type; they reduce wear on seals 121, 124 and 127. 5
• the ball 81 which ensures the locking of the position of the drawer 77 is positioned in a radial orifice 78 'which 0 corresponds to one of the channels 78 serving for the exhaust of the air towards the cavity 137.
• the body 130 which serves as a guide for the needle 132 and a template for filling the cylinders 85 and 86, is, in the variant of FIG. 11, reduced to its only part 130 ′ which is housed in the piston 66. This body 130 'no longer passes through cylinder head 126.
• the piston 66 operates with a constant stroke, automatically ⁇ as soon as the compressed air arrives at the spraying device 2.
• the adjustment of the pitch or of the amplitude of movement of the spraying device 2, at each stroke of the piston, is carried out at the level of the pawls 72 and 73.
• FIGS. 11 to 11 are identical in this variant embodiment.
• each pawl 72 or 73 cooperates with a cam which temporarily keeps it in the inactive engagement position during part of its stroke so as to limit as much as possible the amplitude of movement of the spraying device at each stroke of the piston . 5
• This cam 182 which cooperates with the pawl 72.
• This cam 182 is in the form of a crown centered on the axis
• This crown has on the one hand a protrusion 0
• the projection 184 of the cam 182 cooperates with the lug 157 to maintain the pawl 72 in an inactive engagement position.
• the displacement of the cam 182, around the axis 13, makes it possible to choose the amplitude of the retention of the pawl 72.
• This cam 182 is positioned 0 relative to the base 11 and in particular relative to several orifices 186 which are drilled, in the form of blind holes, in the partition 27 of said base.
• a stop 187 integral with the tab 5 185 of the cam 182, cooperates with one of the orifices 186 to allow the pawl 72 to mesh more or less quickly with the teeth of the wheel 64.
• This pawl is kept in the inactive position only by means of a cam 183.
• This cam 183 is immobilized by means of a stop 188, FIG. 15, which cooperates in the same way, with one of the orifices 186 arranged in the wall 27 of the base 11.
• Figure 15 is a bottom view of the base o c 11, which shows the ratchet mechanism as it appears to the operator, after having removed the cover 50 shown in FIG. 2.
• the other stops 110 and 111 which are visible in this FIG. 15, serve to reverse, as described above, the direction of rotation of the wheel 64.
• FIG. 14 illustrates a superposition of all the parts constituting the ratchet mechanism.
• the angular sector S_ which corresponds to the maximum sector swept by the spraying device 2 for a complete stroke of the piston 66.
• this angular sector corresponds substantially to three times the pitch of the teeth of the wheel 64.
• the cams 182 and 183 in fact allow the pawls 72 and 73 respectively, to drive the toothed wheel 64 on a sector which corresponds either to " ⁇ i'equivalent of three steps, two steps or one step depending on whether the pawls can mesh all immediately with one tooth of the wheel 64 or else one or two teeth will jump in.
• the cams 182 and 183 are positioned in such a way that the pawls 72 and 73 jump two teeth before engaging with the wheel 64. In this case, the angular movement is limited to a sector which corresponds only to the pitch of the teeth of the wheel 64.
• stops 110 and 111 also shown in these figures is a variant which relates to the stops 110 and 111. These stops 110 and 111 cooperate directly with orifices 191 arranged on the reversing member 103. These orifices 191 correspond to the orifices 161 which appear in particular in FIGS. 6 and 10 for the previous embodiment.
• the displacement of the reversing member 103 results from the meeting of one or the other of the stops 110, 111 with an index 192 which is integral with the turret 12, just like the toothed wheel 64.
• This index 192 can be positioned so as to indicate the orientation of the spray device 2.
• the position of this index 192 clearly appears to the operator responsible for adjusting the amplitude of movement of the spray device 2.
• the position of the stops 110 and 111 relative to the index 192 gives the operator an image of the amplitude of the angular sector which can be scanned by the spraying device 2.
• the stops 110 and 111 are mounted on a support
• the index 192 is part of a_coronne 195 centered on the axis 13. This crown -195 is fixed on the core

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Nozzles (AREA)

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• 1993
  • 1993-03-12 FR FR9303038A patent/FR2702395B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1994
  • 1994-03-09 CA CA002157933A patent/CA2157933A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 1994-03-09 EP EP94909170A patent/EP0688248A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 1994-03-09 WO PCT/FR1994/000262 patent/WO1994020222A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1994-03-09 JP JP6519673A patent/JPH09500051A/ja active Pending
• 1995
  • 1995-09-07 NO NO953525A patent/NO953525D0/no unknown

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