JPH0810102B2 - Artificial snow manufacturing device and method of using the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial application] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing artificial snow.

[Conventional technology]

As is well known, ski resorts are generally scattered in areas where transportation is inconvenient.

Therefore, recently, in the leisure industry, a plan for constructing an indoor ski area around the city is underway.

Natural snow cannot be obtained at indoor ski areas, so snow must be artificially produced.

Conventionally, as means for artificially manufacturing snow, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-
No. 161377 has an already-disclosed artificial snow making device (see FIG. 3).

This conventional artificial snow manufacturing device is related to an application by the applicants of the present application, and generates a mist (52) of water in the artificial snow generation chamber (51) having a vertically long tubular shape and a liquefied gas (53).
And the liquefied gas (53) is vaporized to cool the mist (52) of the water that naturally falls in the artificial snow generation chamber (51) by cold heat to obtain artificial snow (54). Is.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional artificial snow making device, the upper and lower liquefied gas injections for injecting the liquefied gas (53) respectively toward the upper and lower parts (56) and (57) of the falling path (55) of the water mist (52). Although it has the nozzles (58) and (59), it has no means for injecting the liquefied gas (53) toward the intermediate point (60) of the drop path (55), so the upper and lower points (56) ) ・
The temperature of (57) becomes relatively low due to the injection of the liquefied gas (53), but the temperature at the intermediate point (60) is higher than that at the upper and lower points (56) and (57) by the distance from the liquefied gas (53). Getting higher,
The temperature distribution in the height direction of the drop path (55) is not uniform, and the cooling effect on the water mist (52) that naturally falls on the drop path (55) varies depending on the height position, and the water mist (52) In some cases, smooth crystal growth was hindered, and sleet-shaped odd products were mixed in, making it difficult to obtain high-quality artificial snow (54).

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the above-described conventional art, and an apparatus for manufacturing artificial snow capable of obtaining high-quality artificial snow by uniformizing the temperature distribution in the height direction of the drop path of water mist, and the same. An object of the present invention is to provide a suitable method of using the manufacturing apparatus.

[Means for solving the problem]

1st invention produces | generates the mist 52 of water in the vertically long cylindrical artificial snow generation chamber 51, injects the liquefied gas 53, and the artificial snow generation chamber 51 by the cold heat when this liquefied gas 53 vaporizes.
Artificial snow that grows crystals of water mist 52 that naturally falls inside
In the artificial snow manufacturing device that obtains 54, upper and lower two liquefied gas injection nozzles 58 for injecting the liquefied gas 53 toward the upper part 56 and the lower part 57 in the falling path 55 of the water mist 52, respectively. .59 and the intermediate liquefied gas injection nozzle 9 for injecting the liquefied gas 53 toward the intermediate portion 60 in the drop path 55
And are provided.

The second invention is that each liquefied gas injection nozzle 58.59.
However, each is configured to inject the liquefied gas 53 toward the inside of the artificial snow generating chamber 51 from the plurality of nozzle holes 11 arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the peripheral side wall 12 of the artificial snow generating chamber 51. It is characterized by being done.

3rd invention arrange | positions the upper temperature sensor 14 in the upper part 56 in the fall path 55 of the water mist 52, arrange | positions the lower temperature sensor 15 of the lower part 57 in the said fall path 55, and carries out the said fall. Route
An intermediate temperature sensor 16 is arranged at an intermediate position 60 in 55, and each of the temperature sensors 14, 15, 16 has a plurality of temperature detections arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the peripheral side wall 12 of the artificial snow generating chamber 51. It has each point 19 and each temperature detection point of each temperature sensor 14, 15, 16
Calculation means for calculating the temperature difference between the average value of the 19 detected temperatures and the predetermined set temperature, and each liquefied gas injection nozzle based on the temperature difference at each point 56, 57, 60 calculated by this calculation means It is characterized in that a correction means for correcting each point 56, 57, 60 to the set temperature state by controlling the injection amount of the liquefied gas 653 from 58, 59, 9 is provided.

The fourth invention is that each of the liquefied gas injection nozzles 58.59.
9 is for injecting the liquefied gas 53 in the radial direction 10 of the artificial snow generating chamber 51 at a speed that penetrates the artificial snow generating chamber 51.

[Work]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the liquefied gas 53 is injected from the upper liquefied gas injection nozzle 58 toward the upper portion 56 of the drop path 55 of the water mist 52, and the lower portion 57 of the drop path 55 is injected. The liquefied gas 53 is jetted toward the liquefied gas 53 from the lower liquefied gas jet nozzle 59, and the liquefied gas 53 is jetted from the intermediate liquefied gas jet nozzle 9 toward the intermediate point 53 in the drop path 55. The temperature distribution in the height direction of the drop path 55 of the water mist 52 is made uniform.

According to the second invention, in addition to the operation of the first invention, the liquefied gas 53 is respectively directed from the plurality of nozzle holes 11 of the liquefied gas injection nozzles 58, 59, 9 toward the inside of the artificial snow generation chamber 51. By being jetted, the temperature distribution in the horizontal direction of the drop path 55 of the water mist 52 is also made uniform.

According to the third invention, in addition to the action of the first or second invention, the temperature of each point 56, 57, 60 in the upper, lower, and middle portions in the drop path 55 of the water mist 52 is measured by each temperature sensor. 14 ・ 15 ・ 16
Of each of the temperature sensors 14, 15 and 16 are respectively detected, and the average value of the detected temperature of each of the temperature detection points 19 of each of the temperature sensors 14, 15 and 16 is obtained.
The temperature difference between the average value of the detected temperatures of 15 and 16 and the predetermined set temperature is calculated by the calculation means. Then, the injection amount of the liquefied gas 53 from each liquefied gas injection nozzle 58, 59, 9 is controlled by the correction means based on the calculated temperature difference of each point 56, 57, 60, and each of the points 56, 57, 60 is controlled. 57/60
Is corrected to the set temperature state of. This allows the mist of water
The temperature distribution in the height direction of the drop path 55 of 52 is made more uniform.

According to the fourth invention, each of the liquefied gas injection nozzles 58.
The liquefied gas 53 injected from 59.
・ At 60, the artificial snow generating chamber is located in the radial direction 10 of the artificial snow generating chamber 51.
By penetrating through the inside of the 51, the water mist 52 that naturally falls at the points 56, 57, and 60 is reliably cooled.

〔Example〕

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 (A) is a partially cutaway front view of an apparatus for manufacturing artificial snow according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (B) is a perspective view for explaining the arrangement of each liquefied gas injection nozzle and each temperature sensor of the apparatus. Figure,
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how to use the device.

This artificial snow generator generates a mist (52) of water in a vertically long cylindrical artificial snow generation chamber (51) and injects a liquefied gas (53) to vaporize the liquefied gas (53). The mist (52) of the water that naturally falls in the artificial snow generation chamber (51) is crystal-grown by the cold heat to obtain an artificial snow (54).

The artificial snow generating chamber (51) is configured by vertically connecting a small diameter cylindrical upper cooling tank (1) and a large diameter cylindrical lower cooling tank (2) in series.

The water mist (52) is generated by spraying water (4) from a water spray nozzle (3) arranged above the artificial snow generation chamber (51).

The water mist (52) naturally falls in the fall path (55) in the artificial snow generation chamber (51).

It is desirable to select a water spray nozzle (3) having a spray pattern in which the sprayed water (4) does not collide with the inner peripheral surface (5) of the artificial snow generation chamber (51). Freezing of the water (4) on the inner peripheral surface (5) of the chamber (51) is prevented as much as possible.

The water (4) sprayed from the water spray nozzle (3) is supplied to the water spray nozzle (3) from the water supply source (7) through the water supply line (8) by driving the pressure pump (6).

Two liquefied gas injection nozzles (upper and lower) that inject liquefied gas (53) toward the upper part (56) and the lower part (57) of the fall path (55) of the water mist (52) ( Five
8) (59) and the middle part (6) of the fall path (55).
The intermediate liquefied gas injection nozzle (9) for injecting the liquefied gas (53) toward the (0) is provided so that the temperature distribution in the height direction of the drop path (55) becomes uniform.

Each liquefied gas injection nozzle (58), (59), (9) is formed in an annular shape and is externally fitted to the upper cooling tank (1) to be mounted, and the interior parts are removed from the drop path (55) to remove water. The mist (52) is designed so as not to interfere with its free fall.

Each of the liquefied gas injection nozzles (58), (59), (9) has its upper, lower and middle portions (56), (5).
7) and (60), the peripheral side wall (1) of the artificial snow generation chamber (51)
2) A plurality of nozzle holes (11) arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction are provided, and a liquefied gas (53) injected from each nozzle (58), (59), (9) is provided in a plurality of nozzle holes ( 11)… Divided, and the divided liquefied gas (53) is divided into parts (5
6), (57), and (60) are injected in the radial direction (10) respectively, so that the horizontal temperature distribution at each location (56), (57), and (60) is uniform. Each nozzle hole (11)
From which the injection pipes (13) that penetrate the peripheral side wall (12) of the artificial snow generation chamber (51) are led out, and the tip of the injection pipes (13) ... is desired in the artificial snow generation chamber (51). There is.

An upper temperature sensor (14) is arranged at an upper part (56) of the drop path (55), and a lower temperature sensor (15) is arranged at a lower part (57) of the drop path (55), An intermediate temperature sensor (16) is provided at an intermediate location (60) in the drop path (55).
Is arranged so that each temperature sensor (14), (15), (16) can detect each temperature at each location (56), (57), (60).

Each of the temperature sensors (14), (15), and (16) can send a temperature detection signal corresponding to the detected temperature to the control device (17).

The control device (17) has a calculation means and a correction means.

In the calculation means, each temperature sensor (14) ・ (15) ・ (16)
Upon receiving the temperature detection signal from each temperature sensor (14)
・ Calculate the temperature difference between the detected temperature of (15) and (16) and the preset temperature.

 The set temperature can be adjusted arbitrarily.

The correction means opens the flow rate control valves (18), (18), (18) for each of the liquefied gas injection nozzles (58), (59), (9) based on the temperature difference calculated by the calculation means. By adjusting the degree to control the injection amount of liquefied gas (53) from each liquefied gas injection nozzle (58), (59), (9) respectively. The temperature distribution in the height direction of the drop path (55) is corrected more accurately so that it is corrected to a predetermined set temperature state.

Each of the temperature sensors (14), (15), and (16) has a plurality of temperature detection points (19) arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the peripheral side wall (12) of the artificial snow generation chamber (51). However, the temperature of each of the upper, lower and middle portions (56), (57) and (60) can be accurately detected.

In this case, each temperature sensor (14), (15), (16)
In this case, multiple temperatures are detected by multiple temperature detection points (19) ..., but if the average value of each detected temperature is adopted as the detected temperature at each temperature sensor (14), (15), (16) Good.

The liquefied gas (53) injected from each liquefied gas injection nozzle (58), (59), (9) is a liquefied gas supply source (20).
From the liquefied gas supply line (21) to the liquefied gas injection nozzles (58), (59) and (9), and the used gas (22) after cooling the water mist (52) Since it has a small specific gravity and floats in the artificial snow generation chamber (51), it is released from the upper part of the artificial snow generation chamber (51) into the atmosphere through the exhaust passage (23), and the artificial snow (54) is cooled in the lower cooling tank ( In 2), store and save.

 Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

According to this embodiment, the liquefied gas (53) ejected from the upper liquefied gas injection nozzle (58) and the lower liquefied gas injection nozzle (59) causes the water mist (52) to drop to the upper part of the drop path (55). (56) and the lower part (57) are cooled respectively, and the liquefied gas (53) injected from the intermediate liquefied gas injection nozzle (9) cools the intermediate part (60) in the fall path (55). Therefore, the temperature distribution in the height direction of the fall path (55) is made uniform, and the cooling effect on the water mist (52) that naturally falls on the drop path (55) becomes uniform regardless of the height position, and Promotes smooth crystal growth of the mist (52).

In addition, upper, lower and middle liquefied gas injection nozzles (58)
・ The liquefied gas (53) injected from (59) and (9) is divided by a plurality of nozzle holes (11), and the divided liquefied gas (5)
3) is sprayed horizontally at the upper, lower and middle parts (56), (57) and (60) of the water mist (52) drop path (55), so the water mist (52) ) Fall path (55)
The temperature distribution in the horizontal direction at each point (56), (57), (60) is uniform, and the cooling action for the water mist (52) that naturally falls through the fall path (55) is the fall path (55). It becomes uniform irrespective of the position in the horizontal direction, and promotes uniform crystal growth of the water mist (52).

Furthermore, the temperature of each of the points (56), (57), and (60) is detected by the temperature sensors (14), (15), and (16), and the temperature sensors (14), (15), and (16) are detected. The temperature difference between the detected temperature and the predetermined set temperature is calculated by the calculation means, and the liquefied gas injection nozzles (58)
Since the injection amount of the liquefied gas (53) from (59) and (9) is controlled respectively and each point (56), (57) and (60) is corrected to a predetermined set temperature state, the drop path (55) ), The temperature distribution in the height direction is made more precise, and the cooling effect on the water mist (52) that naturally falls through the fall path (55) becomes uniform regardless of the height position. ) Further promotes smooth crystal growth.

Further, since only the amount of the liquefied gas (53) that maintains the set temperature state is injected, the liquefied gas (53) is not wasted.

In addition, each part of the upper / lower part and the middle part (56)
In (57) and (60), a plurality of temperature detection points (19) are arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the peripheral side wall (12) of the artificial snow generation chamber (51), so that each location (56), (57) ) ・ (60) temperature is detected at multiple points, so (56) ・ (57) ・
The temperature of (60) can be detected accurately.

 Next, a suitable method of using the manufacturing apparatus will be described.

That is, each liquefied gas injection nozzle (58) ・ (59) ・
The injection speed of the liquefied gas (53) from (9) is 30 m / s or more,
Desirably, the speed is set to 40 m / s or more, and liquefied gas (53) is injected to each of the upper, lower, and middle parts (56), (57), (60) to create an interior of the artificial snow generating chamber (51). Radial direction (1
Make sure to cool the mist (52) of water that naturally falls through the points (56), (57), and (60) by penetrating it through 0).

Therefore, in this case, even if a plurality of liquefied gases (53) pass each other as shown in FIG.
The liquefied gas (53) injected into (57) and (60) penetrates the artificial snow generation chamber (51) in the radial direction (10) to the peripheral side wall (12) of the artificial snow generation chamber (51). Since it has reached, it will be cooled over the entire horizontal area of each part (56), (57), (60).

〔The invention's effect〕

 According to the first invention, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, the upper part and the lower part in the drop path of the water mist are cooled by the liquefied gas injected from the upper and lower two liquefied gas injection nozzles, respectively, and by the liquefied gas injected from the intermediate liquefied gas injection nozzle. Since the middle part of the drop path is cooled, the middle part cannot be cooled sufficiently.The temperature distribution in the height direction of the drop path is made uniform compared to the conventional device, and the drop path is naturally distributed. The cooling effect on the mist of the falling water becomes uniform regardless of the height position, the smooth crystal growth of the water mist can be promoted, and the sleet-like semi-finished products found in the conventional device are prevented from being mixed, resulting in high quality. You can get artificial snow.

According to the second invention, the following effects are obtained in addition to the effects of the first invention.

That is, the liquefied gas injected from the upper, lower, and middle liquefied gas injection nozzles is divided by a plurality of nozzle holes, and the divided liquefied gas is divided into upper, lower, and middle portions of the water mist fall path. Since the water is sprayed in the horizontal direction of each place, the temperature distribution in the horizontal direction of each of the above-mentioned upper, lower and middle parts becomes uniform, and the cooling action for the water mist that naturally falls through the drop path is the water mist fall path. It becomes uniform irrespective of the horizontal position, and promotes uniform crystal growth of water mist, and uniform artificial snow can be obtained.

According to the third invention, in addition to the effect of the first or second invention, each temperature sensor detects the temperature of each part of the upper / lower part and the intermediate part in the drop path of the water mist, and each temperature sensor The calculation means calculates the temperature difference between the detected temperature and the predetermined set temperature, and the correction means controls the liquefied gas injection amount from each liquefied gas injection nozzle based on the calculated temperature difference.
Since each part is corrected to a predetermined set temperature state, the temperature distribution in the height direction of the drop path is more precisely equalized, and the cooling effect on the mist of water that naturally falls on the drop path is independent of the height position. It becomes more uniform, the smooth crystal growth of water mist can be further promoted, and higher quality artificial snow can be manufactured.

In addition, since only the amount of liquefied gas that maintains the set temperature state is injected, wasteful consumption of liquefied gas is avoided, which is economical.

In addition, at each of the upper and lower parts and the middle part of the water mist fall path, the upper and lower parts are detected by a plurality of temperature detection points arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the peripheral side wall of the artificial snow generating chamber. Since the temperatures at a plurality of points at the respective intermediate portions are detected, the temperatures at the respective points are accurately detected.

 According to the fourth invention, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, since the liquefied gas injected from each liquefied gas injection nozzle is injected into each of the upper, lower, and intermediate portions of the water mist fall path, the liquefied gas penetrates the artificial snow generation chamber in the radial direction. The crystal growth of the water mist can be reliably performed over the entire horizontal direction of the water mist fall path, and a more uniform artificial snow can be manufactured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 (A) is a partially cutaway front view of an apparatus for manufacturing artificial snow according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (B) is a perspective view for explaining the arrangement of each liquefied gas injection nozzle and each temperature sensor of the apparatus. FIG. 2 and FIG. 2 are explanatory views showing an example of how to use the apparatus, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a conventional technique. (9) …… Intermediate liquefied gas injection nozzle, (10) …… Radial direction, (11) …… Nozzle hole, (14) …… Upper temperature sensor,
(15) …… Lower temperature sensor, (16) …… Intermediate temperature sensor,
(19) …… Temperature detection point, (51) …… Artificial snow chamber, (5
2) …… Mist of water, (53) …… Liquefied gas, (54) ……
Artificial snow, (55) …… falling path, (56) …… upper part,
(57) …… Lower part, (58) …… Upper liquefied gas injection nozzle, (59) …… Lower liquefied gas injection nozzle, (60) …… Middle part, (12) …… Artificial snow generation chamber Side wall.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Hiroshi Kawabata 2-7-1, Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Iwata Sangyo Co., Ltd. Tokyo headquarters (72) Inventor Shigetoshi Tsutsuno 2-7-1, Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo No. Iwatani Sangyo Co., Ltd. Tokyo Main Office (72) Inventor Akira Ota 2-7-1, Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Iwatani Sangyo Co., Ltd. Tokyo Main Office

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A vertically long tubular artificial snow generating chamber (51) generates a mist (52) of water and injects a liquefied gas (53), which is cooled by the heat of vaporization of the liquefied gas (53). In an artificial snow manufacturing apparatus for crystallizing the water mist (52) that naturally falls in the artificial snow generation chamber (51) to obtain an artificial snow (54), a fall path of the water mist (52) ( Five
5) two upper and lower liquefied gas injection nozzles (58) and (59) for injecting the liquefied gas (53) toward the upper part (56) and the lower part (57) in 5), respectively, An apparatus for manufacturing artificial snow, comprising: an intermediate liquefied gas injection nozzle (9) for injecting the liquefied gas (53) toward an intermediate portion (60) in a fall path (55). 2. The liquefied gas injection nozzles (58), (59)
(9) The artificial snow is supplied with the liquefied gas (53) from a plurality of nozzle holes (11) arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the peripheral side wall (12) of the artificial snow generating chamber (51). Generation chamber (5
2. The artificial snow manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to inject toward the inside of 1). 3. An upper temperature sensor (14) is arranged at an upper part (56) of the drop path (55) of the water mist (52), and a lower part (57) of the drop path (55). ) Lower temperature sensor (15) is arranged, the intermediate temperature sensor (16) is arranged at an intermediate portion (60) in the drop path (55), and these temperature sensors (14), (15) (16) has a plurality of temperature detection points (19) arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the side wall (12) of the artificial snow generation chamber (51), and each temperature sensor (14)・ (15) ・ (16) temperature detection points (19)
Based on the calculation means for calculating the temperature difference between the average value of the detected temperature of the and the predetermined set temperature, and the temperature difference at the respective points (56), (57), (60) calculated by this calculation means. By controlling the injection amount of the liquefied gas (53) from each of the liquefied gas injection nozzles (58), (59), and (9). A correction means for correcting to a set temperature state is provided.
Alternatively, the artificial snow manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The liquefied gas injection nozzles (58), (59)
-(9) is characterized in that the liquefied gas (53) is injected in the radial direction (10) of the artificial snow generating chamber (51) at such a speed as to penetrate the artificial snow generating chamber (51). A method of using the artificial snow manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.