OA17886A

OA17886A - Method, in particular, for producing snow, and a device performing the method.

Info

Publication number: OA17886A
Application number: OA1201400143
Authority: OA
Inventors: Samuel Grega
Original assignee: Okeanos Corporation
Priority date: 2011-10-01
Filing date: 2012-10-01
Publication date: 2018-02-27

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, in particular for generating snow from water, using a low-pressure hydraulic device (2) having a pump unit, to which a purification system (2.1) is connected, and a distribution device having at least one high-pressure pump, to which a highpressure unit (3) having a snow cannon (3.3) and/or a different snow-generating unit is connected. In order for the bonding of the water molecules in the supermolecular water structure of the process water to change and the generation of snow to improve, according to the invention at least part of the water used is exposed to an ionization field and/or a polarization field while simultaneously being exposed to the effects of an alternating electromagnetic field so that a weaker bonding of the water molecules in the supermolecular water structure is achieved, resulting in an improvement in the absorption and transfer of heat. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Description

METHOD, IN PARTICULAR, FOR PRODUCING SNOW, AND A DEVICE

FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD

FIELD OFTHE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method, in particular, for producing snow, as defined by the preamble to claim 1 and to a device for performing the method.

The invention relates to a novel method and to a hydraulic, electronic and pneumatic ⁵ device, in particular, for producing artificial snow, ice, or for similar technological processes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current methods and devices, particularly for producing snow or ice, hâve been designed differently, depending on what type of water source they hâve, e.g., a natural lake, an artificial lake, a river, a réservoir, a spring, etc. These resources hâve advantages, but also disadvantages. When artificial lakes form, they put limits on use in terms of both time and volume. The actual production of artificial snow is done by a combination of suitably disposed water and air nozzles on the snow device (snow cannon or other snowmaking devices). Production methods that cool or chemically treat the water used for producing snow, or that chemically enrich it, by means of micromaterials are also known. Snow and ice pellets form faster when coated with water. A number of exemplary embodiments of snow cannon, or other snowmaking devices, exist, but the feature they hâve in common is adjustability in the horizontal and vertical directions. At least one motion can be controlled automatically. The snow cannon, or other snowmaking devices, hâve a number of nozzles, which are either fixed or rotatable, and are preferably disposed upstream of an airflow source in a directional transit chamber.

The disadvantage of these known devices for producing snow or ice is that they are especially dépendent on the température and humidity, as well as on the température and quantity of service water used for producing snow. The snow produced at below-freezing 25 températures, and at 0^QC, is wet, and this cannot be improved by existing means, such as production at a higher élévation, using less water, changing the pressure, or cooling the water. Under such conditions, either the production of artificial snow either has to be stopped, or snowmaking has to be done repeatedly at night when the conditions for producing snow are more favorable.

in WO 2007/045467, a device is described in which the medium is circulated and its température is increased in the process. This leads to increased energy consumption.

$ It is the object of the invention to develop a method for producing snow in which the bond of water molécules in a supermolecular water structure of the water used, changes and thereafter improves the production of snow.

The stated object is attained by the features of claim 1.

The essence of the novel method is that the water used for producing snow is exposed to an ionization and/or polarization field with the simultaneous action of an alternating electromagnetic field. What is achieved thereby is that the force-energy bond of water molécules in the supermolecular water structure of the water used, changes; that is, it decreases. In this process, the medium (liquid and/or gas) flows through the device without a notable température increase. A further advantage is that the flow quantity of the medium in the device can be regulated.

Advantageous embodiments of a device for performing the method can be learned from the dépendent claims.

The low-pressure and/or high-pressure part ofthe hydraulic circuit has a primary excitation device and/or a pressure excitation device connected directly, fixedly, and/or indirectly, in their circuit by way of a bypass, and with the excitation device, the flow of liquid can be interrupted. The primary excitation device is preferably disposed downstream of the cleaning device. It can also, with less-pronounced advantages, be installed at any arbitrary point ofthe hydraulic course, or at the water source upstream ofthe pumping device. The pressure excitation device is preferably connected to the high-pressure device upstream of the snow cannon and/or some other snowmaking device.

The primary excitation device has a hydraulic inlet branch with a second controlled opening and closing mechanism, which, in a distribution branch with at least one thermometer and/or one pressure gauge, discharges in the vicinity of the controlled main opening and ³⁰ closing mechanism. Between the inlet and the hydraulic outlet branches, excitation devices are secured fixedly and/or detachably. The hydraulic outlet branch discharges into an intermediate branch, which is disposed between a third controlled opening and closing mechanism and a main opening and closing mechanism.

The pressure excitation device comprises a cornmon chamber, in which at least one control electrode is secured at the inlet, fixedly, detachably, and/or flexibly. At least one polarization electrode is secured fixedly and flexibly in the direction of flow at the cornmon chamber's body outlet. The cornmon chamber's body outlet is formed by a fixed and/or flexible sheath (film).

In the case of excitation devices at the primary excitation device, the cornmon body 1° predominantly comprises a sheath (film), which has a coating, at least partially on its circumference.

The advantage ofthe device, in particular for producing snow, is that high-quality snow can already be produced at 0^eC. The snow produced is drier, and because it has multiple coatings, water does not escape from it. Hence, the quality of snow is maintained despite 15 the need for the snow to be scattered by machines for whatever purpose. These machines compress the layers of snow, but do not force water out. Thus, a layer of ice cannot form. Similarly, there is no prerequisite for making, so-called, snow pellets in the spring. The artificial snow produced thaws more slowly, so snowmaking does not hâve to be repeated frequently. The resuit is reduced costs, especially electrical costs, for operating snow 20 cannons, since there is no need to increase the already generous snow production. At the same time, the amount of water used is reduced, which has a positive environmental effect. As a resuit, the ski season can be extended, or shifted to lower-lying régions, with betterquality artificially produced snow. This is achieved because of the treatment, according to the invention, in which water, or other medium used, acquires unforeseen, unexpected, and 25 newly discovered properties in terms of heat/cold consumption and output. This is also documented physically.

DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a hydraulic, electronic and pneumatic block diagram of a device;

Fig. 2 shows a concrète exemplary embodiment of a hydraulic device with a concrète exemplary embodiment of a primary excitation device for producing snow, with a suitably controlled main opening and closing mechanism;

Fig. 3 shows an excitation device at the primary excitation device, showing a high-power source that is supported in its own control device, and ,in an équivalent exemplary embodiment, is connected directly to the excitation device;

Fig. 4 shows a pressure excitation device, the part of which has a flexible sheath between the inlet and the outlet;

Fig. 5 shows a concrète exemplary embodiment of a pressure excitation device or its équivalent, comprising two devices in succession that are supported in an air chamber by heat insulation, which has a controlled heating element in the interior of the hydraulic portion and/or in the air chamber;

Fig. 6 shows a simplified embodiment of température and/or motion control for the medium; and

Fig. 7 shows variants of the electromagnetic signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OFTHE INVENTION

The method and the device, particularly for producing snow, comprise a hydraulic distributor device 2.4 with at least one high-pressure pump. A high-pressure device 3 comprises a pressure line 3.1, which has a number of exemplary embodiments. They can be fixed and/or flexible and can comprise steel, polyethylene, polypropylene, textile, or rubber, with distributor devices 3.2. A snow cannon 3.3 and/or other snowmaking devices 3.4 can be connected as needed to the high-pressure device 3 in such a way that upstream ofthe highpressure device, pressure excitation blocks 3.5 with at least one pressure excitation device 3.51 are connected to the pressure line 3.1. The snow cannon 3.3 has a distributor device 3.31, which communicates hydraulically with a nozzle device 3.32 disposed in the interstice or on its end, preferably in the inside. The nozzle device 3.32 is disposed in the direction of the airflow out of an air module 3.33. The distributor device 3.31 is connected to pressure, température, flow and moisture sensors, etc., each of which has its own control module and algorithm of physical variables.

Similarly, rod-type snow blocks 3.4 hâve a second technological distributor device 3.41, which is connected to a second nozzle device 3.42. The snow cannons 3.3 and the rod-type snow blocks 3.4 are placed in a manner that suits the type of terrain.

The low-pressure device 2 of the hydraulic device 1 includes a pumping device, to which a cleaning device is connected that is connected fixedly or detachably to the primary excitation device 2.3. A distributor device 2.4, whose at least one high-pressure pump 23 séparâtes the low-pressure device 2 from the high-pressure device 3, is connected downstream ofthe primary excitation device 2.3.

The pumping device 2.1 comprises a réservoir 2.11, which is a spring, river, lake, or réservoir with a suction pipeline let into the pumping device. Downstream of the suction device, a filter 2.13 is disposed upstream ofthe pump 2.12. The pumping device 2.1 has a number of exemplary embodiments with measuring instruments for measuring the inflow, température, pressure, level, etc., which are preferably, like the pump 2.12, connected electrically to the primary excitation device 9.

The cleaning device 2.2 includes a technological branch, on which a first opening and closing mechanism 2.21 is disposed, downstream of which a filter 2.22 is preferably connected. Downstream of the filter 2.22, there is a second opening and closing mechanism 2.23. The connecting branch includes a third opening and closing mechanism 2.24. The technological branch communicates with the connection branch both downstream ofthe pumping device 2.12 and downstream of the second opening and closing mechanism 2.23. Downstream of the technological branch is a first controlled opening and closing mechanism 4, and downstream ofthe first controlled opening and closing mechanism is a connection branch, which includes a pressure gauge 5, a venting device 6, and a flow meter 7 upstream of the inlet into the distributor device 2.4.

At the hydraulic inlet branch, the primary excitation device 2.3 has a second controlled opening and closing mechanism 2.31, which discharges into a distribution branch with at least one thermometer 2.32 and one pressure gauge 2.33. The distribution branch is located upstream of the main opening and closing mechanism 2.34. Between the distribution branch and the output hydraulic branch, at least one excitation device 2.35 is secured fixedly or detachably. The hydraulic inlet branch discharges into an intermediate branch, which connects the third controlled opening and closing mechanism 2.34 to a main opening and 5 closing mechanism 2.36 and at which intermediate branch an outlet pressure gauge 2.37 is preferably disposed. It is advantageous if at least one venting excitation device 6.1 is connected to the hydraulic outlet branch.

The pressure excitation device 3.5 comprises at least one pressure excitation device 3.51 with a common chamber 3.42, which has at least one control electrode 3.43 in the vicinity of 10 the inlet opening 3.45 and a polarization electrode 3.44 in the vicinity of the outlet opening

3.46. The control electrode 3.43 is supported flexibly and/or fixedly, and in watertight fashion in a holder 3.40. This holder 3.40 is connected in watertight fashion to an inlet sheath (film) 3.490. The input sheath 3.490 includes an inlet opening 3.45. The polarization electrode 3.44 is supported flexibly and/or fixedly and in watertight fashion in the holder ¹⁵ 3.40. This holder 3.40 is connected in watertight fashion to an outlet sheath (film) 3.491 and includes an outlet opening 3.46. It is advantageous if the inlet sheath (film) 3.490 and the outlet sheath (film) 3.491 are connected to one another via a deformation sheath (film) 3.47 of flexible, bendable pressure material. A concrète exemplary embodiment of the connection provides a coupling 3.48. For example, this is a hydraulic hose of synthetic ²⁰ rubber. The synthetic rubber has high résistance to wear and environmental factors. It is advantageous if at least a portion of the common chamber 3.42 comprises a material with a négative electrochemical potential and/or is disposed outside the deformation sheath (film)

3.47. The control electrode 3.43 has a sheath 3.41 in the form of a test tube, which is a tube of silicate, ceramic or like material, in which a rodlike and/or spiral antenna 3.432 is disposed. The polarization electrode 3.44 is embodied similarly, but in its interior the polarization electrode has a fixed, liquid or gaseous polarization material 3.441. The sheath 3.41 of the control electrode 3.43 and the sheath of the polarization electrode 3.44 hâve a number of versions, depending on the load and type of excitation water (medium) used. For the lowest load, the sheath comprises technical glass with a prédominant proportion of SiO₂.

This is a homogeneous, amorphous, isotropie, solid and fragile substance, which, in a metastable state, has a tensile strength of 30 MPa and a density of approximately 2.53 g cm’³. This is an insulating material with dielectric properties that has polarization capabilities. An oxidic sintered ceramic with an Al₂O₃ content of at least 99.7%, or a microstructured ceramic of oxygen with a modulus of elasticity in tension of 380- 400 GPa, a breaking strength of at least 300 MPa and a density of 3.8 g cm³, is suitable. What is best is a 5 composite ceramic C/SiC, which is in the category of nontoxic technical ceramics and has short carbon fibers, which improve the excellent mechanical and thermal properties of K/SiC. Its density is 2.65 g cm'³; the modulus of elasticity is 250-350 GPa and the bending strength is at least 160-200 MPa. The composite ceramic C/SiC includes short carbon fibers with a length of 3-6 mm and a Rovince thickness of 12 k (lk - 10³ filaments), which can be 10 oriented volumetrically and randomly, as a resuit of which the material then has isotropie properties. Under extreme load on the polarization electrode 3.44 or control electrode 3.43, the short carbon fibers can preferably be oriented in a targeted way, for instance, perpendicularly to the axis, as a resuit of which the material gains anti-isotropic properties. The spiral or rod antenna 3.432 is connected detachably or fixedly to a high-power source 8, 15 which is connected to a power supply 8.1. The high-power source 8, if the excitation device is located in water, feeds an alternating electromagnetic signal of 100-500 MHz with an intensity of 0.1-2.0 W into the rodlike and/or spiral antenna 3.432. The power supply 8.1 is understood to be a 230 V source, which is converted into 12 V (24 V and the like). It can also be a technical équivalent, such as a battery, solar or photoelectric element, or like material. 20 In an alternative version, the high-power source 8 can also be disposed outside the pressure excitation device 3.51.

An excitation device 2.35, which corresponds to the elastic pressure excitation device 3.51, is disposed on the primary excitation device 2.3 and has a common chamber 3.42, in which at least one control electrode is secured in watertight fashion, fixedly or detachably, in the 25 vicinity of the inlet opening 2.45. In the vicinity of the outlet opening 2.46, a polarization electrode 2.44 is secured fixedly or detachably and in watertight fashion. On the circumference of the common chamber 2.42 or on at least a portion thereof, there is a coating, film or sheath 2.421 of positive electrochemical material (C, Cu, etc.) or négative electrochemical material (Al, Fe, etc.), depending on the composition of the water (or 30 medium). In the exemplary embodiment described, a storage housing 2.47 comprises nonconductive plastic (dielectric) insulating material. In the concrète exemplary embodiment, this is polypropylene. The control electrode 2.43 and the polarization electrode 2.44 are supported in the holder 2.40. The control electrode 2.43 has a closed sheath 2.431 of tubular shape, in which a rodlike or spiral antenna 2.432 is disposed. The polarization electrode 2.44 is constructed similarly, and ,in its interior, the polarization 5 electrode has a solid, liquid or gaseous content 2.441 with a positive and/or négative electrochemical potential. It is advantageous if, as in a further exemplary embodiment, the polarization electrode has an openable and closeable ventilation and sludge removal opening. Some éléments and nodes, which form a novel device for producing snow or ice, are connected electronically to a primary control device 9 and a pneumatic device 11. These 10 are, for example, a pump 2.12, high-pressure pump 23, flow meter 7, température and pressure gauges, and measuring instruments for other physical variables. The primary excitation node 2.3 has its own control device 10 and pneumatic device 11, both of which are connected to a first controlled opening and closing mechanism 4, a second controlled opening and closing mechanism 2.31, a controlled main opening and closing mechanism 15 2.34, and a third opening and closing mechanism 2.36. The control device 10 itself is connected to a thermometer 2.32, a pressure gauge 2.33, and an outlet pressure gauge 2.37, or to an external thermometer (not shown in the drawing). It is advantageous if the lowpressure hydraulic device 2, downstream of the excitation device, has at least one ventilation node 15, or if the primary excitation device 23 has its own ventilation device 6.1. 20 The phrase material with a positive or négative electrochemical potential is understood to mean an electrode potential E°. Only the electromotive voltages of the member that are generated by the defined electrode and comparison electrode are measured. The standard comparison electrode has an electrode potential equal to zéro, E° = 0, which is équivalent to a platinum electrode prepared in a standard way. The values of standard electrode 25 potentials range from -3.04 V (lithium) to +1.52 V (gold). Especially good outcomes are achieved by a polarization electrode of silver, even if the chamber sheath either entirely or only partially comprises stainless steel. This process is analyzed continuously by a device according to Slovakian Patent 279 429 of Polakovic-Polakovicovâ. With the Po process, it is documented and proven that the water molécules prepared in the excitation devices are 30 bound more weakly to one another than in untreated water. The method can be defined as a passage of a liquid medium, water, or at least a portion of the liquid medium's volume, through a polarization and/or ionization chamber under the influence of an alternating electromagnetic signal. As a resuit, the molécules ofthe medium (the water molécules in the supermolecular structure), hâve a weaker bond. The force energy of the bonds in the molecular and supermolecular water structure vary, but only to such an extent that the fluidity ofthe force energy ofthe bonds varies; however, the liquid properties are preserved 5 (the aggregate status remains unchanged).

The exemplary embodiment of Fig. 5 comprises a sheath 16, on which a heat insulator 17 is disposed on the outside or inside. A pressure excitation device 3.511 and a second pressure excitation device 3.512, or a plurality of excitation devices communicating hydraulically with one another, are located in the sheath 16. Each excitation device has its own high-power 10 source 8, which is connected to its own or a common power supply 8.1. In the interior ofthe hydraulic device, there is at least one heating element 18, which is connected to a température controller 20 and/or a motion controller for the medium. In another concrète exemplary embodiment, the control device 20 is located in the sheath 16. The control device 20 includes a sensor 21, which is connected to an évaluation unit 22 (such as a thermostat), 15 which is connected to a switch element 23. The heating element 18 is formed by a résistance wire, rodlike wire, or spiral wire. If the heating element 18 is in the interior, it can also be a laser beam or an induction heating element 18, and optionally, a suitably powerful plasma heating element. This is necessary to avoid freezing and the ensuing damage, or to reverse them. The primary excitation device 2.3 can also be connected without controlled opening 20 and closing mechanisms (2.34; 2.36; 2.31 and 4), specifically, with a manual control in the form of a bypass.

Claims

1. A method, in particular for producing snow from water, having a low-pressure hydraulic device (2) with a pumping device (2.1), to which pumping device a cleaning 25 device (2.2) is connected, and having a distributor device with at least one high- pressure pump, to which a high-pressure device (3) with a snow cannon (3.3) and/or some other snowmaking device (3.4) is connected, characterized in that, at least some ofthe water used is exposed to an ionization and/or polarization field

30 with simultaneous action of an alternating electromagnetic field, in order to attain a weaker bond ofthe water molécules in the supermolecular water structure, improving the uptake and transmission of heat.

2. A device for performing the method, in particular for producing snow, of claim 1, characterized in that

5 the low-pressure device (2) and/or the high-pressure device (3) has a pumping device (2.3) and/or a pressure excitation device (3.5), and the primary excitation device (2.3) is disposed preferably downstream ofthe cleaning device (2.2) or atthe pumping device (2.1) as well as at a réservoir (2.11) ofthe low-pressure device (2) or upstream thereof; and

10 that the pressure excitation device (3.5) is preferably disposed on the high-pressure device (3) upstream ofthe snow cannon (3.3) and/or of some other snowmaking device (3.4).

3. The device of claim 2, characterized in that

15 the primary excitation device (2.3) has a hydraulic inlet branch having a second controlied opening and closing mechanism (2.31), which discharges into a distribution branch having at least one thermometer (2.32) and/or one pressure gauge (2.33); and that between the hydraulic inlet and outlet branches, at least one excitation device

20 (2.35) is secured fixedly and/or detachably, and discharges into a controlied main opening and closing mechanism (2.31), and a main opening and closing mechanism (2.36).

4. The device of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that

25 the excitation device (2.35) has a common chamber (2.42), and a control electrode (2.43) is disposed in the vicinity ofthe inlet opening (2.45) ofthe chamber, and a polarization electrode (2.44) is disposed in the vicinity ofthe outlet opening (2.46) of the chamber; and that in at least a portion ofthe common chamber (2.42), a sheath (film) (2.421) and a

30 control electrode (2.43) are connected fixedly or detachably to a high-power source (8), which outputs an alternating electromagnetic signal of 100-500 MHz with an intensity of 0.1-100 W.

5. The device of claim 2, characterized in that the pressure excitation device (3.51) has a common chamber (2.42), and a control electrode (2.43) is disposed in the vicinity ofthe inlet opening (3.45) ofthe inlet sheath (film) (3.490), and a polarization electrode (3.44) is disposed in the vicinity of the outlet opening (3.46) ofthe outletsheath (film) (3.461), and the inlet sheath (film) (3.490) and the outlet sheath (film) (3.491) are each connected to one another via a deformation sheath (film) (3.47); and that the control electrode (3.43) is connected fixedly or detachably to a high-power source (8), which outputs an alternating electromagnetic signal of 100-500 MHz with an intensity of 0.1-100 W.

6. The device of claim 2, characterized in that the control electrode (3.43) has a casing in the form of a test tube, a tube of silicate, ceramic, or like material;

that a rod antenna and/or spiral antenna (3.42) is disposed in the control electrode (3.43) ;

that the polarization electrode (3.44) is similarly constructed and in its interior has a solid, liquid orgaseous polarization material (3.44); and that the glass sheath (3.41) of the control electrode (3.43) and of the polarization electrode (3.44) has a prédominant proportion of SiO₂, which has a tensile strength of 30 MPa and a density of 2.53 g cm'³.

7. The device of claim 6, characterized in that the sheath (3.41) ofthe control electrode (3.43) and ofthe polarization electrode (3.44) comprises oxidic sintered ceramic with an Al₂O₃ content of at least 99.7%, which has a tensile modulus of elasticity of 380-400 GPa, a bending strength of 300 MPa, and a density of 3.8 g cm’³.

8. The device of claim 6, characterized in that the sheath (3.41) ofthe control electrode (3.43) and ofthe polarization electrode (3.44) comprises composite ceramic C/SiC, which has a density of 2.65 g cm’³, a modulus of elasticity of 250-350 GPa, and a bending strength of at least 160-200 MPa.

9. The device of claims 2 through 8, characterized in that

5 the power supply (8.1) has a high-power source (8), which has a 230 V source that is converted into a voltage 12 V or 24 V.

10. The device of claims 2 through 9, characterized in that the elastic pressure excitation device (3.51) has a common chamber (2.42) or, on at

10 least a portion, a coating (2.421), which comprises positive electrochemical material (C, Cu) or négative electrochemical material (Al, Fe), depending on the water composition;

that the storage housing (2.47) comprises nonconductive insulating material, such as polypropylene;

15 that the control electrode (2.43) and the polarization electrode (2.44) are supported in the holder (2.40); and that the control electrode (2.43) and the polarization electrode (2.44) are disposed in closed sheaths (2.431).

11. The device of claim 2,

20 characterized in that the control electrode (2.43, 3.43) is a platinum electrode with an electrode potential of -3.04 V (lithium) to +1.52 V (gold).

12. The device of claim 2, characterized in that

25 the pressure excitation device (3.511) is located in a sheath (16), which is provided with a heat insulation (17) on the inside or the outside.

13. The device of claim 2, characterized in that the pressure excitation device (3.511) and further pressure excitation devices (3.512),

30 which communicate hydraulically with one another, are disposed in a common sheath (16); and <

that each pressure excitation device (3.511, 3.512) has its own high-power source (8), which is connected to its own or a common power supply (8.1).