US20120286060A1 - Device for making artificial snow - Google Patents

Device for making artificial snow Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20120286060A1
US20120286060A1 US13/515,310 US201013515310A US2012286060A1 US 20120286060 A1 US20120286060 A1 US 20120286060A1 US 201013515310 A US201013515310 A US 201013515310A US 2012286060 A1 US2012286060 A1 US 2012286060A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
compressor
heat exchanger
primary part
outlet
compressed air
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/515,310
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Oleg Korobochkin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Atlas Copco Airpower NV
Original Assignee
Atlas Copco Airpower NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Atlas Copco Airpower NV filed Critical Atlas Copco Airpower NV
Publication of US20120286060A1 publication Critical patent/US20120286060A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C3/00—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow
    • F25C3/04—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow for sledging or ski trails; Producing artificial snow
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2303/00—Special arrangements or features for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Special arrangements or features for producing artificial snow
    • F25C2303/048—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 device for making artificial snow.
  • Devices are already known for manufacturing artificial snow by using water and compressed air, whereby water is atomised in compressed gas and the atomised water is frozen by the cooling effect of the air expansion.
  • a compressor is used to supply the compressed gas in the known devices.
  • the compressed gas which generally consists of air, can have a very high temperature at the outlet of this compressor and can also be moist.
  • the known devices thus also contain one or more after-coolers to cool the compressed air, such that the moisture in the compressed air condenses as a result of cooling and can be separated as a condensate using a water separator or similar.
  • after-coolers are generally constructed in the form of air-air regenerative heat exchangers, in which the incoming hot compressed air is cooled by compressed air that has already been cooled.
  • the known devices are incorporated in a building of substantial dimensions in which the compressor is housed, and whereby the inlet of the compressor is connected to the outside air to draw in the air to be compressed, while the outlet of the compressor installation is connected to a snow gun to supply the compressed air.
  • the pipes provided for the realisation of the abovementioned connections are sizeable in order to emit the heat from the compressed air to the space in the abovementioned building, and to utilise this heat to warm up the cold air drawn in.
  • Another disadvantage is that the temperature of the compressed gas at the inlet of the snow cannon is difficult to control.
  • a disadvantage attached to this is that the quality of the snow produced depends on the weather conditions, such that the device has rather limited reliability.
  • Improved devices are also known, in which there is an additional heat exchanger after the after-cooler for the purpose of controlling the temperature of the outgoing compressed gas.
  • a disadvantage is that such a device only enables rudimentary control of the temperature, such that it is not possible to produce high-quality snow under all conditions.
  • a further disadvantage is that the heat exchanger cannot prevent moisture condensing in the after-cooler and freezing there.
  • a further additional disadvantage is that the known devices use a lot of energy.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to one or more of the abovementioned and/or other disadvantages, by providing a device for making artificial snow by means of a snow cannon in which water is atomised by means of compressed air, whereby this device is provided with a compressor for supplying compressed air, which compressor is positioned in a compressor area with an inlet for supplying air from the environment and an outlet to deliver the compressed air to the snow cannon via a pipe, whereby, according to the specific characteristic of the invention, the abovementioned device comprises a heat exchanger with a primary part and a secondary part, whereby the compressed air from the compressor is guided through the primary part, and whereby the abovementioned secondary part makes part of the evaporator of a closed cooling circuit in which a coolant is circulated by means of a compressor element that is driven by a drive, and whereby the abovementioned device includes a controller for controlling the abovementioned cooling circuit in order to obtain the desired temperature or pressure dew point at
  • An advantage is that the temperature of the compressed air at the outlet of the primary part of the heat exchanger can be well controlled, such that the snow produced is always of a very good quality and the quality of the snow is not subject to the weather conditions.
  • the invention enables the cooling circuit to be controlled accurately so that the desired temperature and/or desired pressure dew point of the compressed air is realised.
  • Another advantage is that the device is relatively compact with respect to the known devices.
  • the device can be incorporated into a container and thus be produced as a mobile device.
  • An advantage of this is that the container can be easily transported, such that the device can deliver compressed air for the production of snow at different locations, and consequently a relatively large piping system is not needed to connect different snow cannons to one centrally located device for supplying compressed air.
  • the cooling circuit contains a second heat exchanger that forms the condenser of the cooling circuit, and which is located downstream from the compressor element and upstream from the expansion means provided in the cooling circuit.
  • the coolant that flows through this second heat exchanger is cooled by a fan.
  • the abovementioned fan is arranged such that it blows air over the second heat exchanger to the compressor area.
  • An advantage of this is that the fan distributes warm air in the compressor area, such that the temperature in the compressor area is above 0° thereby avoiding freezing, and damage due to freezing is thus completely ruled out.
  • a further advantage is that no extra large pipes are needed between the outlet of the primary part of the heat exchanger and the inlet of the snow cannon.
  • the temperature of the compressed air at the outlet of the primary part of the heat exchanger is less than 8° Celsius and preferably around 3° Celsius.
  • An advantage is that good-quality snowflakes can be produced in this temperature range and the total production time for making the snow is reduced.
  • the compressed air at the outlet of the primary part of the heat exchanger presents a pressure of 8 bar or almost 8 bar.
  • the air is compressed by means of an oil-free compressor such as a water-injected screw compressor.
  • an oil-free compressor such as a water-injected screw compressor.
  • the device 1 for making artificial snow primarily contains a compressor area 2 with a housing 3 , which has an inlet 4 for supplying air from the environment and an outlet 5 for removing the compressed gas such as air.
  • the housing 3 is formed by a container that can be mobile or by a building or similar.
  • the dimensions of the housing 3 can, for example, be limited to a floor plan of six metres by six metres, in contrast to existing devices where buildings are used with dimensions that are dozens of metres long and wide.
  • a snow cannon 6 can be supplied with compressed air through a pipe 7 .
  • the snow cannon 6 also has a supply pipe 8 for water, such that water is atomised by the compressed air in a known way at the outlet of the snow cannon 6 , such that snow crystals are formed that disperse from the muzzle of the snow cannon 6 .
  • a compressor 9 in the compressor area 2 with an inlet for drawing in air and an outlet 11 for removing the compressed air.
  • the abovementioned compressor 9 is driven in a known way by means of a drive 10 , such as for example, but not necessarily, an electric motor.
  • the abovementioned compressor 9 can consist of a single compressor element, as shown in the drawing, but can also be constructed as a multistage compressor, whereby the air is compressed by a number of consecutive compressor elements.
  • the compressor 9 only contains water-injected compressor elements and intercoolers can also be placed between successive pressure stages. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to this, as a different type of oil-free compressor, or an oil-injected compressor with appropriate air filtering can be used just as well.
  • the compressor 9 is set to a maximum service pressure of between 8 bar and 9 bar, and preferably a maximum service pressure of 8.5 bar or almost 8.5 bar.
  • a heat exchanger 12 in the compressor area 2 for the cooling of the compressed air with a primary part and a secondary part, whereby the inlet 13 of the primary part is connected to the outlet 11 of the compressor 9 .
  • the heat exchanger 12 is designed such that the pressure drop of the compressed air that goes through the primary part is less than 0.2 bar, or even better less than 0.1 bar, and preferably even less than 0.05 bar.
  • a liquid separator 15 that can remove the condensed water.
  • the secondary part of the abovementioned heat exchanger 12 forms the evaporator 16 of a closed cooling circuit 17 that is filled with a coolant or cooling fluid.
  • the coolant is circulated by means of a compressor element 18 in the cooling circuit 17 , and this compressor element 18 is driven by a drive 19 .
  • the abovementioned condenser 20 is formed by a second heat exchanger and this second heat exchanger is cooled by means of a fan 22 that blows air over the condenser 20 and this air is further blown into the compressor area 2 .
  • the speed of the abovementioned fan 22 can be adjusted in order to control the temperature of the coolant at the outlet of the condenser 20 .
  • the abovementioned fan can, for example, be driven by means of a speed-controlled motor that is connected to a control unit to which measuring means are also connected to measure the abovementioned temperature at the outlet of the condenser, for example in the form of a temperature sensor in the pipe section between the expansion valve 21 and the condenser 20 .
  • the expansion valve 21 can be constructed as a thermostatic or electronic valve and this valve 21 is connected to a temperature sensor 23 that is positioned at the outlet 14 of the primary circuit.
  • the device is equipped with a controller 24 to control the flow of the coolant, and the abovementioned controller 24 ensures the realisation of the desired temperature or pressure dew point at the outlet 14 of the primary part of the heat exchanger 12 .
  • the controller 24 can thus control the speed of the drive 19 , whereby a drive is used in the form of a frequency-controlled motor, for example.
  • the controller 24 can also be used to control the motor of the fan 22 and/or to control the expansion valve 21 , and if applicable to also drive the drive 10 of the compressor 9 .
  • the method for making artificial snow by means of a device 1 according to the invention is very simple and as follows.
  • a gas such as air is drawn into the compressor area 2 and compressed by the compressor 9 .
  • the hot compressed air is first driven through the after-cooler 25 and the second water separator 26 , after which this already partially cooled gas is guided through the primary part of the heat exchanger 12 , such that the compressed air at the outlet 14 of the primary part has an even lower temperature.
  • the condensate that is formed in the after-cooler 25 and the heat exchanger 12 is separated in the respective liquid separators 26 and 15 , and the cold less moist air is then taken to the snow canon 6 via a pipe 7 .
  • the water will be atomised by the cooled compressed air so that snow crystals are formed.
  • the cooling of the compressed air in the primary part of the heat exchanger 12 is realised by driving a coolant through the secondary part of the heat exchanger 12 .
  • this coolant flows in the opposite direction to the air that flows through the primary part of this heat exchanger.
  • the abovementioned coolant is heated and then cooled by the condenser 20 , which in this case is placed immediately downstream from the compressor element 18 in the cooling circuit 17 .
  • the temperature of the coolant will then fall by flowing through the last-mentioned condenser 20 , as the fan 22 blows air over this condenser 20 .
  • the air that is blown over the condenser 20 by the fan 22 is heated.
  • the coolant that leaves the condenser 20 is then guided through the expansion valve 21 , and then again to the inlet of the secondary part of the heat exchanger 12 .
  • a conventional cool dryer can be used if necessary, however the air-air recuperative heat exchanger that is normally used in such a cool dryer is left out.
  • An advantage is that the device can be easily built from a compressor that is connected to a suitable cool dryer which is available on the market.
  • the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described as an example and shown in the drawing, but a device 1 according to the invention for making artificial snow can be realised in all kinds of variants, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Drying Of Gases (AREA)
US13/515,310 2009-12-16 2010-11-17 Device for making artificial snow Abandoned US20120286060A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE2009/0795 2009-12-16
BE2009/0795A BE1019114A3 (nl) 2009-12-16 2009-12-16 Inrichting voor het maken van kunstmatige sneeuw.
PCT/BE2010/000079 WO2011072344A2 (en) 2009-12-16 2010-11-17 Device for making artificial snow

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20120286060A1 true US20120286060A1 (en) 2012-11-15

Family

ID=42238243

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/515,310 Abandoned US20120286060A1 (en) 2009-12-16 2010-11-17 Device for making artificial snow

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US20120286060A1 (ko)
EP (1) EP2467654B8 (ko)
JP (1) JP2013514511A (ko)
KR (1) KR20120129862A (ko)
CN (1) CN102667373A (ko)
BE (1) BE1019114A3 (ko)
CA (1) CA2771690A1 (ko)
DK (1) DK2467654T3 (ko)
ES (1) ES2436454T3 (ko)
NZ (1) NZ600645A (ko)
RU (1) RU2505759C1 (ko)
SI (1) SI2467654T1 (ko)
WO (1) WO2011072344A2 (ko)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160290699A1 (en) * 2015-04-06 2016-10-06 Snow Logic, Inc. Snowmaking automation system and modules
KR101869550B1 (ko) * 2016-11-14 2018-06-25 주식회사 스노우테크 강설 부스
US10449496B2 (en) * 2015-03-19 2019-10-22 Beko Technologies Gmbh Pressure dew point-controlled purge air regulating unit
US20210018238A1 (en) * 2018-03-13 2021-01-21 Thorsteinn I Viglundsson Method & Apparatus for making wet snow
US20220305874A1 (en) * 2019-12-20 2022-09-29 Ningbo Geely Automobile Researech & Development Co., Ltd. Method and vehicle climate system configured to generate a snow effect inside of a vehicle

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
UA108714C2 (uk) * 2011-10-01 2015-05-25 Спосіб одержання снігу та пристрій для здійснення способу
CN107024049A (zh) * 2017-06-01 2017-08-08 深圳市新力合制冰技术有限公司 新型造雪装置
CN109163483B (zh) * 2018-08-31 2024-01-19 福建雪人制冷设备有限公司 造雪及送雪系统
CN112984884B (zh) * 2021-05-17 2022-05-20 北京建筑大学 一种适用于正温环境的造雪机造雪方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4889180A (en) * 1989-04-14 1989-12-26 Brunner Engineering & Manufacturing Inc. System for use in providing compressed air for snow making equipment
US7254959B1 (en) * 2006-04-19 2007-08-14 Cogo Aire Llc Joule-Thomson effect air conditioner using air as the refrigerant
US20080244975A1 (en) * 2002-01-04 2008-10-09 Johnston Anthony M Reforming apparatus and method
US7793508B2 (en) * 2004-11-05 2010-09-14 Flair Corporation Modular refrigerated dryer apparatus and method
US20110049258A1 (en) * 2007-12-14 2011-03-03 Baechler Top Track Ag Arrangement, Use of an Arrangement, Device, Snow Lance and Method for Producing Ice Nuclei and Artificial Snow

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1372024A (fr) * 1963-08-02 1964-09-11 Bertin & Cie Perfectionnements apportés à la production de neige, notamment en vue de la fabrication de pistes de ski artificielles
SU1337626A1 (ru) * 1985-04-04 1987-09-15 Научная Часть Сибирского Научно-Исследовательского И Проектного Института Цементной Промышленности Снегогенератор
WO1990010183A1 (en) * 1989-03-01 1990-09-07 Andrew Boyd French Snowmaking method and device
JPH0682134A (ja) * 1992-09-03 1994-03-22 Kajima Corp 人工降雪方法及びその装置
JP3212831B2 (ja) * 1995-06-05 2001-09-25 シャープ株式会社 冷凍冷蔵庫の誘電加熱式解凍兼用製氷庫
FR2742851B1 (fr) * 1995-12-26 1998-03-20 Guillaume Gil Perfectionnements aux procedes de fabrication de la neige artificielle, et dispositifs de mise en oeuvre
JP3306697B2 (ja) * 1996-02-08 2002-07-24 日本酸素株式会社 人工雪の製造装置及び方法
JPH09329379A (ja) * 1996-06-10 1997-12-22 Kensaburou Katou 人工雪製造装置
DE19627586A1 (de) * 1996-07-09 1998-07-23 Heinz Fischer & Soehne Schneea Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung von Schnee mit wechselbarer Sprüheinrichtung unter Berücksichtigung der Umweltschutzgesetze
JP4157912B2 (ja) * 1999-11-30 2008-10-01 正 角田 雪の製氷システム
JP2001304732A (ja) * 2000-04-19 2001-10-31 Yomei Denki Kogyo Kk 降雪可能空間を生成する方法及び生成装置並びに人工雪の降雪方法及び人工降雪機
JP3610394B2 (ja) * 2001-02-28 2005-01-12 三建設備工業株式会社 水蒸気圧縮冷凍機の氷スラリー及び低温氷並びに人工雪生成システム
RU2226249C2 (ru) * 2001-10-04 2004-03-27 Кастерин Дмитрий Сергеевич Устройство для получения искусственного снега
JP2003322443A (ja) * 2002-04-24 2003-11-14 Pisutesunoo Industries:Kk アイスクラッシングタイプの人工雪製造機を遠隔監視するためのシステム及び方法
JP2003329346A (ja) * 2002-05-08 2003-11-19 Iceman Corp 造雪機
DE102004026376A1 (de) * 2004-05-29 2005-12-15 Innovag AG Aktiengesellschaft für innovative Industrietechnik Innenraum-Schneeanlage
JP2008144986A (ja) * 2006-12-06 2008-06-26 Iceman Corp 造雪促進の方法とその装置
WO2008075689A1 (ja) * 2006-12-20 2008-06-26 Iceman Co., Ltd. 造雪促進装置及び造雪促進方法

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4889180A (en) * 1989-04-14 1989-12-26 Brunner Engineering & Manufacturing Inc. System for use in providing compressed air for snow making equipment
US20080244975A1 (en) * 2002-01-04 2008-10-09 Johnston Anthony M Reforming apparatus and method
US7793508B2 (en) * 2004-11-05 2010-09-14 Flair Corporation Modular refrigerated dryer apparatus and method
US7254959B1 (en) * 2006-04-19 2007-08-14 Cogo Aire Llc Joule-Thomson effect air conditioner using air as the refrigerant
US20110049258A1 (en) * 2007-12-14 2011-03-03 Baechler Top Track Ag Arrangement, Use of an Arrangement, Device, Snow Lance and Method for Producing Ice Nuclei and Artificial Snow

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10449496B2 (en) * 2015-03-19 2019-10-22 Beko Technologies Gmbh Pressure dew point-controlled purge air regulating unit
US20160290699A1 (en) * 2015-04-06 2016-10-06 Snow Logic, Inc. Snowmaking automation system and modules
US11466915B2 (en) 2015-04-06 2022-10-11 Sl Usa, Llc Snowmaking automation system and modules
US11892222B2 (en) 2015-04-06 2024-02-06 Sl Usa, Llc Snowmaking automation system and modules
KR101869550B1 (ko) * 2016-11-14 2018-06-25 주식회사 스노우테크 강설 부스
US20210018238A1 (en) * 2018-03-13 2021-01-21 Thorsteinn I Viglundsson Method & Apparatus for making wet snow
US20220305874A1 (en) * 2019-12-20 2022-09-29 Ningbo Geely Automobile Researech & Development Co., Ltd. Method and vehicle climate system configured to generate a snow effect inside of a vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2011072344A2 (en) 2011-06-23
RU2505759C1 (ru) 2014-01-27
BE1019114A3 (nl) 2012-03-06
CN102667373A (zh) 2012-09-12
EP2467654B1 (en) 2013-08-28
EP2467654A2 (en) 2012-06-27
WO2011072344A8 (en) 2012-02-16
ES2436454T3 (es) 2014-01-02
WO2011072344A3 (en) 2011-08-18
SI2467654T1 (sl) 2013-12-31
NZ600645A (en) 2013-10-25
KR20120129862A (ko) 2012-11-28
JP2013514511A (ja) 2013-04-25
EP2467654B8 (en) 2013-10-02
DK2467654T3 (da) 2013-11-25
CA2771690A1 (en) 2011-06-23
RU2012126949A (ru) 2014-01-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2467654B1 (en) Device for making artificial snow
US7559207B2 (en) Method for refrigerant pressure control in refrigeration systems
AU760077B2 (en) Closed circuit heat exchange system and method with reduced water consumption
CN100458309C (zh) 空气调节装置
US20150168038A1 (en) Cooling Circuit, Cold Drying Installation and Method for Controlling a Cooling Circuit
EP1698847A1 (en) Hybrid adiabatic heat exchange system
WO2011074005A2 (en) A pre-cooling system and method for pre-cooling air
US8365542B2 (en) Frost free sub zero air conditioner
CN101384864A (zh) 空调装置
US20060107669A1 (en) Modular refrigerated dryer apparatus and method
JP2013514511A5 (ko)
CN105020815B (zh) 一种蒸发冷凝式冷暖空调
US8104306B1 (en) Freezable squirrel cage evaporator
KR101170012B1 (ko) 히트펌프형 항온항습기
JP5196722B2 (ja) 圧縮空気の除湿装置
EP1923651A1 (en) A gas intake system
KR20150114232A (ko) 저노점 냉풍건조기
KR101579346B1 (ko) 가스를 냉각 건조시키는 방법 및 장치
JP2004216212A (ja) 圧縮空気の除湿装置および除湿再熱装置
CN205783433U (zh) 一种加装脉动热管的节能型除湿机
JP5229274B2 (ja) 冷凍サイクル装置
CN2902427Y (zh) 深冷媒干燥机
CN201314288Y (zh) 压缩空气预冷机
CN206823486U (zh) 冷冻式压缩空气干燥机
KR100633040B1 (ko) 냉동 싸이클

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION