US3923247A - Snowmaking device - Google Patents

Snowmaking device Download PDF

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Publication number
US3923247A
US3923247A US488642A US48864274A US3923247A US 3923247 A US3923247 A US 3923247A US 488642 A US488642 A US 488642A US 48864274 A US48864274 A US 48864274A US 3923247 A US3923247 A US 3923247A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
restricter
section
nozzle
water
snowmaking
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US488642A
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English (en)
Inventor
Jeffery A White
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.)
Command Engineering International Ltd
Original Assignee
Command Engineering International Ltd
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 Command Engineering International Ltd filed Critical Command Engineering International Ltd
Priority to US488642A priority Critical patent/US3923247A/en
Priority to CA211,829A priority patent/CA1000066A/en
Priority to FR7502908A priority patent/FR2278407A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3923247A publication Critical patent/US3923247A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F5/00—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow
    • F04F5/44—Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04F5/02 - F04F5/42
    • F04F5/46—Arrangements of nozzles
    • 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

  • ABSTRACT Blunk Assistant ExaminerAndres Kashnikow Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Whee1er, Morsell, House & Fuller [57] ABSTRACT
  • the invention relates to a snowmaking device of the type comprising a gun having an outer water conduit, an inner air conduit and a convergent-divergent nozzle connected thereto and wherein the divergent portion of the nozzle includes a circular restricter. Water undergoes pre-atomization at the point of intersection of the convergent and divergent portions of the nozzle and final and more uniform atomization as it issues downstream from the restricter in the divergent section of the nozzle.
  • This invention relates to a novel snowmaking device and more particularly, to an improved snowmaking nozzle.
  • the first type of snowmaker atomizes water discharged therefrom externally thereof through impinging action brought about by one or more air discharge streams directed towards the water flow.
  • the other type effectively atomizes discharge water within the nozzle of the snowmaker. While the present invention concerns snowmaking devices of the last mentioned variety, both types have undesirable characteristics as discussed below.
  • the novel snowmaking device of my invention is of the type having a gun section which includes an outer water discharge conduit, an inner coaxial air discharge conduit and a coaxial nozzle connected to the downstream end of the gun.
  • my nozzle has an upstream conically converging section or collector and a downstream conically diverging section or horn wherein the horn is provided with a restricter or choke, the prime purpose of which is to function as a mechanical atomizer.
  • the restricter being circular in cross-section relative to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, defines an annular gap with the wall of the horn.
  • the area of the annular gap should be less than the area of the circular opening or venturi which is the orifice positioned at the point where the walls of the collector and horn meet.
  • the restricter may be supported in position from the wall of the horn, I prefer to support it on a stem which is connected to the gun internally of the water discharge conduit and which extends through the venturi of the nozzle. This facilitates easy removal and replacement of the restricter should such be required or should a restricter of a different size or configuration be desirable for a given operating pressure in the system at a given temperature.
  • the restricter may be disc-like in shape, in its preferred form, it has an upstream diverging nose portion which defines with the wall of the horn as it extends towards the radial extent of the restricter an annular passageway which diminishes in size. This constricting effect downstream of the venturi facilitates a generally uniform acceleration of the already once accelerated water which has passed through the venturi and been effectively pre-atomized at that point.
  • the downstream side of the restricter can also be advantageously provided with a converging tail portion which improves or enhances an intermixing of discharge air and the further and more uniformly atomized water issuing from the annular gap immediately surrounding the restricter.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates, in longitudinal cross-section, a snowmaking device comprising a snowmaking gun and the improved nozzle, and,
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the snowmaking gun taken along the lines IIII of FIG. 1.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference Number 1 represents the snowmaking gun and 2 the nozzle.
  • the gun itself has a central air conduit 3 with tubular wall 3' about which is located water jacket 4.
  • the water generally indicated at 30 by broken lines within the water jacket functions as an insulator to minimize the likelihood of freezing and clogging of condensate in pressurized air in air conduit 3.
  • Water inlet conduit 5 which communicates with the water jacket is connected to a water supply hose (not shown).
  • Air conduit 3 is similarly connected to an air pressure supply hose.
  • the water jacket conduit 4 terminates forward of water and air discharge ends 6, and 7, respectively, of the gun as illustrated, in order to facilitate coupling of nozzle 2 thereto at threaded connection 8.
  • An air-water seal is provided between the gun 1 and the nozzle 2 by means of O-ring 9.
  • Nozzle 2 comprises a conically converging upstream collector chamber or section 13 and a downstream conically diverging discharge portion or horn 14.
  • the wall 15 of collector chamber 13 converges in the direction of the stream flow while wall 16 of horn l4 diverges.
  • a circular space or venturi is located at point 17 where the walls 15 and 16 of the collector and horn 13 and 14 meet.
  • the restricter Positioned within the horn 14 is restricter 20. As illustrated, the restricter has an upstream conically divergent nose portion 21- and a downstream conically diverging tail portion 22. Wall 23 of nose portion 21 diverges outwardly so as to define with wall 16 an annular passageway 24 which decreases in area in the direction of the stream flow and terminates at annular gap 25. It will be appreciated that nose portion 21 need not be conical in shape in order to define with the wall of the born a passageway which decreases in cross-sectional area along its length and may, for example, be in the shape of a skirt or hemisphere.
  • the tail portion 22 of restricter is preferably bullet-like in appearance in order to improve internal eddying of the discharge stream for the purpose of effecting heat exchange between the air-water discharge mixture and consequent freezing of the water particles.
  • annular gap 25 which has an area which is less than the area of venturi 17, with reference to FIG. 1 it will be observed that in fact the area of the venturi is less than its diameter area due to the presence of stem 12 extending therethrough.
  • the permissible opening of the annular gap would be greater than that allowable using a stem arrangement for supporting the restricter.
  • supply water in the gun and nozzle generally indicated by broken lines and Reference Numeral 30 is caused to move along wall 15 of the collector as it is discharged from point 6. Because the flow of water is constricted inwardly and on its innermost side is subjected to a central core of pressurized air issuing from air discharge 7, the water tends to thin out and accelerate along wall 15 to venturi 17 where, through the impinging action of the pressurized air, it undergoes a shearing or tearing action so as to form air and preatomized water particles generally indicated at 31. As this air and pre-atomized water 31 proceeds along passage 24 it undergoes or experiences further acceleration due to the convergence of the passageway.
  • a snowmaking device of the type comprising a gun section having an outer water discharge conduit, a coaxial inner air discharge conduit and a nozzle connected to the downstream end of said gun which is coaxial therewith, the improvement comprising a nozzle having an upstream conically converging collector section and a downstream conically diverging horn section, said inner air discharge conduit being larger than the smallest diameter of said conically converging collector section and directed coaxially at said collector section to effect a first acceleration and atomization of water entering said section, a circular restricter positioned internally of said horn section and coaxial therewith whereby the wall of said horn section and the radial extent of said restricter define an annular gap, the area of said annular gap being less than the area of the circular opening defined between the collector section and the horn section to effect a second acceleration and atomization of water particles.
  • said circular restricter includes an upstream divergent nose portion whereby the annular passageway defined between the walls of the horn section and said divergent portion diminishes in the direction of water and air flow.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
US488642A 1974-07-15 1974-07-15 Snowmaking device Expired - Lifetime US3923247A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US488642A US3923247A (en) 1974-07-15 1974-07-15 Snowmaking device
CA211,829A CA1000066A (en) 1974-07-15 1974-10-21 Snowmaking device
FR7502908A FR2278407A1 (fr) 1974-07-15 1975-01-30 Dispositif de fabrication de neige

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US488642A US3923247A (en) 1974-07-15 1974-07-15 Snowmaking device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3923247A true US3923247A (en) 1975-12-02

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ID=23940518

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US488642A Expired - Lifetime US3923247A (en) 1974-07-15 1974-07-15 Snowmaking device

Country Status (3)

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US (1) US3923247A (enExample)
CA (1) CA1000066A (enExample)
FR (1) FR2278407A1 (enExample)

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4185778A (en) * 1978-03-30 1980-01-29 Envirotech Corporation Spray nozzle
US4295608A (en) * 1979-11-08 1981-10-20 White Jeffrey A Snowmaking nozzle
US4421277A (en) * 1982-07-13 1983-12-20 Tieleman Rudolf J Spray head, suited for internally cleaning slaughtered poultry
US4593854A (en) * 1984-04-25 1986-06-10 Albertsson Stig L Snow-making machine
US4597524A (en) * 1982-03-22 1986-07-01 Albertsson Stig L Snow making machine
US4813597A (en) * 1987-08-17 1989-03-21 Rogers Corporation Anti-icing snowgun
US5454696A (en) * 1994-06-27 1995-10-03 Wilkinson; Ernest H. Vacuum inducing pump
US5667137A (en) * 1995-08-31 1997-09-16 Dupre; Herman K. Ice and snow-free snow making tower structure
US5823427A (en) * 1995-11-13 1998-10-20 Snow Economics, Inc. Method and apparatus for making snow
US6174496B1 (en) 1995-12-26 2001-01-16 Myron Stein Duct disinfecting method and apparatus
US6705298B2 (en) 2002-05-20 2004-03-16 Denso International America, Inc. Fuel pump module
US7290722B1 (en) 2003-12-16 2007-11-06 Snow Machines, Inc. Method and apparatus for making snow
US20080135646A1 (en) * 2006-12-09 2008-06-12 Vacuum Inducing Nozzle, Llc System and method for a vacuum inducing nozzle
US20090014559A1 (en) * 2007-07-12 2009-01-15 Watershield Llc Fluid control device and method for projecting a fluid
WO2009043092A1 (en) * 2007-10-04 2009-04-09 Ballistic Australia Pty Ltd Snow making equipment
US20090236446A1 (en) * 2008-02-15 2009-09-24 Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc. Nozzle assembly
CN102019242A (zh) * 2010-11-01 2011-04-20 哈尔滨工程大学 一种造雪用双进口雾化喷头
US20120282570A1 (en) * 2009-12-08 2012-11-08 Daniel Mueller Toothcleaning Device
US9919171B2 (en) 2007-07-12 2018-03-20 Watershield Llc Fluid control device and method for projecting a fluid
US10330123B2 (en) * 2013-08-01 2019-06-25 Denso Corporation Ejector for refrigeration cycle device
US11105548B2 (en) * 2016-02-15 2021-08-31 Technoalpin Holding S.P.A. Nucleation nozzle and method for forming freezing nuclei
WO2022075855A1 (en) * 2020-10-09 2022-04-14 Lindloev Odd Ivar A snowmaking nozzle
US20230027176A1 (en) * 2021-07-26 2023-01-26 Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated Annular effervescent nozzle

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2843051B1 (fr) 2002-07-31 2004-10-22 York Neige Dispositif de pulverisation d'eau sous forme d'un jet creux a paroi mince,pour la formation de neige artificielle

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1631167A (en) * 1925-12-14 1927-06-07 Tereau Russell Nozzle
US2676471A (en) * 1950-12-14 1954-04-27 Tey Mfg Corp Method for making and distributing snow
US2859728A (en) * 1956-08-29 1958-11-11 James D Hobdy Spray nozzle
US2969923A (en) * 1957-02-20 1961-01-31 Fremion Maurice Water-mixing arrangement for shower baths
US3464625A (en) * 1965-01-22 1969-09-02 Atlas Copco Ab Method and means for making snow
US3494559A (en) * 1967-10-31 1970-02-10 Charles M Skinner Snow making system
US3680781A (en) * 1970-12-30 1972-08-01 Fuller Co Liquid spray nozzle
US3829013A (en) * 1971-11-03 1974-08-13 H Ratnik Snow making apparatus
US3831844A (en) * 1972-02-17 1974-08-27 J Tropeano Apparatus for snow making

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1631167A (en) * 1925-12-14 1927-06-07 Tereau Russell Nozzle
US2676471A (en) * 1950-12-14 1954-04-27 Tey Mfg Corp Method for making and distributing snow
US2859728A (en) * 1956-08-29 1958-11-11 James D Hobdy Spray nozzle
US2969923A (en) * 1957-02-20 1961-01-31 Fremion Maurice Water-mixing arrangement for shower baths
US3464625A (en) * 1965-01-22 1969-09-02 Atlas Copco Ab Method and means for making snow
US3494559A (en) * 1967-10-31 1970-02-10 Charles M Skinner Snow making system
US3680781A (en) * 1970-12-30 1972-08-01 Fuller Co Liquid spray nozzle
US3829013A (en) * 1971-11-03 1974-08-13 H Ratnik Snow making apparatus
US3831844A (en) * 1972-02-17 1974-08-27 J Tropeano Apparatus for snow making

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4185778A (en) * 1978-03-30 1980-01-29 Envirotech Corporation Spray nozzle
US4295608A (en) * 1979-11-08 1981-10-20 White Jeffrey A Snowmaking nozzle
US4597524A (en) * 1982-03-22 1986-07-01 Albertsson Stig L Snow making machine
US4421277A (en) * 1982-07-13 1983-12-20 Tieleman Rudolf J Spray head, suited for internally cleaning slaughtered poultry
US4593854A (en) * 1984-04-25 1986-06-10 Albertsson Stig L Snow-making machine
US4813597A (en) * 1987-08-17 1989-03-21 Rogers Corporation Anti-icing snowgun
US5454696A (en) * 1994-06-27 1995-10-03 Wilkinson; Ernest H. Vacuum inducing pump
US5667137A (en) * 1995-08-31 1997-09-16 Dupre; Herman K. Ice and snow-free snow making tower structure
US5823427A (en) * 1995-11-13 1998-10-20 Snow Economics, Inc. Method and apparatus for making snow
US6174496B1 (en) 1995-12-26 2001-01-16 Myron Stein Duct disinfecting method and apparatus
US6705298B2 (en) 2002-05-20 2004-03-16 Denso International America, Inc. Fuel pump module
US7290722B1 (en) 2003-12-16 2007-11-06 Snow Machines, Inc. Method and apparatus for making snow
US20080135646A1 (en) * 2006-12-09 2008-06-12 Vacuum Inducing Nozzle, Llc System and method for a vacuum inducing nozzle
US10828520B2 (en) 2007-07-12 2020-11-10 Ws Acquisition, Llc Fluid control device and method for projecting a fluid
US9004376B2 (en) 2007-07-12 2015-04-14 Watershield Llc Fluid control device and method for projecting a fluid
US9919171B2 (en) 2007-07-12 2018-03-20 Watershield Llc Fluid control device and method for projecting a fluid
US20090014559A1 (en) * 2007-07-12 2009-01-15 Watershield Llc Fluid control device and method for projecting a fluid
WO2009043092A1 (en) * 2007-10-04 2009-04-09 Ballistic Australia Pty Ltd Snow making equipment
US20090236446A1 (en) * 2008-02-15 2009-09-24 Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc. Nozzle assembly
US8584768B2 (en) * 2008-02-15 2013-11-19 Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc. Nozzle assembly
US20120282570A1 (en) * 2009-12-08 2012-11-08 Daniel Mueller Toothcleaning Device
CN102019242A (zh) * 2010-11-01 2011-04-20 哈尔滨工程大学 一种造雪用双进口雾化喷头
US10330123B2 (en) * 2013-08-01 2019-06-25 Denso Corporation Ejector for refrigeration cycle device
US11105548B2 (en) * 2016-02-15 2021-08-31 Technoalpin Holding S.P.A. Nucleation nozzle and method for forming freezing nuclei
WO2022075855A1 (en) * 2020-10-09 2022-04-14 Lindloev Odd Ivar A snowmaking nozzle
US20230027176A1 (en) * 2021-07-26 2023-01-26 Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated Annular effervescent nozzle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2278407B3 (enExample) 1977-07-01
FR2278407A1 (fr) 1976-02-13
CA1000066A (en) 1976-11-23

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