US 11,118,824 B2Granted

Water gathering and distribution system and related techniques for operating in freezing environmental conditions

AssigneeThe Renewable Snowmaking Company

InventorsVittorio Pareto, Peter Stein

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Abstract

A water gathering and distribution system and related techniques for operating in freezing environmental conditions are disclosed. The system may include a water diverter unit or a water flow regulation unit configured to receive water from a water source situated at a location that is remote, inaccessible (or difficult to access), and/or experiences freezing environmental conditions and to deliver a controlled volume of that water for downstream use. The system further may include a water supply unit configured to receive that water and to supply it to downstream snowmaking equipment. In some instances, the supply unit also may cool the water to a temperature suitable, for example, for snowmaking. In a general sense, the disclosed system may be considered modular, in that multiple system components may be placed in flow communication with one another, as desired, to provide a distributed network of water collection and distribution elements.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A water distribution system comprising:

a water diverter unit comprising:
a first inlet pipe configured to be in flow communication with a water source to receive water therefrom;
a first outlet pipe configured to be in flow communication with the first inlet pipe and a first downstream discharge point;
a second outlet pipe configured to be in flow communication with the first inlet pipe and a downstream endpoint apparatus configured to utilize the water;
a first diverter valve configured to direct the water between the first outlet pipe and the second outlet pipe, wherein the first diverter valve is motor-actuated and wirelessly controlled;
and
an electronics assembly sealed within a first insulated housing disposed within the water diverter unit, the electronics assembly comprising:
a controller configured to control the first diverter valve in directing the water between the first outlet pipe and the second outlet pipe;
a power storage element configured to provide electric power to actuate the first diverter valve in directing the water between the first outlet pipe and the second outlet pipe;
and
a communication module configured to receive a wireless signal and communicate with the controller in controlling the first diverter valve in directing the water between the first outlet pipe and the second outlet pipe;
and
a local power generation element operatively coupled with the power storage element and configured to generate electricity to be stored by the power storage element;
and
a water supply unit comprising:
a second inlet pipe configured to be in flow communication with the second outlet pipe of the water diverter unit to receive water therefrom;
a third outlet pipe configured to be in flow communication with the second inlet pipe and the downstream endpoint apparatus;
a fourth outlet pipe configured to be in flow communication with the second inlet pipe and either the first downstream discharge point or a second downstream discharge point;
and
a second diverter valve configured to direct the water between the third outlet pipe and the fourth outlet pipe.

17 more elements

A water distribution system comprising:

a water flow regulation unit comprising:
a main body portion configured to be:
disposed within a well casement pipe of a horizontal well to receive water collected by the horizontal well from a water source;
and
in flow communication with a downstream endpoint apparatus configured to utilize the water;
a shutoff valve disposed within a flow pathway of the main body portion and configured to stop up a flow of the water within the main body portion, wherein the shutoff valve is motor-actuated and wirelessly controlled;
and
an electronics assembly sealed within a first insulated housing disposed within the main body portion, the electronics assembly comprising:
a controller configured to control the shutoff valve in stopping up the flow of water within the main body portion;
a power storage element configured to provide electric power to actuate the shutoff valve in stopping up the flow of water within the main body portion;
and
a communication module configured to receive a wireless signal and communicate with the controller in controlling the shutoff valve in stopping up the flow of water within the main body portion;
and
a local power generation element operatively coupled with the power storage element and configured to generate electricity to be stored by the power storage element;
and
a water supply unit comprising:
an inlet pipe configured to be in flow communication with the main body portion of the water flow regulation unit to receive water therefrom;
a first outlet pipe configured to be in flow communication with the inlet pipe and the downstream endpoint apparatus;
a second outlet pipe configured to be in flow communication with the inlet pipe and a downstream discharge point;
and
a diverter valve configured to direct the water between the first outlet pipe and the second outlet pipe;
a cooling element configured to reduce a temperature of water upstream of the downstream discharge point, the cooling element comprising a series of radiator coils;
and
a second housing including at least one ventilation panel configured to be opened and closed to adjust a degree of cooling provided to the water within the water supply unit, wherein the second housing is configured to house:
at least a portion of each of the inlet pipe, the first outlet pipe, and the second outlet pipe;
the diverter valve;
and
the cooling element.

25 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/635,342Filed 13 Dec 2018
Published: US 2020/0393184 A117 Dec 2020
Granted: 14 Sep 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

E03B 1/00
Methods or layout of installations for water supply
F25C 3/04
Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting…: for…
E03B 7/09
Water main or service pipe systems: component parts or accessories
F03B 17/06
Other machines or engines: using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type , "run-of-river", "ultra-low…