Snowmaking machine and method
AssigneeZemel Brothers, Inc.
InventorDonald W. Eager
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved snowmaking machine and method for producing artificial snow is provided, whereby a moving airstream at or below freezing temperature which is created by a motor-driven fan within a cowling is passed through an inwardly tapering conical collar attached to the downstream opening of the cowling, and water droplets are sprayed into the airstream from a plurality of nozzles distributed around an arc of preferably about 190 to 300 degrees around the opening defined by the conical collar. A mixture of water and compressed air is injected into the airstream downstream of the point the airstream exits the conical collar.
Claims26
An improved method for making artificial snow comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a moving airstream at or below 0.degree. C. within a tunnel-like cowling and directed out of one open end thereof,
- (b) passing said airstream through an inwardly tapering conical collar, said conical collar defining the frustum of a hollow cone, whereby the velocity and cooling capacity of said airstream is increased as it passes therethrough,
- (c) injecting seeding crystals into said airstream downstream of the point where said airstream exits said conical collar, and
- (d) injecting water droplets into said airstream from a plurality of nozzles distributed in an arc of between 190 to 300 degrees around the uppermost portion of the circular opening defined by said conical collar, whereby artificial snow is produced in said airstream.
In an improved snowmaking machine having in combination a motor-driven fan mounted within a tunnel-like cowling and operable to produce an airstream directed through a front opening defined by one end of said cowling, at least one nozzle operable to produce seeding crystals and oriented to inject said seeding crystals into said airstream, and a plurality of water nozzles for spray injection of water droplets into said airstream, the improvement comprising (1) provision of an inwardly tapering conical collar, said conical collar defining the frustum of a hollow cone having open ends, the larger of which is dimensioned to mate with said front opening of said cowling and is attached thereto, and (2) distribution of said water nozzles in an arc of between about 190 to 300 degrees around the uppermost portion of the circular opening defined by the smaller open end of said conical collar.
An improved snowmaking machine comprising, in combination:
- (a) a structural supporting base,
- (b) a tunnel-like cowling attached to said base having opposite ends defining openings for passage of an airstream therethrough.
- (c) a motor-driven fan mounted within said cowling and operable to generate a moving airstream which flows in a forward direction through said cowling,
- (d) an inwardly tapering conical collar attached to the upstream end of said cowling, both ends of said conical collar defining openings, with the larger end dimensioned to mate with and being attached to said upstream end of said cowling and said smaller end of a lesser diameter and the tapering sides intermediate of said ends dimensioned to act upon said airstream passing through said conical collar, so as to increase the velocity and cooling capacity thereof,
- (e) an arcuately shaped manifold attached to said upstream end of said cowling adjacent to said conical collar and provided with valved inlet means for receiving and regulating the flow of water therethrough,
- (f) a plurality of water nozzles attached to and communicating with said manifold, said water nozzles being distributed in an arc of between about 190 to 300 degrees around the uppermost portion of the circular opening defined by said conical collar, operable to spray water droplets into said airstream and oriented to direct said spray of said water droplets into said airstream downstream of the point at which said airstream exits said conical collar, and
- (g) at least one seeding nozzle operable to produce seeding crystals is oriented to inject the same into said airstream downstream of said point at which said airstream exits said conical collar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.