US 7,114,662 B1 · Snow making using low pressure air and water injection

Abstract

Snow is made, for use on ski slopes and the like, using compressed air at a pressure substantially less than 95 psig, preferably around 30 psig. The air is provided to a snow making head or snow gun, where it is flowed through an air nozzle having effective diameter D. The air stream intersects a water droplet stream with angle A and at distance L from the air nozzle. Preferred angle A is in the range 70 to 110 degrees. The preferred ratio L/D is in the range 9:1 and 22:1. High pressure air from existing compressor systems is reduced to a desired substantially lower pressure by a central choked flow throttle upstream of an aftercooler, or by multi-stage throttles located near the snow making head. Water is added to the compressed air to substantially improve snow making, particularly when ambient relative humidity is low.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A snow making head comprising:

a body, having a longitudinal axis;
a water nozzle, for providing water droplets which flow along a water stream path;
and,
an air nozzle, having an effective diameter D, for discharging compressed air supplied to the head, so the air flows along an air stream path;
wherein the centerline of the air stream path intersects the centerline of the water stream path at point IM, at distance L from the air nozzle;
wherein the included angle A between said centerlines at point IM is between about 70 and 110 degrees;
and
wherein the ratio of L/D is between about 9:1 and 22:1.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Snow making using low pressure air and water injection

Life of this patent

Snow making using low pressure air and water injection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9