Compositions – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-28
2004-09-28
Toomer, Cephia D. (Department: 1714)
Compositions
Miscellaneous
C062S066000, C062S068000, C062S074000, C239S002200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06797191
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER PATENT APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing man-made snow and apparatus therefore, and more particularly, to a method for improving the performance of snow making equipment by reducing frictional drag.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Recreational skiing has been on the increase over the years to the point where ski areas must make snow to supplement natural snow, because in many area of the world not enough natural snow falls to satisfy the demand for good skiing conditions. In recent years, indoor skiing facilities have enjoyed construction everywhere. Consequently, there is a need to produce large amounts of artificial snow.
To produce large amounts of artificial snow, a large amount of energy is used to supply the many pumps that are necessary to transfer the water needed to make the snow. Furthermore, large pipes and hoses are required to transport the water making it difficult to set up and move the snow making equipment. In consideration of the large amounts of energy consumed by the pumps, it is important to increase the efficiency of snow making and reduce the energy required to make an amount of snow.
Known methods of increasing snow making efficiency have generally focused on increasing the recreational efficiency of the actual snow produced. Many of these methods involve the introduction of nucleating materials such as cellulose and various polymers. While these methods are successful at reducing the quantity of snow necessary, they do not address the large amounts of energy required to actually make the snow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first object of this invention is to provide a method for increasing efficiency in a snowmaking system.
Another object is providing snowmaking system having reduced drag and greater efficiency.
Yet another object of this invention is to allow greater dispersal of artificial snow by providing increased muzzle velocity at the snow making nozzle.
Accordingly, embodiment of the present invention is a method for making artificial snow comprising the steps of mixing water with a drag reducing polymer to form an aqueous solution; aerating the aqueous solution; and freezing the aerated aqueous solution to form snow crystals. In a preferred embodiment, the drag reducing polymer comprises polyethylene oxide in a carrier solution wherein the carrier solution includes glycerin and isopropanol.
In another embodiment, the drag reducing polymer includes polyethylene oxide particles having a diameter less than about 20 microns. Preferably, the concentration of the polyethylene oxide in the carrier solution is about 20 to about 30 percent by weight and the concentration of the drag reducing polymer in the water is approximately about 30 to about 100 weight parts per million (WPPM).
REFERENCES:
patent: 3265650 (1966-08-01), Kerr
patent: 5660935 (1997-08-01), Kambayashi et al.
patent: 5886083 (1999-03-01), Mackey
patent: 6116515 (2000-09-01), Chelminski
patent: 6464148 (2002-10-01), Costa et al.
patent: 6466870 (2002-10-01), Satonaka
Baus Theresa A.
Philips Richard B.
Kasischke James M.
Nasser Jean-Paul A.
Oglo Michael F.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Toomer Cephia D.
LandOfFree
Efficient snowmaking with polymer drag reduction does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Efficient snowmaking with polymer drag reduction, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Efficient snowmaking with polymer drag reduction will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3254775