Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Weather control – Snowmaking
Patent
1993-02-18
1994-03-01
Kashnikow, Andres
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Weather control
Snowmaking
239 22, A01G 1500
Patent
active
052899730
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for making snow, and in particular, to providing a snow-making environment wherein snow can be produced under controlled conditions.
At present, snow-making production is controlled by the natural environmental weather conditions. To produce man made snow, low temperatures and low humidity conditions are required. Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, for example, Australia, conditions are often such that the temperature and/or humidity may be low, but the other environmental factors are still unsuitable for the production of man made snow. This greatly restricts the suitable times when snow can be made.
The present invention seeks to provide a controlled environment, such that the production of snow 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is facilitated, by providing a snow-making environment, wherein the temperature, humidity and/or other environmental factors are controlled.
In one broad form, the present invention provides a device for the production of artificial snow, said device comprising:
an environment, wherein the temperature, humidity and/or other environmental conditions are adapted to be controlled;
at least one snow gun having at least the nozzle thereof provided substantially within or adjacent to said environment.
In a further broad form, the present invention provides a method for the production of artificial snow, comprising the steps of:
providing an environment of controlled environmental conditions suitable for the production of artificial snow;
a snow gun wherein at least the nozzle thereof is provided substantially within or adjacent to said environment.
The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows an artificial snow making environment, together with the required machinery and snow gun associated therewith;
FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred portability of the snow-making apparatus in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates three suitable nozzle arrangements in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,
FIG. 4 shows a silo-like arrangement in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, is illustrated an artificial snow-making environment, generally designated by the numeral 1. The artificial snow-making environment 1 comprises a tent or dome-like structure 2, which separates a closed environment system 3 from the external natural environment 4. The tent or dome-like structure 2 may be constructed in a variety of ways and utilising a variety of materials, however, obviously, the structure 2 preferably has some degree of thermal insulating characteristics, such that the energy required to achieve the desired parameters of the artificial environment 3 is minimised.
Temperature, humidity and otherwise conditioned air is supplied into the controlled environment 3 by means of appropriate machinery, generally designated by the numeral 5. In particular, the machinery consists of a fan or air pump 6 which facilitates the recycling or intake of air from the external environment 4. The air is passed through a chiller 7 and dehumidifier 8 and is exhaled into the controlled environment 3 via a nozzle 9. The water and air pipes 11 also preferably passed through a chiller. The nozzle 9 is preferably able to be swivelled such that the chilled and dehumidified air may be supplied into the controlled environment 3 at any desired direction. It should be obvious to persons skilled in the art that both temperature and humidity are preferably as low as possible, however in an environment which is above 0.degree. C. at high humidity, it is still possible to produce snow. The optimum conditions would be at temperatures approaching -273.degree. C. and at humidity approaching zero levels.
A snow gun 10 is also supplied within the closed controlled environment 3. The snow gun 10 is of any conventional type, requiring air and water hoses.-,Il for the prod
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Kashnikow Andres
Trainor Christopher G.
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