WO2009043092A1 - Équipement pour fabriquer de la neige - Google Patents

Équipement pour fabriquer de la neige Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009043092A1
WO2009043092A1 PCT/AU2008/001452 AU2008001452W WO2009043092A1 WO 2009043092 A1 WO2009043092 A1 WO 2009043092A1 AU 2008001452 W AU2008001452 W AU 2008001452W WO 2009043092 A1 WO2009043092 A1 WO 2009043092A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
aperture
water
nozzle
nucleator
snow making
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/AU2008/001452
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mitchell Joe Dodson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BALLISTIC AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
BALLISTIC AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2007905438A external-priority patent/AU2007905438A0/en
Application filed by BALLISTIC AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd filed Critical BALLISTIC AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2009043092A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009043092A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C3/00—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow
    • F25C3/04—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow for sledging or ski trails; Producing artificial snow
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2303/00—Special arrangements or features for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Special arrangements or features for producing artificial snow
    • F25C2303/048—Snow making by using means for spraying water
    • F25C2303/0481—Snow making by using means for spraying water with the use of compressed air

Definitions

  • This invention relates to snow making equipment and, in particular, a manifold for such equipment and an improved nucleator for use with this equipment. This invention also relates to improvements in adjustable flat jet nozzles .
  • the nucleators that are conventionally used in the snow making industry comprise a fixed orifice water nozzle fed from an air and water mixing chamber.
  • the mixing chamber usually exits via a fixed orifice or sometimes to an interchangeably sized orifice.
  • the efficiency and energy consumption of a snow making gun is based on compressed air usage.
  • the orifice diameters of nucleators are generally very small. This makes them very susceptible to blockage from debris.
  • various forms of filters are generally used. In the event of nozzle blockage, the nozzle must be removed and cleaned.
  • a snow making gun comprising a manifold arranged to be coupled to a source of compressed air and a source of water, the manifold having a water conduit arranged to feed water to an adjustable flat jet nozzle having an outlet orifice, the manifold also including an air conduit whereby air and water are arranged to be fed to a nucleator having an outlet aperture positioned above the outlet orifice of the flat jet nozzle, an adjustable valve controlling flow of water to the nucleator, whereby in use the nucleator projects ice particles above a flat plume of water droplets from the flat jet nozzle.
  • a manifold for snow making equipment comprising an adjustable nucleator positioned above an adjustable flat jet nozzle whereby the nucleator is arranged to be coupled to a source of compressed air and both the nucleator and flat jet nozzle are arranged to be coupled to a source of water.
  • the nucleator comprises a converging-diverging nozzle with inlet and exit apertures, a mixing chamber for mixing air and water to be fed to the inlet of the nozzle and an adjustable valve to control flow of water to the mixing chamber.
  • the converging-diverging nozzle is interchangeable, each nozzle being of differing dimensions .
  • the ends of the pins are chamfered.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the manifold again illustrating the superimposition
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of the manifold illustrating a nucleator control valve
  • Figure 4 is a cut-away view of the manifold from the side illustrating the nucleator
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of a convergent-divergent nozzle forming part of the nucleator
  • Figure 8 is an exploded view of a flat jet nozzle
  • Figure 9 is a front elevational view of the assembled flat jet nozzle
  • snow making equipment includes a manifold 10, the manifold includes two adjustable flat jet nozzles 20 and 21, each having a nucleator 50 and 51 positioned above the nozzles so that, in use, the nucleators form ice crystals that are projected in plumes above the flat plumes of water particles that are projected by the adjustable flat jet nozzles .
  • the manifold 10 comprises two machined metal blocks 11 and 12 that are joined end to end to form an obtuse angle so that the projecting plumes diverge from one another as shown in Figure 1.
  • the nucleator 51 is positioned vertically above the adjustable flat jet nozzle 21.
  • Each block 11 and 12 has a common water port 13 and a separate common air port 14.
  • Each end of each block 11, 12 is adapted to be connected to a source of water and air.
  • Each block 11 and 12 also includes a machined transverse passage 15 that extends from the rear to the front of the block and supports the nucleator 50, 51 which in turn comprises an adjustable water valve 60 and a convergent-divergent nozzle 70.
  • the nucleator 51 is housed in the passageway 15 of the manifold and includes a valve body 52 that is fixed into the passageway 15 and sealed therein by a pair of spaced 0-rings 53, 54, the valve body 52 has a central throughway 56 which supports and elongate needle valve 57 that has one end with a tapered tip 58 and the other end connected to a knurled adjusting knob 59 that is mounted externally of the manifold 10.
  • the tip 58 of the needle valve 57 is axially displaceable relative to an aperture in the valve body 52 to provide an adjustable nozzle.
  • the water enters the valve by a transverse port 61 that is coupled to the water port 13.
  • the mixing chamber communicates with the convergent-divergent mixing nozzle 70 which is mounted in the block 12 to be replaceable so that mixing nozzles of different dimensions can be positioned in the nucleator.
  • the mixing nozzle terminates in the exit orifice 55.
  • FIG. 5 Details of the mixing nozzle 70 are shown in Figure 5 where the nozzle is housed in a cylindrical body 71 that can be located in the throughway 15 and removed by accessing small spaced holes.
  • the inlet tapers 74 down through a conical converging component to a narrow nucleator throat 75 with a cylindrical wall to then conically taper outwardly to the exit orifice.
  • the throat 75 to exit orifice 55 ratio is preferably between 1.5 to 1.85:1. This ratio is dependent on the operating pressure of the compressed air.
  • the air consumption is dictated by the nucleator throat diameter.
  • the convergent-divergent nozzle 70 of the nucleator 50, 51 is designed to create a Laval effect accelerating the air and water mixture to supersonic speeds.
  • the Laval effect lowers the gas temperature to temperatures between -4O 0 C to -90 0 C. This transforms the air and water mixture into ice crystals which are ejected at high speed into the variable flat jet water plume.
  • the ice crystals which act as high temperature nucleators, seed the water droplets allowing the water droplets to give off their latent heat and convert to snow.
  • the outlet orifice has been replaced by an elongate slit 101 that diverges outwardly at the ends 102 and 103.
  • This orifice 101 changes the water droplet size and they start small at the centre but gradually get larger towards the ends 102, 103 of the orifice.
  • the pins 104 and 105 are axially displaceable across the orifice 101 but instead of having the planar ends, the pins have chamfered ends 110 as shown in figure 11 in which a planar bevelled edge 111, 112 is positioned on each side of the tip 113 of the pin 104 to meet at a point.
  • the angle of the bevel being between 30°-45° off the transverse plane.
  • the divergence of the elongate orifice 101 is dependent on the width and length of the slit.
  • the pins are driven by a threaded drive from drive shafts 120, 121 extending outwardly from either end of the nozzle housing.
  • the design of the threaded coupling is such that the pins 104, 105 can move from an open position at ends of the elongate orifice 101 to a closed position at the centre of the orifice.
  • the radii of the ends 102, 103 of the orifices 101 are the same. The minimum radius is dependent on the initial width of the orifice. As the chamfered pins 104, 105 pull back they progressively open the orifice 101 so the slit grows in length and width. The width of the orifice 101 determines water particle size. This design results in smaller water droplets being produced when the pins 104, 105 are close together, with the droplets growing in size as the pins move further apart. Smaller water droplets are desirable in marginal snow making conditions with progressively larger droplets being desirable as the air temperature continues to fall. The spray angle of the variable flat jet nozzle is determined by the chamfer of the pins.
  • the chamfer is described as being on both sides it is understood that a single chamfer on one side can be utilized.
  • the chamfer also does not require a flat face with a variety of curves being envisaged. It is considered that the combination of the orifice opening width and the pin chamfer determines the spray angle .
  • the flat jet described above is specifically designed for use in association with snowmaking equipment. It is, known, understood that this nozzle is applicable to many fields totally unrelated to snowmaking. The nozzle has applicability in any industrial spraying application where there is a need for a variable flat jet nozzle, especially fire fighting.
  • the manifold described above can be used in a variety of snow making equipment such as on a sled which can be towed behind a snow mobile, onto an extruded mast or varying heights. It can be positioned on a rotating head or a fixed head again on a mast. It can be placed on top of a fan gun, or attached directly to a snow making water hydrant.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un canon à neige comprenant un collecteur agencé pour être couplé à une source d'air comprimé et à une source d'eau, le collecteur ayant un conduit d'eau agencé pour alimenter en eau une buse à jet plat réglable ayant une ouverture de sortie, le collecteur comprenant également un conduit d'air, de l'air et de l'eau étant amenés à être distribués à un élément de nucléation ayant une ouverture de sortie positionnée au-dessus de l'orifice de sortie de la buse à jet plat, une vanne réglable régulant l'écoulement d'eau vers l'élément de nucléation, ce par quoi, lors de l'utilisation, l'élément de nucléation projette des particules de glace au-dessus d'un panache plat de gouttelettes d'eau à partir de la buse à jet plat.
PCT/AU2008/001452 2007-10-04 2008-10-01 Équipement pour fabriquer de la neige Ceased WO2009043092A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2007905438A AU2007905438A0 (en) 2007-10-04 Snow making equipment
AU2007905438 2007-10-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009043092A1 true WO2009043092A1 (fr) 2009-04-09

Family

ID=40525759

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2008/001452 Ceased WO2009043092A1 (fr) 2007-10-04 2008-10-01 Équipement pour fabriquer de la neige

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2009043092A1 (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012016550A3 (fr) * 2010-08-02 2013-03-07 Vorackova Adela Procédé de production de neige de culture et appareil permettant de mettre en œuvre ce procédé
US8534577B2 (en) 2008-09-25 2013-09-17 Mitch Dodson Flat jet water nozzles with adjustable droplet size including fixed or variable spray angle
USD692528S1 (en) 2012-08-29 2013-10-29 Mitchell Joe Dodson Six-step snow-making gun
US9170041B2 (en) 2011-03-22 2015-10-27 Mitchell Joe Dodson Single and multi-step snowmaking guns
US9395113B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-07-19 Mitchell Joe Dodson Nucleator for generating ice crystals for seeding water droplets in snow-making systems
EP3112782A1 (fr) * 2015-07-01 2017-01-04 Frank Wille Installation d'enneigement
US9631855B2 (en) 2011-03-22 2017-04-25 Mitchell Joe Dodson Modular dual vector fluid spray nozzles
US20210018238A1 (en) * 2018-03-13 2021-01-21 Thorsteinn I Viglundsson Method & Apparatus for making wet snow

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3923247A (en) * 1974-07-15 1975-12-02 Command Engineering Internatio Snowmaking device
US4915302A (en) * 1988-03-30 1990-04-10 Kraus Robert A Device for making artificial snow
US5090619A (en) * 1990-08-29 1992-02-25 Pinnacle Innovations Snow gun having optimized mixing of compressed air and water flows
US5699961A (en) * 1995-05-05 1997-12-23 Ratnik Industries, Inc. Fanless snow gun
WO2004087329A1 (fr) * 2003-04-03 2004-10-14 Mitchell Joe Dodson Buses

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3923247A (en) * 1974-07-15 1975-12-02 Command Engineering Internatio Snowmaking device
US4915302A (en) * 1988-03-30 1990-04-10 Kraus Robert A Device for making artificial snow
US5090619A (en) * 1990-08-29 1992-02-25 Pinnacle Innovations Snow gun having optimized mixing of compressed air and water flows
US5699961A (en) * 1995-05-05 1997-12-23 Ratnik Industries, Inc. Fanless snow gun
WO2004087329A1 (fr) * 2003-04-03 2004-10-14 Mitchell Joe Dodson Buses

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8534577B2 (en) 2008-09-25 2013-09-17 Mitch Dodson Flat jet water nozzles with adjustable droplet size including fixed or variable spray angle
US9085003B2 (en) 2008-09-25 2015-07-21 Mitchell Joe Dodson Flat jet fluid nozzles with fluted impingement surfaces
WO2012016550A3 (fr) * 2010-08-02 2013-03-07 Vorackova Adela Procédé de production de neige de culture et appareil permettant de mettre en œuvre ce procédé
US9170041B2 (en) 2011-03-22 2015-10-27 Mitchell Joe Dodson Single and multi-step snowmaking guns
US9631855B2 (en) 2011-03-22 2017-04-25 Mitchell Joe Dodson Modular dual vector fluid spray nozzles
USD692528S1 (en) 2012-08-29 2013-10-29 Mitchell Joe Dodson Six-step snow-making gun
US9395113B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-07-19 Mitchell Joe Dodson Nucleator for generating ice crystals for seeding water droplets in snow-making systems
EP3112782A1 (fr) * 2015-07-01 2017-01-04 Frank Wille Installation d'enneigement
US20210018238A1 (en) * 2018-03-13 2021-01-21 Thorsteinn I Viglundsson Method & Apparatus for making wet snow

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