Patent US3923246A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3923246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for use in making snow
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-07-11
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-07-11
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to a method for use in making snow comprising forming a spiraling column of air and moving it in one direction to and through a mixing chamber and out a nozzle. Water is flowed in a direction opposite to the direction of the column of air outside the nozzle and the chamber. Thereafter, the method involves introducing the water into the spiraling column of air adjacent the inlet to the mixing chamber, the water being introduced substantially uniformly about the periphery of the spiraling column of air to thoroughly mix and disperse the water with the air in the mixing chamber. The disclosure also relates to a snow making gun for carrying out the method described above.
Inventors
- 👤 Oscar F Cloutier
- 👤 Charles P Duncan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:02
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25C; F25C3/00; F25C3/04; F04; F04F; F04F5/00; F04F5/44; F04F5/46; F04F5/464; F25C2303/00; F25C2303/048; F25C2303/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for use in making snow comprising: forming a spiraling column of air and moving it in one direction to and through an unobstructed mixing chamber and out a nozzle, flowing water in a direction substantially opposite to the one direction along the outside of the nozzle and chamber, thereafter introducing said water into the spiraling column of air at a space adjacent the inlet to the mixing chamber, said space formed between said mixing chamber and the means used to form the spiraling column, said water being introduced substantially uniformly about the periphery of said spiraling column of air to thoroughly mix and disperse the water with the air in the mixing chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for use in making snow comprising: forming a spiraling column of air and moving it in one direction to and through an unobstructed mixing chamber and out a nozzle, flowing water in a direction substantially opposite to the one direction along the outside of the nozzle and chamber, thereafter introducing said water into the spiraling column of air at a space adjacent the inlet to the mixing chamber, said space formed between said mixing chamber and the means used to form the spiraling column, said water being introduced substantially uniformly about the periphery of said spiraling column of air to thoroughly mix and disperse the water with the air in the mixing chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the air is passed through stationary means to impart spiral motion thereto prior to moving it through the mixing chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
103 words
A snow making gun which comprises a. an unobstructed mixing chamber and nozzle with an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, b. means for forming a spiraling column of air and directiNg said air into said inlet, c. means for directing water over the outside of the nozzle and mixing chamber to insulate the mixing chamber, d. means for introducing said water into said spiraling column of air adjacent the inlet to the mixing chamber and substantially uniformly about the periphery of said column to thoroughly mix and disperse the water with the air in the mixing chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
A snow making gun which comprises a. an unobstructed mixing chamber and nozzle with an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, b. means for forming a spiraling column of air and directiNg said air into said inlet, c. means for directing water over the outside of the nozzle and mixing chamber to insulate the mixing chamber, d. means for introducing said water into said spiraling column of air adjacent the inlet to the mixing chamber and substantially uniformly about the periphery of said column to thoroughly mix and disperse the water with the air in the mixing chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A snow making gun as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means defined in (b) is stationary.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A snow making gun as recited in claim 3, wherein said mixing chamber and nozzle is spaced apart from said spiraling means so as to allow the water surrounding said chamber to mix with said spiraling air column substantially uniformly about the periphery thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A snow making gun as recited in claim 3 further comprising means for containing said water in surrounding contact with said mixing chamber, wherein: said containing means is disposed apart from said mixing chamber, and said water introducing means comprises an edge of said mixing chamber within said water containing means and spaced apart from said spiraling means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A snow making gun as recited in claim 3 wherein said mixing chamber and nozzle comprises a tapered cylindrical member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
170 words
A snow making gun having an outer casing comprising an elongated tubular wall and end walls, a water inlet at one end of the casing, an air inlet at the other end of the casing, an inner elongated tubular member in which the inner surface is unobstructed forming a mixing chamber within the casing and spaced from the tubular wall, one open end of the member forming an outlet nozzle and opening out through the wall at the one end of the casing, the other open end of the tubular member forming an air-water inlet and spaced from the other end wall, and means between the other end of the member and the air inlet for imparting spiral motion to air passing from the air inlet into the tubular member, wherein the tubular member comprises a cylindrical member tapering down in diameter from the other end to the one end, the other end being open to permit water to be introduced into the tubular member about its entire end edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
170 words
A snow making gun having an outer casing comprising an elongated tubular wall and end walls, a water inlet at one end of the casing, an air inlet at the other end of the casing, an inner elongated tubular member in which the inner surface is unobstructed forming a mixing chamber within the casing and spaced from the tubular wall, one open end of the member forming an outlet nozzle and opening out through the wall at the one end of the casing, the other open end of the tubular member forming an air-water inlet and spaced from the other end wall, and means between the other end of the member and the air inlet for imparting spiral motion to air passing from the air inlet into the tubular member, wherein the tubular member comprises a cylindrical member tapering down in diameter from the other end to the one end, the other end being open to permit water to be introduced into the tubular member about its entire end edge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A snow making gun as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for imparting spiral motion to the air comprises a fixed disc extending transversely across the tubular wall of the casing and attached thereto, the disc having a plurality of slots passing therethrough which extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the casing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |