US3923247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snowmaking device
Assignee: Command Engineering International Ltd
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Filing: 1974-07-15
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-07-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a snowmaking device of the type comprising a gun having an outer water conduit, an inner air conduit and a convergent-divergent nozzle connected thereto and wherein the divergent portion of the nozzle includes a circular restricter. Water undergoes pre-atomization at the point of intersection of the convergent and divergent portions of the nozzle and final and more uniform atomization as it issues downstream from the restricter in the divergent section of the nozzle.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffery A White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:55
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25C; F25C3/00; F25C3/04; F04; F04F; F04F5/00; F04F5/44; F04F5/46; F25C2303/00; F25C2303/048; F25C2303/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
In a snowmaking device of the type comprising a gun section having an outer water discharge conduit, a coaxial inner air discharge conduit and a nozzle connected to the downstream end of said gun which is coaxial therewith, the improvement comprising a nozzle having an upstream conically converging collector section and a downstream conically diverging horn section, said inner air discharge conduit being larger than the smallest diameter of said conically converging collector section and directed coaxially at said collector section to effect a first acceleration and atomization of water entering said section, a circular restricter positioned internally of said horn section and coaxial therewith whereby the wall of said horn section and the radial extent of said restricter define an annular gap, the area of said annular gap being less than the area of the circular opening defined between the collector section and the horn section to effect a second acceleration and atomization of water particles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
In a snowmaking device of the type comprising a gun section having an outer water discharge conduit, a coaxial inner air discharge conduit and a nozzle connected to the downstream end of said gun which is coaxial therewith, the improvement comprising a nozzle having an upstream conically converging collector section and a downstream conically diverging horn section, said inner air discharge conduit being larger than the smallest diameter of said conically converging collector section and directed coaxially at said collector section to effect a first acceleration and atomization of water entering said section, a circular restricter positioned internally of said horn section and coaxial therewith whereby the wall of said horn section and the radial extent of said restricter define an annular gap, the area of said annular gap being less than the area of the circular opening defined between the collector section and the horn section to effect a second acceleration and atomization of water particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The snowmaking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said circular restricter includes an upstream divergent nose portion whereby the annular passageway defined between the walls of the horn section and said divergent portion diminishes in the direction of water and air flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The snowmaking device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the divergent portion of said restricter is one of a cone, skirt and hemisphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The snowmaking device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said restricter is held in position by means of a stem coaxially connected at one end thereto and which extends through said circular opening and is connected to said gun.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The snowmaking device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said circular restricter includes a downstream convergent tail portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The snowmaking device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the restricter is selectively adjustable relative to the nozzle to thereby increase or decrease the annular gap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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 |