Snowmaking machine and method

Claim 2

An improved method for making artificial snow comprising the steps of: (a) providing a moving airstream at or below 0° C. within a tunnel-like cowling and directed out of one open end thereof, (b) passing said airstream through an inwardly tapering conical collar, said conical collar defining the frustum of a hollow cone, whereby the velocity and cooling capacity of said airstream is increased as it passes therethrough, (c) injecting seeding crystals into said airstream downstream of the point where said airstream exits said conical collar, and (d) injecting water droplets into said airstream from a plurality of nozzles distributed in an arc of between 190 to 300 degrees around the uppermost portion of the circular opening defined by said conical collar, whereby artificial snow is produced in said airstream.

Claim 3

The improved method of claim 1, wherein said airstream is passed directly from said cowling through said conical collar and is acted upon so as to increase its velocity and cooling capacity.

Claim 4

The improved method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said water droplets are injected from nozzles distributed around said arc, are more or less evenly distributed and adapted for simultaneous regulation of water flow therethrough.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said water droplets are injected from one or more secondary nozzles distributed within said arc and adapted to individually regulate the flow of water therethrough.

Claim 6

The improved method of claim 1, wherein the flow of said airstream passed through said conical collar is acted upon to produce increased turbulence, as well as increased velocity and cooling capacity upon exit therefrom.

Claim 7

The improved method of claim 1, wherein said conical collar is dimensioned to modify the flow of said airstream passing therethrough, so as to reduce the tendency of said water nozzles positioned thereabout and adjacent thereto to freeze and clog.

Claim 8

The improved method of claim 1, wherein said seeding crystals are directed upwardly into the lower portion of said airstream exiting said conical collar.

Claim 9

The improved method of claim 1, wherein said seeding crystals are produced by injecting from a mixture of water and compressed air into said airstream.

Claim 10

The improved method of claim 1, wherein said arc is between 210 to 270 degrees.

Claim 11

In an improved snowmaking machine having in combination a motor-driven fan mounted within a tunnel-like cowling and operable to produce an airstream directed through a front opening defined by one end of said cowling, at least one nozzle operable to produce seeding crystals and oriented to inject said seeding crystals into said airstream, and a plurality of water nozzles for spray injection of water droplets into said airstream, the improvement comprising (1) provision of an inwardly tapering conical collar, said conical collar defining the frustum of a hollow cone having open ends, the larger of which is dimensioned to mate with said front opening of said cowling and is attached thereto, and (2) distribution of said water nozzles in an arc of between about 190 to 300 degrees around the uppermost portion of the circular opening defined by the smaller open end of said conical collar.

Claim 12

In an improved snowmaking machine having in combination a motor-driven fan mounted within a tunnel-like cowling and operable to produce an airstream directed through a front opening defined by one end of said cowling, at least one nozzle operable to produce seeding crystals and oriented to inject said seeding crystals into said airstream, and a plurality of water nozzles for spray injection of water droplets into said airstream, the improvement comprising (1) provision of an inwardly tapering conical collar, said conical collar defining the frustum of a hollow cone having open ends, the larger of which is dimensioned to mate with said front opening of said cowling and is attached thereto, and (2) distribution of said water nozzles in an arc of between about 190 to 300 degrees around the uppermost portion of the circular opening defined by the smaller open end of said conical collar.

Claim 13

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 10, wherein said arc is between about 210 to 270 degrees.

Claim 14

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of water nozzles distributed around said arc are adapted for simultaneous regulation of the flow of water therethrough.

Claim 15

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 10, wherein one or more secondary water nozzles are distributed within said arc and adapted for individual regulation of the flow of water through each of said secondary water nozzles.

Claim 16

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 10, wherein said conical collar is dimensioned and said water nozzles are positioned relative thereabout, so that said water nozzles are located adjacent to, but not within, the flow of said airstream exiting from said circular opening of said conical collar, whereby the tendency of said water nozzles to freeze or clog in operation is reduced.

Claim 17

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 10, wherein said conical collar is shaped to act upon said airstream passed therethrough, so as to produce increased turbulence, as well as increased velocity and cooling capacity.

Claim 18

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 10, wherein said seeding nozzle is oriented to inject said seeding crystals upwardly into the lower portion of said airstream exiting said conical collar.

Claim 19

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 10, wherein said seeding nozzle is adapted to internally combine water and compressed air and spray a mixture of water and compressed air from its orifice, whereby said seeding crystals are produced in said airstream.

Claim 20

An improved snowmaking machine comprising, in combination: (a) a structural supporting base, (b) a tunnel-like cowling attached to said base having opposite ends defining openings for passage of an airstream therethrough. (c) a motor-driven fan mounted within said cowling and operable to generate a moving airstream which flows in a forward direction through said cowling, (d) an inwardly tapering conical collar attached to the upstream end of said cowling, both ends of said conical collar defining openings, with the larger end dimensioned to mate with and being attached to said upstream end of said cowling and said smaller end of a lesser diameter and the tapering sides intermediate of said ends dimensioned to act upon said airstream passing through said conical collar, so as to increase the velocity and cooling capacity thereof, (e) an arcuately shaped manifold attached to said upstream end of said cowling adjacent to said conical collar and provided with valved inlet means for receiving and regulating the flow of water therethrough, (f) a plurality of water nozzles attached to and communicating with said manifold, said water nozzles being distributed in an arc of between about 190 to 300 degrees around the uppermost portion of the circular opening defined by said conical collar, operable to spray water droplets into said airstream and oriented to direct said spray of said water droplets into said airstream downstream of the point at which said airstream exits said conical collar, and (g) at least one seeding nozzle operable to produce seeding crystals is oriented to inject the same into said airstream downstream of said point at which said airstream exits said conical collar.

Claim 21

An improved snowmaking machine comprising, in combination: (a) a structural supporting base, (b) a tunnel-like cowling attached to said base having opposite ends defining openings for passage of an airstream therethrough. (c) a motor-driven fan mounted within said cowling and operable to generate a moving airstream which flows in a forward direction through said cowling, (d) an inwardly tapering conical collar attached to the upstream end of said cowling, both ends of said conical collar defining openings, with the larger end dimensioned to mate with and being attached to said upstream end of said cowling and said smaller end of a lesser diameter and the tapering sides intermediate of said ends dimensioned to act upon said airstream passing through said conical collar, so as to increase the velocity and cooling capacity thereof, (e) an arcuately shaped manifold attached to said upstream end of said cowling adjacent to said conical collar and provided with valved inlet means for receiving and regulating the flow of water therethrough, (f) a plurality of water nozzles attached to and communicating with said manifold, said water nozzles being distributed in an arc of between about 190 to 300 degrees around the uppermost portion of the circular opening defined by said conical collar, operable to spray water droplets into said airstream and oriented to direct said spray of said water droplets into said airstream downstream of the point at which said airstream exits said conical collar, and (g) at least one seeding nozzle operable to produce seeding crystals is oriented to inject the same into said airstream downstream of said point at which said airstream exits said conical collar.

Claim 22

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 18, wherein said arc is between about 210-270 degrees.

Claim 23

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of water nozzles communicating with said manifold are adapted for simultaneous regulation of the flow of water therethrough.

Claim 24

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 18, wherein one or more secondary water nozzles are distributed within said arc and each of said secondary water nozzles is provided with the individual means for regulating the flow of water therethrough.

Claim 25

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 18, wherein said water nozzles are located adjacent to, but not within, the flow of said airstream exiting said conical collar.

Claim 26

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 18, wherein said cowling is releasibly attached to said supporting base to facilitate repositioning in the vertical plane.

Claim 27

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 18, wherein said seeding nozzle is oriented to inject said seeding crystals upwardly into the lower portion of said airstream exiting said conical collar.

Claim 28

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 18, wherein said seeding nozzle is adapted to internally combine water and compressed air and spray a mixture of water and compressed air from its orifice, whereby said seeding crystals are produced in said airstream.

Claim 29

The improved snowmaking machine of claim 18, wherein said cowling is pivotally connected to U-shaped support arms forming an upper portion of said supporting base, means for releasibly maintaining the vertical orientation of said cowling are provided, and said seeding nozzles are provided with means for receiving and regulating water from said manifold and a protective screen is provided to cover the downstream opening of said cowling.