Snowmaking Patents (Class 239/14.2)
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Patent number: 11784473Abstract: Apparatus and methods pertaining to moving a train rig between locations associated with corresponding different wellsites. Equipment carried by the train rig is operable in conjunction with forming wells each extending beneath a corresponding one of the wellsites. An adjustable swing arm mechanically and electrically connected to the train rig comprises a medium-voltage (MV) cable. The adjustable swing arm extends from the train rig to connect the MV cable to one of a plurality of MV electrical hubs each electrically connected to a remote MV electrical power source via, at least, MV electrical lines suspended above the wellsites. A piece of equipment carried by the train rig is energized by MV electrical power delivered via the adjustable swing arm, and then operated in conjunction with the subterranean well formation.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Jacques Orban, Victor Garcia
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Patent number: 11754325Abstract: A heat pump, having: an evaporator for evaporating a working liquid; a liquefier for condensing a compressed working vapor; a compressor motor with a suction mouth having attached thereto a radial impeller to convey a working vapor evaporated in the evaporator through the suction mouth; a guide space arranged to guide a working vapor conveyed by the radial impeller into the condenser; and a cooling device for cooling the guide space or the suction mouth with a liquid, wherein the cooling device is configured to guide the liquid onto an outside of the guide space or of the suction mouth, wherein the outside is not in contact with the working vapor, and wherein an inside of the guide space or of the suction mouth is in contact with the working vapor.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: EFFICIENT ENERGY GMBHInventor: Oliver Kniffler
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Patent number: 11534638Abstract: A nozzle for atomizing and dispersing a discharge flow of a fluid, and a spacing plate for use in the nozzle is disclosed. The nozzle includes a bonnet, including an inlet port for receiving the fluid in the nozzle, and a first surface extending outward from the inlet port. The nozzle includes at least one deflector base, including a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface. At least one spacing plate is arranged between the first surface of the bonnet and the second surface of the deflector base. The spacing plate includes at least one gap extending through the spacing plate in its perpendicular direction (P) and extending from the outer periphery of the spacing plate to a distance (D) towards the inner section of the spacing plate. A discharge port is fluidly connected to the inlet port allowing the fluid to flow from the inlet port to surroundings of the nozzle. The discharge port is created between the first and the second surface and defined by the at least one gap of the spacing plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Firex OyInventor: Kauko Kinnunen
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Patent number: 11492786Abstract: A method for controlling a system pressure within a closed system includes sending a signal to a pressure control valve corresponding to a pressure set point and actuating the pressure control valve to vary a pilot pressure of a control fluid contained within a pressure control line that is fluidly connected to a pressure regulator. A diaphragm of the pressure regulator is disposed between the pressure control line and a system line and acts on a fluid with the system line to modify the system pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.Inventors: Peter N. Dufault, Todd A. Anderson
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Patent number: 11204340Abstract: A heating assembly includes a base plate. The heating assembly also includes a heating component coupled to the base plate configured to heat an enclosure of the heating assembly and a fan assembly coupled to the base plate configured to circulate the heated air within the enclosure of the heating assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventor: Steven S. Black
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Patent number: 10890411Abstract: A spray nozzle comprises an outer tube, an inner tube disposed in the outer tube, and a sleeve mounted on the outer tube. A front end of the inner tube protrudes from the outer tube. A partition plate is disposed in the inner tube, the partition plate and the inner tube encircle to form an opened diversion groove with a plurality of notches. The inner tube is disposed with a plurality of guide vanes, a space between the outer tube and the inner tube is divided by the guide vanes into a plurality of diversion cavities communicating with the opened diversion groove through the corresponding notch. The sleeve makes sealing contact with the outer tube, the sleeve is provided with a sealing plate contacting and fitting with the opened diversion groove, and the sealing plate is provided with a water jet hole communicating with the opened diversion groove.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Shantou P&C Plastic Products Company LimitedInventor: Bo Chen
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Patent number: 10866500Abstract: A projection apparatus includes a plurality of two-fluid nozzles, a projection-apparatus-side-gas-flow-path, a gas valve, a projection-apparatus-side-liquid-flow-path, a liquid valve, a projector, a mist concentration measurer, and a controller. The controller starts and stops spraying of a mist by controlling the gas valve and the liquid valve on the basis of an image or a video projected onto a screen from the projector. The controller receives a signal indicating a mist concentration from the mist concentration measurer, starts and stops spraying of the mist by controlling the gas valve and the liquid valve on the basis of the received signal, and thus controls the mist concentration.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Isomi, Daisuke Tabata, Yuki Ueda
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Patent number: 10634407Abstract: A method, in particular for generating snow from water, using a low-pressure hydraulic device having a pump unit, to which a purification system is connected, and a distribution device having at least one high-pressure pump, to which a high-pressure unit having a snow cannon and/or a different snow-generating unit is connected. In order for the bonding of the water molecules in the supermolecular water structure of the process water to change and the generation of snow to improve, according to the invention at least part of the water used is exposed to an ionization field and/or a polarization field while simultaneously being exposed to the effects of an alternating electromagnetic field so that a weaker bonding of the water molecules in the supermolecular water structure is achieved, resulting in an improvement in the absorption and transfer of heat. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: OKEANOS CORPORATIONInventor: Samuel Grega
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Patent number: 10557658Abstract: The invention is a dual auto hydrant configured to interface independent pressurized water and compressed air sources with snowmaking equipment, such as a snowmaking gun and methods of using same.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Inventor: Mitchell Joe Dodson
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Patent number: 10527336Abstract: A nucleator nozzle (20) for producing ice nuclei is designed as convergent-divergent nozzle. The nozzle channel (25) has a section (27) that is widening. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening (23) to the cross-sectional area of the nozzle channel (25) in the region of the nucleus diameter (26) is at least approximately 4:1. A snow lance (1) having at least one nucleator nozzle (20) and having at least one water nozzle (30; 30?) is designed such that water droplets (32) produced by the water nozzle (30; 30?) pass through a droplet path (31; 31?) of at least 20 cm until they reach ice nuclei (28) from the nucleator nozzle (20) in a germination zone E.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: BAECHLER TOP TRACK AGInventors: Daniela Limacher, Mathieu Fauve, Bruno Koch, Claus Dangel
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Patent number: 10159951Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for mixing and atomizing a hydrocarbon stream using a diluent/dispersion stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LIMITEDInventors: Bidyut De, Shoeb Hussain Khan, Satheesh Vetterkunnel Kumaran, Debasis Bhattacharyya, Brijesh Kumar
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Patent number: 9926209Abstract: A method for on-site aerial dissemination of Oxidatively Converted particles of contamination with substantial atmospheric disposal, commonly known as aerosolization, of the water component of all untreated or partially treated leachates and all untreated or partially treated wastewaters. These leachates and wastewaters (defined as water containing 2 or more detectable and known contaminants) are collected on site and the defined leachate or defined wastewater, having multiple defined and known contaminating suspended and perhaps precipitated solids therein, and aerially disseminating or aerially oxidizing or commonly known aerosolizing said contaminants over a chosen contaminant collections area (defined as 1-300 meters from the nozzles) and disposing of the water component of the leachate or wastewater through atmospheric disposal and lastly evaporation on the site of the leachate or wastewaters' generation.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Inventor: Kelly K. Houston
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Patent number: 9772134Abstract: The invention is a dual auto hydrant configured to interface independent pressurized water and compressed air sources with snowmaking equipment, such as a snowmaking gun and methods of using same.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Inventor: Mitchell Joe Dodson
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Patent number: 9726405Abstract: An ejector includes a first nozzle, a second nozzle, an atomization mechanism, and a mixer. A working fluid in a liquid phase is supplied to the first nozzle as a drive flow. A working fluid in a gas phase is sucked into the second nozzle. The atomization mechanism is disposed at an end of the first nozzle and atomizes the working fluid in a liquid phase while maintaining the liquid phase. The mixer generates a fluid mixture by mixing the atomized working fluid generated by the atomization mechanism and the working fluid in a gas phase sucked into the second nozzle. The atomization mechanism includes an ejection section that generates a jet of the working fluid in a liquid phase and a collision surface with which the jet from the ejection section collides. The collision surface is inclined with respect to a direction in which the jet flows.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Bunki Kawano, Tomoichiro Tamura, Takahiro Matsuura
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Patent number: 9694373Abstract: A water atomization device for water evaporation and/or dust control. The device includes: a generally longitudinally hollow housing; a fan; a motor; and a hollow manifold. The housing extends between an inlet end and an outlet end, with the inlet end defining a first air inlet to an interior of the housing. The fan is within the housing, between the inlet end and the outlet end. The motor drives the fan. The manifold is shaped to generally correspond to that of the outlet end and has a plurality of water injector nozzles directed substantially inwardly and away from the outlet end. A distal edge of the outlet end is longitudinally spaced apart from a proximal edge of the manifold to define a second air entrainment inlet to an interior of the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Minetek Investments Pty LtdInventor: Garth John Bird
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Patent number: 9643222Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus for cleaning component surfaces (40) by means of a transporting liquid in which ultrasonic waves can be transported, the apparatus including an inlet (6) mounted on a body for filling the transporting liquid into the body, an ultrasonic oscillator (3) in the body for producing ultrasonic waves, a feed in the body for guiding the transporting liquid from the inlet (6) directly to the ultrasonic oscillator (3), so that the ultrasonic waves can be introduced into the transporting liquid and the liquid can be transported, an outlet (7) connected to the feed for discharging the transporting liquid which transports the ultrasonic waves from the body, so that a directed cleaning jet is produced. In addition, a holding device for such an ultrasonic apparatus is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Michael Clossen-Von Lanken Schulz, Matthias Dierks, Sebastian Jakielski, Stefan Obermayr
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Patent number: 9528739Abstract: An apparatus for making artificial snow comprises: a) a reservoir for an evaporative snow solution; b) a fluid line with an upper end and a lower end; c) a pump to deliver the evaporative snow solution through the fluid line to a fan at or near the upper end of the fluid line; d) a sock; e) an illuminating means which is configured to illuminate the artificial snow once produced and falling; and f) a ventilated protective membrane around the illuminating means to prevent ingress of fluid; wherein the entire apparatus is contained within the body of a decorative device, and wherein the sock is disposed at or near an upper area of said device, and wherein the fan is capable of blowing the evaporative solution from the upper end of the fluid line through the fabric of the sock so as to create a foam-like snow.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Inventor: John Alistair Quee
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Patent number: 9441870Abstract: A snow making apparatus is provided that includes a manifold, a nucleator annular chamber, and a plurality of nucleator nozzles. The manifold is configured to receive water from a water source and air from an air source. The nucleator annular chamber is configured to receive an air-water mixture from first passages, which first passages are oriented to direct the air-water mixture tangentially into the nucleator annular chamber for subsequent circumferential and axial travel within the annular chamber. The plurality of nucleator nozzles is positioned to receive the air-water mixture from the nucleator annular chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: LP Snow Systems, LLCInventor: John Pentti Nikkanen
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Patent number: 9429348Abstract: A method for producing substantially dendritic snow includes: a) supplying a flow of humid air (1) and a flow of cold air (9) into a substantially closed space (15, 16, 17) to mix the two air flows and create an atmosphere oversaturated with water within the space; b) forming ice crystals and allowing snowflakes to grow from the oversaturated atmosphere, keeping the ice crystals and growing snowflakes floating within the space and allowing them to grow over a predetermined period of time sufficiently long to obtain snowflakes having a predefined size, the floating condition being achieved by moving the ice crystals and growing snowflakes, on average, along a substantially helical trajectory by the air flow, which results in the snowflakes being distributed according to their size along the substantially helical trajectory; and c) thereafter releasing the predefined size snowflakes via a release opening (7) of the space by a carrier air flow (3).Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignees: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT WIEN, UNIVERSITÄT FÜR FODENKULTUR WIENInventors: Meinhard Breiling, Michael Bacher, Sergey Sokratov, Frederick Geroge Best
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Patent number: 9421508Abstract: A method for atomizing a liquid (L) in a spraying nozzle (1), wherein a gaseous phase (G) and a liquid (L) are fed to a mixing chamber (30) inside a nozzle (1), obtaining an emulsion of the gas in the liquid, the emulsion being under pressure inside the chamber and formed by gas bubbles enveloped by the liquid in a film state. The speed of the gaseous phase at the inlet of the mixing chamber is around the speed of sound or greater. The atomized liquid is obtained by an expansion of the emulsion at the outlet of the chamber. A suitable nozzle (1) is also disclosed, comprising a mixing chamber (30) and a distribution device (D) adapted to provide appropriate gas and liquid feed to form an emulsion.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Casale SAInventor: Gianfranco Bedetti
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Patent number: 9200825Abstract: Described is a system (1) for controlling an artificial snow making plant (100) having a plurality of snow making apparatuses (101) positioned along a ski run and connected to a communication line (102), comprising a processing unit (2) in data connection with the communication line (102) and being designed for: receiving a status signal (S) from each snow making apparatus (101) representing the quantity of snow currently produced by the relative snow making apparatus (101); comparing the data contained in each status signal (S) with a respective predetermined single snow making value (Pf) to be reached; generating a condition signal (P) of the apparatuses (101) as a function of the comparison; —generating a condition signal P of the ski run as a function of the contents of the condition signal (A) of the apparatuses (101).Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: TECHNOALPIN HOLDING S.P.A.Inventor: Walter Rieder
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Patent number: 9056322Abstract: A self-contained fluid jet assembly that includes a first chamber having a fluid inlet and a second chamber having an air inlet and at least one fluid outlet. An opening is present between the first chamber and said second chamber and is surrounded by a nozzle in the second chamber. The nozzle terminates short of a fluid outlet such that an air gap is defined between the nozzle and outlet, thereby creating an improved jet action.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2014Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Inventor: Jack Williams
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Patent number: 9050481Abstract: A decontaminating system (100) comprising a decontaminant reservoir (152), a transport fluid source (160) and a mist generating apparatus (10). The mist generating apparatus (10) has a longitudinal axis and comprises a first fluid passage (38) having a first fluid inlet (18) in fluid communication with the decontaminant reservoir (152) and a first fluid outlet (84), and a second fluid passage (90) having a second fluid inlet (20) in fluid communication with the transport fluid source (160) and a second fluid outlet (94). The first passage (38) surrounds the second fluid passage (90) and the first and second outlets (84, 94) are oriented relative to one another such that they have an angle of incidence between (5) and (30) degrees. The second fluid passage (90) includes a throat portion (92) located between the second fluid inlet (20) and the second fluid outlet (94), the throat portion (92) having a smaller cross sectional area than that of either the second fluid inlet (20) or second fluid outlet (94).Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbHInventors: Marcus Brian Mayhall Fenton, James Oliver French
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Patent number: 9004458Abstract: A valve for dispensing water and air in installations for spraying water under pressure, includes: firstly, a body (2) equipped with two independent circuits (C1, C2), each for circulating a fluid, one air, the other water, each of the circuits including (i) a chamber (5, 15) accommodating a shutter member (6, 16) in the form of a spool, (ii) a duct (7, 17) for admitting the fluid, (iii) a discharge duct (8, 18) for discharging the fluid, and (iv) a drain duct (9, 19) for draining the fluid contained in the discharge duct; and, secondly, control elements for controlling the shutter members so as to make each one move between an open position which allows the fluid to pass and in which the drain duct is shut off, and a closed position in which the fluid is prevented from passing and the drain duct is open.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Johnson Controls NeigeInventors: Pierrick Jouneau, Eric David, Michel Galvin
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Publication number: 20150053785Abstract: A device for producing artificial snow includes: elements (100) for producing a central jet (101) consisted by a first fluid chosen among air or water; elements (110) for producing a peripheral jet (111) consisted by a second fluid chosen among water or air and different from the first fluid; and nucleation elements (120) for the production of at least one nucleation jet (121). The elements for producing the central jet and the elements for producing the peripheral jet are arranged in such a manner that the opposite contours (103, 114) of their respective jets each define a generating line, which opposite generating lines extend parallel or at least approximately parallel to each other; moreover, the nucleation elements (120) are distributed over the external periphery of the elements (110) for producing the peripheral jet (111).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: TECHNOALPIN FRANCEInventors: Michel GALVIN, Eric DAVID, Karlheinz TERRABONA
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Publication number: 20140291413Abstract: The present invention is an improved nucleator for generating ice crystals for seeding water droplets in snow-making systems. Atomized water droplets can more easily be converted to snow at higher temperatures by using a nucleator. Embodiments of a snow-making gun including the novel nucleator are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventor: Mitchell Joe Dodson
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Publication number: 20140284396Abstract: A snow making apparatus is provided that includes a manifold, a nucleator annular chamber, and a plurality of nucleator nozzles. The manifold is configured to receive water from a water source and air from an air source. The nucleator annular chamber is configured to receive an air-water mixture from first passages, which first passages are oriented to direct the air-water mixture tangentially into the nucleator annular chamber for subsequent circumferential and axial travel within the annular chamber. The plurality of nucleator nozzles is positioned to receive the air-water mixture from the nucleator annular chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventor: John Pentti Nikkanen
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Publication number: 20140246511Abstract: A method, in particular for generating snow from water, using a low-pressure hydraulic device having a pump unit, to which a purification system is connected, and a distribution device having at least one high-pressure pump, to which a high-pressure unit having a snow cannon and/or a different snow-generating unit is connected. In order for the bonding of the water molecules in the supermolecular water structure of the process water to change and the generation of snow to improve, according to the invention at least part of the water used is exposed to an ionization field and/or a polarization field while simultaneously being exposed to the effects of an alternating electromagnetic field so that a weaker bonding of the water molecules in the supermolecular water structure is achieved, resulting in an improvement in the absorption and transfer of heat. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2012Publication date: September 4, 2014Inventor: Samuel Grega
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Publication number: 20140166773Abstract: Various embodiments of multi-step snowmaking guns are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of a six-step, a four-step and a single step snowmaking gun are disclosed. Embodiments of the multi-step snowmaking guns may generally characterized by having a bottom manifold connected to a main mast, which is connected to a nozzle manifold, which in turn may be connected to a multi-step fluid nozzle. Embodiments of the multi-step snowmaking guns may further be generally characterized as having a nucleator head connected to a nucleator mast which is in turn also connected to the nozzle manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Inventor: Mitchell Joe Dodson
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Publication number: 20140124091Abstract: A device to connect to a source of carbon dioxide for dispensing dry ice. The device includes discharge horn and an adaptor which may be bent and which supports discharge horn. A bag is removably attached to discharge horn to collect the dry ice produced. An insulating sleeve may be removably disposed about discharge horn.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Quark Limited, LDCInventors: Robert B. Evans, Robert W. Hallock
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Publication number: 20140124591Abstract: A device for minimizing the blowback of carbon dioxide snow. Device includes a relatively planar body that includes an aperture for receiving a discharge horn. Planar body acts as a shield against blowback of carbon dioxide snow as device is depositing same in a container.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Quark Limited, LDCInventors: Robert B. Evans, Robert W. Hallock
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Publication number: 20140124592Abstract: An apparatus for making artificial snow comprises: a) a reservoir for an evaporative snow solution; b) a fluid line with an upper end and a lower end; c) a pump to deliver the evaporative snow solution through the fluid line to a fan at or near the upper end of the fluid line; d) a sock; e) an illuminating means which is configured to illuminate the artificial snow once produced and falling; and f) a ventilated protective membrane around the illuminating means to prevent ingress of fluid; wherein the entire apparatus is contained within the body of a decorative device, and wherein the sock is disposed at or near an upper area of said device, and wherein the fan is capable of blowing the evaporative solution from the upper end of the fluid line through the fabric of the sock so as to create a foam-like snow.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Inventor: John Alistair Quee
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Publication number: 20140091158Abstract: Described is a system (1) for controlling an artificial snow making plant (100) having a plurality of snow making apparatuses (101) positioned along a ski run and connected to a communication line (102), comprising a processing unit (2) in data connection with the communication line (102) and being designed for: receiving a status signal (S) from each snow making apparatus (101) representing the quantity of snow currently produced by the relative snow making apparatus (101); comparing the data contained in each status signal (S) with a respective predetermined single snow making value (Pf) to be reached; generating a condition signal (P) of the apparatuses (101) as a function of the comparison; —generating a condition signal P of the ski run as a function of the contents of the condition signal (A) of the apparatuses (101).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Inventor: Walter RIEDER
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Publication number: 20130341423Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle for spraying liquid, especially water in a snow production cannon. The nozzle consists of a cylindrical body 1 and a cap nut 2 having an axial spraying hole 5 connected from inside by means of an inlet cone 6 to a vortex chamber 7. Between the body 1 and the nut 2 a swirl insert 4 is mounted. The insert divides a fluid supply channel 9 having a partition wall 8 with at least two vortex channels 10. The swirl insert 4 has a flange 11 which fixes the insert axially between the nut 2 and the body 1 through a front 12 and a rare 13 scaling rings, and both of said rings have circular cross-sections. The front sealing ring 12 is mounted in a rectangular groove made on the face of the swirl insert 4 tangent to the face of the nut 2. The rear sealing ring 13 is mounted in a semicircular socket IS made at the inner corner of the rear surface of the flange 11.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: SUPERSNOW SPOLKA Z O.O. SPOLKA KOMANDYTOW AInventors: Damian Dziubasik, Tomasz Janos
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Patent number: 8534577Abstract: A nozzle comprises a lower nozzle plate including a lower impingement surface formed therein, at least one fluid intake port disposed at an inner end of the lower impingement surface, and an upper nozzle plate including an upper impingement surface formed therein and an upper orifice edge disposed along an outer end of the upper impingement surface. The nozzle includes a seal configured for sealing the lower nozzle plate to the upper nozzle plate, such that the lower and upper impingement surfaces are opposed toward one another, thereby forming a fluid channel between the impingement surfaces, directing pressurized fluid from the at least one fluid intake port to a slotted orifice formed between the opposed lower and upper orifice edges. The nozzle includes a droplet size adjustment mechanism configured for attachment to the upper and lower nozzle plates for selectively controlling fluid droplet size ejected from the slotted orifice.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Inventor: Mitch Dodson
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Publication number: 20130056548Abstract: A portable snow making tower having a base frame with spaced parallel skids for sliding engagement over a ground surface and a tow tongue for towing the base frame behind a motor vehicle. The portable snow making tower includes an upwardly extending snow making tower secured to the base frame and having snow making nozzles at its upper end for ejecting atomized water spray into ambient atmosphere for manufacture of snow in sub-freezing conditions, and water and air connectors at the lower end of tower for connection to supplies of air and water under pressure. A tower support arm is provided which has a bottom end received for axial rotation in an upright tower support pipe section secured to the base frame and the support arm has an inclined top end secured to the tower for supporting the tower in an inclined upright manner from the base frame. The tower may thus be rotated 360° in order to easily change direction of the snow making nozzles for changing wind conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Inventor: Herman K. Dupre
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Publication number: 20130056546Abstract: A snow making tower pipe comprised of multiple aluminum pipe segments of different diameters dimensioned whereby the segments are telescopically fitted and welded end to end with the segment of larger diameter at the lower end, and the end to end weld fittings are angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the tower pipe at an angle of less than 90 degrees to provide a maximum strength weld connection. The snow making tower ejects air and water under pressure through snow making nozzles to form an atomized plume of water in adjacent ambient atmosphere under sub-freezing conditions. Water is ejected under pressure from a projection nozzle in the form of a spray stream at a velocity greater than the ejection velocity of the plume and this water stream is directed to engage the plume and thereby project the plume outwardly farther than possible without the assistance of the spray stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Inventor: Herman K. Dupre
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Publication number: 20130043322Abstract: A procedure for moderating the intensity of a hurricane in regions of the seas that are host to the oil and gas industries is described, using the Gulf of Mexico as an example of such a region, and snow-making machines as the instruments for carrying out the procedure. These machines are carried on moving platforms that follow the hurricane and on fixed platforms that are located in the path of the hurricane. In the described procedure snow-making machines are installed on fixed platforms throughout the region, and only those machines that are in the path of an approaching hurricane are turned on, while the snow-making machines on the moving platform(s) are operating continually.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Inventor: Alfred Rosen
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Patent number: 8376245Abstract: A low energy snow making gun having at least one but preferably three operational stages each having at least one pair of small aperture water outlets which are oriented at a divergent angle to generate a respective pair of narrow angled water droplet streams which do not interfere with each other until they have reached a distance from the gun. A second pair of water outlets may be provided on each stage with each pair on each stage oriented at a divergent angle to maintain singularity of the streams over a distance thereby increasing the throwing power of the gun.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Ratnik Industries, Inc.Inventors: Heldur R. Ratnik, Timothy C. Wang, Matthew A. Carson
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Publication number: 20120286059Abstract: Systems and methods of artificial snow dispersal are disclosed in which rapid evaporating snow is produced from a fluid. Two lines, an air line and a fluid line, are configured to substantially reach the top of or near the top of the tree. The respective lines may be configured to move air and fluid to the top of the tree. At the top of the tree there may be a nozzle with air escape holes configured around the exterior of the component. An output membrane may attach to the middle of the nozzle. The fluid line emits a small amount of fluid into the fabric. The air that passes into the fabric causes small foam bubbles. The air that passes through the external section of the output membrane may then peel the foam bubbles off thereby creating artificial snow.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventor: Michael Willett
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Publication number: 20120286060Abstract: Device for making artificial snow by a snow cannon in which water is atomised by compressed air that is supplied by a compressor located in a compressor area, with the compressed air being guided through a primary part of a heat exchanger whose secondary part forms part of an evaporator in a closed cooling circuit in which a coolant is circulated by another compressor element. A controller establishes a desired temperature or pressure dew point at the outlet of the primary part.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2010Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER,naamloze vennootschapInventor: Oleg Korobochkin
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Patent number: 8292261Abstract: A water and/or air dispenser for snowmaking system includes water and/or air supplying ducts and is equipped with at least one valve (9) associated with an electric actuator (10), the actuator (10) being connected to an electric power source (12, 19) and associated with its own management unit (11) to ensure the operation of the valve (9) between the open and closed configurations thereof. The dispenser is associated with security elements able to cause the valve (9) to be positioned in a known security configuration, for example tightly closed, in case of voltage cut-off at the electric source (12, 19), the security elements being integrated and including a capacitor-type electric unit (16), connected to the electric power source and to the actuator (10), the capacitor unit being able to store, and then return, a quantity of energy necessary for complete actuation of the valve, to implement the security elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Johnson Controls Neige SASInventors: Damien Landreau, Eric David, Pierrick Jouneau, Michel Galvin
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Publication number: 20120193440Abstract: A method for producing substantially dendritic snow includes: a) supplying a flow of humid air (1) and a flow of cold air (9) into a substantially closed space (15, 16, 17) to mix the two air flows and create an atmosphere oversaturated with water within the space; b) forming ice crystals and allowing snowflakes to grow from the oversaturated atmosphere, keeping the ice crystals and growing snowflakes floating within the space and allowing them to grow over a predetermined period of time sufficiently long to obtain snowflakes having a predefined size, the floating condition being achieved by moving the ice crystals and growing snowflakes, on average, along a substantially helical trajectory by the air flow, which results in the snowflakes being distributed according to their size along the substantially helical trajectory; and c) thereafter releasing the predefined size snowflakes via a release opening (7) of the space by a carrier air flow (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicants: UNIVERSITATT FUR BODENKULTUR WIEN, TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITA TWIENInventors: Meinhard Breiling, Michael Bacher, Sergey Sokratov, Frederick George Best
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Publication number: 20120153033Abstract: An ice building machine for spraying a fluid comprising water to form ice is described. The machine comprises: a chassis; a power generating source connected with the chassis; a control module electrically connected with the power generating source; and a fluid spray system coupled with the chassis and arranged to spray a fluid under control of the control module and powered by the power generating source, the fluid spray system arranged to access the fluid from below a lower surface of the ice building machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventor: Paul Kuhn
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Publication number: 20120138700Abstract: A navigable vessel for use in reducing the intensity of a tropical cyclone having an eye located over an ocean comprises a plurality of artificial snow-making devices aboard the vessel, at least one pump coupled to the devices and accessible to a body of water in which the vessel is floating for supplying the devices with water for making artificial snow, and a power source coupled to the devices to operate the devices in concert for producing a substantially uninterrupted supply of artificial snow. The artificial snow-making devices have discharge nozzles oriented to project the artificial snow away from the vessel onto or above the water adjacent the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventor: Alfred Rosen
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Patent number: 8161757Abstract: A navigable vessel for use in reducing the intensity of a tropical cyclone having an eye located over an ocean comprises a plurality of artificial snow-making devices aboard the vessel, at least one pump coupled to the devices and accessible to a body of water in which the vessel is floating for supplying the devices with water for making artificial snow, and a power source coupled to the devices to operate the devices in concert for producing a substantially uninterrupted supply of artificial snow. The artificial snow-making devices have discharge nozzles oriented to project the artificial snow away from the vessel onto or above the water adjacent the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Inventor: Alfred Rosen
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Publication number: 20120074242Abstract: A snow making spray head that can be adapted to a snow tower is disclosed. The spray head is designed to be rotatable about a vertical axis without having to rotate the tower itself so that the direction of the spray can be adjusted to effectively lay down quality snow onto the trail in an effective pattern under different wind directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Robert James Abraham, JR., Joseph Mark VanderKelen, Kevin Albert kasten
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Publication number: 20110285964Abstract: A display system for use in winter and other low temperature venues. The system includes a projection screen generation assembly that includes a snow making machine. The snow making machine receives an input flow of a liquid, such as water plus one or more additives to increase opacity and/or reflectivity of the snowflakes. The machine forms snow from the input flow and discharges a volume of flowing snow as a sheet or curtain providing a projection screen. The system includes a high-brightness projector directing light onto the projection screen to provide an image on surfaces of the flowing snow. In some embodiments, the snow making machine includes a nozzle configured such that the flowing snow is output in a substantially planar sheet, e.g., with the use of a diffuser or the like for increasing the laminar nature of the flow and the sheet may be relatively thin.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventor: Mark A. Reichow
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Publication number: 20110240756Abstract: The present invention discloses a hydrant for selectively supplying water and air under pressure to a snow making apparatus having multiple water nozzles with corresponding water supply conduits and at least one air nozzle with a corresponding air supply conduit. The water hydrant includes a hydrant housing having a water inlet and an air inlet for respectively supplying water and air under pressure to respective water and air chambers within the housing from respective water and air sources. A valve operating shaft is mounted for axial rotation in the housing and spaced water and air valve seats are respectively mounted in the water and air chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventor: Charles N. Santry
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Publication number: 20110174895Abstract: A low energy snow making gun having at least one but preferably three operational stages each having at least one pair of small aperture water outlets which are oriented at a divergent angle to generate a respective pair of narrow angled water droplet streams which do not interfere with each other until they have reached a distance from the gun. A second pair of water outlets may be provided on each stage with each pair on each stage oriented at a divergent angle to maintain singularity of the streams over a distance thereby increasing the throwing power of the gun.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2010Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: Heldur R. Ratnik, Timothy C. Wang, Matthew A. Carson