Abstract: Apparatus for repeatedly sweeping a snow-gun nozzle through a desired angular range to more evenly distributed man-made snow produced by a snow-gun. Such apparatus comprises a bi-directional electric motor for driving a rotatably mounted snow-gun support in opposite directions about an axis of rotation, a pair of mechanical stops for limiting rotational movement of the snow-gun support to a predetermined angular range which defines a maximum sweep angle for the nozzle, and circuitry for sensing motor current. A comparator circuit, operatively connected to the output of the current-sensing circuit, functions to reverse the current flow through the motor, thereby changing the direction of rotational movement of the snow-gun support, whenever the current through the motor exceeds a preset threshold level. Such level is reached whenever the support's rotational movement has been limited by one of the two mechanical stops.

Abstract: A snow making, multiple nozzle assembly is provided comprising a tubular casing having an upstream end wall and an outwardly bulging downstream wall containing a plurality of snow making, supersonic, air expansion and liquid atomizing nozzle orifices circumferentially spaced therearound with radially inwardly extending air grooves therebetween in the outer, bulging surface. A tube plate partitions the casing interior into an upstream water compartment and downstream air compartment, and for each snow making nozzle orifice contains a water jet nozzle for directing a water jet into a central portion of that snow making nozzle orifice. Pressurized water fed into the water compartment causes water jets in each of the snow making nozzle orifices while pressurized air fed to the air compartment causes a jacket of air to surround the water jets entering the snow making nozzle orifice. The water exits from the snow making nozzle orifices as fine droplets which form into snow.

Abstract: A method for producing snow comprises producing a group of waterdrops by jetting water or water together with compressed air from a nozzle into the atmosphere of 0.degree. C. or less, and freezing the group of waterdrops jetted by applying ultrasonic waves to the group of waterdrops. An apparatus for producing snow comprises a jetting apparatus for producing a group of waterdrops by jetting water or water together with compressed air into the atmosphere of 0.degree. C. or less, and an ultrasonic wave generator for applying ultrasonic waves to the group of waterdrops jetted by the jetting apparatus.

Abstract: A snow gun in the form of a hollow body includes a radially outer cylindrical wall having a longitudinally adjustable central tube coaxially mounted within the hollow body which further includes a radially inner cylindrical wall, radially spaced from the radially outer cylindrical wall and from the central tube. The outer cylindrical wall terminates in a converging, diverging nozzle downstream of facing ends of the radially inner cylindrical wall and the central tube. The end of the radially inner cylindrical wall proximate to the expansion nozzle forms a conical portion which extends beyond the axial end of the central tube to form a second converging and diverging expansion nozzle for a water passage between the central tube of the radially inner cylindrical wall. Compressed air is fed to the interior of the central tube and between the radially outer and radially inner cylindrical walls.

Abstract: A boat or vessel particularly designed and adapted for treating bodies of water such as lakes to correct chemical, biological or other imbalances in the aquatic envoronment by accurately dispensing a treatment agent into the water in an amount based upon the volume of water being passed over and continuously determined by detection means for the speed of the boat or vessel carrying the dispensing means and the depth of the water being passed over. The boat includes a main or central hull supported or floated by the water and also stabilized by lateral inwardly and outwardly adjustable pontoons when loaded. The boat includes sparging, or mixing, and above or below water dispensing means to dispense the treatment agent. The pontoons may include tank means particularly in the upper portions and are adjustable inwardly and outwardly as well as fore and aft to both stabilize and trim the vessel.

Abstract: A flushing system 10 for a machine tool coolant return system is disclosed which is readily removable for servicing or replacement. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a flush nozzle assembly 34 is submerged beneath a normal coolant level 14 in flumes 16 and 18 to provide coolant for flushing machine waste and maintaining the flow of coolant and machine waste toward the filter. A lower member 20 is provided between flume sections 16 and 18 which is adapted to receive the flush nozzle assembly 34. A hollow elongated guide 28 is secured to the lower member 20 and has an open end 29 located for easy access. A flexible hose 32 has the flush nozzle assembly 34 attached to end 33 and is inserted into guide 28 where it is securely received in the lower member 20. The other end 35 of the flexible hose is connected to a source of coolant 46 to provide coolant to the nozzle assembly 34 and into the flumes 16 and 18.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming ice crystals for seeding an air-water mixture in making snow comprising an aspirator in communication with a first chamber, a second chamber connected to the first chamber through a first mixing tube, and a second mixing tube leading from the second chamber to an outlet. Low pressure air is introduced to the second chamber, and high pressure water is supplied to the aspirator to provide a high speed jet of water for evacuating air from the first chamber and driving a mixture of air and water droplets along the first mixing tube and into the second chamber wherein the mixture is accelerated by the flow of low pressure air through the second chamber and along the second mixing tube.

Abstract: An artificial snowfall system comprises a snowfall room (2) in which are properly disposed a snow catching element (4) made of materials excellent in gas permeability and an atomizer unit (8) for ejecting atomized particles of liquid into the room (2). The atomized particles are frozen by heat exchange with ambient air within the room (2). The ambient air is kept at a temperature of below a freezing point of the liquid and forms an air flow passing through the snow catching element (4). The air flow causes the frozen particles to be deposited on one side of the catching element (4) to form a snow layer thereon. A beater element (9) for beating the other side of the catching element (4) is oppositely disposed from the other side to have the snow layer separated from the catching element (4). The thus separated snow layer creates artificial snowfall in the room (2).

Abstract: A jet agitation system for preparation of agricultural seeding and other fluids ensures breakdown of mulch clumps and complete mixing of the seed-mulch-water mixture. The jet agitation system includes a tank with an access port at the top, a non-clogging pump coupled to withdraw the mixture from the bottom of the tank, a spray head and control valves terminating supply and return hoses and a manifold for distributing fluid to a plurality of nozzles or jets disposed within the tank. The jets are preferably positioned above the fluid level and expel liquid under pressure which breaks down the paper mulch and circulates the fluid in the tank, thereby fully mixing it. Fluid may be supplied to the nozzles or jets during spraying in order to maintain the mixture in a fully mixed state.

Abstract: A remote-controlled snow-making system responds to certain electrical signals to control the quality (i.e., moisture content) of the snow produced by such system and the direction in which the snow is projected. The system comprises a plurality of conventional snow-guns, each being connected to water and compressed air supplies via motor-controlled valves. The relative settings of such valves determines the water-to-air ratio within the gun and, hence, snow quality. Each snow-gun is movably mounted so that the direction in which it projects a spray of machine-made snow can be adjusted in both elevation and azimuth. Separate motors control the elevation and azimuth positions of each snow-gun. A control circuit, remotely addressable, e.g., by radio waves, controls the operation of the motor-controlled valves and the gun-position motors. By virtue of the invention, man-made snow can be produced more efficiently, more reliably, and with substantially less human involvement and, hence, cost.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises at least one pesticide container (16), and a dosage pump (18) for the container or the containers, respectively, or for each container this pump or each of the existing pumps comprising a step motor controlled precision pump of the radial type which is connected via a pressure and check valve (21) to a mixing chamber (22) to be connected to one or more nozzle ramps (14) and having an inlet for water, to which the pesticide is to be added. The dose control apparatus also comprises a control unit (35) for adjusting the pump flow or the pump flows, respectively, in dependence on definite parameters, the driving speed being one.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for broadcasting pregerminated seed plantlets onto the ground over a wide area is described. The apparatus uses a peristaltic pump (30), which is preferably driven by a hydraulic motor (28), so that the plantlets are not damaged by the broadcasting. The plantlets are provided in a preferred dispersion for broadcasting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making snow by discharging a water spray at high velosity from a first nozzle positioned adjacent the top of a tower into a freezing ambient atmosphere and further discharging a jet stream of air under pressure into the throat of the water spray thereby forming a plume of atomized water. The efficiency and capabilities of snow making are enhanced by further discharging water under pressure into the atmosphere through at least one additional nozzle, positioned adjacent to the first nozzle, in the form of an additional spray which is directed into the plume. The additional nozzle may be above, below or beside the first nozzle and if two or more of the additional nozzles are provided, they may be positioned on the same side or on opposite sides of the first nozzle, and the supply of water delivered to the discharge nozzles need not be regulated for varying subfreezing temperatures.

Abstract: A portable snow making tower including an elongated metallic water pipe or conduit having a first discharge nozzle adjacent the upper edge thereof and an air supply conduit extending substantially coextensive with and secured with the water conduit. The air conduit is provided with an air discharge orifice adjacent the upper end thereof which is positioned such that the orifice discharge air therefrom under pressure in the form of a jet stream which is directed into the water discharged from the water nozzle to form a plume of atomized water at the top of the tower for making snow. The water conduit and air conduit are positioned at an incline and supported intermediate their upper and lower ends by two legs pivotally attached to the water conduit at the upper ends of the legs, and with the bottom ends of the legs spread thereby forming a tripod configuration which may be collapsed by pivoting the legs inwardly toward the water conduit.

Abstract: A spray device is used to deliver a liquid, liquid containing a solid or a solid in a shaped flow onto a surface. The spray device can be used to deliver the material downwardly, laterally or upwardly in the form of droplets, a curtain or a mist. The spray device consists of a housing which uses a center shaft to deliver the material from the feed end to the discharge end. At the discharge end this center shaft has a flange which rotates with the center shaft. This flange is adjustable. Disposed over this center shaft flange is a flange fixedly attached to the nozzle housing. The material that is being delivered is shaped into the desired form in this flange region of the spray device. This spray device is non-clogging. In a preferred embodiment the surface that is being coated is the surface of an edible food product such as a cookie, biscuit, cracker or candy. The coating can be an oil, an oil containing dissolved or suspended flavorants, or a confection such as chocolate.

Abstract: A portable water driven fan for firefighting applications utilizing positive pressure ventilation is disclosed. A unit including a water powered turbine and a fan is constructed to be light in weight and compact and is capable of delivering a large volume of air sufficient for positive pressure ventilation. The unit is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles which enables the unit to deliver a water mist along with the air.

Abstract: A gun for dynamic mixing and discharging of a chemical mixture, such as a sealant, includes a mixing chamber with a motor-driven spindle mounted for rotation within the mixing chamber and a discharge outlet from the mixing chamber. A disposable mixing chamber liner is insertable within the mixing chamber and sealingly engageable with the gun. A disposable mixing paddle is releasably engageable with the spindle for rotation within the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A valved seed outlet is disclosed for use in a seed apparatus for dispensing fluffy or hairy coated seed that is prone to bridging. The valve seed outlet is mounted in an opening of a storage container and comprises mounting structure for mounting the outlet beneath the storage container. A valve seat defines an orifice beneath the storage container through which seed may flow. The valve seat has a valve member mounted therein. The valve member is restrained from rotary motion by at least one support post. The valve seed outlet further has a seed sweep member mounted to disturb the seed at the orifice. The seed sweep member is continuously or intermittently activated. Even further, the valve seed outlet comprises a pair of perpendicular passages using the venturi effect to draw seed through valve aspiration.

Abstract: Snow making apparatus includes a blower for establishing a high volume air flow and a nucleator disposed in the air flow for generating a spray of frozen nuclei. A plurality of water injection nozzles are disposed substantially within and encircling substantially all of the air flow and are selectively actuatable to inject the spray of water into the air stream. Freezing of this spray is initiated by the nuclei at a point remote from the apparatus so as to produce snow.

Abstract: A snow gun for making snow by atomizing water and projecting the atomized water by compressed air into an atmosphere having an ambient temperature below about 32 degrees F. has a one piece body member with a first water opening through one side and ending within the body member. A pair of second water openings extend through the opposite side of the body member and are in communication with the first water opening. Water outlet ports extend from the pair of second water openings and at an angle and through the front of the body member. An air opening extends through one side of the body member and terminates within the body member. Air outlet ports extend from the air opening through the front of the body member adjacent and between the water outlet ports. A pattern plate is attached to the front of the body member and has a slot in communication with the air and water outlet ports. Clean out plugs close the pair of second water openings at the side of the body member.

Abstract: A continuous stream of compressed air is introduced to a elongated chamber surrounded by a distribution jacket for introducing water at substantially the same pressure via a multitude of inward directed tubular members into the stream of axially moving, decompressing air. The stream of partially decompressed air atomizes the introduced water into tiny droplets which are mixed with the air, and are accelerated through a converging-diverging exit nozzle so as to be projected through a distance, along which the swiftly moving droplets cool from their initial to nucleating temperature, and ultimately freeze into crystalline particles of ice.

Abstract: A sprayer serves as a small capacity agricultural or lawn sprayer with spot spraying capacity. It is also used for high pressure spraying, such as a high pressure washer. The sprayer has a cone bottom tank of 2 to 200 gallon capacity which supplies a high pressure pump. A high pressure regulator controls the output of the pump and provides the high pressure supply for a high pressure washing wand. The output of the regulator may also be reduced so that the washing wand can be used for spot spraying. The output of the high pressure regulator is also supplied to a valve which, when opened, supplies liquid to a variable agitator valve for returning water to a jet agitator in the tank. Liquid from the valve is also supplied to a low pressure regulator and an on-off spray valve. The low pressure regulator regulates the pressure to the spray valve which feeds a spray boom unit for spraying agricultural chemicals and the like.

Abstract: For producing and holding CO.sub.2 snow, first and second cylindrical horns connected to an open ended vertical discharge duct to form a generally Y-shaped continuous expansion chamber. First and second nozzles axially positioned at the tops of the snow horns have tangential fluid discharge passages which are mutually oppositely oriented to produce oppositely oriented spiral flows of CO.sub.2 snow within the snow horns. The two oppositely oriented spiral flows meet in a mixing region where their spiral components are cancelled, leaving only a vertical component of motion so that the snow is discharged through the vertical discharge duct by gravity. The discharged snow can be stored in a snow receiving container without blowing or wastage.

Abstract: A snow making nozzle assembly in which streams of water emerge from removable slotted nozzle plates and are injected into a high velocity air stream to atomize the water and project the atomized water into an atmosphere having an ambient temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The depth of slots in the removable nozzle plates vary to produce a more consistent snow pattern than prior art assemblies. The present invention has a higher operating efficiency due to the ability to easily clean the water nozzles and to adjust the water flow rate to match the existing atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: Snow is produced by supplying water to the blades of a rotating fan. The blades are arranged in a plurality of sets of different length blades, each set having a relatively short blade, an intermediate length blade, and a relatively long blade. The quantities of water supplied to the blades and the speed of rotation of the fan are such that water spreads in a film over each blade toward its trailing edge and toward its tip. A proportion of the water discharged from each blade is atomized and entrained in the aerosol produced by rotation of the fan blades, whereas another proportion of the water discharged from each blade is cascaded in a vortex from one blade to the next following blade. The relative lengths of the blades are such that water cascaded from the tip of the longest blade in a leading set of blades impinges directly onto the longest blade of the immediately following set of blades.

Abstract: A system for use in providing compressed air for snow making equipment used in conjunction with a liquid cooled air compressor, including a plurality of motor driven fans and a heater coil assembly positioned in a portion of the path of the air moved by each of the fans, the heater coil assembly having a liquid coolant flowing therethrough, an air-to-air heat exchanger positioned adjacent the heater coil assembly and in the air flow paths of the fans, the air-to-air heat exchanger being connected in series with the air compressor and the snow making equipment and serving to reduce the temperature of the compressed air flowing from the compressor to the snow making equipment, actuator controlled louvers positioned above the air-to-air heat exchanger, there being one louver for each fan, a liquid cooling coil assembly supported adjacent the air-to-air heat heat exchanger and in a separate air flow path, a liquid transfer pump for moving cooling liquid from the compressor and a control assembly which may be a ma

Abstract: A tank for heating deicing fluid in a mobile aircraft deicer comprises a submerged heat exchanger coil through which heating fluid passes. Propellers near the heat exchanger circulate the bulk of deicing fluid while it is being heated to help distribute the heat. Pivoting shutters isolate an area beneath the heat exchanger from the bulk of deicer fluid and from which deicing fluid is withdrawn by a pump. This allows the bulk of deicer fluid to be further heated in a "last-pass" before being discharged upon the aircraft. A method of heating deicing fluid using this apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for generating artificial snow. The apparatus includes a plurality of spray nozzles mounted on each of a plurality of spraying ramps. The spray nozzles are mounted at the outlet of a diffuser directly within the flow of air therefrom. At least one of the ramps include a plurality of spraying nozzles for introducing seeding particles. The seeding particles can be produced through hydropneumatic nozzles. Alternatively, the seeding particles can be produced by using a cryogenic liquid or by using an apparatus for dispersing snow particles accumulated in the vicinity of the snow producing apparatus. To obtain the greatest possible quantity of freezable water, the temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction are sensed by a programmable controller which thereby controls the fan, water source, and pressure regulator to thereby optimize the quantity of snow produced.

Abstract: The apparatus for making artificial snow by atomizing water comprises a ductlike housing mounted on a supporting frame, in which a blower is positioned and on whose downstream end a plurality of nozzles or orifices for spraying water or a water-air-mixture are provided. The ductlike housing is constructed double walled. An inner wall of the ductlike housing is provided with a plurality of holes. Sound absorbing material in the interior space located between the inner wall and an outer wall and one electric heater are also provided. Air baffles can also be provided which contain sound absorbing material and are similarly heated.

Abstract: A snowmaker mounting structure is described useful for attaching a snowmaking apparatus used at ski resort areas to a ski lift tower. The structure includes a generally horizontally extending boom having one end attached to an upper portion of the ski lift tower and an extending end having a snowmaker attached thereto. Control over the region of ski slopes being covered with artifically produced snow is provided by rotatably mounting the snowmaker to the end of the boom by employing a generally vertically oriented collar through which a central tubular post is inserted and rotatable therein. The water supply is conducted to one end of the post and a pair of turning cables are connected to the post which, through tension being applied to either one of the cables, causes the snowmaker to be rotated with the collar. This invention eliminates the necessity of providing a separate snowmaker mounting tower.

Abstract: A snow gun and process for making artificial snow comprising a heat exchanger for holding air and water in separate, adjacent chambers and an ejector manifold that disperses air/water admixture to the ambient atmosphere. A multi-chambered heat exchanger is designed so that incoming water completely envelops the air jacket, thus warming the incoming air. Thereafter the water, generally under pressure, entrains the air through use of a multi-ported manifold, using air ejector phenomenon, and is exhausted to the atmosphere where the expelled air/water admixture dissociates to finely atomized water droplets, which subsequently freeze to form artificial snow.

Abstract: Snow making apparatus includes a blower for establishing a high volume air flow and a nucleator disposed in the air flow for generating a spray of frozen nuclei. A plurality of water injection nozzles are disposed substantially within and encircling substantially all of the air flow and are selectively actuatable to inject the spray of water into the air stream. Freezing of this spray is initiated by the nuclei at a point remote from the apparatus so as to produce snow.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating falling snow and having an upright inner cylinder, a cloud vapor machine and a snow seed feeder connected to the cylinder near the lower end thereof, an air velocity adjustment pipe connected between the upper and lower ends thereof and a blower in the pipe for adjusting the flow velocity of air inside the pipe to adjust the flow of air in the inner cylinder, and a cooling tower surrounding the inner cylinder and a cooler for cooling the air in the cooling tower for cooling the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A backpack agricultural sprayer has a pressure vessel mounted within a container and connected to a high pressure piston pump to force liquid into the pressure vessel from which it may be discharged for spraying. Leakage of liquid past the sprayer pump is contained by a leak-proof diaphragm which defines an agitation chamber connected by a conduit to the interior of the sprayer container. The diaphragm and piston are connected to be operated together to provide two separate but simultaneously acting pumps. The piston pump pressurizes the pressure vessel, and the diaphragm pump forces liquid back and forth between the container and diaphragm chamber to agitate contents of the container. An unique piston skirt is clamped by a single bolt between a skirt retainer and a piston body to provide a unitary assembly of diaphragm, piston body, skirt and skirt retainer. The skirt is resiliently urged outwardly to improve sealing and compensate for wear.

Abstract: An artificial snow generating apparatus having a vertical inner cylinder for generating and growing snow and an outer tank surrounding the inner cylinder and having a cooler for cooling the inner cylinder for an ice crystal quantitative feeder for generating and feeding a predetermined quantity of ice to a lower part of the inner cylinder from a cooled spray chamber into which a spray producing nozzle sprays water from a feed water tank by aspiration with air from a saturation tank containing water. A blower periodically blows humidified air through the spray chamber to blow ice particles into the inner cylinder. The apparatus also has a cloud-forming water quantitative feeder for generating and feeding a predetermined quantity of particles of cloud-forming water having a predetermined particle size to the inner cylinder at a position above the ice crystal quantitative feeder.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for making artificial snow involving the induction of compressed air into an annular disposed chamber and through a multitude of circumferentially and longitudinally spaced, radially inward directed orifices to be mixed with a steady stream of water. The mixture is then forced through a multitude of longitudinal directed orifices, where a substantial pressure drop subsequent to egress from the orifices causes a first stage atomization of the water into tiny, uniformly sized droplets and the concurrent pre-cooling of the droplets. The droplets are ten accelerated through an exit nozzle, where the final expansion of still partially compressed air to atmospheric pressure causes the final atomization, and the projecting of a thereby produced plume of water droplets through an trajectory within the cooler atmosphere along which the droplets are allowed to freeze into tiny, crystalline particles of ice before falling to the ground.

Abstract: An artificial snow making apparatus including a mechanism for changing artificial snow generated therein to wet snow which includes an apparatus for making artificial snow and a test chamber located therebelow for receiving the generated snow. An air channel is located within the test chamber and connected to the artificial snow generating mechanism. A blower sends air through the air channel for mixing with and carrying the generated snow along a flow path. A mechanism for supplying heated and humidified air to the air channel is disposed at a portion of the flow path which is downstream from where the generated snow is supplied to the air channel. A sample fitting frame is disposed in the air channel at a position downstream of the position along the air channel at which the heated and humidified air is supplied thereto.

Abstract: An artificial snow making apparatus has a vertical inner cylinder having an opening at the lower end thereof, an air velocity adjusting duct connected between the top of the inner cylinder and a point near the lower end thereof and having an air blower therein for adjusting the velocity of air in the duct for thereby controlling the velocity of air inside the inner cylinder, an outer tank around the inner cylinder and having a cooling unit therein for cooling the inner cylinder and a cloud-forming vapor generator and an ice crystal seed generator connected to the inner cylinder for causing artificial snow to be generated in the inner cylinder and fall in the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A pressure vessel for a backpack agricultural sprayer is mounted within a container of the sprayer and connected to the sprayer pump so that liquid from the container is forced under pressure into the pressure vessel for a spraying discharge therefrom. Leakage of liquid past the piston of the sprayer pump is contained by a leak proof diaphragm in a diaphragm chamber which is connected by a conduit to the interior of the sprayer container. The diaphragm is connected to the piston to be operated therewith thus providing two separate but simultaneously acting pumps. The first pump is the piston pump for pressurizing the liquid for spraying discharge. The second pump is the diaphragm which forces liquid back and forth between the container and the diaphragm chamber in a high velocity stream which agitates the contents as the stream is projected into the container interior.

Abstract: An artificial snow making apparatus has a vertical inner cylinder, an outer tank around said inner cylinder, an air velocity adjusting duct connected between the top and an intermediate portion of the inner cylinder for causing air to flow therethrough from the top of the inner cylinder and to flow upwardly in the inner cylinder. The duct has a fan therein for adjusting the velocity of the air flowing therethrough for thereby adjusting the velocity of the air flowing in the inner cylinder. A cloud making machine and a seeding device are connected directly to the vertical inner cylinder at positions between the top and the intermediate portion. A cooling unit is provided for cooling air in the outer tank, thereby cooling the inner cylinder. A blower apparatus draws air from the outer tank, adjusts the temperature to the temperature of the air inside the inner cylinder and directs it downwardly into the inner cylinder below the intermediate portion.

Abstract: Compressed air and water are mixed, and are accelerated to a jet of high velocity within a cylindrical, non obstructive device; the explosive decompression of compressed air to atmospheric pressure within a diverging exit nozzle disintegrates the jet of water into a jet of tiny droplets which freeze in contact with colder atmospheric air to ice crystals of snow.

Abstract: Apparatus for making snow using pressurized water and air wherein a housing is implanted into the earth at a selected location on a ski slope and connected to underground lines for supplying water and air thereto. An elongated extendable bichamberal spray head is slidingly mounted within the housing such that the introduction of pressurized air to the outer chamber of bichamberal spray head via the housing causes the spray head to rise to a predetermined elevation. Introduction of water to inner chamber of the spray head generates snow when the pressurized water is discharged to the atmosphere through the pressurized air. The spray head is stored within the housing when not in use to eliminate any hazard to skiers and the labor required to utilize a portable snowgun.

Abstract: A snow generating and snowfall apparatus has a snowfall chamber having in a top wall thereof an opening, a vertically extending cooling tower having the bottom mounted on the top wall and surrounding the opening, a air first cooler connected to the tower for cooling the air in the tower, an inner cylinder positioned in the cooling tower and extending in the lengthwise direction thereof and having a bottom end opening connected to the opening in the top wall, a circulating passage connecting the top end of the inner cylinder and a lower end portion thereof to each other, a variable speed blower in an intermediate portion of the circulating passage, a humidifier connected to the lower portion of the inner cylinder for feeding water vapor into the inner cylinder in the vicinity of the lower end thereof, and a snow generating material feeder connected to the inner cylinder in the vicinity of the humidifer for feeding a snow-generating material consisting of ice crystals into the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A method of making artificial snow by mixing water with a water swellable polymer, preferably polyacrylamid, to approximately 50%-70% of the maximum water retention capacity of the polymer, aerating the mixture and freezing the mixture to produce snow crystals. The snow crystals are laid on a refrigerated floor to form a skiing slope.

Abstract: A nozzle structure for mixing high pressure water with compressed air has an adjustable size conically shaped water opening that permits a conical sheet of water to form the air nozzle adjacent the nozzle's exit end.

Abstract: A snowmaking apparatus is formed of a concentric tubes to define an outer flow passage and an inner circular passage with water carried within the inner flow passage ejected across a pressure compensated annular gap defined by the end of the inner tube and the confronting surface of a spring biased nozzle disk tending to close off that annular gap. The same nozzle disk defines a second annular gap between the nozzle disk and an annular ring fixedly mounted within the outer flow passage has an end face confronting the end face of the nozzle disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying mixtures of solid and liquid materials includes a tank; a pump; an inlet line from the tank to the pump; a return line from the pump to the tank; a spraying nozzle; a nozzle supply line from the pump to the nozzle; a nozzle to the tank; and first and second valves for regulating the respective amounts of mixtures to be fed either to the nozzle, the nozzle supply line, the nozzle return line or the return line from the pump to the tank. By providing two separate valves and return lines, one at the pump and one at the nozzle, constant agitation of the tank contents is maintained and clogging anywhere in the system, particularly in the nozzle hose, is avoided.

Abstract: A machine for producing artificial snow includes an elongated cylindrical outer casing with a frusto-conical discharge end; a similar inner casing, a tubeaxial fan in the outer casing for creating an annular stream of turbulent air at the discharge end of the outer casing; an adjustable turbine nozzle centrally located at or near the discharge end of the outer casing for spraying a stream of water droplets into the turbulent air to create a stream of water droplets and air; and nucleators at or near the discharge end of the outer casing for spraying very fine droplets of water or nuclei into the stream of water droplets and air, whereby, temperature permitting, a stream of artificial snow is created without large droplets of water or ice dribbling from the stream near the discharge end of the outer casing.

Abstract: An improved mixing and spraying system comprises: one or more pairs of material mixing tanks wherein both tanks of each pair selectively and alternately exhaust into a single common material exhaust assembly and discharge through a single spray nozzle whereby continuous mixing and spraying procedures can be simultaneously maintained; a unique, combination, materials grating and filtering system associated with each tank; remote control apparatus for remotely controlling the rate of material flow from the spray nozzle; method and apparatus for operating numerous hydraulic motors at the same time; and method and apparatus for maximizing the use of hydraulics and hydraulic motors while eliminating the use of gears and pulleys for driving motors.

Abstract: A pressure vessel for a backpack agricultural sprayer is mounted within a container of the sprayer and connected to the sprayer pump so that liquid from the container is forced under pressure into the pressure vessel for a spraying discharge therefrom. Sediment precipitated from herbicides or insecticides employing wettable powders tends to collect at the bottom of the pressure vessel and a combined sediment agitating and pressure regulating action is provided by a pressure regulator valve mounted in the pressure vessel and having a suction tube connected between the valve and the area of the pressure vessel where the precipitated sediment collects.