Abstract: A system comprises a facility for which snow is used, a snow producing unit for producing snow from water, and a collection section for collecting meltwater and supplies the collected meltwater to the snow producing unit as water used for producing snow. According to such a system, since snow is again produced from meltwater and used, artificial snow can be supplied to a facility for which artificial snow is used without using a large amount of water.

Abstract: A method of constructing a heat exchange system for a medium to be frozen, including the steps of: extruding a composition to form a reconfigurable tube; cooling the tube with the tube in a substantially straight configuration so that the tube is substantially set in the straight configuration; after cooling, reconfiguring the tube from the straight configuration; transporting the tube reconfigured from the straight configuration to a site at which the tube is to be used; and at the site placing the tube in the straight configuration and connecting the tube in a medium to be frozen so that a fluid within the tube is in heat exchange relationship with the medium to be frozen.

Abstract: An ice skating rink structure comprising a plurality of boards and a plurality of brackets is provided. Each of the brackets has a U-shaped support for holding one or more of the boards and has at least one downward projection for insertion into the ground. The downward projection of the bracket is inserted into the ground and boards are placed within the U-shaped support such that the boards define the shape of an ice skating rink. A liner is placed inside of the ice skating rink and water is poured onto the liner and allowed to freeze and form an ice skating rink. By using boards with different heights, the present invention allows for the quick assembly of an ice skating rink on level or unlevel ground.

Abstract: An ice rink is provided having a thermal storage reservoir arranged to regulate the temperature of the ice rink. The ice rink includes a sheet of ice and a sub-floor for supporting the sheet of ice thereon. The reservoir is mounted adjacent a bottom face of the sub-floor. The reservoir is substantially larger in volume than the sheet of ice, being filled with particulate material having a high heat capacity. A fluid surrounds the particulate material having a freezing point which is below that of water. Cooling pipes extending through the reservoir and the sub-floor are arranged to have cooling fluid pumped therethrough for freezing the sheet of ice mounted thereon.

Abstract: The invention is an insulation system that enables the ice sheet of a skating rink to be economically established and maintained outdoors even at relatively high ambient temperatures. A part of the insulation system is a removable cover member that can be raised and lowered. The cover is raised to allow access to the ice and can serve much as a patio cover in this position. In the lowered position the cover forms a surface similar to a deck attached to a domestic dwelling and enables the area occupied by the ice rink to be used for other purposes when it is not being used for ice-related activities. The embodiment described is directed to residential use outdoor. The invention can be adapted for commercial use and for indoor use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of resurfacing an ice surface to reduce friction between the ice and an object gliding on the ice surface. The steps comprise mixing an effective amount of lubricant with water, coating the ice surface with the mixture, and allowing the mixture to freeze to form a new ice surface. In particular, the lubricant is derived from siloxane. In the preferred embodiment, the lubricant is a composition derived from polydimethysiloxane and copolyolamine. In the preferred embodiment, the ratio of water mixed with the lubricant is 300:1. This invention also provides for the use of the composition as an agent to reduce friction between an ice surface and an object gliding on the ice surface. In particular, an effective amount of the composition is mixed with water prior to applying the mixture to a surface upon which the ice surface is to form.

Abstract: The process of creating and maintaining an Integrated Mini Ice Surface is through the combination of a continuous pattern of copper pipe filled with freon covered with water connected to a series of thermostatic expansion valves which are connected to a 6 horse power condenser/compressor with a dehumidifier within the space which produces 3 mini ice surfaces. These ice surfaces allow an individual to practice or receive instruction in a confined shooting alley or lane which eliminates the risk of injury to another participant and the utility of quick ice hockey puck retrieval for continuous reuse.

Abstract: An ice rink covering system utilizes a plurality of support mechanisms for sets of non-flexible insulated panels which are interconnected by a hinge mechanism between each pair of adjacent panels. The support mechanisms are connected to the panels by lifting units for selectively moving the panels in an accordion fashion for either edge to edge contact when the panels cover a rink or side to side contact when the panels are in their stored condition.

Abstract: A floor system having the versatility to be used for ice or in-line skating, ice, in-line, or floor hockey, or any other of a whole host of activities. The floor system includes a number of floor elements that extend the length of the playing or skating surface. The floor elements are interlocked with its adjacent floor elements to form a completed continuous upper planar surface. Supports, having fluid channels therein, support the planar upper surface a fixed distance from a foundation. The upper planar surface has a plurality of holes therein to permit fluid communication between the passages below the upper surface and the region immediately above the upper surface. This arrangement enhances the strength of the ice surface as the water that freezes inside the holes prevents portions of the ice from shearing off. Ice level indicators are frozen within the ice to provide a visual warning when the layer of ice falls below a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An ice rink installation having polymer plastic heat transfer piping imbedded in a substrate, such as concrete. The polymer plastic heat transfer piping extends throughout an ice rink and includes a tubular body having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The tubular body has a wall thickness of less than 8.5% of its inner diameter. In order for the tubular body to remain sufficiently robust with such thin walls, a plurality of vanes are positioned on either the exterior surface, the interior surface or on both surfaces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tube includes the steps of preparing a composition using ethylene vinyl acetate, extruding the composition to form a tube, and cooling the tube with the tube in a substantially straight configuration so that the tube is substantially set in a substantially straight configuration. Moreover, a system for creating a frozen surface on a medium includes a mechanism for exchanging thermal energy between a medium and a coolant, a mechanism for removing thermal energy from a coolant, and a mechanism for transporting a coolant between the mechanism for exchanging thermal energy between a medium and a coolant and the mechanism for removing thermal energy from a coolant.

Abstract: A process for placing a color graphic image in an ice structure requires a substrate of material which is suitable for use in a four-color (CMYK) printing method, which generally retains its shape upon exposure to water or aqueous solution, and which is air permeable. A decal is produced by printing the image on the substrate using the four-color printing method. The decal is placed onto a surface of the ice structure and coated with water which, once frozen, embeds the decal and image thereon within the ice structure. The substrate should become transparent or dissolve after being embedded in the ice structure. The process is suitable for ice hockey rinks, curling rinks, decorative ice sculptures, and the like.

Abstract: A new ice skating rink for easily and conveniently forming a sheet of ice for ice skating. The inventive device includes a plurality of water holding trays disposed on the ground and connected together using connectors. When the water within the trays freezes, a substantially continuous sheet of ice is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating and resurfacing ice for skating purposes. The apparatus comprises a rigid frame, a water dispersion member connected to the frame, a mat connected to the frame, and a water supply conduit connected to the water disperson member. This device is well suited for indoor and outdoor commercial public and private skating rinks, for community parks rinks and, for home or residential skating rinks.

Abstract: An ice rink and an aquatic facility are combined into a single multi-purpose recreational facility. A new ice rink can be created or an existing ice rink can be modified. This multi-purpose recreational facility also permits the shared design, use, infrastructure and cost. The multi-purpose facility has modular components that can be added within the rink structure to create lazy rivers, islands, lap pools, bridges, decks, splash areas, water parks, slides and play features. A rink base may be adapted to support both a layer of ice and water. Furthermore, a membrane can be incorporated into the floor and rink boards to create an impervious tank for the water. The rink dasher board or wall system and gates can be modified to create a sealed enclosure which can withstand the force from the static and dynamic loads (water, people, equipment, decking, etc.). The wall may also be adapted to provide a means and support for the pool water recirculation system.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable ice skating rink including elongate curb structural members and a liner of flat flexible sheet material. The liner is economically made of sheet plastic for example with a bottom sheet and elongate sleeves around the periphery of the bottom sheet. The curb members, such as 4.times.4 lumber pieces, are inserted into an open end of each sleeve to form a water retaining structure. The sheet material and seams have resistance to water permiation sufficient to retain a shallow pool of water covering the bottom sheet during freezing in outdoor conditions to form an ice skating surface. Assembly of the rink is minimal. The user need only lay the liner in the intended location and slide the curb members into the preformed sleeves about the periphery. The interior depression formed is filled with water and allowed to freeze in outdoor conditions.

Abstract: A water and energy recovery process for an ice rink is disclosed. The process includes softening and carbon filtering water for use as flood water on an ice rink. The water is then demineralized by reverse osmosis to produce flood water having a specific conductance of about 2 to 30 micromhos/cm. The demineralized water is heated to 90.degree. F. and utilized in a resurfacer to flood the surface of the ice rink. The ice shavings removed from the surface of the ice by the resurface are deposited into a holding means and melted by utilizing recovered heat from the ice rink's refrigeration unit. The melted water from the holding means is used as a coolant in the ice rink's refrigeration unit. The steps of the process are then repeated, utilizing the warmed water from the refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A method for measuring and adjusting the temperature of surface ice in artificial ice rinks, in which water is frozen to ice with the aid of refrigerating channels arranged in the rink and through which refrigerant is passed a by means of a refrigerating system and wherein the temperature of the ice is controlled by controlling the refrigerating power of the refrigerating system. The method is mainly characterized in that the surface ice temperature is measured with the aid of at least one sensor, which functions to measure infrared radiation from the surface ice. The signals produced by the sensor are processed in a control unit which controls the refrigeration system in a manner to bring the surface ice to a predetermined temperature. The invention also related to an arrangement for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method of forming an artificial snow surface and an ice crusher machine used in the method are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of maintaining a snow surface. The surface forming method has the steps of spraying water onto a floor incorporating a refrigerating unit; freezing the water by the refrigerating unit to form an ice layer on the floor; shaving a surface of the ice layer to generate artificial snow consisting of fine ice particles; and forming an artificial snow layer having an artificial snow surface by leaving the shaved snow on the remain of the ice layer in the course of the shaving step. The ice crushing machine has a self-propeling device for propelling the machine body on the ice layer while shaving the surface of the layer to produce fine ice particles behind the propelling path of the machine. The surface maintaining method has the step of dehumidifying air present adjacent the snow surface to avoid frosting of water content in the air on the surface.

Abstract: A screw compressor ice making packaged unit comprises a horizontal low pressure refrigerant receiver, at least one screw compressor which is on top of the receiver and parallel thereto, two refrigerant liquid supply installations, two horizontal high pressure refrigerant vessels provided at the exterior of the supply installations, and refrigerant system pipe lines connecting all parts of the set. The central axes of the compressor, low pressure refrigerant receiver together with the supply installations and the high pressure refrigerant vessels are disposed in three levels of upper, middle and lower, and are basically lined up in the same vertical plane. All parts of the same group are arranged symmetrically with respect to the middle perpendicular plane of the ice making packaged unit.

Abstract: An ice forming apparatus to form an ice surface in an ice rink, comprising a water supply conduit located adjacent to the ice rink and connected to a supply of water. A plurality of sprinkler conduits are connected to the water supply conduit. Attached to each sprinkler conduit is a single sprinkler head. Between each sprinkler head and the water supply conduit is a valve operably attached to the sprinkler conduit. One or more valves may be opened so that water sprinkles onto the rink to form a smooth layer of ice.

Abstract: A method of heat exchange comprises advancing energy-carrying medium in a channel system comprising channel-part lengths (1) which extend in side-by-side mutually parallel relationship, such as hose parts (1), and substantially sheet-like or slab-like base parts (2) which support the channel parts. The method is mainly characterized by supporting and holding channel parts (1) with the aid of at least one pre-fabricated sheet or slab (2) of heat-insulating material, such as so-called cellular plastic material, and by inserting the channel parts (1) into locking grooves (3, 4) included in the slab or sheet, the width of locking grooves, when appropriate, being preferably slightly smaller than the width of a channel part, in appropriate cases the diameter of the channel part. The invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the maintenance of snow quality on an indoor artificial ski slope. The snow quality of the slope, comprising a thin compacted surface layer and a deep unfused base layer, is maintained by promptly managing against the variations of snow quality due to various heat sources. The old surface layer snow is replaced with fresh snow on a daily basis, while deterioration of the snow base layer is prevented by air conditioning and refrigeration means. The old snow is melted, filtered, and used to make new snow, to air condition the slope, and to expedite melting of yet additional old snow.

Abstract: A rollable heat exchanger includes parallel fluid-carrying passageways which are connected with each other by elastic webs. Attached to the passageways-near side of the webs is a filler material which flatly covers the passageways and is of flexible, elastic composition so as to allow coiling of the heat exchanger. Thus, the heat exchanger can be used for a wide range of applications, in particular for covering a surface and/or bridging hollow spaces, especially sporting surfaces and recreational surfaces.

Abstract: A method of forming an artificial snow layer is disclosed. Water content is added to to atmosphere above a floor by a humidifying device, or water mist is added to the atmosphere by a water-mist supplying device. The water content or the water mist is frost-frozen by a refrigerating device 6 incorporated at the floor, thus forming on the floor an accumulated frost layer as an artificial snow layer. A method of maintaining the formed artificial snow layer is also disclosed. After the formation of the artificial snow layer, an atmosphere refrigerating device is stopped or reduced in its operation so as to release the maintenance of the atmosphere below the freezing point. Then, the refrigerating device of the floor is operated to prevent melting of the formed artificial snow layer so as to prevent coagulation of water content in said atmosphere on a surface of the artificial snow layer through humidity adjustment of the atmosphere by a humidity adjusting device.

Abstract: The portable ice rink consists of plastic sheeting with edges overlapping a perimeter-defining sectional barrier which is on the order of a couple of inches high and clips are provided to hold the sheet in place on the barrier for formation of the ice. In one embodiment, flexible closed cell polyethylene rods are fitted into "off the shelf" straight and angled schedule #40 plastic pipe couplings so as to define a barrier for virtually any desired rink configuration. The durable and light weight polyethylene rods are sufficiently rigid to maintain the desired perimeter during ice formation and are sufficiently compressible and pliable to ease the slip fit of the ends of the rods into the couplings and to more easily accept the sheet retaining clips thereon during set-up of the rink. In the unlikely event that one of the rods should break during handling or the like, it is a simple matter to reconnect the two pieces of the rod together by means of an additional straight pipe coupling.

Abstract: The roller skating ring for small children has a thick hexagonal plastic floor of a size which can fit in a yard or basement of a single-family home. It has six equal supporting side boards attached to the bottom of the substantially flat floor adjacent its lateral edges and a plurality of supporting members also attached underneath the floor to form a strong honeycomb-like supporting structure. A barrier means is attached to the flat floor adjacent the lateral edges of the floor to prevent skaters from skating off it and may comprise a plurality of equal-size poles mounted in the floor adjacent its corners with two side rails connecting each of the poles with a laterally adjacent pole. An entrance means for ingress and egress of skaters is provided with a substantially flat, padded entrance board slidably mounted in brackets on two laterally adjacent poles and a padded sidewalk is attached adjacent a plurality of the lateral edges of the flat floor.

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: An ice rink formed from a shallow container having flotation elements on its bottom. The container is filled with water to such an extent that when frozen, the resultant ice layer will be suitable for ice skating. The bottom of the container may be provided with a refrigerant coil to freeze the water in the container. The specific gravity of the rink is less than unity to permit is use in a swimming pool.

Abstract: An apparatus for ice slab making and maintaining is comprised of a plurality flat flexible base sheets laid side by side. Each sheet has a plurality of integral parallel vertical webs projecting upwardly thereof, the webs being in turn formed, at their upper edges with integral tubes running from end to end of the sheets. The full exterior surface areas of the tubes are exposed to the forming ice for maximum freezing efficiency. Low temperature fluid is circulated through the tubes by a refrigeration system. The sheets can be rolled without a reel into a cylindrical form of precise dimensions to allow for easy transportation and storage.

Abstract: The high energy cost accompanying the use of hot water in resurfacing ice rinks is reduced by use of an additive for treating water used to form ice or ice layers which comprises a surfactant, a primary alcohol and a silicone. The surfactant acts to reduce permanently the surface tension of the water while the silicone acts as a defoamer collapsing any bubbles formed on the surface and also as a lubricant when pressure is applied on the ice such as by an ice skate blade. The alcohol is believed to aid in providing a generally homogenous mixture when added to water. The composition allows the use of much cooler water, normally in the range of 45.degree. to 55.degree. F., in forming ice with favorable characteristics. The invention also encompasses novel methods of forming layers of ice using the additive.

Abstract: Method for covering with snow artificial slopes for downhill or cross-country skiing, comprising the formation of an ice layer forming the bottom of the run, the on site production of snow by machining said ice layer by forming chips having a predetermined thickness, the keeping of the thickness of the ice layer forming the run bottom, the maintenance of the desired characteristics and quality of the snow. The machine for implementing such method comprises: a raisable curved blade (5) which is front-mounted for smoothing the snow surface; as a tool, a cylindrical cutter (7) provided with teeth and driven by a hydraulic motor (8) and housed in a casing (10) of which the bottom forms a vault and opens at the rear to deposit snow on the ground; as reconstitution means, a water sprinkling ramp (12) arranged under the vault; a comb (14) provided with tracers (25).

Abstract: A portable ice skating rink comprising a liner having end portions capable of being raised to an essentially rectangular position in relation to the liner and at least the end portions being inflatable, and rink blocks having a main body containing a cavity capable of receiving the end portions of the liner through a slotted opening, and when inflated the end portions pressing against the sides of the cavity thus forming a watertight seal, and means for interconnecting the rink blocks.

Abstract: Temporarily insulating frozen surfaces, such as ice rinks, from the ambient air by spreading a metastable liquid foam over the ice surface to remain thereon when the ice surface is not in use, then prior to the next use period, removing the aged, partially frozen foam. Fire fighting foam liquids are preferred embodiment foaming agents.

Abstract: An arena floor useful alternately as a support for a slab of artificially frozen ice, and, when free from ice, as a deck suitable e.g. for practicing gymnastics and various games, is composed of a plurality of elongate elements held together in side by side relationship on top of a flat supporting bed. The elongate elements, which somewhat resemble matched boards and add only a few centimeters at most to the height of the bed, are formed by extrusion in desired lengths from plastic and have selected cross sectional shapes including passages permitting the circulation longitudinally through the elements of a temperature controlling fluid. By suitably selecting the plastic used in extruding said board-like elements the resiliency and hardness thereof, and hence of the floor as a whole, may be varied to fit different kinds of activities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for emitting light in ice, to be applied to an ice skating rink and the like. With the apparatus for emitting light in ice according to the present invention, when light emission sources are light emitting diodes (LED), LED mounting blocks are used and laid on a concrete floor, so that mounting works can be facilitated. Additionally, LED are used as the light emission sources, so that a possibility of ice melting can be eliminated. Furthermore, with the apparatus for emitting light in ice according to the present invention, when miniature incandescent bulbs are used as the light emission sources, the miniature incandescent bulbs disposed in transparent vinyl chloride tubes are laid on the concrete floor, so that a special water-proof measure can be dispensed with. Furthermore, air is delivered into the tube, whereby heat in the tube is prevented from being stagnant in the tube, so that the ice melting is avoided.

Abstract: A thermal barrier device provides a heat insulative cover having low to negligible permeability to water vapor and a remote controlled reeling and unreeling mechanism for deploying and harvesting the cover onto and off of the exposed surfaces of ice rinks, curling rinks, ski jumps, toboggan runs, and the like. The length and width required for covering a particular exposed surface is readily adjustable by lengthwise and edgewise coupling means.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining cooling pipes employed in an ice rink comprises a belt-shaped base member which is disposed on the floor portion of a rink and a supporting member which is integrally formed on the base member such as to project vertically therefrom. The retaining apparatus is made of flexible synthetic resin and retains cooling pipes at predetermined positions in the rink. The supporting member includes fitting notch portions for retaining the cooling pipes, the fitting notch portions each having a cut portion at the upper end thereof. The fitting notch portions for the pipes are provided at predetermined spacings over the length of the supporting member.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an ice layer over a wide area such as a skating rink is disclosed. A freezing medium including a liquefied gas such as freon or ammonia or an anti-freeze liquid such as brine or ethylene glycol is circulated through a freezing pipe laid in the wider area such as skating rink. According to the invention, the freezing pipe is of a nature that can be wound or extended under pressure application and is formed as an elongated soft steel pipe having a coating of synthetic material on the outer surface or on both the inner and outer surfaces of the pipe.

Abstract: An ice rink for speed competition skating has a rink floor which is divided into longitudinal spans or sections by recesses extending transversely of the freezing zone of the rink. On each span or section, there are disposed side-by-side a large number of freezing pipes extending lengthwise of the freezing zone. Refrigerant supply and return headers are provided in each recess for extending across the recess. The freezing pipes associated with two neighboring spans or sections are introduced into the associated recesses so as to cross one another for connection to the supply and return headers and then to the common freezing unit disposed outside of the recesses. The freezing pipes are retracted into the recesses in the crossing or overlapping portions so that the ice does not become too hard or thick in these portions. The relative height level of the crossing point is also adjustable so as to render the ice layer uniform and smooth in quality.

Abstract: A method for creating an ice-skating rink comprising an excavation in the ground lined with polyethylene and filled with salt water; a pump and sprayer used in the winter to build up a layer of salt ice on top of the salt water and to eventually fill the excavation with frozen salt water in this manner, with the pump drawing salt water from beneath the salt ice as the freezing process progresses; covering the salt ice with a layer of straw or layers of air supported reinforced plastic during the warm weather months; circulating air or water over the salt ice and then through channels cut into the ice of the ice rink; laying aluminum foil on the skating surface and freezing more ice over it; and providing an enclosed air supported bubble over the ice with a secondary air supported inner ceiling having an upper facing aluminum surface thereon to reflect infrared radiation coming from the main outer bubble.

Abstract: A system for providing a refrigerant to an ice rink, the system including a compressor means for compressing a refrigerant, means for delivering the compressed refrigerant to a low pressure receiver vessel, and means for passing refrigerant condensate from said low pressure vessel to a pair of pumper drum vessels. The rink is provided with a plurality of refrigerant transmitting conduits extending from one end thereof to the other, and with a high pressure header extending across one end of the rink and a low pressure header extending across the opposed end of the rink. The high pressure header is provided with a balance header which couples the opposite free ends of this header element together, and an intermediate line or conduit is also provided which couples the central or mid-portions of the high pressure header and the balance header together.

Abstract: The subject invention is an air cooled ice rink construction in which the means for cooling the slab of the ice rink is separated from the ground under the slab by a region accessible to air external to the ice rink enclosure. The means for cooling the slab of the ice rink may be a circulating flow of mechanically-cooled air or, if the air external to the ice rink enclosure is sufficiently cool, it may be a circulating flow of such external air. The ice rinks constructed according to the subject invention may be operated at significantly lower operating costs than conventional ice rinks.

Abstract: A device for dividing an ice-hockey rink into at least two smaller rink parts comprises a plurality of straight sideboard elements (8a) and a plurality of curved sideboard elements (8b). The sideboard elements (8a, 8b) are provided with means (16, 20, 21) for interconnecting the same while forming a supplemental sideboard (8, 9) which when placed across the ice-hockey rink together with the stationary sideboard (1), encloses a smaller rink (5, 7) having symmetrical curved corners.

Abstract: A method for creating an ice-skating rink comprising an excavation in the ground lined with polyethylene and filled with salt water; a pump and sprayer used in the winter to build up a layer of salt ice on top of the salt water and to eventually fill the excavation with frozen salt water in this manner, with the pump drawing salt water from beneath the salt ice as the freezing process progresses; covering the salt ice with a layer of straw or layers of air supported reinforced plastic during the warm weather months; circulating air or water over the salt ice and then through channels cut into the ice of the ice rink; laying aluminum foil on the skating surface and freezing more ice over it; and providing an enclosed air supported bubble over the ice with a secondary air supported inner ceiling having an upper facing aluminum surface thereon to reflect infrared radiation coming from the main outer bubble.

Abstract: Ice rink refrigeration apparatus includes a liquid refrigerant supply pipe; rink pipes which receive this refrigerant and extend beneath the ice rink to effect cooling and a collection pipe which collects the vaporized or partially vaporized refrigerant from the rink pipes. The supply pipe is mounted coaxially within the collection pipe to form a common header which is positioned centrally of the rink. A unified connector piece serves to connect the two ends of each rink pipe with the supply and collector pipes respectively.

Abstract: A plurality of flexible plastic strips made up of elongated extruded modules with each module including a plurality of parallel tubular sections spaced apart by continuous webs with each strip being laid out on an area on which ice is to be made. The tubular sections of the modules of each strip are individually connected to a supply header and a return header, and at the other end of the strip, a common closed header allows brine to be circulated through alternating tubes.

Abstract: Liquid refrigerant is pumped through the heat exchanger in the rink field or the like, on demand, and back to the evaporator. Any vapor is pumped through the compressor to an externally situated air cooled condenser and back to the evaporator thus maintaining the liquid phase. When the external condenser is in an ambient temperature, a predetermined amount below the temperature of the heat exchanger, the compressor shuts off and the liquid refrigerant is circulated by a liquid pump directly through the condenser and back to the evaporator to cool down the liquid refrigerant thus saving considerably on running costs inasmuch as the compressor is not used.

Abstract: An energy-saving system for reclaiming the waste water contained in the ice shavings obtained from resurface ice at an ice skating rink, the system including a first tank for holding the ice shavings, a second tank for storing the waste water from the melted ice shavings, a first conduit system for conveying waste water from the melted shavings in the first tank to the second tank, a second conduit system for conveying waste water from the second tank to be sprayed on the shavings in the first tank, and a solar heating system for supplying heated waste water to the second tank.

Abstract: A container or like structure having a corrugated tubular base or wall at least partly embraced by a thin, pliable sheet clamped in place by a like corrugated collar embracing both the sheet and the tube so that the corrugations intermesh, deforming and securely holding the sheet.