U.S. patent application number 11/602466 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to LEOTECH S.R.L.. Invention is credited to Italo Corona.
Application Number | 20070158453 11/602466 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36021807 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070158453 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Corona; Italo |
July 12, 2007 |
Apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus for producing artificial snow comprises a core
element, provided with a nebulizing device arranged for nebulizing
a liquid and/or a gas/liquid mixture, and a sleeve element
associated with said core element.
Inventors: |
Corona; Italo; (Canal San
Bovo (TN), IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, 11TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22203
US
|
Assignee: |
LEOTECH S.R.L.
Canal San Bovo (TN)
IT
|
Family ID: |
36021807 |
Appl. No.: |
11/602466 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/14.2 ;
239/422; 239/556 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 7/0884 20130101;
F25C 3/04 20130101; B05B 7/0433 20130101; F25C 2303/0481 20130101;
B05B 1/202 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/014.2 ;
239/422; 239/556 |
International
Class: |
F25C 3/04 20060101
F25C003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 25, 2005 |
IT |
MO2005A000314 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for producing artificial snow, comprising a core
element provided with a nebulizing device arranged for nebulizing a
liquid and/or a gas/liquid mixture, characterised in that it
further comprises a sleeve element associated with said core
element.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said core element is
surrounded by said sleeve element in such a way that between said
core element and said sleeve element, there is defined a single
gap.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said single gap extends
between a base body of said core element that enables a liquid
and/or a gas to be dispensed to pass through, and that part of said
nebulizing device further away from said base body.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nebulizing device
comprises a plurality of nebulizers all communicating with said
single gap.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said nebulizers comprise
a first nozzle element arranged for nebulizing said gas/liquid
mixture, said first nozzle element being provided with a first
passage portion and with a second passage portion for enabling
respectively said gas/liquid mixture and said gas to flow into said
first nozzle element.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said second passage
portion comprises a plurality of passages.
7. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said nebulizers
comprises a second nozzle device arranged for nebulizing said
liquid.
8. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said nebulizers
comprises a second nozzle device arranged for nebulizing said
liquid.
9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second nozzle
device is provided with a hole portion positioned substantially at
said single gap for enabling said liquid to flow into said second
nozzle device.
10. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second nozzle
device is provided with conduit elements positioned in said core
element and communicating with said single gap for enabling said
liquid to flow into said second nozzle device.
11. Apparatus according to claim 7, and comprising a shutting
element arranged for adjusting a flow of said liquid from said
single gap to said second nozzle device.
12. Apparatus according to claim 9, and comprising a shutting
element arranged for adjusting a flow of said liquid from said
single gap to said second nozzle device.
13. Apparatus according to claim 10, and comprising a shutting
element arranged for adjusting a flow of said liquid from said
single gap to said second nozzle device.
14. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said shutting element
is positioned, and is slidable, in a body of said second nozzle
device for shutting said hole portion.
15. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said shutting element
is positioned, and is slidable, in said core element for shutting
said conduit elements.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a device for nebulizing liquids
and/or gas/liquid mixtures.
[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a device for
nebulizing water and/or an air/water mixture to produce artificial
snow.
[0003] In nature, snow crystals are formed only in certain
temperature and humidity conditions and if there are freezing
nuclei in the atmosphere.
[0004] In order to reproduce in an open environment, such as, for
example, a mountain slope, conditions that are favourable for
forming snow crystals, as the temperature is hardly modifiable, it
is thus necessary to intervene by suitably modifying the humidity
of the air and promoting the generation of the freezing nuclei.
[0005] Devices are known for nebulizing water and/or an air/water
mixture to produce artificial snow comprising a distributing body
provided with nozzles.
[0006] The nozzles, radially projecting from the distributing body,
comprise nucleating nozzles and dispensing nozzles.
[0007] The nucleating nozzles are supplied with a mixture of air
and water from conduits obtained in the distributing body and are
arranged for nebulizing the aforesaid mixture to generate the
freezing nuclei.
[0008] The dispensing nozzles, supplied with water through further
conduits obtained in the distributing body, are arranged for
nebulizing the water in such a way as to supply the raw material
necessary for making snow crystals and for suitably humidifying the
air surrounding the nebulizing device.
[0009] In this way, in operation, the freezing nuclei generated by
the nucleating nozzles interact with the nebulized water dispensed
by the dispensing nozzles to form, in suitable temperature
conditions, crystals of artificial snow.
[0010] A drawback of the known devices is that, owing to the low
operating temperatures, which are typically below 0.degree. C.,
both an external portion of the distributing body and the
dispensing nozzles and the nucleating nozzles cool and promote
freezing of the water during nebulizing.
[0011] This implies that the aforesaid device can have part or all
of the nozzles obstructed by the solidified water, with frequent
machine stops and the need for qualified personnel to intervene to
unblock the nozzles, with consequent loss of efficiency and of
money.
[0012] An object of the invention is to improve the apparatuses for
nebulizing liquids and/or a gas/liquid mixture, in particular, the
apparatuses for nebulizing water and/or an air/water mixture
arranged for producing artificial snow.
[0013] A further object is to provide apparatuses for nebulizing
liquids and/or a gas/liquid mixture that are able to operate even
in particularly difficult thermal conditions.
[0014] According to the invention, an apparatus is provided for
producing artificial snow, comprising a core element provided with
a nebulizing device arranged for nebulizing a liquid and/or a
gas/liquid mixture, characterised in that it further comprises a
sleeve element associated with said core element.
[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, between said sleeve
element and said core element, a gap portion is defined that is
arranged for receiving said liquid.
[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, said nebulizing
device comprises at least a portion positioned in said gap
portion.
[0017] Owing to the invention, it is possible to maintain the
nebulizing device and the sleeve element at a temperature above
0.degree. C., sufficient for preventing freezing thereof.
[0018] In fact, the nebulizing device comprises at least a portion
received in the gap portion, said portion being lapped and heated
by the liquid circulating in the latter.
[0019] In the same way, the sleeve element comprises a wall facing
the gap portion lapped and heated by the liquid circulating in the
latter.
[0020] In this way it is possible to obtain nebulizing apparatuses
that are particularly effective even in temperature conditions that
are much below 0.degree. C.
[0021] The invention can be better understood and implemented with
reference to the attached drawings that illustrate some embodiments
thereof by way of non limiting example, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of an apparatus for
producing artificial snow;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the apparatus in FIG.
1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a section taken along the plane III-III of the
apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a section taken along the plane IV-IV of the
apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a section taken along the plane V-V of the
apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a section taken along the plane VI-VI of the
apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a section taken along the plane VII-VII of the
apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a section taken along the plane VIII-VIII of the
apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a section taken along the plane IX-IX of the
apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a section taken along the plane X-X of the
apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section of a dispensing device
included in the apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a plan view with some sectioned details of a
nucleating nozzle included in the apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a longitudinal section, with certain details
removed to show better other details of the nucleating device in
FIG. 12;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a section like the one in FIG. 3 of a version of
the apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 15 is a section like the one in FIG. 4 of the version
in FIG. 14;
[0037] FIG. 16 is a section like the one in FIG. 9 of the version
in FIG. 14;
[0038] FIG. 17 is a section like the one in FIG. 7 of the version
in FIG. 14;
[0039] FIG. 18 is a cross section of the version in FIG. 14.
[0040] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an apparatus
1 for nebulizing water and an air/water mixture arranged for
producing artificial snow.
[0041] The apparatus 1 is provided with a dispensing head 2, having
a substantially cylindrical shape.
[0042] The dispensing head 2 comprises a core element 3, or
distributing body, extending along an axis Z, and a sleeve 4, which
is substantially concentric to the aforesaid core element 3 and
extends around the aforesaid axis Z (FIG. 3).
[0043] The core element 3 comprises a first curvilinear surface 5
and a second curvilinear surface 6, the first curvilinear surface 5
and the second curvilinear surface 6 being connected by a first
planar surface 7 and by a second planar surface 8.
[0044] The sleeve 4, having substantially a hollow cylindrical
shape, is arranged for being removably fixed, for example by means
of a threaded connection, to the core element 3, and comprises a
substantially cylindrical side surface 23.
[0045] Between the first curvilinear surface 5, the second
curvilinear surface 6, the first planar surface 7, the second
planar surface 8 and the side surface 23, there is thus defined a
gap 21, into which the water can flow.
[0046] In particular, the gap 21, extending along the axis Z, is
positioned near a peripheral zone 22 of the dispensing head 2
between the core element 3 and the sleeve 4.
[0047] In the core element 3 there are further obtained water and
air intake conduits.
[0048] In particular, the core element 3 comprises an air intake
conduit 9, a first water intake conduit 10, a second water intake
conduit 11 and a third water intake conduit 12.
[0049] The air intake conduit 9 (FIG. 3, and FIGS. 5 to 7)
comprises a section 13 extending along a direction substantially
paralleled to said axis Z, and a further section 14, the further
section 14 being substantially perpendicular to the section 13.
[0050] The further section 14 is provided with a first distributing
channel 15 arranged for conveying the air to nucleating nozzles 16,
for example to two nucleating nozzles 16.
[0051] The nucleating nozzles 16 are mounted in respective seats
obtained in the first planar surface 7 and in the second planar
surface 8 of the core element 3 and project substantially radially
from the sleeve 4.
[0052] The nucleating nozzles 16 each comprise a portion 30
positioned substantially at the gap 21.
[0053] The nucleating nozzles 16 are each provided with a
converging conduit 17 and with a passage 18, the passage 18 being
obtained in a rectilinear conduit 33 positioned downstream of the
converging conduit 17.
[0054] In particular, the passage 18 is positioned substantially at
the portion 30.
[0055] In use, the converging conduit 17 is arranged for
accelerating a flow of the air coming from the intake conduit 13 in
such a way as to create a vacuum substantially near the rectilinear
conduit 33, the vacuum being sufficient to suck the water through
the passage 18 that flows into the gap 21.
[0056] In this way in the nucleating nozzles 16 there is created a
desired air/water mixture that is nebulized to generate freezing
nuclei.
[0057] The further section 14 is further provided with a plug 20
that is substantially opposite the section 13 arranged for
preventing the air flowing into the gap 21.
[0058] In an embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 12 and 13,
the nucleating nozzles 16 comprise a first passage 100 and a second
passage 101 communicating with the rectilinear conduit 33, the
first passage 100 and the second passage 101 being mutually
opposite and positioned substantially at the portion 30.
[0059] In other words, the first passage 100 and the second passage
101 extend substantially perpendicularly and from opposite sides
with respect to the rectilinear conduit 33.
[0060] In this embodiment, moreover, the nucleating nozzles 16
comprise a diverging conduit 103 positioned downstream of the
rectilinear conduit 33 and connected to the distributing channel 15
through passage a portion 102.
[0061] In other words, the rectilinear conduit 33 is interposed
between the converging conduit 17 and the diverging conduit
103.
[0062] In use, a first part of the flow of air coming from the air
intake conduit 13 flows into the converging conduit 17, which
accelerates the first part in such a way as to create a vacuum
substantially near the rectilinear conduit 33, the vacuum being
sufficient to suck the water that flows into the gap 21 through the
first passage 100 and the second passage 101, whilst a second part
of the flow of air flows from the first distributing channel 15 to
the diverging conduit 103 through the passage portion 102.
[0063] In this way, in the nucleating nozzles 16 a desired
air/water mixture is created that is nebulized to generate freezing
nuclei.
[0064] The first water intake conduit 10 comprises a main channel
40, extending along a further direction substantially parallel to
the axis Z, a first channel 34 and a second channel 35 tilted with
respect to the aforesaid axis Z (FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 9).
[0065] In particular, the first channel 34 is positioned in an end
zone 36 of the main channel 40, whilst the second channel 35 is
located in a further end zone 37 of the main channel 40, opposite
the end zone 36.
[0066] The first channel 34 and the second channel 35 are arranged
for introducing water into the gap 21.
[0067] In particular, the first channel 34 and the second channel
35 are orientated and positioned in such a way as to induce motion
in the water delivered into the gap 21 according to a certain
path.
[0068] The first water intake conduit 10, by introducing water into
the gap 21, supplies first dispensing nozzles 41 and second
dispensing nozzles 42 with water, the first dispensing nozzles 41
(FIG. 9) and the second dispensing nozzles 42 each comprising for
example a pair of nozzles.
[0069] The first dispensing nozzles 41 and the second dispensing
nozzles 42 are positioned, with respect to a flow of water coming
from a dispensing device, respectively upstream and downstream of
the nucleating nozzles 16.
[0070] The first dispensing nozzles 41 and the second dispensing
nozzles 42 are mounted in further seats obtained in the first
planar surface 7 and in the second planar surface 8 of the core
element 3 and project substantially radially from the sleeve 4.
[0071] The first dispensing nozzles 41 and the second dispensing
nozzles 42 each comprise a further portion 43 positioned
substantially at the gap 21.
[0072] The further portion 43 is provided with holes 44 arranged
for enabling the water present in the gap 21 to supply the first
dispensing nozzles 41 and the second dispensing nozzles 42.
[0073] The first dispensing nozzles 41 and the second dispensing
nozzles 42 are arranged for nebulizing water in such a way as to
provide raw material for the freezing nuclei to make snow
crystals.
[0074] In an embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 11, a
shutting element 104 is provided that is positioned, and slidable,
in a body 105 of the first dispensing nozzles 41 and of the second
dispensing nozzles 42.
[0075] The shutting element 104 is arranged for shutting the holes
44 to adjust a flow of water from the gap 21 to the first
dispensing nozzles 41 and to the second dispensing nozzles 42.
[0076] In other words, the shutting element 104, driven by a
suitable pneumatic or hydraulic driving device, which is not shown,
prevents/enables the water in the gap 21 to pass through the holes
44 to supply the first dispensing nozzles 41 and the second
dispensing nozzles 42.
[0077] In this way it is possible to drive, according to the
quantity of snow that it is desired to make, only the first
dispensing nozzles 41, or only the second dispensing nozzles 42, or
both.
[0078] The second water intake conduit 11 (FIGS. 4 to 6 and 10) is
tilted with respect to the axis Z and is arranged for supplying
with water third dispensing nozzles 50, comprising for example a
pair of nozzles.
[0079] The third dispensing nozzles 50 are positioned, with respect
to the aforesaid flow of water, upstream of the first dispensing
nozzles 41.
[0080] The third dispensing nozzles 50 are mounted in still further
seats obtained in the first planar surface 7 and in the second
planar surface 8 of the core element 3 and are projected
substantially radially from the sleeve 4.
[0081] The third dispensing nozzles 50 each comprise a still
further portion 51 positioned substantially at the gap 21.
[0082] The third dispensing nozzles 50, which are driven in the
event of greater demand for water, are arranged for nebulizing
water in such a way as to supply further raw material to the
freezing nuclei for making snow crystals.
[0083] The third water intake conduit 12 comprises another section
60 extending substantially along a further direction substantially
parallel to said axis Z, and another further section 61, the other
further section 61 being substantially perpendicular to the other
section 60 (FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8).
[0084] The other further section 61 is provided with a second
distributing channel 62 arranged for conveying the water to fourth
dispensing nozzles 63, for example two fourth dispensing nozzles
63.
[0085] The fourth dispensing nozzles 63 are positioned, with
respect to the aforesaid flow of water, downstream of the second
dispensing nozzles 42.
[0086] The fourth dispensing nozzles 63 are mounted in still other
seats obtained in the first planar surface 7 and in the second
planar surface 8 of the core element 3 and are projected
substantially radially from the sleeve 4.
[0087] The fourth dispensing nozzles 50 each comprise another
portion 64 positioned substantially at the gap 21.
[0088] The fourth dispensing nozzles 63, driven in the event of
still greater demand for water, are arranged for nebulizing water
in such a way as to provide further raw material to the freezing
nuclei to make snow crystals.
[0089] The other further section 61 is further provided with a
further plug 65 that is substantially opposite the other section 60
arranged for preventing the water from flowing into the gap 21.
[0090] With reference to FIGS. 14 to 18, there is shown an
alternative embodiment of the device 1.
[0091] In this embodiment, in the core element 3 there is obtained
a third channel 110, a fourth channel 111, a fifth channel 112, a
sixth channel 113, and a seventh channel 120, tilted with respect
to the axis Z.
[0092] In particular, the third channel 110 and the fourth channel
111 enables the water in the gap 21 to flow to a third distributing
channel 114 arranged for conveying the water to the first
dispensing nozzles 41, the third channel 110 and the fourth channel
111 being positioned on opposite sides with respect to the third
distributing channel 114.
[0093] The fifth channel 112 and the sixth channel 113 enable the
water in the gap 21 to flow to a fourth distributing channel 115
arranged for conveying the water to the second dispensing nozzles
41, the fifth channel 112 and the sixth channel 113 being
positioned on opposite sides with respect to the fourth
distributing channel 115.
[0094] This means that both the first dispensing nozzles 41 (FIG.
16), and the second dispensing nozzles 42 (FIG. 18) are devoid of
the holes 44 in the further portion 43 positioned substantially at
the gap 21, inasmuch as the first dispensing nozzles 41 and the
second dispensing nozzles 42 are supplied with water respectively
by the third distributing channel 114 and by the fourth
distributing channel 115.
[0095] The seventh channel 120 enables the water in the gap 21 to
flow to a fifth distributing channel 121 arranged for conveying the
water to the nucleating nozzles 16.
[0096] This means that the nucleating nozzles 16 are devoid of the
passage 18, or of the first passage 100 and of the second passage
101 in the respective portions 30 positioned substantially at the
gap 21.
[0097] In this embodiment, moreover, the further section 14 of the
air intake conduit 9 comprises a first part 130 and a second part
131, the first part 130 and the second part 131 being positioned on
an opposite side with respect to the portion 13 of the air intake
conduit 9 and being substantially perpendicular with respect to the
seventh channel 120.
[0098] In this way, the first part 130 and the second part 131
enable the flow of air coming from the air intake conduit 9 to flow
into the nucleating nozzles 16.
[0099] It should be noted that the third channel 110, the fourth
channel 111, the fifth channel 112, the sixth channel 113 and the
seventh channel 120 are orientated and positioned in such a way as
to improve the motion of the water in the gap 21 and to promote the
emptying of the dispensing head 2.
[0100] In an embodiment of the invention, which is not illustrated,
there is provided further a shutting element, positioned and
slidable, in the core element 3.
[0101] The further shutting element is arranged for shutting the
third distributing channel 114 and the fourth distributing channel
115 for adjusting a flow of water from the gap 21 to the first
dispensing nozzles 41 and the second dispensing nozzles 42.
[0102] In other words, the further shutting element, driven by a
suitable pneumatic or hydraulic driving device, prevents/enables
water in the gap 21 to pass through the third distributing channel
114 and the fourth distributing channel 115 to supply the first
dispensing nozzles 41 and the second dispensing nozzles 42.
[0103] In this way it is possible to drive, according to the
quantity of snow that it is desired to make, only the first
dispensing nozzles 41, or only the second dispensing nozzles 42, or
both.
[0104] In a still further embodiment of the invention, which is not
shown, the third channel 110, the fourth channel 111, the fifth
channel 112, the sixth channel 113, and the seventh channel 120 are
substantially perpendicular to the axis Z.
[0105] The apparatus 1 further comprises a connection 70, or base
body, fixed to the dispensing head 2, arranged for being connected
to the water and air dispensing apparatus, which is not shown.
[0106] The connection 70 is provided with an air inlet passage 71
and with water inlet passages (FIGS. 3 and 4).
[0107] The water inlet passages comprise a first water inlet
passage 72, a second water inlet passage 73 and a third water inlet
passage 74.
[0108] The air inlet passage 71 is connected, in use, to the air
intake conduit 9, whilst the first water inlet passage 72, the
second water inlet passage 73 and the third water inlet passage 74
are connected respectively to the first water intake conduit 10,
the second water intake conduit 11 and the third water intake
conduit 12.
[0109] It should be noted that in use the nucleating nozzles 16,
the first dispensing nozzles 41, the second dispensing nozzles 42,
the third dispensing nozzles 50 and the fourth dispensing nozzles
63 are provided respectively with the portion 30, with the first
portion 43, with the still further portion 51 and with the other
portion 64, positioned in the gap 21.
[0110] In turn, in use, the sleeve 4 comprises the side surface 23
facing the gap 21.
[0111] In this way, in use, the water that flows into the gap 21
according to a certain path determined by a suitable orientation of
the first channel 34 and of the second channel 35 transfers a
quantity of heat to the aforesaid portions and to the side surface
23, heating the aforesaid portions and the side surface 23.
[0112] In other words, the water that flows into the gap 21 with a
suitable turbulent flow transfers heat to the nucleating and
dispensing nozzles and to the sleeve 4, heating the nucleating and
dispensing nozzles and the sleeve 4 and preventing freezing of the
dispensing head 2.
* * * * *