Patent ID: 6161769
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: F25C

Abstract:
In snow making apparatus of the type utilizing a snow making tower comprising an elongated hollow main water conduit mounted from ground support means with its longitudinal axis angled upwardly from horizontal in operation, water spray discharge nozzle means provided adjacent the upper end of said main water conduit, said main water conduit being operable for supplying pressurized water to said water spray discharge nozzle means for discharge in the form of a spray therefrom, an air conduit provided within and extending longitudinally generally for the full length of said main water conduit, coupling means adapted to couple a supply of compressed air for supplying pressurized air to the lower end of said air conduit, air jet discharge means communicating with the upper end of said air conduit and located generally adjacent said water spray discharge nozzle means and being positioned relative thereto to cause an air jet to be directed into the throat of the discharged water spray in ambient atmosphere;the improvement in combination therewith wherein said water spray discharge nozzle means comprises a plurality of first water spray nozzles, and wherein a first branch water conduit is provided having a first axial end communicating with said main water conduit and extending longitudinally therefrom at an angle of about 90.degree., plus or minus about 20.degree., to the longitudinal axis of said main water conduit, said first branch water conduit being closed at a second axial end thereof positioned remote from said main water conduit, said first water spray nozzles being mounted on and spaced axially along said first branch water conduit and individually communicating therewith, said first water spray nozzles being oriented with their respective nozzle spray axes aimed to direct water spray issuing therefrom generally all in one direction forwardly away from said upper end of said main water conduit, said air jet discharge means comprising a first air jet orifice oriented to direct a first air jet generally at about 90.degree., plus or minus about 20.degree., to said spray axes of said first water spray nozzles for creating a first single air jet intersecting the water spray pattern issuing from all of said first water spray nozzles.