Control system for an artificial snow making plant

Described is a system (1) for controlling an artificial snow making plant (100) having a plurality of snow making apparatuses (101) positioned along a ski run and connected to a communication line (102), comprising a processing unit (2) in data connection with the communication line (102) and being designed for:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a control system for an artificial snow making plant. More specifically, the invention relates to an artificial snow making plant having a plurality of snow making apparatuses positioned along a ski run and connected to a communication line.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

The installation of artificial snow making systems along a ski run is known for compensating a lack of natural snow or to form the snowy underlayer of a ski run. More specifically, each snow making apparatus comprises a snow making device (commonly called “snow cannons”) and a respective unit (commonly known as “chamber”) for feeding a snow making liquid connected to the relative snow making device.

More specifically, the snow making device is positioned close to the respective unit for feeding the snow making liquid and covers a predetermined geographical snow making area of the ski run. Thus, in this description, the snow making apparatus is the general term defining the assembly of the snow making device (snow cannon) and the unit for feeding the snow making liquid (chamber) which cover a predetermined geographical snow making area. The series of geographical snow making areas define the surface of the ski run.

In the prior art the snow making apparatus is connected to a communication line in such a way as to manage it from a control station located downstream or in a well defined place. More specifically, the prior art control systems comprise a processing unit connected to the communication line and designed for controlling the status of the apparatus and for managing the operation as a function of the various climatic conditions.

This prior art, however, is not free of disadvantages.

In effect, the control systems do not generally allow the snow conditions of the ski run to be checked. For this reason, it occurs that the snow making apparatuses produce more snow than necessary for opening the ski run to the public, or they do not produce sufficient snow for the opening of the ski run to the public. In other cases, the main drawback consists in the fact that in some areas of the ski run there is more snow than necessary for opening the ski run to the public, whilst in other areas of the ski run there is not sufficient snow for the opening of the ski run.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In this situation, the aim of this invention is to make a control system for an artificial snow making plant that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, the aim of this invention is to make a control system which allows the snow conditions of the ski run to be monitored.

Moreover, the aim of this invention is to make a control system which allows the time for covering the ski run with snow to be estimated.

Lastly, the aim of this invention is to make a control system which allows the geographical areas of the ski run having a level of snow cover less than a minimum predetermined level to be identified.

The aims indicated are substantially achieved by a control system for an artificial snow making plant as described in the appended claims.

With reference to the said figures, the numeral1denotes in its entirety a control system for an artificial snow making plant100.

As previously defined, the artificial snow making plant100comprises a plurality of snow making apparatuses101positioned along a ski run and connected in series to a communication line102.

More specifically, each snow making apparatus101comprises a snow making device103(commonly called “snow cannon”) and a respective unit104(commonly known as “chamber”) for feeding a snow making liquid connected to the snow making device103.FIG. 1shows a snow making device103of an apparatus101connected to the communication line102by a data line107. Moreover, each feeding unit104is connected to the snow making device103by conduit105in which the snow making liquid flows.

More specifically, the snow making device103is positioned close to a respective unit104for feeding the snow making liquid and covers a predetermined geographical snow making area of the ski run.

The control system1comprises a processing unit2in data connection with the communication line102. More specifically, the processing unit2is designed for receiving a status signal S from each snow making apparatus101.

The status signal S represents the quantity of snow currently produced by the snow making apparatus101. In other words, the status signal S represents the quantity of snow which a snow making apparatus101has produced. More in detail, the status signal S contains the data relative to the quantity of snow making liquid consumed by the apparatus101. For this reason, the status signal S represents the quantity of snow currently produced since the quantity of snow currently produced depends on the quantity of snow making liquid consumed.

In detail, the status signal S is generated by the feeding unit104(“chamber”) of the snow making apparatus101and transmitted to the processing unit2.

Moreover, the processing unit2is designed for comparing the data contained in each status signal S with a respective predetermined single snow making value Pfto be reached and representing a preset quantity of snow to be produced. More in detail, the predetermined single snow making value Pfrepresents the “target” to be reached starting from an initial snow covering status.

Moreover, the processing unit2is designed for generating a condition signal A of the apparatuses101as a function of the comparison. The condition signal A of the apparatuses101represents the difference between the quantity of snow currently produced by each apparatus and the respective single snow making value Pf.

Moreover, the processing unit2is designed for generating a condition signal P of the ski run as a function of the contents of the condition signal A of the apparatuses101. The condition signal P of the ski run represents the current snow status of the ski run.

In detail, the processing unit2is designed for:determining the number of apparatuses101which have currently produced a quantity of snow greater than the respective single snow making value Pf;comparing the number of apparatuses101determined with a predetermined minimum insolvency value Pf;determining the condition signal P of the ski run as a function of the comparison.

If the number of apparatuses101which satisfy the production of snow corresponding with the single snow making value Pfis less than the minimum insolvency value it means that the ski run is in a seriously insufficient snow covering condition.

In detail, if the number of apparatuses101which satisfy the production of snow corresponding with the single snow making value Pfis greater than the minimum insolvency value it means that the ski run is in an insufficient snow covering condition.

If all the apparatuses101satisfy the production of snow corresponding with the single snow making value Pfit means that the ski run is in a sufficient snow covering condition.

Moreover, in order to generate the condition signal A of the apparatuses101, the processing unit2is designed for comparing the data contained in each status signal S with a respective predetermined minimum snow making value Pminrepresenting a predetermined minimum quantity of snow. It should be noted that the predetermined minimum snow making value Pminis less than the single snow making value Pf.

As described in more detail below with reference toFIG. 2, the minimum snow making value Pminrepresents the snow covering threshold between a first area P1and a second area P2relative to an apparatus101. Preferably, the minimum snow making value Pminrepresents the snow covering threshold between the first area P1and the second area P2relative to the feeding unit104(“chamber”) of the apparatus101.

More specifically, the condition signal A of the apparatuses101is determined as a function of the quantity of snow making liquid consumed by the relative apparatus101. More specifically, the quantity of snow making liquid consumed is compared with the minimum snow making value Pminto be exceeded.

The processing unit2is designed for updating the condition signal A of the apparatuses101as a function of the comparison.

It should be noted that the predetermined minimum snow making value Pminis defined by a reference curve variable over time. For this reason, the comparison of the data contained in each status signal S with the minimum single snow making value Pminis performed periodically with reference to the data contained in each status signal S at a predetermined moment in time Dawith the minimum snow making value Pminreferred to the same predetermined moment in time Da.

In this regard,FIG. 2shows a graph which allows the snow making status of a snow making apparatus101positioned in a relative position of the ski run to be determined.

More in detail, the curve relative to the minimum single snow making value Pminis shown inFIG. 2and it comprises a first segment S1constant over time and a second segment S2variable over time.

More specifically,FIG. 2shows that the minimum snow making value Pmin, along the second segment S2, increases with the increase in time. In yet other words, the minimum snow making value Pminincreases with the approach of the preset time of ending snow making Df.

Moreover, two points are shown at the current time Dawhich represent, respectively, two different current snow making values Pa1and Pa2(first and second current snow making values) which could, alternatively, have been produced by the snow making apparatus101. As can be seen inFIG. 2, the first current snow making value Pa1symbolises that the apparatus101is not producing the snow necessary for the opening of the plant100. In effect, the point representing the first current snow making value Pa1is located beneath the reference curve.

The second current snow making value Pa2symbolises that the apparatus101has produced a quantity of snow greater than the minimum snow making value Pmin.

In effect, the point representing the second current snow making value Pa2is located above the reference curve.

Moreover, the reference curve defining the trend over time of the minimum snow making value Pmindivides the main graph into four zones:a first zone P1between the X-axis and the reference curve identifying a zone in which the current snow making value Pais less than the minimum snow making value Pmin;a second zone P2extending above the reference curve identifying a zone in which the current snow making value Pais greater than the minimum snow making value Pmin;a third zone P3defined upstream of the time of starting snow making Diand downstream of the time of ending snow making Df, the zone identifying a period of time outside the start date Diand end date Dfof snow making;a fourth zone P4between the time of starting snow making Diand the time of ending snow making Dfand greater than a target line identifying the single snow making value to be reached. The target line is positioned above the reference curve.

It should be noted that the first segment S1defines a minimum snow product threshold. Advantageously, the presence of the first segment S1distinguishes more clearly zone P1from zone P2at the time of starting snow making so as to avoid creating the illusion (for the user) that the quantity of snow produced by the apparatus, at the time Di, is already greater than the minimum snow making value Pmin.

It should also be noted that the times of starting snow making Diand ending snow making Dfon the ski run are pre-set times by the user and might not coincide with the actual times of switching on the snow making equipment.

Moreover, the apparatus comprises a storage unit4connected to the processing unit2in which the data relative to the quantity of snow produced by the snow making apparatuses101in previous years is stored with reference to an annual period corresponding to the current period.

More specifically, the processing unit2is designed for calculating the overall remaining snow making time to reach an overall snow making value as a function of the data contained in the status signal S, in the condition signal A of the apparatuses101and as a function of the data contained in the storage unit4. It should be noted that the overall snow making value is defined by the sum of the single snow making values Pf.

Moreover, the control unit is designed for calculating the remaining single snow making time TINNrelative to each apparatus101for reaching the predetermined single snow making value Pfas a function of the data contained in the status signal S, the data contained in the condition signal A of the apparatus101and the data contained in the storage unit4. In effect, by knowing the current snow making status of each area of the ski run and by knowing the information relative to the comparison of the snow making status of each area of the ski run with respect to the single snow making value Pf(information contained in the condition signal P of the ski run) it is possible to calculate the remaining snow making time TINNfor that area of the ski run until reaching the single snow making value Pf.

After that, the control unit2is configured for identifying, between the calculated single snow making times TINN, the maximum remaining single snow making time. The overall remaining snow making time for reaching the overall value is defined by the maximum calculated remaining single snow making time.

In other words, the control unit2is configured for identifying, between the calculated single snow making times, the greatest remaining single snow making time TINN. In effect, since the apparatuses101operate simultaneously, the overall remaining snow making time for reaching the overall value is defined by the apparatus101which has the greatest remaining single snow making time TINN.

It should also be noted that the processing unit2is designed for calculating the remaining quantity of snow PRIMto be produced for reaching the single snow making value Pfas a function of the data contained in the condition signal A of the apparatuses101and as a function of the data contained in the storage unit4.

Moreover, the processing unit2is designed for estimating the remaining single snow making time TINNas a function of the current production of snow of the apparatus in a predetermined temperature range. The remaining single snow making time TINNis calculated by dividing the value of the remaining quantity of snow PRIMby an average historical flow value FSTOrepresenting the average quantity PSTOof snow produced in the past in a period corresponding to the current period in the same temperature range and multiplying the result of the division by a predetermined historical single snow making time TINN-STOrelative to the average time historically taken by an apparatus101to cover with snow a certain area. In other words, the snow making time is calculated with the following formula:

It should be noted that the average historical flow value FSTO, the historical average quantity PSTOand the historical single snow making time TINN-STOare stored in the storage unit4.

Alternatively, if the storage unit4does not contain data relative to the snow making for periods of the year corresponding to the current period, the processing unit2is configured for calculating a maximum single snow making time TINN-MAXand a minimum single snow making time TINN-MINin a predetermined temperature range. The maximum single snow making time TINN-MAXis calculated by dividing the value of the quantity of snow remaining PRIMby a predetermined minimum flow value FMINrepresenting the quantity of snow which can be produced in the unit of time by a first type of snow making apparatus101in the corresponding temperature range. The minimum single snow making time TINN-MINis calculated by dividing the value of the quantity of snow remaining PRIMby a predetermined maximum flow value FMAXrepresenting the quantity of snow which can be produced by a second type of snow making apparatus101in the corresponding temperature range. The remaining single snow making time TINNis, therefore, between the maximum single snow making time TINN-MAXand the minimum single snow making time TINN-MIN.

It should also be noted that the first type of apparatus101has a snow production performance less than the snow production performance of the second type of apparatus101. In other words, the maximum TINN-MAXand minimum TINN-MINsnow making times are calculated using the following formulae:

It should be noted that the single snow making time TINNis calculated as a function of a predetermined temperature range. In effect, the snow making time varies according to the ambient temperature in which the apparatuses101operate. In detail, the control system1has four different temperature ranges with reference to which the single snow making time TINNcan be calculated.

Moreover, the control system1comprises a basic storage unit3in which the following are pre-stored:the overall snow making value;the minimum snow making values Pmin;the single snow making values Pf;the maximum insolvency value;parameters of the apparatus101.

Moreover, the basic storage unit3is designed for storing an activation priority value for each snow making apparatus. More specifically, the processing unit2is designed for modifying the activation priority value as a function of the contents of the condition signal A of the apparatuses101. Yet more specifically, the processing unit2is designed for modifying the activation priority value as a function of the apparatuses which have a snow production deficit. In other words, the processing unit2is designed for increasing the activation priority value as a function of the apparatuses101which have produced a quantity of snow less than the single snow making value Pf. It should be noted that the higher the priority value relative to an apparatus101the sooner that apparatus101will be activated.

In addition, the control system1comprises a graphics interface5connected to the processing unit2for displaying, in real time:the remaining overall snow making time for reaching the final overall snow making value,the remaining single snow making time TINNfor reaching the single snow making value Pf,the contents of the condition signal A of the apparatuses101,the contents of the condition signal P of the ski run,the graph (FIG. 2) relative to the reference curve which defines the trend over time of the minimum snow making value Pmin,the geographical map along which the snow making plant100is installed.

In this way, a user can monitor and control the data relative to the covering with snow of the ski run.

Moreover, it should be noted that the system1comprises a module6connected to the processing unit2and to the basic storage unit3designed for modifying the data contained in the basic storage unit3. The module6allows the user to manually correct the data contained in the basic storage unit3. The module6is connected to the graphics interface5for the graphical management of the data to be corrected.

More specifically, the system1can be connected to the weather forecasting unit7which makes weather forecasts for the ski run to be covered with snow. More specifically, the processing unit2is designed for receiving a weather forecast signal M and for sending it to the graphics interface5. In other words, the graphics interface5is configured for displaying the data contained in the weather forecast signal M. In this way, the user can adjust the progress of the snow production of one or more apparatuses101as a function of the contents of the weather forecast signal M. The adjustment may take place, for example, by switching OFF and successive switching ON of the apparatuses101. For example, the user can interrupt the snow making operations of one or more apparatuses101(by switching them OFF) for a certain period of time awaiting a moment in time (subsequent to that period of time) wherein a lowering of the temperatures is forecast according to the content of the weather forecast signal M. In other words, the apparatuses101are switched ON again after the time instant in which the lowering of the temperatures is forecast. In effect, if the temperature is lower, the costs linked to the snow production are also lowered, and it is therefore more worthwhile for the user to operate the apparatuses101.

This invention relates to an artificial snow making plant100having a plurality of snow making apparatuses101each comprising a unit104for feeding a snow making liquid (commonly known as “chamber”) and a snow making device103(commonly known as “snow cannon”) for generating the artificial snow connected to the feeding unit104for drawing the snow making liquid. More specifically, the snow making apparatuses101are connected to a communication line102. The addition, the artificial snow making plant100comprises the control system1described above.

It should be noted in particular that the quantity of snow produced by each snow making apparatus101is calculated on the basis of the quantity of snow making liquid passing in the relative unit104for feeding the snow making liquid.

More in detail, the contents of the status signal S are defined by the quantity of snow making liquid currently consumed by the apparatus101, whilst the single snow making value Pfand the overall snow making value are defined by the quantity of snow making liquid to be fed to the apparatus101.

In detail, the snow making device103(“snow cannon”) comprises a relative process unit108designed for calculating the flow of snow making liquid fed to the snow making device103. More in detail, the process unit108calculates the flow of snow making liquid as a function of the pressure of the snow making liquid fed to the apparatus101and of the number of open and/or closed passage valves.

In this way, the process unit108generates the status signal S and the processing unit2receives the status signal S. In other words, the process unit108is designed for generating the status signal S to be sent to the processing unit2.

Then, the processing unit2is designed for calculating the volume of snow making liquid consumed as a function of the contents of the status signal S. More specifically, the processing unit2is designed for calculating the volume of snow making liquid consumed by the mathematical integration of the flow of snow making liquid over time. In that way, the processing unit2can determine the quantity (as a volume) of snow making liquid consumed by one or more apparatuses101.

In any case, it should be noted that the status signal S contains the data relative to the flow of snow making liquid passing through the apparatus101and, therefore, already represents the quantity of liquid consumed by the apparatus101.

FIG. 1shows that the process unit108of the snow making device103is connected to the communication line102.

The invention achieves the preset aims.

In effect, this invention allows the snow covering status of the ski run to be monitored thanks to the calculation of the quantity of snow making liquid currently consumed by each chamber. Moreover, this invention allows the snow covering times of the ski run to be estimated thanks to the real time comparison between the quantity of snow making liquid currently consumed and a “target” level of the quantity of snow making liquid to be consumed to reach a snow covering status sufficient for opening the ski run. More specifically, the “target” level is determined as a function of the quantity of snow making liquid consumed in the past.

Lastly, this invention allows the geographical areas of the ski run to be identified which have a snow covering level less than the predetermined minimum level. In effect, the control system allows the quantity of snow produced by the single snow making apparatuses to be monitored and to monitor the snow making apparatuses which do not satisfy the minimum requirements of artificial snow produced.

It should also be noted that this invention is relatively easy to produce and that even the cost linked to implementation of the invention is not very high.