Snowmaking machine and method

An improved snowmaking machine and method for producing artificial snow is provided, whereby a moving airstream at or below freezing temperature which is created by a motor-driven fan within a cowling is passed through an inwardly tapering conical collar attached to the downstream opening of the cowling, and water droplets are sprayed into the airstream from a plurality of nozzles distributed around an arc of preferably about 190 to 300 degrees around the opening defined by the conical collar. A mixture of water and compressed air is injected into the airstream downstream of the point the airstream exits the conical collar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention pertains to a novel and improved snowmaking machine and 
method for making artificial snow utilizing the same. 
The art of producing artificial snow, or ice crystals physically resembling 
natural snow, has grown in importance with the increased interest in 
wintertime sports, most notably skiing. An accompanying concern is the 
ability to produce the maximum quantity, as well as quality, artificial 
snow as efficiently as possible, particularly in view of the need to 
minimize the energy consumption per unit of artificial snow produced. 
One of the earliest methods developed for producing artificial snow 
comprised mixing compressed air and water within a nozzle to effect 
particle formulation upon spraying of the mixture into the atmosphere at a 
temperature at or below freezing. Such a method was disclosed by Pierce, 
Jr., in U.S. Pat. No. 2,676,471. Unfortunately, this method is not only 
inefficient and consumes a considerable amount of energy, but the quality 
of the snow crystals formed is not as good as natural snow. 
A substantial improvement in the method for making artificial snow was 
disclosed by Hanson in U.S. Pat. No. 2,968,164. Water droplets were 
sprayed directly into a high volume of moving air, at or below freezing 
temperature, which was generated by a platform-mounted fan. It was also 
found that snow formation could be improved by directing "seeding 
crystals", produced by combining compressed air and water internally in a 
spray nozzle, into the moving air flow into which the water droplets had 
been sprayed. 
Following these basic developments in the air, various improvements have 
been made, primarily in particular combinations and refinements in the 
manner in which seeding crystals are formed and injected, and how water 
droplets are introduced into a moving airstream. Ericson in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,610,527 disclosed an atomizing technique involving movement of a film of 
water over the surfaces of a multi-blade fan, so as to effect improved 
evaporation and formation of snow. Eustis et al in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
3,567,117; 3,703,991; and 3,733,029 disclosed a snowmaking machine and 
method whereby the fan generated movement of air directed from within a 
tunnel-like housing in which both nozzles combining compressed air and 
water to form seeding crystals and a water nozzle were provided. Dewey in 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,442 disclosed a snowmaking machine with a motor-driven 
fan housed in a duct-like housing which also contained a nozzle for 
producing seeding crystals, while an array of water nozzles were provided 
in even distribution around the entire 360 degree circumference of the 
opening of the housing through which the airstream flows. 
Kircher in U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,061 provided a dual array of nozzles 
surrounding the outside circumference of the opening of a duct within 
which a motor-driven fan generated an airstream, with the inner array of 
nozzles injecting high pressure water and the outer array of nozzles 
injecting compressed air in close proximity to each of the water nozzles. 
Finally, Kircher et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,161 disclosed a method and 
snowmaking apparatus wherein the water nozzles are grouped in an arcuate 
array entirely above the center line of the airstream and a deflector is 
used in combination therewith to direct a lower portion of the airstream 
upwardly toward these nozzles, for the disclosed purpose of reducing 
"dribble" and increasing the loft of the snow produced and propelled 
outward in the airstream. Kircher et al also utilized a seeding nozzle 
located within the "shadow" of the deflector to improve snow particle 
formation. 
However, the various methods and apparatus of the prior art lack the 
desired efficiency and ability to make both high quality and high 
quantities of artificial snow under all of the various types of dynamic 
weather and atmospheric conditions, which are experienced in locations 
where it is desirable to produce and distribute artificial snow on the 
ground surface. In accordance with the present invention, improvements 
have been sought and attained, both in increasing the dispersion and 
cooling effect upon the water droplets sprayed into the freezing 
airstream, as well as providing a flow designed to achieve the maximum 
possible time for the water droplets to be airborne, to be converted into 
snow crystals, and to be distributed over the maximum ground surface area. 
Thus, in accordance with the invention and the improved ability to generate 
and disperse high quality and high quantities of artificial snow, energy 
requirements are further reduced, together with associated costs. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The improved snowmaking machine of the invention is of the type wherein a 
directional airstream is generated by a motor-driven fan mounted within an 
open-ended cowling and directed outwardly therefrom. A novel and unique 
aspect of the improved snowmaking machine of the invention is the 
provision of an inwardly tapering conical collar comprising an inwardly 
tapering frustum of a hollow cone and having its larger end dimensioned to 
mate with and attached to the opening defined by the cowling from which 
the airstream is outwardly directed. Furthermore, a plurality of water 
nozzles operable to inject water droplets into the airstream are 
distributed around the circumference of the airstream adjacent to the 
conical collar through an arc of at least 190 degrees around the opening 
defined by the conical collar. A seeding nozzle may also be provided to 
inject a mixture of water and compressed air into the airstream downstream 
of the conical collar so as to form seeding crystals. 
The method of the invention comprises creation of a directional airstream 
at or below 0.degree. C. by a motor-driven fan mounted within a cowling, 
directing the flow of said airstream through an inwardly tapering conical 
collar defining the frustum of a hollow cone, so as to act upon the flow 
of the airstream and increase the velocity and turbulence thereof, and 
thereafter injecting water droplets from a plurality of nozzles 
distributed around an arc of at least 190 degrees of the circular opening 
defined by the conical collar through which the airstream is directed. In 
addition, seeding crystals may be directed into the airstream following 
passage thereof through the conical collar. 
It is an object of the invention to provide improved snowmaking machinery 
which is effective to generate a high rate and quantity of high-quality 
artificial snow. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved snowmaking 
machine which is reliable, adapted to facilitate fine-tuning, so as to 
optimize artificial snow formation under ambient and dynamic weather 
conditions. 
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide improved snowmaking 
apparatus yielding increased distribution and improved artificial snow 
formation, both in terms of quality and quantity, with high efficiency and 
minimization of incompletely crystalized or excessively wet-type artifical 
snow. 
It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved method for 
producing artificial snow, whereby both the quality and quantity of snow 
crystals produced are improved and can be controlled in view of ambient, 
dynamic weather conditions. 
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a novel and improved 
method for making snow which is efficient, capable of providing maximum 
coverage and economically efficient and effective for commercial 
utilization. 
Other objects and advantages of the apparatus and method of the invention 
will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art through study of the 
description of the preferred embodiments set forth hereinafter and the 
appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In accordance with the present invention, one preferred embodiment is an 
improved snowmaking machine operable to produce artificial snow when 
atmospheric temperature is at or below freezing, 32.degree. F. or 
0.degree. C. The snowmaking machine comprises a round tunnel-like cowling 
11 connected by pivotal connecting bars 13 to the end of a U-shaped 
supporting arm 12, which is mounted on a suitable base, either of a 
stationary or portable type. Pivotal connecting bars 13 are oriented to 
provide pivotal movement of cowling 11 in the vertical plane. 
A mechanism to allow the vertical position of cowling 11 to be adjusted and 
secured in a desired position is also provided and comprises a handle bar 
14 attached at approximately a right angle to a U-shaped member 15, which 
is moveably connected to the upper portion of one of the support arms 12, 
adjacent to pivotal connection 13, and adapted for limited pivotal 
movement in a vertical plane transversed to the vertical plane of movement 
of cowling 11. A number of outwardly extending pins 71 are provided on the 
outside surface of cowling 11, and positioned so that one of pins 17 can 
be engaged by lowering U-shaped member 15 thereover, thus locking cowling 
11 in the desired vertical position. 
Once secured, the vertical position of cowling 11 may be changed by lifting 
handle bar 14, so as to disengage pin 17, changing the position of the 
cowling so that another of pins 17 can be engaged with U-shaped member 15, 
as it is lowered into position thereover. It is fully within the purview 
of the invention that any type of conventionally available mechanism 
capable of releasably securing cowling 11 in a desired vertical position 
can be utilized. 
A protective screen 20, which preferably extends beyond the rear end 18 of 
cowling 11, covering the opening defined thereby, is attached to rear end 
18. 
An external electrical supply line 21 is connected to junction box 22 
mounted on the side of cowling 11. An internal electrical line 23 extends 
from junction box 22 to an electrical motor 30 which is fixedly attached 
to mounting bracket 31, which in turn is securely mounted to the inside of 
cowling 11. A plurality of fan blades 32 are mounted on shaft 33 which 
extends rearwardly from motor 30 and is longitudinally oriented within 
cowling 11. Fan blades 32 are oriented and pitched, so that when motor 30 
rotates shaft 33 a high velocity airstream is created having a flow 34 
directed from rear end 18 to front end 19 of cowling 11. 
As a matter of added convenience, a removable section 25 of cowling 11 may 
be provided to facilitate service of fan blades 32 and motor 30. Here, 
removable section 25 is provided in the region within which fan blades 32 
are housed. Removable section 25 is attached to the main section 28 of 
cowling 11 and the rear section 29 of cowling 11 by co-mating flanges 26, 
which are held in firm engagement by bolts 27. It is within the purview of 
the invention that such a removable cowling section need not be provided, 
or that it may be provided with any suitable structure to facilitate 
access for servicing of internal parts of the snowmaking machine. 
A conical collar 35, which comprises a novel and unique feature of the 
present invention, is provided to direct the flow 34 of the airstream as 
it exits through the opening defined by front end 19 of cowling 11. 
Conical collar 35 comprises the frustum of a hollow cone, having an 
inwardly tapering side 36 and a large end 37 defining an opening 
dimensioned to mate with and attached to front end 19 of cowling 11. The 
smaller end 38 of the conical collar defines a circular opening of a 
lesser diameter than the opening defined by large end 37. 
For purposes of the invention, the angle defined by inwardly tapering side 
36 of conical colar 35 may be any suitable angle which is capable of 
uniformly acting upon the flow 34 of the airstream, so as to increase the 
turbulence, velocity and cooling capacity of the airstream. While not 
being limited by any particular theory or explanation, it is nevertheless 
believed that the inwardly tapering conical shape of collar 35 produces a 
venturi effect, which increasing the velocity of the airstream flowing 
therethrough and effecting the turbulence, so as to synergistically 
improve both the quality and quantity of artificial snow produced. 
An arcuately shaped water manifold 40 encircles the circumference of front 
end 19 of cowling 11 and is attached thereto. A junction 41, located at 
the base of manifold 40 and communicating therewith, is adapted to receive 
water supply line 42 and facilitate the flow of water therethrough. 
Junction 41 is also provided with a manifold control valve 43 and a valved 
"T" connection 44 which is located downstream of manifold control valve 
43. A hose 45 is attached at one end to valved "T" connection 44 and at 
the distal end of seeding nozzle 46 to facilitate a separately regulatable 
flow of water to seeding nozzle 46. 
A compressed air supply line 47 is attached to seeding nozzle 46, which is 
operable to internally combine water and compressed air and spray a 
mixture of the same from the nozzle orifice 48. Seeding nozzle 46 is 
located downstream and immediately adjacent to small end 38 of conical 
collar 35 and is positioned to spray seeding crystals upwardly from the 
lower portion of the airstream exiting small end 38. Preferably, seeding 
nozzle 46 is upstream of the point where water droplets are sprayed into 
the airstream. 
It is within the purview of the invention that any conventional type of 
seeding nozzle can be utilized, provided that it is operable to produce a 
combined mixture of water and compressed air, which when injected into a 
moving airstream, below freezing temperature, is capable of forming 
seeding crystals. 
A plurality of primary water nozzles 50 are attached to and communicate 
with water manifold 40. Each primary water nozzle 50 is incapable of 
separately regulating the rate of water flowing therethrough and sprayed 
from nozzle orifice 53. Rather, all of the primary water nozzles 50 are 
regulated by manifold control valve 43. Primary water nozzles 50 are 
oriented to direct the spray of water droplets exiting nozzle orifices 53 
into the airstream at an angle and downstream of the opening formed by 
small end 38 of conical collar 35 and, preferably, also downstream of the 
point at which seeding crystals from seeding nozzle 46 are injected into 
the airstream. 
It is fully within the purview of the invention that any type or 
configuration of nozzle orifice may be utilized to provide water droplets 
of a particular size or in a particular pattern, so as to effect the 
formation of artificial snow. 
Primary water nozzles 50 are more or less evenly distributed around an arc 
of about 190 to 300 degrees in the uppermost portion of the circular 
opening defined by small end 38 of conical collar 35. Preferably, a 
plurality of primary water nozzles 50 are provided within an arc of 210 
through 270 degrees. The minimum or maximum number of primary water 
nozzles utilized, as well as their particular distribution pattern within 
the arc indicated above varies and depends upon the choice of the 
snowmachine operator, taking into consideration the quantity and quality 
of snow to be produced, as well as the existing weather conditions, 
including wind, temperature and the like. Accordingly, it is to be 
understood that the present invention is not limited with respect to 
either the number of distribution of primary water nozzles within the arc 
of at least 190 degrees, as aforementioned. 
Optionally, in a preferred embodiment of the improved and novel snowmaking 
machine of the invention, a plurality of secondary water nozzles 51, each 
provided with a control valve 52, may be attached to and communicate with 
manifold 40 and distributed within the 190 to 300 degree arc in the 
uppermost portion of the circular opening defined by small end 38 of 
conical member 35. It has been found that provision of secondary water 
nozzles 51 is advantageous, because they facilitate fine-tuning of the 
snowmaking operation. In particular, the operator of the snowmaking 
machine of the invention can individually adjust the rate of water flow 
through each of the secondary nozzles 51, so as to control the amount of 
water droplets each produces and injects into the airstream, again taking 
into consideration the existing atmospheric conditions, such as 
temperature, wind and the like. Thus, the operator has the ability to 
optimize the quality and quantity of artificial snow produced by 
effectively adjusting the distribution of water droplets around the 
aforementioned arc. 
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, an improved method is 
provided for making artificial snow, utilizing the improved snowmaking 
machine herein described. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the 
method of the invention, a moving airstream at or below 0.degree. C. is 
generated by a motor-driven fan located within a tunnel-like cowling and 
having a uni-directional flow through and out of one open end of the 
tunnel-like cowling. It is within the purview of the invention that the 
directional airstream may be created or provided in any conventional 
manner, so long as it is directed through at least a portion of an 
open-ended cowling and has a temperature at or below the freezing point of 
water, (i.e. 32.degree. F. or 0.degree. C.). 
The airstream flow is then directed through an inwardly tapering conical 
collar defining the frustum of a hollow cone, whereupon the velocity, 
turbulence and cooling capacity of the airstream are all increased, 
without increasing the tendency of adjacent water nozzles, which are 
located around the periphery of the airstream as it exits the conical 
collar to freeze or become clogged with ice. For purposes of the 
invention, the angle at which the side of the conical collar tapers 
inwardly, as well as the individual diameters and ratio of the diameters 
of the large open end and small open end of the conical collar may be 
varied, provided that the airstream directed through the conical collar is 
acted upon, so as to increase the velocity, turbulence and/or cooling 
capacity thereof. Preferably, the larger open end of the conical collar 
through which the airstream is passed would be of the same diameter as the 
tunnel-like cowling from the through which it is generated and exits. 
Also, it is preferred that the angle of the inwardly tapering side of the 
conical collar ranges between about 100 170 degrees, relative to the flow 
of the airstream, while the ratio of the diameter of the larger end of the 
conical collar to the diameter of the opening formed by the smaller end of 
the conical collar preferably ranges between about 10:9 to about 10:5. It 
is to be understood that these dimensions are illustrative, and not 
limiting. 
Water droplets are sprayed from a plurality of individual nozzles located 
adjacent to and outside of the periphery of the airstream exiting the 
conical collar. These primary water nozzles are not individually 
regulatable and are distributed more or less evenly in an arc, preferably 
between 190-300 degrees and located in the uppermost portion of the 
circular opening defined by the conical collar through which the airstream 
is directed. Preferably, the water nozzles are distributed within an arc 
of 210 to 270 degrees. An arc less than 190 degrees can also be used and 
is operable. 
While it is fully within the purview of the invention that various sizes 
and distribution patterns of water droplets may be utilized, it is 
preferred that the water droplets in the form of fine spray are injected 
from a plurality of water nozzles more or less evenly distributed within 
the aforementioned arc at an angle into the periphery of the airstream. It 
has been advantageously discovered that in accordance with the invention, 
there is less tendency for the airstream and acted upon by the conical 
collar of the invention and passing in close proximity to the water 
nozzles to cause them to freeze or clog. This reduces the maintenance and 
man-power costs. 
Optionally, additional water droplets may be sprayed into the periphery of 
the airstream from secondary, valved nozzles, which are distributed within 
the aforementioned arc. Considering the existing atmostpheric conditions, 
such as temperature, wind velocity and the like, a greater or lesser 
amount of water droplets may be sprayed into the airstream from the 
secondary nozzles, so as to supplement and maximize the production of 
artificial snow, as well as the quality of the snow produced in accordance 
with the invention. 
Another feature of the preferred method of the invention is the step of 
injecting seeding crystals into the airstream as it exits the conical 
collar, either in substantially the same location or upstream from the 
point at which the water droplets are sprayed into the airstream. 
Preferably, seeding crystals are injected upwardly from the lowermost 
portion of the opening defined by the conical collar into the airstream 
exiting therefrom. 
Seeding crystals are, preferably, injected in the form of a mixture of 
water and compressed air, which are internally combined in a seeding 
nozzle of the well-known type. It is within the purview of the invention 
that seeding crystals may be formed and injected into the airstream, in 
accordance with any conventional method or apparatus. 
In accordance with the invention, high-quality artifical snow is produced 
with greater overall efficiency and a net reduction in overall energy 
consumption. The artifical snow produced in accordance with the invention 
is provided in a greater quantity per unit consumed. Most notably, a 
greater quantity of water can be converted into artificial snow per CFM 
(cubic feet per minute) of compressed air used to produce seeding 
crystals. It is the provision of compressed air which generally involves 
the highest energy consumption. Thus, in accordance with the present 
invention, a higher rate of water converted to snow per CFM of compressed 
air is achieved and results in improved commercial efficiency and cost. 
Furthermore, the artificial snow produced in accordance with the invention 
also tends to be of the more desirable powdery and less icy form, and is 
whiter in color, than the less desirable and grayer artifical snow of the 
more icy variety, typically produced by conventional snowmaking machines 
in accordance with conventional methods. 
EXAMPLE 
A snowmaking machine of the preferred embodiment herein described was 
utilized to produce artificial snow at Powder Ridge Ski Area in 
Middlefield, Connecticut, with an ambient atmospheric temperature of 
28.degree. F. The pressure of the supply line water was approximately 
175-300 psi. The flow of water was regulated so that approximately 60 
gallons per minute of water was consumed, most of which was passed through 
spray nozzles supplied by Bete Company of Massachusetts to form a fine 
spray directed into the airstream. Compressed air at a pressure ranging 
between 80 to 100 lbs. per square inch was provided to the seeding nozzle 
and approximately 25 CFM of compressed air was consumed to produce seeding 
crystals. 
The interior diameter of the units' cowling was 30 inches, as was the 
diameter of the opening formed by the larger end of the conical collar. 
The smaller opening of the conical collar measured 24 inches in diameter, 
with the sides of the conical collar measuring 9 inches in length. The 
vertical angle of the machine was adjusted to throw the airstream 
outwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees in the vertical plane. 
The motor-driven fan was activated to generate an airstream having a flow 
of approximately 16,000 CFM. 
Accordingly, approximately 60 gallons per minute of water was converted 
into high-quality snow of a powdery type and having a white color, which 
was distributed over the ground surface in a pattern extending outwardly 
beneath the flow of the airstream. A higher efficiency in terms of the 
amount of water converted per CFM of compressed air was achieved, in 
comparison to conventional snowmaking machines, for example of the type 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,161. 
Although the above Example is given solely for purposes of illustration, it 
will be understood that the snowmaking machine and method may be altered, 
varied or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the 
invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the number, 
distribution and relative positioning of both the primary water nozzles 
and secondary individually regulatable water nozzles may be varied. One 
such variation could be to provide primary and/or secondary nozzles in 
separate concentric arrays located within the arc herein described. 
Another such variation within the purview of the invention would be to 
provide an integrated cowling and conical collar or other functionally 
equivalent structure to act on the airstream in accordance with the 
invention. 
Yet another variation within the purview of the invention would be to 
modify the orientation and/or relative positioning of the arc within which 
the water nozzles are located and the position of the seeding nozzle. For 
example, the arc could be in the lowermost, or for that matter any, 
portion of the circular opening defined by the conical collar, and the 
seeding nozzle could be positioned to inject seeding crystals downwardly, 
or from any other direction, into the airstream exiting the conical collar 
.