Patent EA-005041-B1 (EA)
Title: Snow making method and apparatus
Inventor: BUCCERI ALFIO
IPC: F25C5/06
Filed: 2001-11-05
Abstract: 1. A snow making method including the steps of: (a) locating hoses, in an at least partially collapsed state, in a cooling medium; (b) at least partially filling the hoses with water to allow heat transfer from the water to the cooling medium to generate snow and/or ice crystals in the hoses; (c) applying an inflating force to the hoses to cause the hoses to be at least partially expanded, thereby releasing the snow and/or ice crystals from inner wall surfaces of the hoses; (d) reducing the inflating force to allow further generation of the snow and/or ice crystals in the hoses; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) until at least substantially all the water in the hoses has been converted to snow and/or ice crystals; and (f) discharging the snow and/or ice crystals from the hoses to enable the method to be repeated. 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein: steps (c) and (d) are effected at a cycle rate dependant on the rate of generation of the snow and/or ice crystals in the hoses. 3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein: steps (c) and (d) are effected continuously to cause continuous movement of the wall surfaces of the hoses. 4. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein: the cooling medium, ambient air, or a liquid is maintained at, or below, a preset temperature, by passing the cooling medium through a refrigeration apparatus, or through a heat exchanger operably connected to a refrigeration apparatus. 5. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein: step (c) is effected by the introduction of compressed air into the hoses and step (d) is effected by bleeding, or releasing, the air from the hoses. 6. A method as claimed in Claims 5 wherein: the introduction into, and bleeding from, the compressed air to the hoses is effected by valve means, which is controlled by computerised or like timing means. 7. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein: step (f) is effected by releasing clamping or sealing means applied to one end of the hoses and the introduction of compressed air to the other end of the hoses, the compressed air assisting the transport of the snow and/or ice crystals to, and through, the one end of the hoses. 8. Snow making apparatus, including: a cooling medium in a containment vessel; a plurality of hoses, at least partially filled with water; means to apply an at least intermittent or cyclable inflating force to the hoses to cause the hoses to be at least partially inflated and deflated; and means to discharge snow and/or ice crystals generated in the hoses; 9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein: the containment vessel is a tank, with insulated side walls, end walls, floor and optional removable lid or cover. 10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein: the cooling medium is air or a liquid, preferably brine or a water/glycol mixture. 11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, wherein: the hoses are constituted of material (s) which are water impervious, flexible, inflatable and capable of remaining pliable at low temperatures. 12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein: the hoses have a smooth inner liner constituted of material such as Teflon /trade mark/, polyurethane, nylon or like plastics or rubber materials resistant to ice formation, and are optionally coated with a non-stick coating such as linseed oil. 13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein: the outer layers of the hoses are constructed of flexible material or fibres, including thin-walled polypropylene, plastic, fabric or metal fibres. 14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 13 wherein: the hoses are contained within a cage or superimposed tanks to maintain the hoses in heat-transfer contact within the cooling medium. 15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 14 wherein: the means to at least partially inflate the hoses include a compressed air supply, a liquid pump or a vacuum pump; and a valve means, connected to a control system, to enable the hoses to be inflated and deflated in a predetermined cycle. 16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15 wherein: the means to discharge the snow and/or ice crystals from the hoses include compressed air, pump means and/or gravity. 17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 16 wherein: releasable sealing means operably close one end of the hoses, the sealing means including clamping means, on a retractable cylinder, externally engageable with the hose; a shut-off valve; or inflated bladder means within the hoses. 18. A snow making apparatus to produce snow within a cooling medium, the apparatus comprising: at least one hose connectable to a source of water, and having an inner wall surface contactable with the cooling medium to generate snow and/or ice crystals in each hose when at least partially filled with water; air supply means operable to supply a fluid comprising substantially air to the interior of at least one hose to cyclically or intermittently cause the or each hose to be at least partially inflated and deflated, whereby inflation of the or each hose causes release of the snow from the inner wall surfaces. 19. A snow making apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the air supply means comprises a source of compressed air wherein at least one hose is such that air is permitted to bleed therefrom to effect deflation. 20. A snow making apparatus as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein releasable sealing means operably closes one end of at least one hose, the sealing means being releasable to discharge the contents of at least one hose under action of the compressed air. 21. A snow making apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 further including a containment vessel for the cooling medium.