Patent Description:
A ski area generally comprises a plurality of ski runs; artificial snow-making equipment arranged along the ski runs; and a fleet of snow groomers.

Artificial snow-making equipment and snow groomers are used to prepare the snow cover on ski runs. More precisely, artificial snow-making equipment produces programmed amounts of artificial snow to compensate for the lack of natural snow or, as appropriate, to guarantee constant snow quality, especially where it tends to wear away more quickly or, still further, to prepare artificial structures such as jumps, bumps, half-pipes and the like in the increasingly popular snow parks and fun parks.

In the last few decades, artificial snow-making equipment has become increasingly widespread to make up for the lack of natural snow on the ski runs.

Generally, artificial snow-making equipment comprises a plurality of snow generators arranged along the ski runs.

As is known, there are two types of generators widely used in ski areas: lance-type generators and fan-type generators.

Both types of generators comprise a plurality of first nozzles, which emit jets of atomised water, and a plurality of second nozzles, which emit jets composed of a mixture of compressed air and water in the vicinity of the jets of atomised water. Documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose respective examples of devices for dispensing atomised water to make artificial snow.

The compressed air divides the water into tiny drops, which in contact with the external environment, due to the sudden loss of pressure and the decrease in temperature, freeze and form tiny ice particles that make up the nuclei of the artificial snow crystals.

When the water droplets of the jets of atomised water meet the ice particles, they adhere to the ice particles and freeze, thereby forming an artificial snow crystal.

Generally, the fan-type generator comprises a fan configured to diffuse the jet of atomised water and the jet of the mixture of compressed air and water into the external environment.

Currently known generators are unable to maintain the characteristics of the generated artificial snow constant following large variations in the climatic conditions of the external environment.

One object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing assembly for a snow generator for snow-making on ski runs, which mitigates the drawback of the prior art.

According to the present invention, a dispensing assembly for a snow generator for snow-making on ski runs is provided; the dispensing assembly extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising:.

the free end of the rotor being coupled to the circular opening of the fixed structure so as to delimit, together with the fixed structure, an annular gap configured to guide a jet of atomised water towards the outside of the dispensing assembly.

In this way, it is possible to emit a jet of atomised water for the generation of higher quality snow compared to the prior art.

Furthermore, the size of the water droplets in the jet of atomised water can be changed easily and readily by changing the rotation speed of the rotor.

The size of the annular gap can be varied in order to control the flow rate of the atomised water jet emitted through the annular gap based on the pressure of the water entering the generator.

Accordingly, the flow rate of the atomised water jet can be adjusted in order to maintain the characteristics of the generated snow constant in wide ranges of climatic conditions.

In other words, it is possible to generate snow with substantially unchanged characteristics in widely different climatic conditions.

The term substantially coincident with or parallel to the longitudinal axis, with reference to the direction of movement of the rotor, is intended to mean a maximum angle of <NUM>° between the direction of movement of the rotor and the longitudinal axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the maximum angle allowed between the direction of movement of the rotor and the longitudinal axis is <NUM>°.

In another preferred embodiment, the maximum angle allowed between the direction of movement of the rotor and the longitudinal axis is <NUM>°.

In another preferred embodiment, the direction of movement of the rotor coincides with the longitudinal axis.

In greater detail, the dispensing assembly comprises a motor coupled to the rotor to drive the rotation of the rotor preferably around the longitudinal axis.

The motor allows the rotation speed of the rotor to be controlled in a simple way.

In particular, the free end of the rotor is of a truncated cone shape.

In this way, the rotation of the rotor causes, due to the effect of the centrifugal force, the emission of a conical jet of atomised water.

In particular, the dispensing assembly comprises a moving assembly for moving the rotor; the moving assembly comprising a hollow shaft, and an actuator configured to drive the hollow shaft in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis; the rotor being inserted at least partially inside the hollow shaft and being coupled to the hollow shaft so as to rotate around the longitudinal axis independently of the hollow shaft and so as to move in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis together with the hollow shaft; preferably wherein the moving assembly comprises a bearing assembly; the rotor and the hollow shaft being coupled via the bearing assembly.

In this way, the rotor can rotate around the longitudinal axis while the rotor is moved along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis with respect to the fixed structure.

Furthermore, the bearing assembly allows the rotation of the rotor around the longitudinal axis to be uncoupled from the rotation of the hollow shaft around the longitudinal axis in a simple way.

In other words, the rotor and the hollow shaft are configured to move integrally with each other along a direction parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis and to rotate independently of each other around the longitudinal axis.

In particular, the moving assembly comprises an annular body, which is fixed to the fixed structure and has a threaded inner surface; a first gear wheel, fixed to the hollow shaft so as to rotate around the longitudinal axis together with the hollow shaft; and a second gear wheel, which engages with the first gear wheel and is controlled by the actuator; a portion of the outer surface of the hollow shaft being threaded so as to couple with the threaded inner surface of the annular body; with the actuator controlling the rotation of the second gear wheel.

In other words, the actuator controls the screwing of the hollow shaft into the annular body, causing the movement of the hollow shaft and the rotor along a direction parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis.

In this way, the size of the annular gap can be changed in a simple and rapid way.

In particular, the hollow shaft is configured to screw into the annular body so as to move the rotor in a direction coincident with or parallel to the longitudinal axis.

In particular, the fixed structure comprises a body and a bracket fixed to the body at the free end of the rotor so as to delimit the annular gap together with the free end of the rotor.

In this way, the size of the circular opening of the fixed structure and the size of the annular gap can be defined accurately.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a snow generator for snow-making on ski runs, which alleviates the drawback of the prior art.

In accordance with the present invention, a snow generator for snow-making on ski runs is provided; the generator comprising the dispensing assembly as previously described, and an emission assembly configured to emit at least one jet of a mixture composed of compressed air and drops of water at the jet of atomised water; in particular, so as to emit the jet of the mixture in a direction incident to the jet of atomised water.

In greater detail, when the drops of water of the mixture come into contact with the external environment, they freeze and form tiny ice particles, allowing the drops of atomised water to adhere to the ice particles.

This facilitates the nucleation of artificial snow crystals.

In particular, the emission assembly comprises at least one nozzle coupled to the fixed structure near the annular gap, and an air supply assembly, configured to supply compressed air to the at least one nozzle; the water supply assembly being configured to supply water at a given pressure to the at least one nozzle; the at least one nozzle being configured to mix the compressed air and the water and emit the jet of the mixture at the jet of atomised water.

The at least one nozzle allows the jet of the mixture to be emitted near the annular gap in order to increase the chances that the drops of atomised water will adhere to the ice particles and promote the nucleation of the artificial snow crystals.

In particular, the at least one nozzle extends in an inclined direction with respect to the longitudinal axis so as to emit the jet of the mixture in a direction incident to the jet of atomised water.

This allows the jet of the mixture to be emitted at a reduced angle of incidence with respect to the jet of atomised water, in order to favour the incidence between the jet of the mixture and the jet of atomised water.

In particular, the water supply assembly comprises a first chamber obtained inside the fixed structure and configured to contain water at a given pressure and to supply water to the annular gap and to the at least one nozzle.

In this way, the first chamber serves as a reservoir that contains water and continuously supplies it at a given pressure both to the annular gap and the at least one nozzle.

In particular, the air supply assembly comprises a second annular chamber configured to contain compressed air and to supply compressed air to the at least one nozzle.

In this way, the second chamber serves as a reservoir that contains air and continuously supplies it at a given pressure to the at least one nozzle.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the snow generator comprises at least one dispensing assembly and a plurality of nozzles arranged around the at least one dispensing assembly; the generator being preferably of the lance type.

In particular, the lance-type generator comprises a single dispensing assembly.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the snow generator comprises a tubular frame, which extends along a further longitudinal axis and supports at least one dispensing assembly and a plurality of nozzles arranged next to the at least one dispensing assembly; and a fan placed inside the tubular frame and configured to rotate inside the tubular frame, preferably around the further longitudinal axis, so as to convey a flow of air incident with the jet of atomised water and/or with the jet of the mixture of compressed air and water.

In this case, the generator is of the fan type.

In particular, the dispensing assembly extends along the further longitudinal axis and is arranged inside the tubular frame; preferably, the generator comprises a support structure fixed to the inner wall of the tubular frame; the dispensing assembly preferably being supported by the support structure.

In accordance with a variant of the second embodiment, the snow generator comprises a plurality of dispensing assemblies arranged in a ring along one end of the tubular frame; the generator preferably comprising a plurality of nozzles, each of which is arranged next to at least one dispensing assembly.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, with <NUM> is indicated, as a whole, a snow generator.

In the preferred embodiment, the snow generator <NUM> is used for the generation of artificial snow for snow-making on ski runs, without thereby limiting the wide range of possible different applications of the present invention. In particular, the generator <NUM> is used as a lance-type generator.

The generator <NUM> comprises a dispensing assembly <NUM>, which extends along a longitudinal axis A1, an emission assembly <NUM> configured to emit at least one jet of a mixture composed of compressed air and drops of water, and a supply and support structure <NUM> configured to supply the dispensing assembly <NUM> and the emission assembly <NUM> with pressurized water, compressed air and electrical energy, and to support the dispensing assembly <NUM>.

The term "water" is intended to mean both the liquid commonly present in a natural basin and the liquid mixture formed by water and other substances dissolved in it.

With reference to <FIG>, the dispensing assembly <NUM> comprises a fixed structure <NUM> having a circular opening <NUM> extending along the longitudinal axis A1; a rotor <NUM> arranged along the longitudinal axis A1, which has one free end <NUM> of a truncated cone shape at the circular opening <NUM> and is configured to rotate around the longitudinal axis A1; a motor <NUM>, preferably electric, to control the rotation of the rotor <NUM> around the longitudinal axis A1; a moving assembly <NUM> for moving the rotor <NUM>, configured to move the rotor <NUM> in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A1; and a water supply assembly <NUM>.

The fixed structure <NUM> comprises a body <NUM>, which has the circular opening <NUM>; a cover <NUM>, preferably made of plastic material and arranged around the rotor <NUM> and the moving assembly <NUM> to protect the rotor <NUM> and the moving assembly <NUM> from external agents; and a bracket <NUM>, which is fixed to the body <NUM>, has an annular portion arranged inside the circular opening <NUM>, and is arranged around the free end <NUM> of the rotor <NUM> so as to form, together with the free end <NUM> of the rotor <NUM>, an annular gap.

In accordance with a variant of the present invention, the cover <NUM> is made of metallic material, preferably aluminium.

The moving assembly <NUM> comprises a hollow shaft <NUM>, inside which the rotor <NUM> is partially arranged; two bearings <NUM> and <NUM> arranged between the rotor <NUM> and the hollow shaft <NUM> in order to uncouple the rotation of the rotor <NUM> from the rotation of the hollow shaft <NUM>; an annular body <NUM>, which is fixed to the body <NUM> of the fixed structure <NUM> and has a threaded inner surface; a gear wheel <NUM>, fixed to the hollow shaft <NUM> so as to rotate around the longitudinal axis A1 together with the hollow shaft <NUM>; a gear wheel <NUM>, which engages with the gear wheel <NUM>; and an actuator <NUM>, preferably an electric motor, configured to control the rotation of the gear wheel <NUM>.

A portion of the outer surface of the hollow shaft <NUM> is threaded so as to couple with the threaded inner surface of the annular body <NUM>.

In accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention, not shown in the attached Figures, the moving assembly <NUM> can assume different configurations from the case shown in <FIG>.

By way of example, the rotor <NUM> can be moved along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 by a linear actuator, in particular a hydraulic cylinder.

The water supply assembly <NUM> comprises a chamber <NUM>, which is obtained inside the fixed structure <NUM> and delimited by the walls of the body <NUM>, by a wall of the bracket <NUM> facing the circular opening <NUM>, by one end of the hollow shaft <NUM> and by the free end <NUM> of the rotor <NUM>, which is partially arranged inside the chamber <NUM>.

The chamber <NUM> communicates with the external environment through the annular gap and is configured to contain water at a given pressure and supply the water to the annular gap.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, not shown in the attached Figures, the water supply assembly <NUM> comprises a supply duct having one end arranged near the annular gap to supply water at a given pressure directly to the annular gap.

The emission assembly <NUM> comprises an air supply assembly <NUM> and four nozzles <NUM> arranged around the annular gap, for the emission of jets of a mixture of compressed air and water.

The compressed air supply assembly <NUM> comprises an annular chamber <NUM>, which is obtained inside the fixed structure <NUM>, is delimited by the walls of the body <NUM> of the fixed structure <NUM> and by a wall of the bracket <NUM>, and is configured to contain air at a given pressure.

Each nozzle <NUM> is coupled to the fixed structure <NUM> near the annular gap and extends in an inclined direction with respect to the longitudinal axis A1.

The number of nozzles <NUM> may vary depending on the particular needs and does not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Each nozzle <NUM> comprises a tubular body <NUM>, which has a first portion arranged inside the chamber <NUM> and a second portion arranged inside the chamber <NUM>.

In greater detail, the first portion of the tubular body <NUM> has an opening <NUM> for the introduction of water into the tubular body <NUM> and a filter <NUM> arranged around the first portion of the tubular body <NUM> at the opening <NUM>.

The second portion of the tubular body <NUM> has an opening <NUM> for the introduction of compressed air into the tubular body <NUM>.

In accordance with a variant of the present invention, the nozzle <NUM> has a plurality of openings <NUM> and <NUM>.

The supply and support structure <NUM> comprises a water supply duct <NUM>, in fluidic communication with the chamber <NUM>, and a compressed air supply duct <NUM>, in fluidic communication with the chamber <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, <NUM> indicates, as a whole, a snow generator in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

The generator <NUM> is used for the generation of artificial snow for snow-making on ski runs, without thereby limiting the wide range of possible different applications of the present invention. In particular, the generator <NUM> is used as a fan-type generator or a snow cannon.

The generator <NUM> is provided with a blower, which comprises a tubular frame <NUM> extending along a longitudinal axis A2; a support structure <NUM> fixed to the inner wall of the tubular frame <NUM>; a fan <NUM>, which is arranged inside the tubular frame <NUM>, is supported by the support structure <NUM>, and is configured to rotate around the longitudinal axis A2; a plurality of dispensing assemblies <NUM> supported by the tubular frame <NUM> and arranged in a ring along one end of the tubular frame <NUM>; and an emission assembly <NUM> supported by the frame <NUM> and comprising a plurality of nozzles <NUM>, each of which is configured to emit a jet of a mixture of compressed air and water and is arranged next to at least one dispensing assembly <NUM> associated therewith.

In greater detail, each dispensing assembly <NUM> and the respective emission assembly <NUM> associated therewith are arranged in respective openings formed in the tubular frame <NUM> so as to direct the jet of atomised water and the jet of the mixture of compressed air and water in directions incident to each other and transverse to the longitudinal axis A2.

The fan <NUM> is configured to convey a flow of air incident to the jets of atomised water and of the mixture of compressed air and water in order to increase the range and facilitate the mixing of said jets.

With reference to <FIG>, a variant of the second embodiment is shown, in which the generator <NUM> comprises a single dispensing assembly <NUM>, which is arranged inside the tubular frame <NUM>, is supported by the support structure <NUM>, and extends along the longitudinal axis A2; and a plurality of nozzles <NUM>, which are arranged inside the frame <NUM> around the dispensing assembly <NUM> and are supported by the support structure <NUM>.

In accordance with a further variant of the second embodiment, not shown in the attached Figures, the generator comprises a plurality of dispensing assemblies <NUM> arranged in a ring along one end of the tubular frame <NUM> as well as a dispensing assembly <NUM> arranged inside the tubular frame <NUM> and extending along the longitudinal axis A2.

In accordance with a further alternative embodiment, not shown in the attached Figures, the emission assembly is omitted from the snow generator. In other words, the jet of the mixture of compressed air and water is emitted by an emission assembly external to the snow generator.

In use and with reference to <FIG>, the water is supplied from the duct <NUM> to the chamber <NUM> at a given pressure.

The motor <NUM> controls the rotation of the rotor <NUM>, whose free end <NUM>, by turning, atomizes the water contained in the chamber <NUM> at the annular gap and emits a conical-shaped jet of atomised water guided by the annular gap towards the external environment.

The motor <NUM> is configured to vary the rotation speed of the rotor <NUM> in order to control the size of the drops of atomised water according to the particular needs.

The pressurized water inside the chamber <NUM> is supplied to each nozzle <NUM> through the respective opening <NUM>.

The compressed air is supplied from the duct <NUM> to the chamber <NUM>, and from the chamber <NUM> to each nozzle <NUM> through the respective opening <NUM>.

The water and the compressed air are mixed inside each nozzle <NUM> to form a mixture.

The compressed air, by mixing with the water, splits the water into tiny drops of water and then the mixture is emitted in the form of a jet from each nozzle <NUM>, at the conical jet of atomised water.

Each nozzle <NUM> emits the jet of the mixture in a direction which is slightly inclined with respect to the conical jet of atomised water so that the jet of the mixture is incident to the jet of atomised water with a reduced angle of incidence.

When the drops of water of the mixture come into contact with the external environment they freeze in a very short time, due to the rapid decrease in temperature and pressure, thus forming tiny particles of ice. The drops of atomised water come into contact with the ice particles and adhere to the ice particles, allowing the nucleation of artificial snow crystals.

The moving assembly <NUM> controls the position of the rotor <NUM>, and in particular of the free end <NUM>, with respect to the circular opening <NUM> so as to vary the size of the annular gap in order to adjust the flow rate and pressure of the jet of atomised water according to the particular operational needs.

In greater detail, the actuator <NUM> controls the rotation of the gear wheel <NUM> which engages with the gear wheel <NUM> transmitting the rotation to the gear wheel <NUM>, which, in turn, as it is keyed to the hollow shaft <NUM>, transmits the rotation to the hollow shaft <NUM>.

Accordingly, the actuator <NUM> controls the rotation of the hollow shaft <NUM> around the longitudinal axis A1.

By rotating, the hollow shaft <NUM> screws into the thread of the annular body <NUM>, causing the hollow shaft <NUM> to move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A1.

The rotor <NUM> moves in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 together with the hollow shaft <NUM> and, as it is coupled to the hollow shaft <NUM> via the bearings <NUM> and <NUM>, rotates around the longitudinal axis A1 independently of the rotation of the hollow shaft <NUM> around the longitudinal axis A1.

Claim 1:
A dispensing assembly for a snow generator for snowmaking on ski runs; the dispensing assembly (<NUM>) extending along a longitudinal axis (A1) and comprising:
- a fixed structure (<NUM>) having a circular opening (<NUM>) extending along the longitudinal axis (A1);
- a rotor (<NUM>) extending along the longitudinal axis (A1), which has one free end (<NUM>) at the circular opening (<NUM>), and is configured to rotate around a rotational axis, preferably coinciding with the longitudinal axis (A1), at a rotation speed of the rotor (<NUM>), wherein the rotation speed of the rotor (<NUM>) is adjustable and the rotor (<NUM>) is mobile along a direction substantially coincident with or parallel to the longitudinal axis (A1) with respect to the fixed structure (<NUM>); and
- a water supply assembly (<NUM>), configured to supply water at a given pressure within the fixed structure (<NUM>), at the free end (<NUM>) of the rotor (<NUM>);
the free end (<NUM>) of the rotor (<NUM>) being coupled to the circular opening (<NUM>) of the fixed structure (<NUM>) so as to delimit, together with the fixed structure (<NUM>), an annular gap configured to guide a jet of atomised water towards the outside of the dispensing assembly (<NUM>).