초록 ▼

Method and apparatus for making snow by generating water spray from a triple array of multiple nozzle sub-boom branch-pipes transversely protruding from the upper end of a main boom of a pivotably adjustable snow making pipe tower. Three air jet streams, one for each branch pipe, are simultaneously

Method and apparatus for making snow by generating water spray from a triple array of multiple nozzle sub-boom branch-pipes transversely protruding from the upper end of a main boom of a pivotably adjustable snow making pipe tower. Three air jet streams, one for each branch pipe, are simultaneously discharged under high pressure into and sequentially through the throats of each associated multiple stack of water sprays issuing from each set of branch pipe nozzles to thereby form multiple spray plumes of atomized and seeded water all directed forwardly from the upper end of the tower pipe. The water pipe may be an elliptical aluminum extrusion with two interior air tubes respectively controllably feeding large and small diameter air jet arrays to thereby provide a range of air jet water spray interaction. The pipe tower may be pivotally raised and lowered by a block-and-tackle or chain fall type drive mechanism that may be recoupled to the tops of a lifting pole and tower pipe for bodily raising the entire tower pipe and its support pipe telescopically on a ground support pole. Spreader-supported guy wires may be used to brace the tower pipe and also provide an electrical deicing circuit. Air jet control, blow-out valving and water drain conduit arrangements are disclosed, and also universally adjustable ground support systems for the pipe tower, including an underground-fed combined telescopic hydraulic ram forming air and water conduits.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] 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 adja

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] 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.