Artificial snow production system, artificial snow production apparatus and method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system

Abstract

A system (1) for the production of artificial snow, comprising an artificial snow-emitting device (2), at least one supply conduit (3) capable of supplying water and / or air to the emission device (2), and at least one pressure-regulating valve (4) interposed and active along the at least one supply conduit (3) for regulating the water and / or air pressure supplying the emission device (2). The system (1) further comprises at least one sensor (5) capable of detecting at least one mechanical wave (X) generated in the vicinity of the valve (4) and configured to generate at least one wave signal (S1) representative of the at least one mechanical wave (X), and a control unit (6) connected or connectable to the sensor (5) to receive the at least one wave signal (S1).In particular, the control unit (6) is configured to compare one or more features of at least one wave signal (S1) to one or more corresponding features of at least one predefined signal (S2) and generate at least one operating signal (S3) based on this comparison.

Description

Title of the invention: Artificial snow production system, artificial snow production apparatus and method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an artificial snow production system, an artificial snow production device and a method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system.

[0002] The present invention therefore falls within the technical field of artificial snowmaking equipment.

[0003] Generally, artificial snow production systems include a snow cannon, a nozzle, or other similar device capable of generating artificial snow from a quantity of water supplied to it via a suitable feed line. These systems also provide a compressed air supply, which can be generated on-site by means of a compressor or supplied centrally via a dedicated air supply line. In the latter case, the artificial snow production systems also include an air valve interposed along this supply line.

[0004] In particular, with regard to the water supply, the snow cannon may require a variable amount of water depending on the conditions and parameters (air temperature, humidity, water temperature, desired snow quality, etc.) where the system is operating.

[0005] Therefore, these systems include a pressure or flow control valve capable of regulating the pressure with which the water is conveyed to the gun.

[0006] In particular, the valve can be configured to guarantee a wide range of water flow values, for example from less than 1 litre / second to more than 10 litres / second in a wide pressure range, for example from 20 to 100 bar at the water inlet and from 5 to 50 bar at the water outlet (towards the snow gun).

[0007] Disadvantageously, the aforementioned pressure regulating valves may jam or break, resulting in a malfunction of the entire system.

[0008] For example, a high pressure difference between the water inlet and outlet, as well as the use of low water flow rates, can lead to cavitation phenomena resulting in significant damage or wear of the valve. Furthermore, the accumulation of dirt and any deformations that the valve may have undergone during operation may result in only a partial closure of the valve and therefore a decrease in the efficiency of the system as well as a certain risk of damage to the ski slope.

[0009] Disadvantageously, these systems are not able to detect the presence of the aforementioned malfunctions and their persistence over time can lead to unexpected breakdowns with subsequent equipment downtime.

[0010] The same problems can occur at the level of the valves intended for the management of the air supply of the artificial snow production system.

[0011] In this context, the technical task at the basis of the present invention is to propose an artificial snow production system, an artificial snow production device and a method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system which overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the known technique.

[0012] In particular, the present invention aims to provide an artificial snow production system, an artificial snow production device and a method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system which make it possible to detect the occurrence of malfunction conditions, in particular with regard to the water and / or air valves.

[0013] Another objective of the present invention is to propose an artificial snow production system, an artificial snow production device and a method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system which guarantee increased efficiency and operational reliability.

[0014] Another objective of the present invention is to propose an artificial snow production system, an artificial snow production device and a method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system exhibiting a high degree of operational flexibility.

[0015] The specified technical objective and the specified goals are essentially achieved by an artificial snow production system, an artificial snow production apparatus and a method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the attached claims.

[0016] Dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description, which relates to a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an artificial snow production system, an artificial snow production apparatus, and a detection method. of a malfunction in an artificial snow production system shown in the attached drawings, including:

[0018] [Fig.1], [Fig.2], [Fig.3], [Fig.4] are a plurality of views according to a respective plurality of possible embodiments of an artificial snow production system, an artificial snow production apparatus and a method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system according to the present invention;

[0019] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of a possible embodiment of the operation of an artificial snow production system, an artificial snow production device and a method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system according to the present invention;

[0020] [Fig.6] is a schematic representation of another possible embodiment of the operation of an artificial snow production system, an artificial snow production device and a method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system according to the present invention.

[0021] With reference to the attached figures, an artificial snow production system has been designated as a whole by the numeral 1, which, hereafter, will be referred to as system 1.

[0022] The system 1 includes an artificial snow emission device 2 and at least one supply conduit 3 connected to the emission device 2.

[0023] In particular, at least one supply conduit 3 is suitable for supplying water and / or air to the emission device 2.

[0024] Preferably, the emission device 2 may include at least one snow cannon and / or snow lance and / or other equipment suitable for generating artificial snow not expressly described herein.

[0025] In addition, the system 1 includes at least one pressure and / or flow control valve 4 interposed and / or active along at least one supply conduit 3 to regulate the pressure and / or flow of the water and / or air supplied to the emission device 2.

[0026] Advantageously, the system 1 includes at least one sensor 5 capable of detecting at least one mechanical wave "X" ([Fig.5]) generated in the vicinity of the valve 4 and configured to generate at least one wave signal "S1" representative of at least one mechanical wave "X".

[0027] It should be noted that such mechanical waves may be indicative of a possible malfunction of the valve, for example defective closures of valve 4, and / or the presence of cavitation phenomena.

[0028] By way of purely non-limiting example, the sensor 5 can be configured to detect at least one sound wave. In other words, mechanical base “X” mentioned above, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a sound wave.

[0029] The system 1 further includes a control unit 6 connected or capable of being connected to the sensor 5 to receive at least one wave signal “SI”.

[0030] In particular, the control unit 6 is configured to compare one or more characteristics of at least one wave signal "S1" to one or more corresponding characteristics of at least one predefined signal "S2" and generate at least one operating signal "S3" based on this comparison.

[0031] These characteristics may include, for example, the background frequency, the background amplitude and / or the phase of the signal.

[0032] By way of purely non-limiting example, at least one predefined signal "S2" may be representative of correct operation of the valve 4, for example of a normal operating condition.

[0033] Preferably, the control unit can be configured to compare at least one wave signal "S1" to a plurality of predefined signals "S2" and generate at least one operating signal "S3" based on this comparison.

[0034] Otherwise, at least one predefined signal "S2" may be representative of a malfunction condition of valve 4 and / or the occurrence of cavitation phenomena.

[0035] In this way, the control unit 6 is able to monitor the proper functioning of the system 1 and / or detect any malfunction or cavitation phenomenon.

[0036] Thus, the control unit 6 takes charge of the maintenance operations of system 1 both from a corrective point of view, by detecting malfunctions of different types, and from a predictive point of view, through the constant monitoring of the operation of system 1 and a precise analysis of the deviations between the optimal operation of the system and the actual operation of system 1.

[0037] Advantageously, at least one operating signal "S3" can generate at least one alarm signal "S4" capable of indicating at least one malfunction of at least one control valve 4 if the control unit 6 detects that the wave signal "SI" has one or more characteristics having values ​​that deviate from the respective values ​​of the corresponding characteristics of the predefined signal "S2".

[0038] For example, the alarm signal "S4" may indicate that the control unit 6 has detected a deviation of a predefined delta of at least one characteristic of the wave signal "SI" with respect to the same characteristic of the predefined signal "S2".

[0039] In this way, the control unit increases the safety of system 1 by alerting the personnel concerned in the event of a malfunction of valve 4.

[0040] For example, the sensor 5 can be configured to detect a mechanical wave with a frequency between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. The control unit 6 can be configured to perform an analysis of mechanical base frequencies and to determine whether or not there is a valve malfunction.

[0041] Preferably, at least one sensor 5 can be mounted on the valve 4 and / or near the valve 4 in order to detect more effectively the mechanical waves emitted, for example, by the interaction between the valve 4 and the water and / or air passing through it.

[0042] In accordance with another advantageous aspect, at least one sensor 5 may include at least one microphone.

[0043] In addition, at least one sensor 5 may include at least one knock sensor (or ratchet sensor).

[0044] The at least one sensor 5 may, in addition, include at least one acoustic emission sensor.

[0045] By way of purely non-limiting example, the system 1 may comprise a plurality of sensors 5. In particular, each of these sensors 5 may be capable of detecting at least one mechanical wave "X" and configured to generate at least one wave signal "SI" representative of at least one mechanical wave "X".

[0046] In this way, the plurality of sensors 5 makes it possible to increase the accuracy and efficiency of monitoring the operating conditions of system 1.

[0047] According to another aspect, at least one supply conduit 3 can be configured to supply only water to the emitting device 2.

[0048] According to other possible embodiments of the present invention, at least one supply duct 3 can be configured to supply only air to the emission device 2.

[0049] According to certain possible embodiments and as illustrated in [Fig. 6], the at least one supply conduit 3 may comprise at least a first conduit 31, configured to supply only water to the emitting device 2, and at least a second conduit 32, configured to supply only air to the emitting device 2. Furthermore, the system 1 may comprise at least a first pressure regulating valve 41 and a second pressure regulating valve 42, respectively active on the first supply conduit 31 and on said second supply conduit 32, to regulate the pressure and / or flow rate of the water and air supplied to the conduits. In particular, the system 1 may comprise a first sensor 51 capable of detecting at least one first mechanical wave "XI" generated near the first valve and configured to generate at least one first wave signal "SI1" representative of the at least one first mechanical wave "XI".In addition, system 1 may include a second sensor 52 capable of detecting at least one second mechanical wave "X2" generated in the vicinity of the second valve. 42 and configured to generate at least one second wave signal “S12” representative of at least one second mechanical wave “X2”.

[0050] At this stage, the control unit 6 is configured to generate an operating signal "S3" and a subsequent alarm signal "S4" based on the comparison of at least one of the wave signals "SU" or "S12" with the predefined signal "S2" which contains information relating to references to both air and water.

[0051] In any event, the control unit 6 can further be configured to detect and / or acquire and / or process a plurality of historical wave signals "SC" that occur sequentially over a historical reference period. For example, these historical wave signals "SC" may refer to a single historical reference period or to the entire operating period of system 1 or a portion thereof. In addition, the control unit 6 can be configured to generate and / or modify at least partially the at least one predefined signal "S2" based on the aforementioned historical wave signals "SC" and / or a combination thereof.

[0052] In this way, the control unit 6, by essentially performing a "self-learning", ensures a continuous improvement in the effectiveness of monitoring system 1.

[0053] By way of purely non-limiting example, the control unit 6 can generate and / or modify at least one predefined signal "S2" based on an average of the aforementioned historical wave signals "SC".

[0054] According to another advantageous aspect, the control unit 6 may include a memory module "M" capable of storing at least one predefined signal "S2" and / or at least one historical signal "SC".

[0055] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention refers to an artificial snow production apparatus 100 comprising at least one system 1 as described above, and at least one well 101 suitable for housing at least partially the at least one system 1.

[0056] Preferably, the sensor 5 of at least one system 1 is at least partially housed in at least one well 101.

[0057] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for detecting a malfunction of an artificial snow production system and is also described.

[0058] The method includes the steps of pre-disposing at least one sensor capable of detecting at least one mechanical wave generated in the vicinity of a water and / or air pressure regulating valve supplying the artificial snow production system.

[0059] Advantageously, the method includes a step of performing at least one detection of at least one mechanical wave during the operation of the artificial snow production system, and the step of performing at least one comparison between one or more characteristics of at least one wave signal and one or more corresponding characteristics of at least one predefined signal.

[0060] In addition, the method includes a step of generating at least one alarm signal based on said comparison.

[0061] In this way, the method makes it possible to monitor the operation of the system and to detect any malfunctions or cavitation phenomena.

[0062] Preferably, the process is carried out with a system 1 in accordance with what has been described previously.

[0063] Thus, it is observed that the present invention achieves the proposed goals by providing a particularly reliable artificial snow production system capable of detecting the occurrence of malfunction conditions thanks to the presence of at least one sensor and a control unit configured to compare at least one wave signal from the sensor to at least one predefined signal and generate at least one operating signal based on this comparison.

Claims

Claims

1. System (1) for producing artificial snow, comprising: - an emission device (2) for artificial snow; - at least one supply conduit (3) connected to said emission device (2), said at least one supply conduit (3) being capable of supplying water and / or air to said emission device (2); - at least one pressure and / or flow regulating valve (4) interposed and active along said at least one supply conduit (3) to regulate the pressure and / or flow rate of the water and / or air supplied to said emission device (2); characterized in that it comprises: - at least one sensor (5) capable of detecting at least one mechanical wave (X) generated in the vicinity of said valve (4) and configured to generate at least one wave signal (SI) representative of said at least one mechanical wave (X);and - a control unit (6) connected or connectable to said sensor (5) for receiving said at least one wave signal (SI), said control unit (6) being configured to compare one or more characteristics of said at least one wave signal (SI) with one or more corresponding characteristics of at least one predefined signal (S2) and generate at least one operating signal (S3) as a function of said comparison.;

2. System according to claim 1, wherein said at least one operating signal (S3) comprises at least one alarm signal (S4) capable of indicating at least one malfunction of said at least one regulating valve (4) if said control unit (6) detects that said wave signal (SI) has one or more characteristics having values which deviate from the respective values of the corresponding characteristics of said predefined signal (S2), at least by a predefined delta.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sensor (5) is configured to detect at least one sound wave.

4. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said sensor (5) is configured to detect a mechanical wave (X) having a frequency between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

5. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one sensor (5) is mounted on said valve (4) and / or in proximity to said valve (4).

6. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one sensor (5) comprises at least one microphone.

7. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one sensor (5) comprises at least one knock sensor.

8. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of sensors, each of said sensors being capable of detecting at least one mechanical wave (X) and configured to generate at least one wave signal (SI) representative of said at least one mechanical wave (X).

9. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one supply conduit (3) is configured to supply only water to said emission device (2).

10. System according to one or more of claims 1-8, wherein said at least one supply conduit (3) is configured to supply only air to said emission device (2).

11. System according to one or more of claims 1-8, wherein said at least one supply conduit (3) comprises at least a first conduit configured to supply only water to said emission device (2) and at least a second conduit configured to supply only air to said emission device (2); wherein said system comprises a first pressure regulating valve (41) and a second pressure regulating valve (42) active, respectively, on said first supply conduit (31) and said second supply conduit (32) to adjust the pressure of the water and air supplied to said conduits; wherein said system comprises a first sensor (51) capable of detecting at least a first mechanical wave (XI) generated in the vicinity of said first valve (41) and configured to generate at least a first wave signal (SI 1) representative of said at least a first mechanical wave (XI);and wherein said system comprises a second sensor (52) capable of detecting at least one second mechanical wave (X2) generated in the vicinity of said second valve (42); and configured to generate at least one second wave signal (S 12) representative of said at least one second mechanical wave (X2).

12. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said emission device (2) comprises at least one snow cannon and / or a snow lance.

13. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said control unit (6) is further configured to: - detect a plurality of historical wave signals (SC) succeeding one another over time in a reference historical period; - generate and / or at least partially modify said at least one predefined signal (S2) as a function of said historical wave signals (SC).

14. Apparatus (100) for producing artificial snow, comprising: - at least one system according to one or more of the preceding claims; - at least one well (101) capable of at least partially housing said at least one system; and wherein said at least one sensor (5) is at least partially housed in said at least one well (101).

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