System and method for the emission of artificial snow with wind traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snow distribution systems on ski slopes face inaccuracies due to high variance in wind direction and speed, leading to uneven snow distribution and low-quality snow production, especially with fixed snow guns that cannot adjust orientation and require stable communication with remote stations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tubular snow gun with integrated optical devices, such as cameras and sensors, to directly monitor and adjust the snow flow, allowing for real-time adjustments in orientation and intensity to ensure uniform snow distribution by comparing detected signals with reference data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote weather station measurement is used to estimate wind conditions, then the system can operate with fixed snow guns, but measurement precision deteriorates due to high wind variance over short distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical device as an intermediary between the snow gun and the remote weather station. This intermediary directly measures snow flow trajectory deviations caused by wind at the exact location of the snow gun, providing accurate local wind impact data without relying on remote station estimates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the indirect mechanical/weather-station-based wind measurement system with an optical detection system. The optical device uses light-based detection to directly observe and measure snow flow trajectory, substituting the flawed remote sensing approach with direct optical measurement at the snow gun location.
2Device complexity
If indirect wind measurement is used, then system complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to errors in trajectory estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device serves as a local intermediary that directly measures snow flow trajectory at the snow gun location. This eliminates the need for complex remote sensing and trajectory calculation systems, achieving both simplicity and precision simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If stable real-time communication is required between guns and stations, then compensation accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device is integrated directly with the snow gun, allowing it to autonomously detect and measure local wind impact on snow flow. This self-contained system eliminates the need for complex communication infrastructure between separate guns and remote stations, achieving accuracy without communication complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If movable snow guns are used to adjust orientation, then adaptability improves, but ease of operation worsens due to lack of economical orientation determination
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device provides real-time feedback on snow flow trajectory and orientation. This feedback mechanism allows movable snow guns to automatically adjust their orientation based on actual performance data, making complex orientation control simple and intuitive for operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical orientation determination systems (such as electronic compasses that fail due to metal interference) with an optical detection system. The optical device directly observes snow flow direction, providing accurate orientation information without relying on problematic mechanical or electromagnetic sensors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise control of snow flow to achieve optimal and uniform snow distribution on ski slopes, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies by providing direct wind impact recognition and compensation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical device, oriented along the snow direction, configured to monitor a snow flow emitted from the outlet opening so as to generate and send detection signals identifying the monitored snow flow and in particular the emission direction of the snow flow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
System (1) for the emission of artificial snow comprising a device for emitting (2) an artificial snow flow (F), at least one optical device (3) configured to monitor an emitted snow flow (F) so as to generate and send detection signals identifying the monitored snow flow (F) and a processing unit configured to receive the detection signals and compare them with reference data and send a command signal to the emitting device (2) to control the artificial snow flow (F) and/or an alarm signal to an operator if said comparison results in a difference between the data of the monitored detection signals and the reference data.