Snowmaking automation system and modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional snowmaking automation systems are costly, labor-intensive, and require extensive electrical infrastructure, limiting their effectiveness and efficiency, especially in mountainous terrain where electrical infrastructure is often absent, and they often require manual operation and proprietary solutions that are not adaptable to different snowmaking equipment types.

Innovation Solution

A battery-powered, wireless snowmaking automation system with modular actuators and GPS tracking, allowing remote control of snowmaking guns and hydrants, eliminating the need for fixed electrical infrastructure and enabling compatibility with various snowmaking technologies, while reducing labor costs and improving maintenance efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional snowmaking automation systems are used, then snowmaking control is automated, but the systems require extensive electrical infrastructure and are costly to implement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnowmaking control automationVSAvoidelectrical infrastructure requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical infrastructure with a battery-powered wireless control system. The snowmaking guns and hydrants are controlled via wireless communication protocols without requiring electrical wiring up the mountain, substituting mechanical/battery power systems for electrical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (radio frequency communication) between the control system and snowmaking equipment, eliminating the need for direct electrical connections while enabling automated control across the ski resort terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If fixed electrical infrastructure is installed for snowmaking automation, then remote control is enabled, but the systems are invasive to the environment and have high installation costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes battery-powered wireless control for fixed electrical infrastructure, eliminating the need to bury cables or install electrical equipment throughout the mountain terrain, thus avoiding environmental disruption while maintaining remote control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the power delivery parameter from fixed electrical infrastructure to mobile battery-powered units, allowing the system to adapt to different locations without permanent installation, reducing environmental impact while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If manual operation of snowmaking equipment is used, then labor costs are high, but the systems are simpler and more adaptable to different equipment types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabor cost reductionVSAvoidequipment type adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal wireless control platform that can interface with multiple types of snowmaking equipment (different gun models, hydrant systems) through standardized communication protocols, enabling automated control across diverse equipment types without requiring proprietary solutions for each device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automated control systems that operate independently of manual intervention, with the wireless control platform automatically managing snowmaking operations based on sensor data and pre-programmed parameters, reducing labor costs while maintaining equipment compatibility through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If proprietary automation solutions are implemented, then specific equipment types are optimized, but the systems are not adaptable to different snowmaking equipment types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment-specific optimizationVSAvoidequipment type compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a universal wireless control platform with standardized communication protocols that can interface with multiple manufacturers and types of snowmaking equipment, maintaining equipment-specific optimization through configurable parameters while enabling broad adaptability across different gear models and configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3280961B1Snowmaking automation system and modules

Publication Date: 2022.05.25 SNOW LOGIC INC

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AI summary

The invention is a snowmaking automation system and snowmaking automation modules for use with snowmaking guns and hydrants. Embodiments of the snowmaking automation modules described herein may be battery powered, and thus do not require fixed electrical infrastructure, but are designed to use such infrastructure if present on the mountain. In some embodiments, various components of the snowmaking automation system may be wireless and thus do not require hard-wired communications, for example between base stations, servers, databases, repeater nodes and remotely controlled snowmaking guns and hydrants with their snowmaking automation modules installed.