Insulating Material Repurposing for Summer Snow Storage at Ski Resorts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for storing snow at ski resorts require large amounts of insulating materials, leading to significant storage space and transportation challenges, as well as high material costs, which hinder the economic viability and extendibility of the skiing season.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using insulating materials for snow storage during the summer to be repurposed for other applications within the ski resort, such as impact shields, space dividers, and thermal storage insulation, thereby reducing the need for separate materials and storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large amounts of insulating materials are used for snow storage, then the snow storage effectiveness is improved, but the storage space requirement and transportation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating materials are designed to serve dual purposes: first as insulation for snow storage during summer, then as functional elements for ski resort operations during the skiing season. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage space and transportation of dedicated insulating materials, as the same materials become part of the resort's operational infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding insulating materials after snow storage, the patent recovers and repurposes them for ski resort applications. The materials are transferred from their initial function (snow insulation) to secondary functions (impact shields, jump cushions, space dividers, protective fences, building insulation), thereby eliminating the need for separate material storage and reducing transportation requirements.
2Reliability
If large amounts of insulating materials are used for snow storage, then the snow storage effectiveness is improved, but the material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating materials perform multiple functions across different seasons and applications. By designing materials that can be used both for snow storage insulation and for various ski resort operational needs, the total quantity of materials required is reduced, thereby lowering overall material costs while maintaining snow storage effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase changes and functional transformations of the insulating materials. The materials transition from being dedicated insulation layers to becoming structural and functional elements in ski resort operations. This parameter change in usage allows the same materials to serve multiple purposes, reducing the total quantity needed and associated costs.
3Reliability
If insulating materials are dedicated solely for snow storage, then the snow storage function is optimized, but the non-productive labour and extra space for storing materials increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating materials are designed to transition from a single dedicated function (snow storage insulation) to multiple functions including impact shields, jump cushions, space dividers, protective fences, and building insulation. This eliminates the need for separate material handling and storage operations during the skiing season, thereby reducing non-productive labour while maintaining optimized snow storage functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the insulating materials are not statically dedicated to one function but dynamically transition between different uses based on seasonal and operational requirements. The materials are moved from snow storage applications to various ski resort operational applications, optimizing resource utilization and reducing wasted labour on material handling.
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
This approach significantly reduces material costs and labor, enhances the profitability of ski resorts by extending the skiing season while minimizing material usage and storage requirements.
Implementation Method 1
insulating materials used for storing snow
Implementation Method 2
the effect of the geotextile to prevent snow from melting is also partly based on the natural cooling effect of wet geotextile when it dries in warm and dry ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
A method for handling insulating materials used for storing snow, wherein the insulating materials covering a heap of snow stored through the summer are taken off the heap of snow before the snow in the heap of snow is transferred to a selected use. In the method, the insulating materials used for covering the heap of snow stored through the summer are transferred to such another use, in which the insulating materials have at least one function other than mere storage of the insulating materials.