Snow accretion test method and snow accretion test device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snow accretion tests fail to reproduce natural snow accumulation scenarios, as artificially created snow is easily removable and does not adhere firmly to specimens like it does in natural environments.
Innovation Solution
A snow accretion test method and device that alternates between a snow accumulation step, where snow is sprayed onto a specimen at a temperature of -1 °C or lower, and a snow accretion step, where the temperature is lowered to -5 °C or lower to freeze the accumulated snow, ensuring it adheres firmly to the specimen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If snow is simply caused to fall in the test chamber, then snow can accumulate on the specimen, but the snow can be easily scraped off and does not firmly adhere to the specimen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between snow accumulation phases and freezing phases. During the accumulation phase, snow is supplied to the specimen at a higher temperature (e.g., -1°C to -5°C). During the freezing phase, snow supply is stopped and the temperature is lowered (e.g., to -10°C or lower) to freeze the accumulated snow firmly to the specimen. This periodic cycling between accumulation and freezing resolves the contradiction by ensuring strong adhesion through freezing while maintaining a relatively simple test chamber structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes temperature parameters dynamically during the test process. The test chamber temperature is adjusted between a higher range (e.g., -1°C to -5°C) during snow accumulation and a lower range (e.g., -10°C or lower) during snow freezing. This parameter change enables the snow to accumulate when warmer and then freeze firmly when colder, resolving the adhesion problem without requiring complex additional equipment.
2Reliability
If the ambient temperature is lowered to freeze snow firmly, then snow adhesion improves, but the time required for the freezing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by accumulating snow on the specimen before freezing it. During the accumulation phase, snow is supplied continuously to build up a sufficient layer on the specimen surface. When the accumulation phase ends, the frozen phase begins and the temperature is lowered to freeze the pre-accumulated snow firmly. This preliminary accumulation ensures that when freezing occurs, there is already sufficient snow material to freeze, reducing the total time required compared to starting with no snow and freezing while accumulating simultaneously.
3Productivity
If snow is accumulated continuously without stopping supply, then a thick snow layer forms quickly, but the snow does not harden and adhere firmly to the specimen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through periodic action by dividing the test process into distinct accumulation phases and freezing phases. During accumulation phases, snow supply is continuous and temperature is maintained at a higher level (e.g., -1°C to -5°C) to allow rapid snow layer formation. During freezing phases, snow supply is stopped and temperature is lowered (e.g., to -10°C or lower) to harden and firmly adhere the accumulated snow. This periodic cycling enables both rapid accumulation and firm adhesion.
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 method effectively reproduces the natural snow accumulation scenario where snow hardens and adheres firmly to objects, allowing for the formation of a thick, stable snow layer by alternating between accumulation and freezing steps.
Implementation Method 1
a snow accretion step of freezing snow accumulated on the specimen in a state where snow is not supplied to the specimen, the snow accretion step at least including a period in which an ambient temperature of the specimen is adjusted to a negative temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
In a snow accretion test method, a snow accumulation step of accumulating snow on a specimen, and a snow accretion step of freezing the snow accumulated on the specimen in a state where snow is not supplied to the specimen are performed, the snow accretion step at least including a period in which an ambient temperature of the specimen is adjusted to a negative temperature. The snow accumulation step and the snow accretion step may be repeatedly performed. In the snow accretion step, the ambient temperature of the specimen may be adjusted to a temperature lower than the ambient temperature in the snow accumulation step. A snow accretion test device (10) that is capable of carrying out the snow accretion test method is also disclosed.