Dual-Fluid Snow Gun Spray Circuit for Gravity Draining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow guns face challenges in efficiently producing artificial snow at low temperatures and require complex frost protection systems to prevent equipment damage from water stagnation, which are difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A bi-fluid snow gun system with a first liquid and second gaseous fluid circuit, featuring a valve-controlled orifice configuration that allows gravity-driven emptying and energy-efficient operation, minimizing fluid retention and reducing the need for additional frost protection measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a snow gun uses a water circuit for snow production, then snow production efficiency is improved, but water stagnation causes freezing and equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary emptying action by using compressed air to blow water out of the circuit before the snow gun stops operating. This preliminary action prevents water stagnation and subsequent freezing, protecting the equipment from damage while maintaining continuous snow production capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the harmful element (stagnant water) from the system by introducing a separate compressed air circuit that actively removes water from the head and circuits. This separation allows the water circuit to function efficiently for snow production while the air circuit handles the protective emptying function.
2Reliability
If a snow gun uses complex frost protection systems, then equipment protection is improved, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the frost protection function with the existing compressed air supply system used for snow production. By utilizing the already-present second circuit for dual purposes (snow production assistance and water emptying), the system achieves equipment protection without adding complex separate frost protection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed air circuit serves multiple functions: it assists in snow production during operation and performs water emptying for frost protection when the gun stops. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated frost protection systems, reducing overall system complexity and maintenance requirements.
3Reliability
If a snow gun uses energy-consuming heating elements for frost protection, then frost protection effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces thermal/mechanical heating systems with a pneumatic system for frost protection. Instead of using energy-consuming heating elements to prevent freezing, the system uses compressed air flow to physically remove water from the circuits, eliminating the need for thermal energy input while maintaining effective frost protection.
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
The system enhances snow production by modulating fluid flow based on temperature and prevents equipment damage through efficient fluid management, reducing energy consumption and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
Spraying occurs when the pressure of the first fluid is greater than the external pressure and is sufficient to overcome gravity
Implementation Method 2
The pressure of the second fluid must also be greater than the external pressure for mixing to occur with the first fluid at the outlet of the orifice of the second type
Implementation Method 3
When spraying stops, the first circuit is arranged to be emptied by the force of gravity alone
Implementation Method 4
the inner zone contains a gel whose solidification temperature is lower than the operating temperatures of the spray system. The core controlling the opening and closing of the valve is thus always capable of moving in the interior zone even if the temperature in this zone is lower than the solidification temperature of the first fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A spray system for a snow-making machine with dual fluid supply. A spray system (15) comprising a first supply circuit for supplying a first liquid fluid and a second supply circuit for supplying a second gaseous fluid. The spray system (15) comprises a port (41) of a first type fluidly connected to the first circuit, a port (43) of a second type fluidly connected together with the first and second circuit (75), a port (45) of a third type fluidly connected to the first circuit (17) and a valve disposed in the first circuit and arranged to alternately allow and prevent fluid communication between the first circuit and the port of the third type. The spray system (15) is arranged such that, when it is in the use position, the valve being open, the first circuit is drained by gravity-induced flow.