Snow Gun Nozzle Layout for Longer-Range Snow Throwing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low energy snow making guns face issues such as freezing of components, difficult servicing due to non-removable parts, limited snow throwing power due to premature stream convergence, and low snow output, which are not effectively addressed by prior art designs.
Innovation Solution
A low energy snow making gun with components designed to prevent ice formation, improved valve configurations, and strategically angled and spaced small water outlets that maintain momentum and directionality, allowing individual streams to converge at a distance, thereby enhancing snow throwing power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large water outlet diameters are used in single nozzles, then water flow capacity is improved, but the streams converge very close to the gun causing loss of momentum and directionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large water outlet into multiple smaller water outlets arranged in specific patterns. This segmentation allows each stream to maintain its momentum and directionality over longer distances before converging, while collectively providing sufficient water flow capacity for snow production.
2Productivity
If components have geometries allowing ice to collect, then snow making efficiency is improved, but the components freeze and require servicing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing components with geometries that encourage ice collection (as in prior art), this patent uses low profile geometries that discourage ice formation. The inverted approach prioritizes reliability by preventing freezing, while maintaining snow making efficiency through proper component spacing and orientation.
3Productivity
If multiple nozzles are used to increase snow output, then snow production is improved, but interference between streams reduces throwing power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different local qualities to different nozzle configurations - specific outlet diameters, spacing patterns, and angles are optimized for each nozzle position. This allows multiple nozzles to operate effectively without stream interference, maintaining throwing power while increasing overall snow output capacity.
4Strength
If parts are made non-removable for structural integrity, then device strength is improved, but servicing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the nozzle assembly into removable and fixed portions, allowing easy replacement of wear-prone components like nozzles while maintaining the structural integrity of the main body. This modular approach facilitates servicing without compromising overall device strength.
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 solution achieves improved snow throwing power and efficiency by preventing premature stream convergence, maintaining momentum, and reducing ice formation, resulting in a more effective and reliable snow making process.
Implementation Method 1
Snow guns operate by propelling water droplets into the air which collide with a plume generated by compressed air and atomized water whereupon the droplets form snow flakes
Implementation Method 2
Water flowing through the main water tube and nozzles is above freezing temperature and heats the water tube and nozzle body to keep them body above freezing which discourages ice formation thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A low energy snow making gun having at least one but preferably three operational stages each having at least one pair of small aperture water outlets which are oriented at a divergent angle to generate a respective pair of narrow angled water droplet streams which do not interfere with each other until they have reached a distance from the gun. A second pair of water outlets may be provided on each stage with each pair on each stage oriented at a divergent angle to maintain singularity of the streams over a distance thereby increasing the throwing power of the gun.