Snowmaking Dispenser Valve Backup Using Integrated Capacitor Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snowmaking equipment relies on centralized backup power systems for valve control, which require regular maintenance and are costly, and can be affected by electrical issues at individual snowmakers, leading to operational disruptions across the entire system.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a capacitor-type electric unit connected to the power source and actuator, along with a voltage up-converter and control logic within each dispenser to store and return energy, allowing the valve to be secured during power outages, and enabling remote reporting of voltage absence and state parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized backup power systems are used for valve control, then valve security configuration is ensured during power outages, but maintenance requirements increase and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized backup power system is segmented into distributed capacitor units at each dispenser. Each dispenser has its own capacitor (e.g., 4700 µF at 25V) that provides local energy storage for the actuator, eliminating the need for a centralized battery system and reducing maintenance requirements while ensuring valve security during power outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, maintenance-intensive centralized battery systems with inexpensive capacitor units. These capacitors have no moving parts, require no maintenance, and provide sufficient energy for the actuator to reach security configuration during power outages, significantly reducing overall system cost and maintenance burden.
2Reliability
If centralized backup power systems are used for valve control, then valve security configuration is ensured during power outages, but overall production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent dispenser units, each with its own capacitor-based energy storage. This eliminates the need for expensive centralized battery systems and complex distribution infrastructure, reducing overall production cost while maintaining valve security functionality at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
Inexpensive capacitor units replace costly centralized backup power systems. The capacitors (e.g., 4700 µF electrolytic capacitors) are significantly cheaper than battery systems with equivalent energy storage capacity, and their solid-state construction eliminates maintenance costs, reducing total cost of ownership.
3Reliability
If centralized security means are used for all snowmakers, then all valves can be secured during power outages, but an electric problem at one snowmaker can affect the whole system
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into electrically independent dispenser units, each with its own capacitor and actuator. This isolation ensures that an electrical fault at one dispenser does not affect others, while each unit maintains independent valve security capability during power outages.
Solution Approach 2:
Each dispenser is self-sufficient with its own capacitor-based energy storage and control logic. The local capacitor provides energy for the actuator to reach security configuration independently, without relying on centralized power distribution or being affected by faults in other parts of the system.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, efficient means to secure snowmaking equipment by ensuring valve operation during power outages, reducing maintenance needs and preventing system-wide disruptions, while allowing for remote monitoring and control.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor-type electric unit connected to the electric power source and to the actuator, said capacitor unit being able to store, and then return, a quantity of energy necessary for complete actuation of the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A water and/or air dispenser for snowmaking system includes water and/or air supplying ducts and is equipped with at least one valve (9) associated with an electric actuator (10), the actuator (10) being connected to an electric power source (12, 19) and associated with its own management unit (11) to ensure the operation of the valve (9) between the open and closed configurations thereof. The dispenser is associated with security elements able to cause the valve (9) to be positioned in a known security configuration, for example tightly closed, in case of voltage cut-off at the electric source (12, 19), the security elements being integrated and including a capacitor-type electric unit (16), connected to the electric power source and to the actuator (10), the capacitor unit being able to store, and then return, a quantity of energy necessary for complete actuation of the valve, to implement the security elements.