Nubs Nob, Inc.

Robert J Brinks

James L Dilworth

A snowmaker mounting structure is described useful for attaching a snowmaking apparatus used at ski resort areas to a ski lift tower. The structure includes a generally horizontally extending boom having one end attached to an upper portion of the ski lift tower and an extending end having a snowmaker attached thereto. Control over the region of ski slopes being covered with artifically produced snow is provided by rotatably mounting the snowmaker to the end of the boom by employing a generally vertically oriented collar through which a central tubular post is inserted and rotatable therein. The water supply is conducted to one end of the post and a pair of turning cables are connected to the post which, through tension being applied to either one of the cables, causes the snowmaker to be rotated with the collar. This invention eliminates the necessity of providing a separate snowmaker mounting tower.

Lift mounted snowmaker

An improved method of and apparatus for making artificial snow. The snow making machine disclosed for practicing the invention includes a ducted fan within a housing for generating a substantially unidirectional, high volume air current over the area to be deposited with snow. High velocity water sprays are injected into the air current from above and below the air current via a plurality of nozzles connected to an annular water manifold circumferentially disposed around the discharge end of the housing. Nucleated ice crystals are also injected into the air current by a high velocity vapor spray emitted from a pair of seeder nozzles disposed at the center of the housing. The vapor spray is comprised of a mixture of water and compressed air which is vaporized in a venturi-type expansion chamber prior to emission through the seeder nozzles. In accordance with a second embodiment of this invention, a shroud member surrounds the discharge end of the huosing such that a secondary airflow is guided between the shroud and housing. The secondary airflow guided by the shroud has been found to permit greater quantities of high quality snow to be made at given atmospheric conditions and further allows snow to be manufactured in warmer conditions as compared to prior art devices.

Method and apparatus for making artificial snow

An improved method of and apparatus for making artificial snow. The snow making machine disclosed for practicing the invention includes a ducted fan for generating a substantially unidirectional, high volume air current over the area to be deposited with snow. High velocity water sprays are injected into the air current from above and below the air current via a plurality of nozzles connected to a annular water manifold circumferentially disposed around the output end of the fan duct. Nucleated ice crystals are also injected into the air current by a high velocity vapor spray emitted from a pair of seeder nozzles disposed at the center of the annular water manifold. The vapor spray is comprised of a mixture of water and compressed air which is vaporized in a venturi-type expansion chamber prior to emission through the seeder nozzles. The convergence of the high velocity, supercooled water sprays with the nucleated ice crystals consolidates the high volume air current providing a venturi cooling effect which promotes the formation of snow crystals.

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Alanson, MI, United States of America

Robert J Brinks