Method and apparatus for making snow for ski slopes and the like

Abstract

Apparatus for and method of making snow which involves a water source, a compressed air source, a mixing chamber and an exit orifice. Compressed air and water are mixed in the chamber and then expelled into ambient air having a temperature below 32.degree. F. A continuous flow of water substantially surrounds the mixing chamber and at least a portion of the exit orifice, and the amount and temperature of this flow of water is controlled to prevent clogging of the chamber and orifice by freezing of the water and air-water mixture therein. In one form the water is circulated past the mixing chamber and a major portion thereof is fed onwardly to additional snowmaking nozzles. The apparatus may comprise a miniature snowmaking gun operating as a seeder wherein the water and air are mixed to produce a seeding mixture, the seeder being disposed in a bulk water manifold of a fan-type snow machine and having an exit orifice nozzle protruding outwardly of the manifold to inject a seeding mixture into a unidirectional high volume air movement to form seed crystals. The seeder has a water inlet disposed within the manifold and communicating with the water being supplied therethrough to the said bulk water snow making nozzles of the machine. Valves in the compressed air and pressure water lines are also disposed in the bulk water flow.