Method and apparatus for making artificial snow

Abstract

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.