It relates in particular to a culture snow making device, comprising a body including:—a pressurised water supply duct and a pressurised air supply duct,—at least one element for spraying water or a mixture of air and water,—at least one control valve for adjusting the supply of pressurised water and/or pressurised air to said spray element, and—piloting means, in the form of a camshaft, intended to pilot said control valve.
The invention also relates to a snowing machinery comprising this culture snow making device, as well as an operating method of such a device.
The ski slopes are arranged to receive in particular natural snow, for example for practicing alpine skiing or cross-country skiing.
Generally, it is known to make culture snow to put it on the ski slopes in order to compensate for lack of natural snow.
In this case, snowmakers supplied via pressurised water ducts and via pressurised air ducts are installed on at least one part of the edges of the ski slopes, to allow the production of such culture snow.
Very generally, such a snowmaker comprises a pole firmly fixed in the ground.
This pole carries pressurised air and pressurised water, via distinct supply ducts, to a snowing head located at its free end, located several meters or even ten meters away.
This snowing head comprises—a plurality of water spray nozzles,—possibly at least one nozzle for spraying a mixture of air and water, forming a nucleation device, and—a plurality of valves that ensure the adjustment of the supply of pressurised water and possibly of pressurised air to these spray nozzles, so as to optimize the quantity of culture snow to be produced as a function of the meteorological conditions.
Snowmakers exist, whose slide valves are arranged at the base the pole. Hence, for such snowmakers, it is necessary to evacuate and/or to heat a great volume of water, stored in particular in the pole and the spray nozzles, so as to avoid a deterioration of the snowmaker by a freezing of the water in presence.
Moreover, it is known from the document FR-2 877 076 a snowmaker whose slide valves are arranged in the snowing head at different levels, and are each piloted by an electromagnetic control means arranged at the rear of these slide valves.
However, this snowing head has for drawback to be complex due to the great number of parts that constitute it, in particular as regards the electromagnetic control means. It also has an heavy weight to which the pole has to resist. Furthermore, such a snowmaker is subject to dysfunctions, then requiring significant and regular preventive and/or curative servicing operations.
Moreover, each electromagnetic control means consumes a significant quantity of electric energy to allow the production of culture snow by the snowing head.
It is also known from the document EP-1 790 891 a device for spraying pressurised water and/or air in order to make culture snow.
This device includes valves for adjusting the fluid flow rate, which are each controlled by a cam carried by a motorised camshaft.
These valves have an elongated structure, one end of which is provided opposite an axial fluid (either water or air) inlet, and the other end of which is controlled by the associated cam, to adjust the delivery of the fluid flow through a lateral outlet.
This type of structure requires the presence of valves each dedicated to the management of a single fluid and proves to be relatively complex.
In order to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention proposes a culture snow making device, of simple structure, which is light weight, simple to use, reliable and cheap.
This device further allows a fine adjustment of the stroke of the valve(s) in presence.
More particularly, it is proposed according to the invention a culture snow making device of the type comprising a body including:
a pressurised water supply duct,
a pressurised air supply duct,
at least one element for spraying water or a mixture of air and water,
at least one control valve for adjusting the supply of pressurised water and/or pressurised air to said spray element, and
piloting means intended to pilot said control valve, which piloting means include a camshaft driven into rotation about its longitudinal axis by an actuator, said control valve cooperating with a cam carried by said camshaft;
And this device is characterized in that said control valve is placed on said pressurized water supply duct and on said pressurized air supply duct, and includes over a part of its perimeter, at least one water chamber intended to be supplied with pressurized water via said pressurized water supply duct, and at least one air chamber intended to be supplied with pressurized air via said pressurized air supply duct, which control valve comprises a fixed body, generally tubular in shape, delimiting an inner housing in which in accommodated a mobile body, which is translationally mobile along a translation axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said camshaft.
Other non-limitative and advantageous characteristics of the device according to the invention are the following:
the body of the device comprises at least two control valves that are each arranged at different levels of said pressurized air supply duct and said pressurized water supply duct; and these control valves are each piloted by a cam provided on the camshaft of said piloting means.
the device includes at least one spray element in the form of a nucleation device supplied with pressurized water via said pressurized water supply duct and supplied with pressurized air via said pressurized air supply duct.
the device includes at least one spay element in the form of a water spray nozzle.
the device includes at least two spray elements, one in the form of a water spray nozzle, and the other in the form of a nucleation device, which nucleation device is arranged downstream of said water spray nozzle, with respect to said pressurized water supply duct, and at least said water spray nozzle being supplied with water or air through a control valve.
at least one of the cams has such a profile that the control valve with which said cam cooperates is mobile between at least two positions: a/ the one allowing the supply of pressurized water and possibly of pressurized air to the associated spray element, and b/ the other inhibiting the supply of pressurized water and possibly of pressurized air to said spray element;
in this case, said spray element advantageously comprises at least one water spray nozzle, said first and second positions allowing and inhibiting respectively the supply of pressurised water to said water spray nozzle; moreover, said cam has advantageously such a profile that said control valve with which it cooperates is mobile up to a third position, different from said first and said positions, allowing the supply of pressurised air to said water spray nozzle;
the profile of at least two cams is such that the control valves associated with the water spray nozzles are adapted, for a same position of the camshaft, to be in positions that are different from each other;
the device includes at least one control valve adapted to allow the water draining of one at least of the water spray nozzles, by pressurised air coming from said pressurised air supply duct.
the body of the snowing head comprises means for returning each control valve towards a position in which a free end of each of said valves, opposite an associated cam, ensures a bearing against said opposite cam; in this case, the return means in question are advantageously formed by the pressurised air circulating in the pressurised air supply duct, for example an air supply of a nucleation device; and
the actuator comprises a bidirectional motor that drives said camshaft into rotation, said motor being associated with means for controlling the speed and controlling the position of the camshaft.
The invention also proposes a snowing machinery that comprises a pole, and a device as defined hereinabove, arranged at a free end of this pole.
The invention further proposes an operating method of a device according to the invention or of a snowing machinery according to the invention, the spray element comprising at least one water spray nozzle, in which are implemented the steps of:
a) piloting said camshaft to allow the supply of pressurized water to said water spray nozzle via said associated control valve,
b) piloting said camshaft in a first direction of rotation to inhibit the supply of pressurized water to said water spray nozzle,
c) piloting said camshaft, still in said first direction of rotation, to allow the supply of pressurized air to said water spray nozzle, so as to ensure the evacuation of the pressurized water from said water spray nozzle, then
d) piloting said camshaft, still in the first direction of rotation, to inhibit the supply of pressurised air (and advantageously of pressurised water) to said water spray nozzle.
Advantageously, thanks to this method, the spray nozzle is drained by pressurised air before being closed. Hence, such a spray nozzle contains no water droplets liable to damage or to clog it when this water is transformed into ice.
The invention more particularly proposes an operating method that advantageously comprises the additional step in which, after the succession of steps a), b), c) and d), said camshaft is piloted in a second direction of rotation, opposed to said first direction of rotation, so as to perform successively the steps d), c), b) then a), in order to put the spray nozzle back in operation.
The following description associated with the appended drawings, given by way of non-limitative examples, will allow to well understand in what consists the invention and how it can be embodied.
In the appended drawings:
Preliminarily, it will be noted that throughout the figures, the identical or similar elements of the different embodiments of the invention will be, as far as possible, denoted by the same reference signs and will not be described every time.
In
These culture snow making devices 100; 200, as generally shown in these
In the case of such a snowing machinery, the pole being fixed at one end in the ground, it comprises a free end in height, on which is arranged the culture snow making device 100; 200.
Hence, these devices 100; 200 overhang the ski slope by about ten meters and are hereinafter referred to as “snowing head”.
This snowing machinery is supplied with pressurised water and with pressurised air via supply lines (not shown) extending in particular along the slope. These supply lines include pipes (not shown) allowing the transportation of pressurised air and pressurised water up to each snowing machinery for the supply of pressurised water or of pressurised air to the associated snowing head 100; 200.
These water and air supply lines also includes general closing valves (not shown), arranged generally at the base of each pole, allowing to close or to open the supply of pressurised air and pressurised water, respectively, to a pressurised water supply duct 10 and a pressurised air supply duct 20 provided in a body 101; 201 of the snowing head 100; 200.
The pressurised water and the pressurised air are conveyed conventionally, via suitable pipes within the pole, from the general closing valves to the pressurised water and pressurised air supply ducts 10, 20 of the body 101; 201 of the snowing head 100; 200.
In each of the embodiments of the invention shown in
Each body 101; 201 comprise spray elements 130; 230 adapted to spray water or a mixture of air and water.
These spray elements 130; 230 are herein composed—of water spray nozzles 131, 133; 231, 233, 234, 235 spraying pressurised water, and—at least one nucleation device 132; 232, spraying a mixture of pressurised water and air.
As detailed hereinafter, some of these water spray nozzles 133; 233, 234, 235 may be drained by pressurised air.
These spray elements 130; 230 each have a section whose profile is substantially circular, and each extending herein along an axis 11; 12 that is upwardly inclined with respect to the transverse axis T1; T2 of the lower branch 120; 220.
The inclined axes I1; I2 herein form an angle with the transverse axis T1; T2 comprised between 30 degrees and 45 degrees, preferably herein equal to 35 degrees.
The spray elements 130; 230 are herein arranged in cavities provided for that purpose in the upper branch 110; 210 of the body 101; 201.
These spray elements 130; 230 are herein arranged on a same front face 111; 211 of the upper branch 110; 210. This front face 111; 211 is herein opposed to the lower branch 120; 220 of the body 101; 201.
Hence, these spray elements 130; 230 each have a free end through which is propelled pressurised water for the water spray nozzles 131, 133; 233, 234, 235, or a mixture of pressurised water and air for the nucleation devices 132; 232.
On the side opposite to this free end, these spray elements 130; 230 are connected either only to the pressurised water duct 10, or to the pressurised water and pressurised air ducts 10 and 20.
The pressurised water and pressurised air supply ducts 10, 20 each extend along a axis parallel to the longitudinal axis L1; L2, so as, on the one hand, to supply the spray elements 130; 230, and on the other hand, to be connected to the pole by a lower face 103; 203 of the body 101; 201.
The body 101; 201 of the snowing head 100; 200 moreover comprises at least one control valve 140; 240 for the adjustment of the supply of pressurised water or of pressurised air to at least one water spray nozzle 133; 233, 234, 235 equipping the spray elements 130; 230.
These control valves 140; 240 herein consist in generally cylindrical slide valves.
They are, on the one hand, arranged in the lower branch 120; 220 so that they pass through the lower branch 120; 220 along the transverse axis T1; T2, and on the other hand, connected separately to each of the pressurised water and pressurised air supply ducts 10, 20.
Each control valve 140; 240 more particularly comprises a fixed body 141; 241, generally tubular in shape, delimiting an inner housing 142; 242 in which is accommodated a mobile body 143; 243.
The mobile body 143; 243 can be translationally operated, with respect to the fixed body 141; 241, along a translation axis D1; D2 extending parallel to the transverse axis T1; T2 of the lower branch 120; 220 of the body 101; 201 of the device 100; 200.
The fixed body 141; 241 of each control valve 140; 240 is herein fixed to the body 101; 201 of the snowing head 100; 200 by suitable fixation means (not shown).
This control valve 140; 240 comprises over a part of its perimeter at least one water chamber 144; 244 intended to be supplied with pressurised water via the pressurised water supply duct 10, and at least one air chamber 145; 245 intended to be supplied with pressurised air via the pressurised air supply duct 20.
These water 144; 244 and air 145; 245 chambers are delimited between the mobile body 143; 243 and the fixed body 141; 241. They are herein permanently subjected to pressurised water and to pressurised air, respectively, as soon as the general closing valves allow it.
The water chamber 144; 244 is adapted to supply a supply opening 146; 246 formed through the fixed body 141; 241, as a function of the position of the mobile body 143; 243 with respect to the fixed body 141; 241 of the control valve 140; 240.
Hence, the mobile body 143; 243 is mobile between at least two positions with respect to the fixed body 141; 241 of the control valve 140; 240, i.e.:
a first position allowing the supply of pressurised water to the corresponding spray nozzle 133; 233, 234, 235, called “position allowing water”, and
a second position inhibiting the supply of pressurised water to the corresponding spray nozzle 133; 233, 234, 235, called “position inhibiting water”.
The air chamber 145; 245 is also adapted to supply the supply opening 146; 246 formed in the fixed body 141; 241, as a function of the position of the mobile body 143; 243 with respect to the fixed body 141; 241 of the control valve 140; 240.
Hence, the mobile body 143; 243 is mobile in translation, between at least two other positions with respect to the fixed body 141 of the control valve 140; 240, i.e.:
a third position allowing the supply of pressurised air to the corresponding spray nozzle 133; 233, 234, 235, called “position allowing air”, and
a fourth position inhibiting the supply of pressurised air to the corresponding spray nozzle 133; 233, 234, 235, called “position inhibiting air”.
These water 144; 244 and air 145; 245 chambers each have herein the shape of a groove formed in the mobile body 143; 243, extending about the translation axis D1; D2.
These water 144; 244 and air 145; 245 chambers are moreover distributed over the length of said mobile body 143; 243: the water chamber 144; 244 is provided on the side of an end of the mobile body 143; 243, and the air chamber 145; 245 is provided on the side of another end of the mobile body 143; 243.
Each control valve 140; 240 herein comprises sealing elements 147; 247 (see
These sealing elements 147; 247 herein consist in 0-rings of circular or rectangular section, but other types of gaskets could be contemplated.
The snowing head 100; 200 further comprises piloting means 150; 250 intended to operate the control valve(s) 140; 240 so as to allow/inhibit the supply of pressurised air or of pressurised water to the corresponding spray nozzle 133; 233, 234, 235.
More particularly, the piloting means 150; 250 are adapted to displace the mobile body 143; 243 in the fixed body 141. 241 of the control valve 140; 240, according to a translational displacement.
As can be seen in
This camshaft 151; 251 includes a cylindrical axis over the length of which are added one or several elements forming cams 160; 260, 270, 280. Each control valve 140; 240, in particular the mobile body 143; 243 thereof, cooperates with the cam 160 or one of the cams 260, 270, 280 carried by the camshaft 151; 251.
The axis of rotation R1; R2 herein consists in an axis extending parallel, or at least approximately parallel, to the longitudinal axis L1; L2.
As shown more particularly in
In this respect, each cam 160; 260, 270, 280 extends in a plane passing, at least approximately, by the translation axis D1; D2 of the associated control valve 140; 240.
Hence, as developed hereinafter, the cam(s) 160; 260, 270, 280 carried by the camshaft 151; 251 are rotationally piloted for the operation of the associated control valve(s) 140; 240.
The actuator 153; 253 is of the gear reducer type, comprising an electric motor 153; 253 that drives into rotation a rotor 152; 252. This rotor 152; 252 drives a reducer 154; 254 that itself drives into rotation the camshaft 151; 251 about its axis of rotation R1; R2.
The electric motor 153; 253 is herein a bidirectional motor, to allow the rotation of the camshaft 151; 251 in a first direction of rotation S1 and in a second direction of rotation S2, opposite to each other, about the axis of rotation R1, R2.
The piloting means 150; 250 herein comprise means for controlling the speed and controlling the position of the rotational movement of the camshaft 151; 251, associated with the motor 153; 253.
These speed and position control means are adapted to control precisely the angular position of the camshaft 151; 251 and hence the translational position of the mobile body 143; 243 of the control valve 140; 240.
Besides, the body 101; 201 of the snowing head 100; 200 comprises return means 145; 245 that ensure the holding of each control valve 140; 240 in a position in which their free end 149; 249 bears against the opposite cam 160; 260, 270, 280.
The air chamber 145; 245 has such a form that it herein constitutes the return means 145; 245, as far as it is subjected to pressurised air coming from the pressurised air supply duct 20. The configuration of this air chamber 145; 245 is such that, in the presence of pressurised air, this air herein pushes permanently the mobile body 143; 243 of the control valve 140; 240 against the opposite cam 160; 260, 270, 280.
The pressurised air is herein that of the pressurised air supply duct 20 used to supply a nucleation device 132, 232 (corresponding to a pressurised air/water spray nozzle, well known by the one skilled in the art, for the formation of micro-balls of ice intended to favour the production of ice crystals by the associated water spray nozzles).
As a variant, it could be contemplated return means formed by air specifically dedicated to this function, by pressurised water circulating in the pressurised water supply duct, or by mechanical return means formed by a spring, for example a compression spring.
The pressure of water is herein comprised between 12 bar and 100 bar and the pressure of air is herein comprised between 2 bar and 10 bar.
According to the first embodiment shown in
These spray elements 130 are arranged in such a manner that, in the body 101 of the device 100, each inclined axis 11 is comprised in the plane Al-Al of
One of the spray elements 130 is formed by a first spray nozzle 131 arranged near the free end of the upper branch 110. This first spray nozzle 131 is intended to spray pressurised water to make culture snow.
Another of the spray elements 130 is formed by a nucleation device 132 arranged substantially at the middle of the upper branch 120 of the body 101 of the snowing head 100. It is herein intended to spray a mixture of pressurised air and water.
The first water spray nozzle 131 and the nucleation device 132 are herein each supplied directly. In other words, they have no piloting of their supply of pressurised water and pressurised air by a control valve 140 as mentioned above.
A last spray element 130 is formed by a second water spray nozzle 133 and whose supply is controlled by a control valve 140 as described hereinabove.
As shown more particularly in
In
The cam 160 has herein a particular outline 161 that cooperates at least in part with the free end 149 of the mobile body 143 of the control valve 140 to displace it in translation in a fine and precise manner, along the translation axis D1.
More particularly, the cam 160 has two virtual circles E1, E2, of same centre C located on the axis of rotation R1 of the camshaft 151, represented by a dotted line in
A small circle E1 has a radius N1 lower than the radius N2 of the great circle E2.
A first portion 162 of the outline 161, generally circular in shape, is located on the small circle E1; and a second portion 163 of the outline 161 is located on the great circle E2.
In this case, when the free end 149 of the mobile body 143 of the control valve 140 is in contact with the first portion 162, the second spray nozzle 133 is supplied with pressurised water with a maximum flow rate, called “maximum flow rate portion 162” (see
The maximum flow rate portion 162 of the outline 161 of the cam 160 herein extends over an angle of about 270 degrees. The rest portion 163 of the outline 161 of the cam 160 herein extends over an angle of a few degrees, herein this angle is lower than 20 degrees.
These maximum flow rate portion 162 and rest portion 163 of the outline 161 of the cam 160 are connected, on one side, by a third portion 164 of outline 161, called “transition portion 164”, arranged in such a manner that it allows a translational displacement of the free end 149 of the mobile body 143 of the control valve 140, and on another side, by a fourth portion 165 of outline 161, called “stop portion 165”, which forms the stop means 165 for the free end 149 of the mobile body 143 of the control valve 140.
More particularly, the transition portion 164 is adapted to displace in translation the free end 149 of the mobile body 143 of the control valve 140 over a distance equal to the difference between the values of the first and second radii N1, N2.
The transition portion 164 has herein a convex curved shape.
During the translational displacement, it is provided to perform a draining of water by pressurised air to allow the evacuation of the water droplets still present in the second spray nozzle 133.
The above-mentioned distance is herein advantageously comprised between 10 millimetres and 20 millimetres.
The first radius N1 is herein advantageously comprised between 10 millimetres and 20 millimetres, whereas the second radius N2 is herein advantageously comprised between 20 millimetres and 40 millimetres.
This transition portion 164 of the outline 161 of the cam 160 extends over an angle F1 herein equal to 68 degrees (see
The stop portion 165 herein has at least one tangent passing through the centre C so as to lock the rotation of the camshaft 151; 251 in one of the directions of rotation S1, S2.
As a conclusion,
when the free end 149 of the mobile body 143 of the control valve 140 is in contact with the maximum flow rate portion 162 of the outline 161 of the cam 160, the control valve 140 is in a position allowing the pressurised water and inhibiting the pressurised air (see
when the free end 149 of the mobile body 143 of the control valve 140 is in contact with the transition portion 164 of the outline 161 of the cam 160, the control valve 140 performs the draining of the second spray nozzle 133 by pressurised air before allowing or inhibiting the supply of pressurised water to this second spray nozzle 133 (see
when the free end 149 of the mobile body 143 of the control valve 140 is in contact with the rest portion 163 of the outline 161 of the cam 160, the control valve 140 is in a position inhibiting the pressurised water and the pressurised air; and the second spray nozzle 133 has no water droplets thanks to the draining by air (see
In
In
In
In
In
According to a variant of the embodiment shown in
In practice, to implement such a snowing head 100, an operating method is used, which allows in particular to ensure the evacuation of the water droplets from the second spray nozzle 133 after having inhibit the supply of pressurised water to this second spray nozzle 133 (see
Hence, the operating method will be herein described in more details according to the first direction of rotation S1, i.e. from a state corresponding to a full opening of the supply of pressurised water to the second spray nozzle 133 (see
The operating method comprises the following steps, piloted automatically by the means for controlling the speed and for controlling the position of the rotational movement:
a) piloting the camshaft 151 to operate the control valve 140 to a configuration allowing the supply of pressurised water to the second water spray nozzle 133 (see
b) piloting the camshaft 151 in the first direction of rotation S1 to operate the control valve 140 to a configuration inhibiting the supply of pressurised water to the second spray nozzle 133 (see
c) piloting the camshaft 151 in the first direction of rotation S1 to operate the control valve 140 to a configuration allowing the supply of pressurised air to the second spray nozzle 133, so as to ensure the evacuation of water from the second spray nozzle 133 (see
d) piloting the camshaft 151 in said first direction of rotation S1 to operate the control valve 140 to a configuration inhibiting the supply of pressurised air to the second spray nozzle 133 (see
In other terms, these steps a), b), c) and d) herein correspond to a displacement of the free end 149 of the mobile body 143 of the control valve 140 on the transition portion 164 of the outline 161 of the cam 160 in the first direction of rotation S1.
To supply again pressurised water to the second spray nozzle 133, the camshaft 151 in piloted in the second direction of rotation S2 so as to perform the steps d), c), b) and a) (see
The second embodiment of a device according to the invention is illustrated in particular in
According to this second embodiment, the body 201 of the device 200 comprises eleven spray elements 230.
Similarly to the first embodiment shown in
The spray nozzles 231, 233, 234, 235 are distributed by pairs, in the upper branch 210 of the body 201, and symmetrically with respect to the plane A2-A2, in four different levels of the pressurised water and pressurised air ducts 10, 20.
Two spray nozzles 231, the closest from the free upper end of the upper branch 210, are each supplied directly with pressurised water.
The other spray nozzles 233, 234, 235 of a same level are supplied with pressurised water through a same control valve 240.
The different control valves 240 are also each arranged at different levels of the pressurised water and pressurised air ducts 10, 20.
These control valves 240 being similar to those described hereinabove in the first embodiment shown in
As shown in
Herein, the camshaft 251 is equipped with several cams 260, 270, 280, distributed over its height, each intended to pilot one of the control valves 240.
These cams 260, 270, 280 each have a particular outline 261, 271, 281, which advantageously depends on the number of cams arranged on the camshaft 251 and also on the desired sequence of supply of pressurised air or water to the water spray nozzles 233, 234, 235.
The profile of these three cams 260, 270, 280 is herein such that, for at least one position of the camshaft 251, the control valves 240 associated with the water spray nozzles 233, 234, 235 are intended to be in positions for allowing/inhibiting the supply of pressurised water or pressurised air that are different for each of the associated spray nozzles 233, 234, 235, as shown in
Hence, the profile of each cam 260, 270, 280 is adapted to make a particular sequence (or particular kinematics) allowing to control the quantity of pressurised water supplied to each of the spray nozzles 233, 234, 235 and hence the production of culture snow.
In
The positions of the free end 249 of the mobile body 243 of the control valve 240 shown in
Herein, only the outline 261 and the angular positions of the cam 260 shown in
Hence, the angular position of the cam 260 of
As shown more particularly in
the maximum flow rate portion 262, 272, 282,
the rest portion 263, 273, 283,
the transition portion 264, 274, 284 and
the stop portion 265, 275, 285.
The three cams 260, 270, 280 shown herein may be in six different combinations of production of culture snow, in which the spray nozzles 233, 234, 235—either spray pressurised water at a maximum flow rate,—or are not supplied with pressurised water.
These combinations are herein each represented by angular segments G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6 passing through the rotation axis R2 of the camshaft 251 and angularly separated two by two by 68 degrees (except for the passage from the segment G6 to the segment G1).
More particularly, the rotation of the camshaft 251 allows to bring, successively and independently, each of the angular segments G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6 opposite the control valves 240, wherein:
in G1, only the spray nozzles 231 supplied directly spray pressurised water (the spray nozzles 233, 234, 235 are not supplied with pressurised water);
in G2, two pairs of spray nozzles 231, 233 spray pressurised water;
in G3, two other pairs of spray nozzles 231, 234 spray pressurised water;
in G4, the spray nozzles 231, 233, 234 spray pressurised water;
in G5, the spray nozzles 231, 234, 235 spray pressurised water; and
in G6, all the spray nozzles 231, 233, 234, 235 spray pressurised water.
In practice, to implement such a snowing head 200, an operating method similar to that described hereinabove for the snowing head shown in
It is only necessary to pilot the rotation of the camshaft 251 in one of the two directions of rotation S1, S2 to allow the adjustment of the number of spray nozzles 233, 234, 235 to be supplied with pressurised water so as to produce the desired quantity of culture snow.
In
These camshafts 351; 451, similar to those described hereinabove, are different from these latter in the number of cams they comprise.
In
The camshaft 451 shown in
It is different therefrom only in that is includes also a stop cam 489, herein consisting in a disc provided with a radial pin on its periphery.
The device receiving such a camshaft 451, shown in
In particular, as shown in
This stop element 488 extends in protrusion from this rear face, opposite the above-mentioned stop cam 489.
This stop cam 489 has a profile that allows to make a mechanical rotation stop for the camshaft 451, against the fixed stop element 488, hence defining the rotation limit positions.
This fixed stop element 488 herein consists in a screw arranged in the lower branch 220 of the body 201.
As can be seen in
These locking means 155; 255; 355; 455 are herein formed of two discs 155; 255; 355; 455 that each have an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the camshaft 151; 251; 351; 451, and that extend about the axis of rotation R1; R2; R3; R4 of the camshaft 151; 251; 351; 451.
Between these two discs 155; 255; 355; 455 of a same camshaft 151, 251, 351, 451 are respectively arranged the cam(s) 160; 260, 270, 280; 360, 370; 460, 470, 480, 489 described above.
As shown more particularly in
These holding means 190; 290 are arranged on a rear face 112; 212 of the lower branch 120; 220 of the body 101; 201, opposed to the front face 111; 211.
They have herein two arms 191, 291 that extend from this rear face 112; 212 along axes parallel to the translation axis D1, D2.
As shown more particularly in
In each of these receiving openings 192; 292 is provided a rolling bearing 193; 293 herein adapted to leave the camshaft 151; 251 free in rotation with respect to the body 101; 201 of the snowing head 100; 200, about its axis of rotation R1; R2.
These rolling bearings 193; 293 also form herein stops cooperating with the discs 155; 255 of the camshaft, to lock the camshaft 151; 251 in translation, along the axis of rotation R1; R2.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, and the one skilled in the art will be able to add any variant in accordance with the scope thereof.
It could be contemplated a unidirectional motor and a cam with no stop portion or no stop cam.
It could also be contemplated a cam displacing in translation at least one control valve to control the supply of pressurised air and/or pressurised water to at least one spray nozzle, or to a nucleation device.
According to an alternative embodiment not shown, it could also be contemplated, on the one hand, control valves arranged near the end of the pole that is fixed in the ground, and on the other hand, that these control valves are each piloted at least by a cam arranged on a camshaft driven into rotation by an actuator.
Moreover, it could be contemplated that the same cam pilots two different control valves.
It hence obtained a culture snow making device that is of simple structure and that allows to pilot very finely and very precisely the control valve(s) of one or several spray nozzles.
It may also be easily obtained different combinations of operation of a plurality of spray nozzles.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1258523 | Sep 2012 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/FR2013/052091 | 9/11/2013 | WO | 00 |