*******

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the sector of artificial snow making systems.

In particular, the present invention relates to a head for a snow lance of the modular type.

State of the art

During the winter period it is very popular to be able to practice outdoor sports activities in dedicated facilities, however it can happen that during the normal operating season of such facilities, low levels of snowfall make the slopes unusable.

To overcome this drawback, solutions are known and widespread for producing artificial snow that allow the slopes to be made usable during the winter season also in the absence of snowfall.

Known artificial snow machines, e.g. snow cannons or lances, are usually provided with a series of nozzles supplied with compressed air or water. At least one nozzle is realized like a "nucleator", i.e. it is used for producing very small particles of ice, which operate as nuclei for allowing the formation of snow to begin starting from water sprayed from the other nozzles of the device.

However, systems known in the state of the art are rigid and difficult to adapt to the needs of individual facilities, particularly when the operating conditions change or, for whatever reason, it is necessary to use the artificial snow device in a different situation from that originally envisaged at the time of its installation.

For example, the device shown in document US5810251 is known, which shows a head for a snow lance formed by various sections welded together. Aims of the invention

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to provide a head for a snow lance which obviates at least some of the drawbacks in the prior art as described above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an extremely versatile head for a snow lance and that can be easily and quickly adapted, even in the field, according to the requirements of the area requiring snow and the conditions of use.

The set technical task and aims are substantially attained by a head for a snow lance, comprising the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the appended claims.

According to the present invention a head for a snow lance is shown that comprises at least one nucleator module comprising at least one nucleator and at least one module for nozzles, comprising at least one nozzle configured to release a jet of atomized water.

The head further comprises reversible constraining means interposed between each pair of adjacent modules.

Brief description of the figures

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from an approximate, and thus non-limiting, description of a preferred, but non-exclusive embodiment of a head for a snow lance, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

- figure 1 shows a lateral view of a head for a snow lance;

- figure 2a shows a perspective view of a nucleator module for a snow head;

- figure 2b shows a sectional view of a nucleator module for a snow head;

- figure 3a shows a perspective view of a module for nozzles for a snow head;

- figure 3b shows a sectional view of a module for nozzles for a snow head; In figure 1 , the number 1 indicates a head for a snow lance according to the present invention.

Detailed description of at least one preferred embodiment of the invention

The head 1 comprises at least one nucleator module 10 and at least one module for nozzles 20.

Each nucleator module 10, shown in more detail in figures 2a and 2b, comprises at least one nucleator 1 1 which allows the formation and release of icy nuclei that provide the basis for the production, through nucleation, of artificial snow.

To allow the formation of icy nuclei, each nucleator module 10 receives a stream of compressed air and water at the inlet and releases them through the nucleator 1 1 .

In other words, the stream of compressed air supplied to the nucleators 1 1 allows the stream of water at the outlet to be cooled, promoting the formation of icy micro-crystals, also in non-optimal environmental conditions for producing snow, which actually act as nuclei for the subsequent formation of artificial snow.

Each module for nozzles 20, shown in more detail in the appended figures 3a and 3b, comprises at least one nozzle 21 for releasing a jet of atomized water.

The atomized water intercepts the nuclei released through the nucleators 1 1 and crystallizes, then being deposited on the ground in the form of artificial snow.

The head 1 further comprises reversible constraining means 30 interposed between each pair of adjacent modules 10, 20.

In particular, the reversible constraining means 30 allows two or more modules 10, 20 to be constrained together, in this way realizing the head 1 .

Advantageously, the presence of the reversible constraining means allows a head 1 to be realized in accordance with the specific operating needs of the site where the head 1 is installed.

It is in fact possible to realize the head by constraining to each other a variable number of nucleator modules and/or modules for nozzles 20 in any order.

Furthermore, should the operating conditions of the site of use change, or should it be necessary to move the head 1 to use it in a different site, it would be sufficient to even only partially replace the modules 10, 20 in order to be able to easily adapt the head 1 to the new operating conditions.

In particular according to a preferred embodiment, shown in the appended drawings by way of non-limiting example, the reversible constraining means 30 comprises a plurality of spacers 31 , each being suitable for engaging and mutually securing a pair of internally-threaded through seats 32 belonging to adjacent modules 10, 20.

In other words, each module 10, 20 has through seats 32 that can be overlapped inside which spacers 31 can be reversibly constrained so as to join adjacent modules 10, 20.

Preferably, the spacers 31 are realized through hexagonal male/female threaded spacers, each of them, in this way, as well as constraining two adjacent modules 10, 20, also provides an internally-threaded seat in which a possible further spacer 31 can be engaged, adapted to constrain a further module 10, 20 above the pair already constrained by the first spacer 31 .

Advantageously, the modules 10, 20 are configured to be placed one over the other in a stack that defines a main axis of extension "X" of the head 1 . This configuration provides a particularly efficient and compact structure, as well as being easily manageable also during the replacement of one or more modules 10, 20 of the head 1 .

To allow the correct supply of the stream of water or compressed air necessary for the operation of the head 1 , each nucleator module 10 comprises a first internal conduit 12 for feeding a stream of compressed air and a second internal conduit 13 for feeding a stream of water.

In particular, in each nucleator module 10 the first internal conduit 12 is configured to perform the dual function of allowing the passage of compressed air, received at the inlet from a module placed below, towards a module placed above and to supply a stream of compressed air to at least one nucleator 1 1 .

In the same way the second internal conduit 13 performs inside each nucleator module 10 the dual function of allowing the passage of water, received at the inlet from a module placed below, towards a module placed above and supplying a stream of water to at least one nucleator 1 1 . It is also possible to equip the nucleator module 10 with at least one secondary nozzle 1 1 a that perform the function of promoting the formation of icy nuclei and provide a further support for the production of artificial snow.

In the particular case in which the nucleator module 10 comprises at least one secondary nozzle 1 1 a the second internal conduit supplies a stream of water also to the at least one secondary nozzle 1 1 a.

Advantageously, the portion of the internal conduits 12, 13 intended to supply the at least one nucleator 1 1 is realized through two coaxial conduits.

In particular, the portion of first internal conduit 12a that feeds a stream of compressed air to the at least one nucleator 1 1 is inserted inside the portion of second conduit 13a that feeds the stream of water to the at least one nucleator 1 1 .

The structure of the modules for nozzles 20 is different as the nozzles 21 need to receive a supply of a stream of water only, however the module for nozzles 20 must still allow the passage of compressed air so as to allow the feeding of any nucleator modules 10 placed above it.

Therefore, the modules for nozzles 20 also have a first internal conduit 12 for feeding a stream of compressed air and a second internal conduit 13 for feeding a stream of water.

In particular, in each module for nozzles 20 the first internal conduit 12 is configured to perform the function of allowing the passage of compressed air, received at the inlet from a module placed below, towards a module placed above.

Instead, the second internal conduit 13 performs inside each module for nozzles 20 the dual function of allowing the passage of water, received at the inlet from a module placed below, towards a module placed above and supplying a stream of water to at least one nozzle 21 .

It is therefore clear how the first internal conduit 12 of each nucleator module 10 and of each module for nozzles 20 must be in fluid communication with the first internal conduit 12 of each adjacent module 10, 20 and, in the same way, the second internal conduit 13 of each nucleator module 10 and each module for nozzles 20 must be in fluid communication with the second internal conduit 13 of each adjacent module 10, 20.

Preferably the first internal conduit 12 and the second internal conduit 13 are coaxial along the main axis of extension "X" of the head 1 , even more preferably the second internal conduit 13 is arranged around the first internal conduit 12.

It is also to be noted that each module comprises conduits that extend radially with respect to the axis "X" and that place in fluid communication:

- the first internal conduit 12 with the nucleator(s) 1 1 in the case of the nucleator module 10;

- the second internal conduit 13 with the nucleator(s) 21 and/or with the nucleators 1 1 .

Furthermore, such radial conduits pass through the control means (described below) to regulate the stream of air (for the nucleator module) or the stream of water (for the module for nozzles).

In order to guarantee the watertightness to prevent the undesired leakage of water from the adjacent joining portions 10, 20, each module 10, 20 has at the top a seat configured to house a gasket.

In order to guarantee that the internal conduits 12, 13 do not freeze up, hence making the head unusable, the second internal conduit 13 is provided internally with fins 14 that allow the thermal transmission inside the head 1 to be optimized, so as to guarantee that all its parts are at the same temperature, hence preventing the formation of ice inside it.

The head 1 further comprises control means configured to control the amount of air fed to the nucleators 1 1 and the amount of water fed to the nozzles 21 . Preferably, the control means is arranged outside the second internal conduit 13 and is connected and in fluid communication between:

- the internal conduit 13 for the water and the nozzles 21 in the case of the module 20;

- the internal conduit 12 for the water and the nucleators 1 1 in the case of the module 10.

Furthermore, the control means is arranged on the same side of the head both for the module for nozzles 20 and for the nucleator module 10.

In particular, the control means comprises an air control device 15 arranged in the nucleator module 10, along the course of the first internal conduit 12, and configured to control the amount of air being fed to the at least one nucleator 1 1 through the first internal conduit 12.

Advantageously the presence of the air control device 15 allows the operating parameters of the head 1 to be modified according to its conditions of use.

For example, in the case of marginal temperatures, i.e. indicatively between -2 °C and 2 °C, a greater supply of compressed air is necessary in order to allow the initial formation of the icy nuclei.

On the contrary, in the event of more rigid temperatures and therefore more suitable for the formation of snow, indicatively between -9 °C and -5

°C, it is possible to reduce the stream of compressed air, consequently also reducing the energy consumption of the head 1 .

In the same way, the control means also comprises a water control device 25 arranged in the module for nozzles 20, along the course of the second internal conduit 13, configured to control the amount of water being fed to the nozzles 21 through the second internal conduit 13.

In this way it is possible to vary the amount of water released by the head, thus varying the amount of snow produced according to particular operating requirements.

According to a possible embodiment the air control device 15 and the water control device 25 are realized through a pair of plates that are slidable with respect to each other and have through seats defining a passage opening for a stream of air or water.

The pair of plates is configured to take on a first configuration in which the through seats are at least partially overlapping, hence placing in fluid communication the nucleators 1 1 with the first internal conduit 12 and the nozzles 21 with the second internal conduit 13, and a second configuration in which said through seats are not overlapping, hence blocking the supply of the related nucleators or nozzles 21 .

Advantageously, the presence of the control means allows the flow regime of the various components of the head to be varied according to its operating requirements, thus simply and efficiently modifying the amount of compressed air or water that is supplied.

The control means also allows, for example, only some of the modules 10,

20 that comprise the head 1 to be activated, for example, in a head 1 having a plurality of modules for nozzles 20 it would be possible to supply the nozzles 21 of some modules for nozzles 20 only and not others, in order to increase or reduce the amount of snow produced and therefore also the energy consumption, according to requirements.

The head 1 further comprises a closing device 16 applicable above the top module 10, 20 of the stack, more precisely at an upper portion of the first and of the second internal conduit 12, 13 so that the head 1 is not in fluid communication at the top with the external environment.

In other words, the upper module 10, 20 of the stack that realizes the head 1 must not clearly transfer either a stream of compressed air or a stream of water to other modules 10, 20, but must only receive them from the modules 10, 20 below it.

Therefore, the closing device 16 allows the streams of compressed air and water at the outlet from the respective conduits of the module above 10, 20 to be blocked.

Preferably, each nucleator module 10 has on a lateral surface thereof a plurality of faces 17, each of which is configured to house a nucleator 1 1 . in the same way, each module for nozzles 20 has on a lateral surface thereof a plurality of faces 27, each of which is configured to house a nozzle 21 .

The present invention further relates to a snow lance that comprises a support base, a head 1 according to the description and a tubular body connected in a first end thereof to the support base and in a second end thereof to the head 1 .

In particular, the tubular body is configured to house conduits to separately carry a stream of compressed air and water to the respective first internal conduit 12 and second internal conduit 13 of the head 1 .

Advantageously, a head 1 according to the present invention provides great versatility and adaptability to all situations of use, guaranteeing easy and efficient assembly of the head 1 in all conditions.

The presence of control means also allows the operating parameters of the head to be optimized according to the environmental operating conditions.

In other words, in the presence of optimal conditions for the formation of snow, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption, while in less favourable conditions, it is however possible to obtain high performance levels, simply by modifying the stream of compressed air and/or air fed to the various modules 10, 20 that compose the head 1 .