Snowmaking automation system and modules

Abstract

The invention is a snowmaking automation system and snowmaking automation modules for use with snowmaking guns and hydrants. Embodiments of the snowmaking automation modules described herein may be battery powered, and thus do not require fixed electrical infrastructure, but are designed to use such infrastructure if present on the mountain. In some embodiments, various components of the snowmaking automation system may be wireless and thus do not require hard-wired communications, for example between base stations, servers, databases, repeater nodes and remotely controlled snowmaking guns and hydrants with their snowmaking automation modules installed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This utility patent application claims benefit and priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62 / 143,776, filed, Apr. 6, 2015, titled: “SNOWMAKING AUTOMATION SYSTEM”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. This application is a counterpart to an international patent application filed contemporaneously on, Apr. 6, 2016, titled: “SNOWMAKING AUTOMATION SYSTEM AND MODULES”.[0002]This US nonprovisional patent application is also related to co-pending U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15 / 069,945, filed, Mar. 14, 2016, titled: “DUAL AUTO HYDRANT FOR SNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF USING SAME”, the contents of which are also hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for making artificial snow. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a snowmaking automation system that can be remotely controlled. The system includes a hydrant for receiving and delivering pressurized water and compressed air, a snowmaking gun, and at least one automation module for controlling the snowmaking gun or the hydrant to generate snow. The system also has a base station for controlling the automation module from a computer or phone. The automation module has a housing with a gear motor and a battery for powering it. The technical effects of this invention include improved efficiency and accuracy in snowmaking, as well as remote control of the snowmaking process.

Problems solved by technology

It is generally time consuming for ski resort staff to travel to any and all of the various locations on a given mountain where snowmaking equipment is located.

Consequently, there may be undesirable labor costs associated with snowmaking.

But, these are not the only problems associated with conventional snowmaking systems and prior attempts at automating the snowmaking process.

Another problem with conventional fixed location snowmaking automation is that it may rely on buried or above ground power to operate the system and actuators.

The cost of electrical infrastructure necessary to automate every possible location where snowmaking is desired on the mountain of a ski resort is expensive and invasive to the environment.

Many snowmaking guns at ski resorts do not have such electrical infrastructure.

Yet another problem with conventional fixed location automation used by ski resorts is that it typically only runs an average of 110-160 hours per season.

Depending on the cost of such fixed automation, this may result in a long duration (perhaps years) before reaching a return on the investment.

Still another problem with such conventional fixed location automation systems is that repair and maintenance of such fixed location automation systems generally must be carried out in the field, i.e., on the mountain.

Additionally, resorts may not have trained or experienced staff to troubleshoot and repair fixed snowmaking automation systems.

There is a significant labor cost associated with hiring, training and maintaining qualified staff, or hiring outside technicians to troubleshoot and repair fixed snowmaking automation systems.

For example, any kind of snowmaking equipment may be subject to malfunction from electrical (lightning strikes) during storms or mechanical (frozen pipes, avalanches, etc.)

Conventional hydrants and their associate valving, if not properly drained when not in use, can become dangerous.

(west shore of Lake Tahoe), was severely injured when a brass ball valve installed between a hydrant and a snow gun failed because water froze inside the valve and caused the valve cap to partially separate from the valve body and ultimately exploded because of unreleased compressed air.

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