Michael S Holden

US Patent:

50837079, Jan 28, 1992

Filed:

Mar 5, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/487861

Inventors:

Michael S. Holden - Williamsville NY

Assignee:

Dendrite Associates, Inc. - New Hartford CT

International Classification:

F25C 304

US Classification:

239 22

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for forming ice crystals for seeding an air-water mixture in making snow comprising an aspirator in communication with a first chamber, a second chamber connected to the first chamber through a first mixing tube, and a second mixing tube leading from the second chamber to an outlet. Low pressure air is introduced to the second chamber, and high pressure water is supplied to the aspirator to provide a high speed jet of water for evacuating air from the first chamber and driving a mixture of air and water droplets along the first mixing tube and into the second chamber wherein the mixture is accelerated by the flow of low pressure air through the second chamber and along the second mixing tube. A reverse flow of the low pressure air in the first mixing tube interacts with the jet of water to form a homogeneous mixture of water droplets and air in the first mixing tube, and the mixture in combination with more of the low pressure air is introduced to the second mixing tube wherein it is mixed, atomized and cooled by accelerated expansion as it flows along the mixture tube to form ice crystals leaving the outlet.

US Patent:

49169114, Apr 17, 1990

Filed:

Nov 14, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/271163

Inventors:

George R. Duryea - Buffalo NY
Michael S. Holden - Williamsville NY

Assignee:

Dendrite Associates, Inc. - Hartford CT

International Classification:

F25C 304

US Classification:

62 70

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for producing snow which provide a stream of pressurized air and pressurized water; combine the air stream and the water stream to cool the water and provide a first stream of a mixture of the air and water; thereafter aspirate a portion of the air in a counter-flow direction from air into the first stream and mixing therewith, to form a second stream of a mixture of air and water, the second stream being coaxial with the first stream; and disperse the second stream into freezing temperature atmosphere to freeze the water in the second stream and produce snow. In the preferred embodiment, a central stream of water of pressure of at least 300 psig is combined with air of pressure no more than about 30 psig coaxially combined and creating the first mixture. Ice crystals are utilized as a nucleating agent to promote the freezing of water in the second stream.