Artificial snowmaking equipment

Abstract

Artificial snowmaking equipment, preferably indoor, comprises a refrigerating cylinder rotating about a longitudinal axis; movement means configured to rotate the refrigerating cylinder; a cooling unit configured to cool an outer side wall of the refrigerating cylinder to a freezing temperature; a water supply system configured to wet at least part of the outer side wall so as to create a layer of ice thereon; at least one scraper device configured to scrape at least part of the ice layer so as to obtain an artificial snow fall. In particular, the refrigerating cylinder internally has a gap extending along an inner surface thereof opposite the outer side wall. The gap is connected to the cooling unit so as to receive a flow of a refrigerating substance to be conveyed therein to cool the outer side wall of the refrigerating cylinder.

1 . An artificial snowmaking equipment, comprising:
 a refrigerating cylinder configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis along which the refrigerating cylinder extends;   movement means configured to rotate said refrigerating cylinder;   a cooling unit operatively connected to said refrigerating cylinder and configured to cool an outer side wall of said refrigerating cylinder to a freezing temperature;   a water supply system configured to bring a predetermined quantity of water in contact with at least part of said outer side wall of said refrigerating cylinder to wet the outer side wall so as to create a layer of ice on said outer side wall;   at least one scraper device configured to scrape at least part of said ice layer so as to obtain an artificial snow fall;   wherein said refrigerating cylinder internally has a gap or inner ducts extending along an inner surface of said refrigerating cylinder opposite said outer side wall and connected to said cooling unit so as to receive a flow of a refrigerating substance to be conveyed inside said gap or inner ducts to cool said outer side wall of the refrigerating cylinder;   wherein said water supply system comprises a water containment tank extending parallel to said longitudinal axis, said water containment tank defining a containment volume adapted to contain a predetermined level of water and at least part of said refrigerating cylinder so that said refrigerating cylinder is partially immersed in said water; said water containment tank further comprising a water distribution channel operatively connected to a water source and configured to homogeneously distribute said predetermined amount of water in said tank.   
     
     
         2 . The artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein said gap or inner ducts extend internally to the refrigerating cylinder, parallel to the longitudinal axis, continuously along the same inner surface. 
     
     
         3 . The artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 2 , wherein said cooling unit comprises a tank for containing a refrigerating substance conveyable at least towards said refrigerating cylinder to cool said outer side wall. 
     
     
         4 . The artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein said scraper device is operatively connected to said cooling unit to be maintained at a temperature below 0° C. 
     
     
         5 . The artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 4 , wherein said scraper device comprises a support element along which a cooling duct is made and a cutting element fixed to said support element to be in contact with said cooling duct, said cooling duct being in fluid communication with said cooling unit so as to cool the cutting element. 
     
     
         6 . The artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein said refrigerating cylinder comprises two thermally insulating head portions, said head portions being arranged transversely to said longitudinal axis and opposite with respect to said outer side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein said distribution channel is arranged on a bottom of said tank and is elongated along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein said water supply system is operatively connected to said cooling unit so as to perform a pre-cooling of the water to be conveyed in said tank. 
     
     
         9 . The artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer side wall of said refrigerating cylinder has a rough conformation. 
     
     
         10 . The artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 1 , wherein said movement means is configured to rotate said refrigerating cylinder at a constant speed and/or at a variable speed. 
     
     
         11 . The artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 1 , comprising adjustment means operatively connected to said scraper device and configured to vary the distance and/or to vary the inclination of said scraper device with respect to said outer side wall of said refrigerating cylinder. 
     
     
         12 . The artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 1 , further comprising a blowing device arranged below said refrigerating cylinder and said scraper device, said blowing device being configured to blow the artificial snow produced by said scraper device, creating a snow flow outside the equipment. 
     
     
         13 . An artificial snowmaking apparatus, comprising:
 an artificial snowmaking cabin;   an artificial snowmaking equipment according to  claim 1 ,   
       wherein said artificial snowmaking equipment is mounted on a frame constrainable to a wall of said cabin and raised from the ground. 
     
     
         14 . The artificial snowmaking apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the artificial snowmaking equipment is mounted at a ceiling of said cabin.