Snow-gun oscillation control apparatus

• US 5,154,348 A
• Filed: 05/10/1991
• Issued: 10/13/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ratnik Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ratnik Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Stephens, John L., Ratnik, H. Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAINOR, CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US07/698,587
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 239/2.2, 239/14.2, 239/263.1, 239/225.1, 318/266, 318/280-286, 318/54, 318/65, 318/265, 318/466, 318/469
• US Class Current: 239/14.2
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2303/0481 with the use of compressed air
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 3/04 for sledging or ski trails; Producing artificial snow

Abstract

Apparatus for repeatedly sweeping a snow-gun nozzle through a desired angular range to more evenly distributed man-made snow produced by a snow-gun. Such apparatus comprises a bi-directional electric motor for driving a rotatably mounted snow-gun support in opposite directions about an axis of rotation, a pair of mechanical stops for limiting rotational movement of the snow-gun support to a predetermined angular range which defines a maximum sweep angle for the nozzle, and circuitry for sensing motor current. A comparator circuit, operatively connected to the output of the current-sensing circuit, functions to reverse the current flow through the motor, thereby changing the direction of rotational movement of the snow-gun support, whenever the current through the motor exceeds a preset threshold level. Such level is reached whenever the support'"'"'s rotational movement has been limited by one of the two mechanical stops. A variable timer operates to reverse the motor current when a sweep angle less than the maximum sweep angle is desired.

Claims

1. Apparatus for repeatedly sweeping a snow-gun nozzle through a desired angular range to more evenly distribute man-made snow produced by a snow-gun, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a bi-directional electric motor responsive to an applied current for driving a rotatably mounted snow-gun support in opposite directions about an axis of rotation;

(b) mechanical stop means for preventing rotational movement of the snow-gun support in a first direction beyond a predetermined position;

(c) current sensing means for producing an output signal proportional to the level of current applied to said motor;

(d) comparator circuit means, operatively connected to the output of the current-sensing means for producing a current-reversing signal whenever the current through the motor exceeds a preset threshold level, said level being exceeded whenever the snow-gun support is being prevented from rotating by said mechanical stop means; and

(e) means responsive to said current-reversing signal to reverse the direction of current flow in said motor to reverse the direction of rotation of said snow-gun support.

2. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 further comprising variable timing means for reversing the motor current after said snow-gun support has rotated in a direction opposite said first direction for a time interval established by said timing means.

3. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said stop means comprises two mechanical stops for limiting rotational movement of said snow-gun support to a predetermined maximum angular range.

4. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 further comprising circuit means for temporarily interupting current flow to said motor for a predetermined time interval immediately following the production of said current-reversing signal.

5. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 further comprising circuit means for preventing said comparator circuit means from producing a second current-reversing signal for a predetermined time period following the production of a first current-reversing signal.