A method for handling insulating materials used for storing snow, wherein the insulating materials covering a heap of snow stored through the summer are taken off the heap of snow before the snow in the heap of snow is transferred to a selected use. In the method, the insulating materials used for covering the heap of snow stored through the summer are transferred to such another use, in which the insulating materials have at least one function other than mere storage of the insulating materials.

A method and apparatus to create falling snow for use at ski resorts, theme parks and test and training facilities for use with drones, motor vehicles, autonomous vehicles and aircraft components.

A method and apparatus to create falling snow for use at ski resorts, theme parks and test and training facilities for use with drones, motor vehicles, autonomous vehicles and aircraft components.

A water gathering and distribution system and related techniques for operating in freezing environmental conditions are disclosed. The system may include a water diverter unit or a water flow regulation unit configured to receive water from a water source situated at a location that is remote, inaccessible (or difficult to access), and/or experiences freezing environmental conditions and to deliver a controlled volume of that water for downstream use. The system further may include a water supply unit configured to receive that water and to supply it to downstream snowmaking equipment. In some instances, the supply unit also may cool the water to a temperature suitable, for example, for snowmaking. In a general sense, the disclosed system may be considered modular, in that multiple system components may be placed in flow communication with one another, as desired, to provide a distributed network of water collection and distribution elements.

A water gathering and distribution system and related techniques for operating in freezing environmental conditions are disclosed. The system may include a water diverter unit or a water flow regulation unit configured to receive water from a water source situated at a location that is remote, inaccessible (or difficult to access), and/or experiences freezing environmental conditions and to deliver a controlled volume of that water for downstream use. The system further may include a water supply unit configured to receive that water and to supply it to downstream snowmaking equipment. In some instances, the supply unit also may cool the water to a temperature suitable, for example, for snowmaking. In a general sense, the disclosed system may be considered modular, in that multiple system components may be placed in flow communication with one another, as desired, to provide a distributed network of water collection and distribution elements.

A device for producing snow, with a rasp onto which a piece of ice can be pressed by means of a plunger, wherein the rasp and the piece of ice can be brought toward one another in a relative movement (v or ), and wherein the device has a holding element, for example a guide cylinder, into which a container that is open toward the rasp and contains the piece of ice can be inserted, and wherein a base plate on which the container can be supported is arranged between holding element and rasp. The invention further relates to an electric machine and a hand-held device for producing snow based on the same principle.

A method for handling insulating materials used for storing snow, wherein the insulating materials covering a heap of snow stored through the summer are taken off the heap of snow before the snow in the heap of snow is transferred to a selected use. In the method, the insulating materials used for covering the heap of snow stored through the summer are transferred to such another use, in which the insulating materials have at least one function other than mere storage of the insulating materials.

A method and apparatus to create falling snow for use at ski resorts, theme parks and test and training facilities for use with drones, motor vehicles, autonomous vehicles and aircraft components.

A snow-making apparatus including an ice particle generating machine that produces ice particles that can be utilized to make or use as high quality man-made snow, and a system for remotely discharging the ice particles remotely from the ice particle generating machine through the use of one or more of a fan impeller assembly and a chilled air sealed pneumatic air conveying system. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes a water droplet or particle dispenser located remotely from the ice particle generating machine and preferably adjacent to the outlet of the apparatus where ice particles are discharged from an outlet pipe, whereby the water droplets are mixed with the ice particles thereby producing snow. Using a combination of ice particles and water droplets allows production of snow efficiently and in large quantities.

A snow making system, suitable for making man-made snow for ski-runs or ski-slopes, uses a snow making machine, where ice is converted into snow-like particles and directed in an upwardly-directed stream, into which a spray or mist of water droplets is introduced. The snow-like particles operate as nucleating agents for the water droplets to convert the droplets into flakes of snow. The flakes of snow may be introduced into the snow making machine, converted into snow-like particles and be incorporated into the stream to produce further flakes of snow. The flakes of snow can be recycled to the snow making machine until the desired quantity of snow has been produced. The system enables snow to be made at ambient air temperatures just above, or below, the freezing point of water.