Controlled snow-making process and apparatus
US7124958B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
10References
13Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C2303/0481
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus suitable for producing an artificial snow surface for tire evaluation is provided. The process provides for manufacturing a series of snow layers, each layer followed by a packing and a grooming step to provide a multi-layered snow surface. Desirable shear strength properties of the snow surface are enhanced by a surface grooming technique that applies a layer of water to the upper snow surface followed by grooming of the surface. The manufactured snow surface allows the testing and evaluation of tires that compares favorably to tire evaluation data obtained from outdoor testing facilities.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.