CN117917541A - Manual snow making apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An artificial snow making apparatus (10), preferably a room-side artificial snow making apparatus, comprising: a refrigeration cylinder (20) rotating about a longitudinal axis (L); a movement device configured to rotate the refrigeration cylinder (20); a cooling unit (40) configured to cool an outer side wall (21) of the refrigeration cylinder (20) to a freezing temperature; a water supply (50) configured to wet at least a portion of the outer side wall (21) to create an ice layer on the outer side wall (21); at least one scraping device (60) configured to scrape at least a portion of the layer of ice to obtain artificial snowfall. In particular, the cooling cylinder (20) has a gap (22) inside that extends along the inner surface of the cooling cylinder opposite the outer side wall (21). The gap (22) is connected to the cooling unit (40) to receive a flow of refrigerant to be conveyed therein to cool the outer side wall (21) of the refrigeration cylinder (20).

Description

Manual snow making apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an artificial snow making apparatus, preferably an indoor artificial snow making apparatus.

Background

Currently, in the context of indoor snow, it is known to use special snow making systems to make artificial snowfall in a closed environment or in a specific limited area of interest.

Such snow making systems may be used in environments with large surface areas for downhill preparation and installation for skiers and snowboarders, or in rooms with more involved dimensions for therapeutic or health purposes, such as in a snow cabin in a health center where a typical winter climate is re-created to provide a cold-recovering tremor to guests after sauna heat treatment.

Generally, a conventional snow cabin is defined by a room in which snowfall is artificially reproduced, is produced by a special snow-making device disposed at the top of the room, and generally includes nozzles for producing and dispersing artificial snow.

However, the snow making systems currently on the market must be started with advance notice in order to be able to form a minimum amount of snow accumulation and to be able to simulate snowflake fall. In other words, while the operator is effectively using the current snow making system, the system must have produced a minimal amount of snow that accumulates on the rack so that the scraping device can be positioned to contact and perform scraping, producing free-falling snow.

This requires more energy consumption to activate the system longer than is practical and further ensures that the snow does not melt during its storage.

Furthermore, such a system requires that the scraping means comprise a complex and movable structure that is capable of adjusting its distance from the snow pile in an optimal way to create snow.

Furthermore, such systems sometimes envisage that snowfall is initiated by snow already compacted during the snow step and that the snow may partially freeze (so that the particles constituting the snowfall are a "chip" group, not an actual flake). This results in a reduction in the quality of the resulting snowfall.

Disclosure of Invention

Against this background, the technical task of the present invention is to propose a manual snow-making machine, preferably an indoor manual snow-making machine, which obviates the drawbacks in the known art as described above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an artificial snow making (also known as technical snow making) instrument with reduced energy consumption, while providing an optimized snow making system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an artificial snow making apparatus capable of producing high quality snow. It is therefore an object of the present invention, in particular, to provide an artificial snow making apparatus capable of making artificial snow having the same properties and quality as natural snow so as to simulate the falling or snowfall of snow in an indoor environment, wherein cooling of the surrounding environment is not necessary.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an artificial snow making apparatus which is configured to improve the effect of snowfall and further to bring the mass of the artificially generated snow closer to the mass of naturally generated snow.

The technical task and the specific objects are substantially achieved by means of a snow-making machine, preferably by means of an indoor manual snow-making machine, comprising the technical features presented in the independent claims. The dependent claims correspond to further advantageous aspects of the invention.

It should be understood that this section introduces selected concepts in a simplified form that are further expanded upon the detailed description that follows.

The present invention relates to an artificial snow making apparatus, preferably an indoor artificial snow making apparatus.

Specifically, the instrument includes: a refrigeration cylinder configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis along which it extends, a motion device configured to rotate the refrigeration cylinder, a cooling unit configured to operatively cool a cylindrical wall (i.e., an outer side wall) of the refrigeration cylinder to a freezing temperature, a water supply configured to wet at least a portion of the outer side wall of the refrigeration cylinder with a predetermined amount of water to produce an ice layer on the same outer side, and at least one scraping device configured to scrape at least a portion of the ice layer to obtain artificial snowfall.

In particular, according to the invention, the refrigeration cylinders have inside a gap or an inner duct which extends along the inner surface of the same refrigeration cylinder and is opposite to the outer side wall. The gap or inner conduit is connected to the cooling unit to receive a flow of refrigerant to be conveyed within the gap or inner conduit to cool the outer sidewall of the refrigeration cylinder.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the approximate and non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a snow making apparatus, preferably for use indoors, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figures 1a and 1b show a possible embodiment of an artificial snow-making instrument according to two different perspective views;

Fig. 1c shows a section of the instrument shown in fig. 1a and 1b from a side view;

figure 2 shows a section of a possible embodiment of a refrigeration cylinder according to a side view;

fig. 3a shows a possible embodiment of the scraping means from a perspective view;

fig. 3b shows a cross section of the scraping means when mounted on an instrument according to a side view;

Fig. 4 shows a possible embodiment of a water supply system according to a perspective view;

Fig. 5 shows a possible embodiment of a cooling device according to a perspective view;

Fig. 6 shows a possible embodiment of a device for artificial snow production according to a schematic diagram, which device preferably comprises the artificial snow-producing instrument shown in fig. 1.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which are used only for illustrating embodiments of the invention, in order to better explain the principles of the invention based on the same.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to an artificial snow making apparatus, preferably an indoor artificial snow making apparatus, generally indicated by the numeral 10 with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Any modifications or variations known to those skilled in the art should be considered to fall within the scope of protection as defined by the present invention, in view of technical equivalents.

Fig. 1a to 1c show a snowmaking machine 10, preferably an indoor snowmaking machine, but may also be used in an outdoor environment.

Specifically, the instrument 10 includes: a refrigeration cylinder 20, a movement device (preferably motorized), a cooling unit 40, a water supply 50, and at least one scraping device 60. The refrigeration cylinder 20 is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis L extending therealong. The movement means are configured to rotate the same refrigeration cylinder 20. A cooling unit 40 (better shown in fig. 6) is operatively connected to the refrigeration cylinder 20 and is further configured to cool the outer side wall 21 (cylindrical wall) of the refrigeration cylinder 20 to a freezing temperature (preferably below 0 ℃). The water supply 50 is configured to contact a predetermined amount of water with at least a portion of the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20 to wet it, thereby creating a layer of ice on the same outer side wall 21. The scraping device 60 is configured to scrape at least a portion of the layer of ice in order to obtain artificial snowfall.

In particular, the refrigeration cylinders 20 have inside a gap 22 (or inner conduit) extending along the inner surface of the same refrigeration cylinder 20 opposite the outer side wall 21. Furthermore, the gap 22 is connected to the cooling unit 40 such that a flow of refrigerant is conveyed within the same gap 22, thereby cooling the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20.

That is, the apparatus 10 is configured to form artificial snowfall by solidifying water present on the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20. In particular, the refrigeration cylinder 20 is connected to the cooling unit 40 such that its outer side wall 21 is at a temperature that allows almost instantaneous freezing of its moist water, which is provided by the water supply 50. Furthermore, the cooling cylinder 20 is advantageously kept in rotation about its longitudinal axis L (preferably horizontal) by means of movement means, so that the layer of ice formed on the side walls 21 is moved towards the scraping means 60 (integral with the support frame 11 of the apparatus 10) with which it interacts. The mechanical contact between the scraping means 60 and the ice layer results in the formation of artificial snow which can fall by gravity into a predetermined collection area.

Preferably, said movement means comprise a motor or a gear reducer operatively connected to a rotation shaft on which the refrigeration cylinder 20 is mounted so as to rotate the rotation shaft about the longitudinal axis L.

As described above, the refrigeration cylinder 20 has a gap 22 or an internal conduit therein. Hereinafter, for simplicity of description, only the preferred embodiments including the gap 22 and the features related to the gap 22 will be mentioned. However, it is logically contemplated that once the gap is replaced by one or more inner conduits extending along the inner surface of the refrigeration cylinder 20 (i.e., the surface opposite the outer sidewall 21), alternative embodiments including the inner conduits may also be implemented with the same concepts.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the gap 22 extends inwardly to the refrigeration cylinder 20, parallel to the longitudinal axis L, continuously along its inner surface.

As shown in fig. 2, the gap 22 is generally defined between the surface of the refrigeration cylinder 20 (i.e., the outer side wall 21 and the inner surface, two opposing surfaces of the same element) and a cylindrical partition disposed inside the same refrigeration cylinder 21.

Thus, the gap 22 defines a volume having a hollow cylinder shape of reduced radial dimension relative to the internal volume of the refrigeration cylinder 20. That is, the thickness of the gap 22 is less than the radial dimension of the refrigerant cylinder.

In fact, the gap 22 is operated to allow a flow of the refrigerating substance, which is in contact with the outer lateral wall 21, so as to be able to cool the outer lateral wall 21 to allow the water to freeze. Therefore, the thickness of the gap 22 is preferably smaller than the entire radius of the refrigerating cylinder 20 to concentrate the refrigerating effect on the outer side wall 21.

In addition, a vacuum/air layer is maintained between the gap and the longitudinal axis L of the refrigerant cylinder 20, thereby enabling the creation of a low heat exchange insulating layer. That is, substantially all of the refrigerant substance thereby advantageously exchanges heat with the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cooling unit 40 comprises a tank 41 for containing a refrigerant substance, which can be conveyed at least towards the refrigeration cylinder 20 to cool the outer side wall 21.

That is, the refrigerant substance is preferably contained in the dedicated tank 41, so that control and maintenance operations can be more easily performed.

According to another aspect of the invention, the refrigeration cylinder 20 comprises a delivery duct 23 for the refrigeration substance and an outlet duct 24 for the refrigeration substance, the delivery duct 23 being interposed between the tank 41 and the gap 22.

Preferably, the delivery conduit 23 and the outlet conduit 24 are integral parts of a swivel joint in order to allow the delivery of the refrigerant substance to the gap 22 or from the gap 22.

Even more preferably, the delivery duct 23 (or alternatively the outlet duct 24) is internally obtained by the rotation shaft on which the refrigeration cylinder 20 is mounted.

Thereby, the cooling unit 40 can deliver the refrigerant substance to the gap 22.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the delivery duct 23 and/or the outlet duct 24 comprise a portion arranged inside the refrigeration cylinder 20, which portion extends substantially along the longitudinal axis L.

As already expected, fig. 2 shows a possible embodiment of a refrigeration cylinder 20. In this description, it can be noted that, for example, a portion of the delivery duct 23 is obtained along the rotation axis of the refrigeration cylinder 20 itself, i.e. along the longitudinal axis L. Thus, a portion of the outlet duct 24 of the refrigerant substance also extends parallel to the above-mentioned rotation axis along a circular section around a portion of the delivery duct 23.

The gap 22 is preferably in fluid communication with a delivery tube 23 and an outlet tube 24 via a swivel joint. Reversing the direction of flow of the refrigerant substance necessarily results in reversing between the delivery conduit 23 and the outlet conduit 24, thereby leaving the configuration shown in fig. 2 unchanged.

As expected, the space between the rotating shaft and the gap 22 is empty or air only, providing a thermal insulation layer that greatly reduces the heat exchange with the gap 22 and the transfer duct 23/outlet duct 24.

Furthermore, the refrigeration cylinder 20 comprises two insulated heads 25, 26. In particular, the heads 25, 26 are arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis L and opposite with respect to the lateral wall 21.

The cooling energy is thereby advantageously transmitted only along the outer side wall 21, to prevent ice layers from forming also on the two heads 25, 26, and thus optimize the utilization of the energy for cooling.

Preferably, the two heads 25, 26 are made of teflon or other material capable of ensuring thermal insulation. Alternatively, the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20 is made of at least aluminum or any material (preferably metal) having a thermal conductivity comparable to or better than aluminum.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20 has a rough configuration.

Preferably, the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20 is sandblasted (other equivalent machining techniques may also be used) to create a wrinkled surface with defects (in other words, not perfectly smooth) to improve the adhesion of the ice layer. Indeed, it is preferable to prevent ice flakes from separating from refrigerated cylinder 20 during operation of instrument 10. That is, the scraping means 60 applies mechanical stress to the ice layer existing on the cooling cylinder 20 during the scraping process, but cannot separate the ice layer.

According to one aspect of the invention, the scraping means 60 is operatively connected to the cooling unit 40 to be kept at a low temperature (preferably lower than 0 ℃).

Thus, the scraping means 60 does not change the temperature of the ice layer in contact therewith, and therefore does not change the quality of the snow produced. Further, the scraping means 60 is kept at a low temperature (preferably lower than 0 ℃) so as to prevent the dissolution of the artificial snow produced by the same scraping means 60 and the formation of liquid water that tends to keep the produced artificial snow (i.e. to prevent its separation and thus the fall caused by gravity).

That is, the artificial snow produced by the scraping device 60 is obtained only due to its mechanical interaction with the ice layer and not due to the increase in temperature and thus the partial melting of the ice.

In other words, the scraping means 60 has a function of scraping at least a portion of the ice layer formed on the outer sidewall 21 of the refrigerating cylinder 20 and avoiding any local temperature increase.

Preferably, the scraping means 60 is configured to remove only the reduced thickness of the ice layer present on the outer side wall 21 of the refrigerating cylinder 20. Thus, the layer of ice held on the refrigeration cylinder 20 advantageously provides a substrate upon which additional layers of ice are more readily formed that can be removed by the scraping device 60 to produce artificial snow.

More preferably, the scraping means 60 comprises a support element 61 along which the cooling duct 62 is formed, and a cutting element 63 fixed to the support element 61 to be in contact with the cooling duct 62. In particular, the cooling duct 62 is in fluid communication with the cooling unit 40, thereby cooling the cutting element 63.

Fig. 3a shows a possible embodiment of the scraping means 60. Preferably, the cooling duct 62 is connected to the cooling unit 40 in order to receive a flow of refrigerant from the cooling unit 40, which is adapted to reduce the temperature of the cutting element 63 in direct contact therewith.

Even more preferably, the cutting element 63 is configured to be constrained to the support element 61 such that the blade of the cutting element 63 is free and faces the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20.

Advantageously, the support element 61 is surface-machined to house the cooling duct 62 and to house the connection points suitable for fixing the cutting element 63. Furthermore, the support element 61 has an end adapted to define a connection with the support frame 11 of the whole instrument 10.

Preferably, the support member 61, the cooling duct 62 and the cutting member 63 are made of a metal material to maximize heat exchange therebetween.

Fig. 3b shows the side of the scraping means 60 when mounted on the instrument 10, wherein the arrangement of the cutting element 63 with respect to the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20 can be seen.

Furthermore, as better described below, in this figure, a cleaning element 71 is visible, which is configured to perform cleaning of the scraping means 60. According to another aspect of the invention, the water supply 50 comprises a containing tank 51 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis L. In particular, the containing tank 51 defines a containing volume adapted to contain a predetermined level of water and at least a portion of the refrigeration cylinder 21 such that the refrigeration cylinder 21 is at least partially immersed in water.

Figures 1c and 4 show a possible and preferred embodiment of a water supply system 50. In particular, in fig. 1c, it can be noted that the refrigeration cylinder 20 is preferably at least partially immersed within the containment volume of the water tank 51. Advantageously, a quantity of water is delivered into the tank 51. Thus, the refrigeration cylinder 20 is partially immersed in water, so that its outer side wall 21 is wet. Advantageously, the rotary movement of the refrigeration cylinder 20 involves interaction with water of the entire outer side wall 21, so that at the end of the entire rotation of the refrigeration cylinder 20, the entire outer side wall 21 will be completely wetted.

As mentioned above, thanks to the cooling of the outer side wall 21 caused by the gap 22 in which the refrigerating substance flows, the refrigerating cylinder 20 is advantageously configured to freeze the water present on the outer side wall 21 thereof and thus form an ice layer, which can be at least partially removed by the scraping device 60 to make artificial snow.

According to another aspect of the invention, the water tank 51 includes a water distribution channel 52, the water distribution channel 52 being operatively connected to a source of water (not shown) and further configured to uniformly distribute a predetermined amount of water in the same water tank 51. In particular, the distribution channel 52 is arranged on the bottom of the tank 51 and has an elongated shape along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

Preferably, the dispensing channel 52 has a closed shape and there are a plurality of openings 55 for dispensing water along an extension thereof. Even more preferably, the distribution channel 52 also has a conical configuration, whereby its thickness (i.e. the section along which the water flows) gradually decreases along the tank, so as to obtain the same outlet pressure (and therefore also the same flow rate) of the water from the above-mentioned opening 55.

Thus, the water present in the water tank 51 is advantageously distributed uniformly, so that the temperature is also uniform for the whole containment volume, and there are no points along the different temperature gradients (higher and/or lower) of the water tank 51.

In particular, the tank 51 has a supply opening 54 obtained at the lateral and distribution channel 52, so that a water flow can be delivered, for example, from a water source (for example a water pipe or well).

Preferably, the water supply system 50 is configured to continuously supply water in the water tank 51. In particular, the water tank 51 has a drain opening 53.

Even more preferably, the drain opening 53 is obtained above the supply opening 54.

According to one aspect of the invention, the water supply 50 is operatively connected to the cooling unit 40 for pre-cooling the water fed into the water tank 51 and/or directly onto the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20.

Therefore, the water present inside the water tank 51 wetting the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20 will need to undergo a smaller heat exchange with the same outer side wall 21 to form an ice layer.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention (shown in fig. 5), the instrument 10 may include a cooling device 90, the cooling device 90 being configured to pre-cool water delivered into the water tank 51 and/or directly onto the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20.

Preferably, the cooling device 90 comprises a heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger comprises a housing body 91, in which housing body 91 a plurality of plates 92 are arranged for heat exchange between water and a refrigerating substance.

More precisely, on one side of the heat exchanger there are valves for the ingress of water and refrigeration substances 93, 94, and on the other side there are valves for the egress of cooling water and refrigeration substances 95, 96.

Preferably, the refrigeration substances are configured to flow within plates 92 that are in fluid communication with each other and arranged in sequence. Instead, the water is configured to flow between the plates 92 and, more precisely, along the ribs 97 formed by the free spaces present between the plates 92. That is, the plates 92 are arranged with the ribs 97 forming free spaces therebetween so that water can flow over the ribs 97 and thus exchange heat with the refrigerant substance flowing in the plates 92.

According to one aspect of the invention, the movement means are configured to rotate the refrigeration cylinder 20 at a constant speed and/or a variable speed.

That is, the rotational speed of the refrigeration cylinder 20 may vary with the amount of artificial snow to be produced, i.e., with the amount of water to be adhered to the outer side wall 21, or also with the background of the use system (ambient temperature and the temperature of the refrigeration substance).

According to another aspect of the invention, the instrument 10 includes an adjustment device operatively connected to the scraping device 60 and is additionally configured to vary the distance and/or inclination of the same scraping device 60 relative to the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20.

Preferably, the scraping means 60 is configured to scrape only a portion of the ice layer present on the outer sidewall 21. That is, the scraping device 60 is preferably configured to thin the ice layer and not completely remove it from the cooling cylinder 20. The ice layer remaining on the outer side wall 21 thereby simplifies the absorption of water provided by the water supply 50 and thus forms a new ice layer that the scraping means 60 may scrape.

Thus, the adjustment device is able to vary the distance of the scraping device 60 from the ice layer depending on the type of artificial snow that is desired and to be produced.

For example, if many work cycles have been performed and the blade is thus at least partially worn, it may be desirable to bring the scraping means 60 closer to the ice layer.

Even more advantageously, the adjustment means allow the inclination of the scraping means 60 with respect to the outer lateral wall 21 to be varied.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, as can be seen more clearly in fig. 1b, the instrument 10 comprises a cleaning element 71, which cleaning element 71 is arranged on the front side of the outer side wall 21, more precisely at the scraping means 60.

Preferably, the cleaning element comprises a rotating brush configured to prevent snow formation and/or remove snow at the cutting element 63 of the scraper device 60.

That is, the cleaning member 71 allows removing the ice powder formed by the scraping device 60, which does not fall down due to gravity and thus is not used to form artificial snow.

Not removing such ice dust will affect the creation and quality of a new layer of ice that must form on the outer side wall 21 of the refrigeration cylinder 20. In fact, coarser ice particles will form around such ice powder that are not suitable for the intended purpose.

Preferably, the cleaning elements 71 extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L over the entire length of the lateral wall 21.

According to one aspect of the invention shown in fig. 1, the apparatus 10 includes a blowing device 80 disposed below the refrigeration cylinder 20 and the scraping device 60. Specifically, the blowing device 80 is configured to blow the artificial snow generated by the scraping device 60, generating a snow flow outside the instrument 10 that is more uniform and similar to a natural snowfall flow.

The blowing device 80 is advantageously configured to remove the artificial snow produced by the scraping device 60 from the instrument 10. Preferably, the artificial snow generated from the scraping device 60 falls due to gravity and then is moved toward a collection area (e.g., a snow cabin) by the blowing device 80, thereby generating a snow flow simulating a natural snowfall effect.

As shown in FIG. 6, the present invention also relates to an artificial snow making apparatus 100, preferably an indoor artificial snow making appliance.

In detail, the apparatus 100 includes an artificial snow making cabin 101 defining an interior volume W thereof, and further includes an indoor artificial snow making instrument 10 having one or more of the features described above.

In particular, the apparatus 10 is mounted on a frame 11 (visible in fig. 1), which frame 11 can be constrained to the wall 102 or roof 103 of said snow making cabin 101 and more preferably raised from the ground to the roof 103 of the same cabin 101.

That is, according to a preferred embodiment, the instrument 10 (or at least most of its components, such as the refrigeration cylinder 20 and the scraping means 60) is arranged inside the frame 11, the frame 11 having an almost completely closed box-like body and also having insulation towards the external environment. In practice, one face of the frame is open and communicates with the interior volume W of the snow cabin 101 to allow the produced artificial snow to fall by gravity within the snow cabin 101.

Thus, the instrument 10 is secured to the wall 102 or roof 103 of the snow pod 101 such that the communication surface of the frame 11 is in direct communication with the interior volume W to enable the fall of artificial snow produced by the instrument 10.

According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus 100 may further comprise a spray system comprising a nucleator nozzle 111, the nucleator nozzle 111 feeding a pressurized air stream 112 and a cooling water stream 113.

Thereby, the air present in the interior space W of the snow cabin 101 is advantageously maintained at predetermined temperature and humidity values to allow the artificial snow produced by the instrument 10 to be preserved (i.e. not melted) and thus maintain its quality.

According to another aspect of the invention, the injection system includes a heat exchanger 114 configured to cool an air stream to be delivered into the snow cabin 101. Preferably, the heat exchanger 114 is arranged together with the cooling unit 40.

Preferably, the injection system is connected to a cooling unit 40 to cool the water stream 113 delivered towards the nucleator nozzle 111.

According to another aspect of the invention, the blowing device is configured to suck partially atomized and humid cold air from the artificial snow cabin 101 to blow the artificial snow produced by the scraping device into the same artificial snow cabin 101.

Thus, the blowing device can advantageously reduce the energy consumption of the apparatus 10, because the air used to blow the artificial snow in the snow cabin 101 does not have to be cooled by the same blower, but is recovered directly from the snow cabin 101 in which a large amount of artificial snow is already present.

Claims (13)

1. An artificial snow making apparatus (10), preferably a room-side artificial snow making apparatus, comprising:

-a refrigeration cylinder (20) configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis (L) along which it extends;

-movement means configured to rotate the refrigeration cylinder (20);

-a cooling unit (40) operatively connected to the refrigeration cylinder (20) and configured to cool the outer lateral wall (21) of the refrigeration cylinder (20) to a freezing temperature, preferably lower than 0 ℃;

-a water supply (50) configured to bring a predetermined amount of water into contact with at least a portion of the outer side wall (21) of the refrigeration cylinder (20) to wet said at least a portion, thereby creating an ice layer on the outer side wall (21);

-at least one scraping device (60) configured to scrape at least a portion of the layer of ice so as to obtain artificial snowfall;

characterized in that the cooling cylinder (20) has a gap (22) or an inner conduit inside, which gap (22) or inner conduit extends along an inner surface of the cooling cylinder (20) opposite the outer side wall (21) and is connected to the cooling unit (40) so as to receive a flow of a refrigerant substance to be conveyed inside the gap (22) or inner conduit for cooling the outer side wall (21) of the cooling cylinder (20);

Wherein the water supply (50) comprises a containing tank (51) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (L), the tank (51) defining a containing volume adapted to contain a predetermined level of water and at least a portion of the refrigeration cylinder (20), such that the refrigeration cylinder is partially immersed in water; the water tank (51) further comprises a water distribution channel (52), the water distribution channel (52) being operatively connected to a water source and configured to uniformly distribute a predetermined amount of water in the water tank (51).

2. The apparatus (10) of claim 1, wherein the gap (22) or inner conduit extends inwardly to the refrigeration cylinder (20) and extends continuously along the inner surface parallel to the longitudinal axis (L).

3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein the cooling unit (40) comprises a tank (41), the tank (41) being adapted to contain a refrigerating substance conveyable at least towards the refrigerating cylinder (20) for cooling the outer side wall (21).

4. The instrument (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the scraping means (60) is operatively connected to the cooling unit (40) to be maintained at a temperature below 0 ℃.

5. The instrument (10) of claim 4, wherein the scraping device (60) includes a support element (61) and a cutting element (63), the support element (61) defining a cooling channel (62) therealong, the cutting element (63) being secured to the support element (61) to be in contact with the cooling channel (62), the cooling channel (62) being in fluid communication with the cooling unit (40) to cool the cutting element (63).

6. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigeration cylinder (20) comprises two insulated heads (25, 26), said heads (25, 26) being arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) and opposite with respect to the outer lateral wall (21).

7. The appliance (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing channel (52) is arranged on the bottom of the water tank (51) and is elongated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (L).

8. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water supply system (50) is operatively connected to the cooling unit (40) for pre-cooling the water to be delivered in the water tank (51).

9. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer side wall (21) of the refrigeration cylinder (20) has a rough configuration.

10. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement means are configured to rotate the cooling cylinder (20) at a constant speed and/or a variable speed.

11. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an adjustment device operatively connected to the scraping device (60) and configured to vary the distance and/or inclination of the scraping device (60) with respect to the outer lateral wall (21) of the refrigeration cylinder (20).

12. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a blowing device (80) arranged below the cooling cylinder (20) and the scraping device (60), the blowing device (80) being configured to blow artificial snow produced by the scraping device (60) to produce a snow flow outside the apparatus (10).

13. An artificial snow making apparatus (100), preferably an indoor artificial snow making apparatus, comprising:

-an artificial snow cabin (101);

-an indoor artificial snow making apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12;

Wherein the apparatus (10) is mounted on a frame (11), which frame (11) is constrained to a wall (102) of the snow making cabin (101) and raised from the ground, preferably to a roof (103) of the snow making cabin (101).