- Home
- Companies
- Wyssen Avalanche Control AG
- Products
- Wyssen - Model LS12-5 and LS24-5 - ...
Wyssen - Model LS12-5 and LS24-5 -Avalanche Tower
The Wyssen avalanche tower is designed to trigger avalanches proactively with remote-controlled blasting. To trigger an avalanche, a coded command is sent from the control center WAC.3® to the control system of the deployment box to initiate blasting. The deployment box contains either up to 12 explosive charges or 12 Wyssen 2K® charges for the LS12-5 and up to 24 Wyssen Wyssen 2K® charges, which can be individually deployed by remote control. When the explosive charge is dropped two igniters are pulled, and the explosion is set off after a time delay. The charge hangs from a cord about 2-3 meters (7-10 ft) above the snow cover, and the cord is dropped after blasting. To reload explosive charges the deployment box is lifted from the tower by helicopter and brought to a workshop or warehouse.
Solar panels are installed at the deployment box as well as the antenna. The dropping mechanism, the electronics, and 12 or 24 prepared explosive charges are on the inside of the box, protected from the elements. Thanks to the smart concept highest reliability is guaranteed.
From the avalanche operator’s point of view, a blasting installation must be extremely reliable and effective as well as simple to operate and maintain. The installation in the terrain must be straightforward and the interference of the installation must have minimal impact on sensitive mountain environments. Wyssen avalanche towers are ideal for fulfilling these requirements.
- Blasting above the snow with bigger charges (4-5kg /9-11lbs) gives the maximum effective range up to 260m in diameter (850 ft)
- Explosives with high detonation speeds produce N-shaped pressure waves which have been proven to cause the best release effect, particularly at a greater distance from the detonation point
- Positioning a tower on a prominent terrain feature and including a 12m (39 ft) tower instead of 10m (33 ft) enables the effect to be reached in locations of pressure shadow (in couloirs, behind terrain ribs)
- Releasing smaller quantities of snow in increments, decreasing possibility for larger avalanches
- Very good stability test for assessment of the local avalanche danger
- Low investment and operating cost in comparison with permanent protective measures (snow sheds, bridges, tunnels)
- Lowest operational costs thanks to its ingenious system concept
- Damage to infrastructure is avoided by the release of smaller portions
- Economic benefits thanks to reduced closure times
- No critical or moving parts are exposed to the weather
- Solar power supply or wind generator avoids the necessity of vulnerable supply lines in the terrain
- Annual maintenance ensures maximum reliability
- Preparation of the charges takes place in protected areas
- No staff in the danger area thanks to remote-controlled release
- Remote-controlled installations allow operation around the clock
- Very rapid operation possible
- Short closure times
- Less time snow plowing as avalanches are released in smaller portions
- Foundation Footprint is only 1m2
- Short construction times in the terrain simplify planning and implementation
- Blasting over the ground prevents damage to the vegetation cover
- Dismantling after operating life possible without any problems
- Intuitive web-based operating interface
- Operable from any web-enabled device (Computer, Tablet, Notebook, Smartphone)
- Operation independent of location
- Multiple release from Avalanche Towers possible
- Monitoring of systems 24/7
- Automatic documentation and archiving of activites and system data
- Data transfer via mobile network, radio connection or satellite
- ExploDoc
- RiskEval
- ComTool
- HeliTrack
- Weather stations
- 3D snow height measurement via LIA® etc.