Portable air cooling system

• US 20040045308A1
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Adler, Spencer E., Field, Ella S., Field, Bruce F.
• Application Number:
  US10/632,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20040045308A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/237
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/022 comprising a compressor cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/04 Arrangements for portability
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/0218 Flexible soft ducts, e.g. ducts made of permeable textiles
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/0263 Insulation for air ducts
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/125 mounted on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 15/00 Devices not covered by group F25D11/00 or F25D13/00, e.g. non-self-contained movable devices
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/38 Refrigerating devices characterised by wheels

Abstract

A portable cooling system includes an air cooling unit, a housing enclosing the air cooling unit, an output port, and flexible tubing. The air cooling unit includes an air intake, an air cooler, an air output, and a blower. The blower is configured to drive air from the outside through the air cooling unit. The air cooler is configured to cool air received through the air intake. The cooled air is then discharged through the air output by the blower. The output port is connected to the air output for receiving the cooled air. The flexible tubing includes a first end that is coupled to the output port and can be used to deliver the cooled air to a portable personal shelter.

Claims

26. A portable cooling system comprising:

an air cooling unit having an air intake, an air cooler configured to cool air received through the air intake, an air output receiving the cooled air from the air cooler and a blower driving air into the air intake and air through the air output;

a housing including a first compartment enclosing the air cooling unit, a rigid base on which the air cooling unit is supported, an air input vent adjacent the air intake of the air cooling unit, and an output port coupled to the air output of the air cooling unit, and a handle; and

flexible tubing including a first end coupled to the output port.

1. A portable cooling system comprising:

an air cooling unit having an air intake, an air cooler configured to cool air received through the air intake, an air output receiving the cooled air from the air cooler, and a blower driving air into the air intake and air through the air output;

a housing having a first compartment enclosing the air cooling unit;

an output port connected to the air output; and

flexible tubing including a first end coupled to the output port.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes the output port and a vent positioned adjacent the air intake of the air cooling unit.

3. The system of claim 2 including an air filter between the vent and the air intake.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the air filter is an electrostatic filter.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a plurality of compartments including the first compartment.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a rigid base member on which the air cooling unit is supported.

7. The system of claim 6, including a pair of wheels attached to an end of the rigid base member.

8. The system of claim 7, including an extendible handle connected to an end of the rigid base member that is opposite the wheels.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first compartment is water-resistant.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one cooling vent.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes side walls formed of a fabric.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the tubing is collapsible.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the tubing is insulated.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the output port includes a sleeve member having a first end connected to the air output of the cooling unit and a second end having a connector portion configured to receive the first end of the flexible tubing.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the connector portion includes a drawstring attached adjacent to a lip of the second end of the sleeve member.

16. The system of claim 1 including a portable power supply configured to provide power to the air cooling unit.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the portable power supply is a generator or a fuel cell.

18. The system of claim 1 including a controller configured to control operation of the air cooling unit in response to one or more inputs.

19. The system of claim 18 including a control panel having a display for displaying information regarding the system and input controls for providing the inputs to the controller.

20. The system of claim 18 including a remote control for providing various inputs to the controller, wherein the controller controls operation of the air cooling unit in response to the inputs from the remote control.

21. The system of claim 1 including:

a temperature sensor having a temperature output signal; and

a controller configured to control operation of the air cooling unit in response to the temperature output signal.

22. A portable personal shelter system comprising:

the cooling system of claim 1;

and

a portable personal shelter including exterior walls defining an interior chamber, and an input port defining an opening through one of the exterior walls and configured to receive a second end of the flexible tubing.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the input port includes a sleeve member attached to the exterior wall and a connector portion attached to the sleeve member and configured to receive the second end of the flexible tubing.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the connector portion includes a drawstring attached adjacent to a lip of the sleeve member.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the portable personal shelter is a tent or a cabin of a boat.

27. The system of claim 26 including an air filter between the air input vent of the housing and the air intake of the air cooling unit.

28. The system of claim 26, including a pair of wheels attached to an end of the rigid base member.

29. The system of claim 28, including an extendible handle that is connected to an end of the rigid base member that is opposite the wheels.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein the housing includes at least one cooling vent.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein the housing is formed of a fabric.

32. The system of claim 26, wherein the housing includes a second compartment configured to store the flexible tubing.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the connector portion includes a drawstring attached adjacent to a lip of the second end of the sleeve member.

34. The system of claim 26 including a portable power supply configured to provide power to the air cooling unit.

35. The system of claim 26 including:

a temperature sensor having a temperature output signal; and

a controller configured to control operation of the air cooling unit in response to the temperature output signal.

36. A portable personal shelter system comprising:

the cooling system of claim 26;

and

a portable personal shelter including exterior walls defining an interior chamber, and an input port defining an opening through one of the exterior walls and configured to receive a second end of the flexible tubing.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the portable personal shelter is a tent or a cabin of a boat.

32-1. The system of claim 26, wherein the output port includes a sleeve member having a first end connected to the air output of the cooling unit and a second end having a connector portion configured to receive the first end of the flexible tubing.

38. A portable personal shelter system comprising:

a portable personal shelter including exterior walls defining an interior chamber;

an input port coupled to one of the exterior walls and having an opening through which the interior chamber is accessible; and

a portable cooling system positioned outside of the personal shelter, the portable cooling system comprising;

an air cooling unit having an air intake, an air cooler configured to cool air received through the air intake, an air output receiving the cooled air from the air cooler and a blower driving air into the air intake and air through the air output;

a housing including a first compartment enclosing the air cooling unit, a rigid base on which the air cooling unit is supported, an air input vent adjacent the air intake of the air cooling unit, and an output port coupled to the air output of the air cooling unit, and a handle; and

flexible tubing including a first end coupled to the output port.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the portable personal shelter is a tent or a cabin of a boat.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the tent is collapsible and the housing includes a second compartment that is configured to receive the collapsed tent.