Air cooling device

• US 6,571,574 B1
• Filed: 06/21/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ralf W. Blackstone
• Original Assignee: Ralf W. Blackstone
• Inventors: Blackstone, Ralf W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Doerrler, William C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zec, Filip
• Application Number:
  US09/886,588
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 624/20, 624/21, 624/25
• US Class Current: 62/420
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0017 using cold storage bodies, e.g. ice
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage

Abstract

A portable air chiller for providing air conditioning in a variety of environmental circumstances. The portable air chiller includes an insulated container capable of effectively containing a endothermic substrate, an in-flow vent and out-flow vent positioned to communicate air flow from the exterior of the container to the interior of the container. A fan located in the out flow vent facilitates conditioned air movement out of the interior of the portable air chiller. The interior of the portable air chiller houses a endothermic substrate holder which practically traverses the length and width of the interior.

Claims

1. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endothermic substrate said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent said inflow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate wherein the endothermic substrate holder includes holes to facilitate air flow through said endothermic substrate;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location; and

,

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space.

2. The air chiller of claim 1 wherein said airflow guide may be raised or lowered on a vertical axis and pivoted on a vertical axis while remaining functional, for directing air from said air chiller to said desired location.

3. The air chiller of claim 1 wherein the endothermic substrate holder is capable of holding one of the following:

ice, dry ice or gel packs.

4. The air chiller of claim 1 wherein the fan includes a fan motor and the fan motor includes means to energize the fan motor from an auxiliary power source.

5. The air chiller of claim 1 wherein further including means engageable with said outflow vent for engaging the clothing of a user.

6. The air chiller of claim 1 wherein the endothermic substrate holder includes a frame with a vent incorporated thereinto.

7. The air chiller of claim 6 wherein the vent includes a door.

8. The air chiller of claim 1 wherein the inflow vent includes a door for controlling the flow of air therethrough.

9. The portable air chiller of claim 1 wherein the container includes rectangular sidewalls and a removable lid.

10. The portable air chiller of claim 9 wherein the in-flow vent is located in a sidewall and the out-flow bent is located in the lid.

11. The portable air chiller of claim 9 wherein the in-flow vent is located near a bottom of a sidewall and the endothermic substrate holder includes a frame capable of holding the endothermic substrate above the in-flow vent.

12. The portable air chiller of claim 1 wherein said in-flow vent includes vent closure means.

13. The portable air chiller of claim 12 wherein said vent closure means includes a tabular member rotatably suspended above the in-flow vent.

14. The portable air chiller of claim 9 wherein the out-flow vent is in the removeable lid.

15. The portable air chiller of claim 1 wherein the adjustable directional air flow guide includes a tube with a near end engaged with the out-flow vent and a removed end including at least two outlets, said removed end including a valve to selectively block at least one of said at least two outlets.

16. The portable air chiller of claim 1 further including a second insulated container, the second insulated container capable of engaging the adjustable directional air flow guide.

17. The portable air chiller of claim 1 wherein the adjustable directional air flow guide includes at least one tube attached to the container at a near end and having the removed end adapted to except said fan for expelling air from said out-flow vent.

18. The portable air chiller of claim 1 wherein said adjustable directional air flow guide includes at least one tube with means, at the removed end thereof, for engaging a clothing item of the user, to supply cool air thereto.

19. The portable air chiller of claim 1 wherein the adjustable directional air flow guide includes at least one tube with means, at the removed end thereof for engaging a seat so as to selectively position and maintain the removed of the tube adjacent an occupant of the seat.

20. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endothermic substrate said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent said inflow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding the endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location;

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space; and

means engageable with said outflow vent for engaging the clothing of a user.

21. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endothermic substrate said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent said inflow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding the endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate wherein the endothermic substrate holder includes a frame with a vent;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location; and

,

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space.

22. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endothermic substrate said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent said inflow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container wherein the inflow vent includes a door for controlling the flow of air therethrough;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding the endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location; and

,

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space.

23. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endothermic substrate wherein the container includes rectangular sidewalls and a removal lid said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent said inflow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container wherein the in-flow vent is located in a sidewall of the rectangular container and the out flow vent is located in the lid;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding the endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location; and

,

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space.

24. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endothermic substrate said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent wherein said in flow vent includes vent closure means wherein said vent closure means includes a tabular member rotatably suspended above the in-flow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding the endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location; and

,

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space.

25. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endothermic substrate wherein the container includes rectangular sidewalls and a removable lid said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent said inflow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container wherein the out-flow is in the removable lid to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding the endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location; and

,

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space.

26. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endothermic substrate said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent said inflow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding the endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location;

wherein said adjustable directional air flow guide includes at least one tube with means, at the removed end thereof, for engaging a clothing item of the user, to supply cool air thereto;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location; and

,

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space.

27. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endothermic substrate said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent said inflow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding the endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location wherein the adjustable directional air flow guide includes at least one tube with means, at the removed end thereof for engaging a seat so as to selectively position and maintain the removed end of the tube adjacent an occupant of the seat;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location; and

,

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space.

28. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endothermic substrate said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent said inflow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding the endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location wherein the adjustable directional air flow guide includes a tube with a near end engaged with the out-flow vent and a removed end including at least two outlets, said removed end including a valve to selectively block at least one of said at least two air outlets;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location; and

,

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space.

29. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endotherrnic substrate said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent said inflow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding the endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location;

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space; and

a second insulted container, the second insulted container capable of engaging the adjustable air flow guide.

30. A portable air chiller comprising:

an insulated container having an interior capable of containing an endothermic substrate said container including walls defining;

an in-flow vent said inflow vent capable of communicating air from the outside of said container into said interior of said container;

an out-flow vent said outflow vent capable of communicating air from said interior of said container to the outside of said container;

a fan located in fluid communication with said out-flow vent, the fan capable of expelling air from said out-flow vent;

an endothermic substrate holder in said interior for holding the endothermic substrate so air pulled into said interior from said in-flow vent and out said out-flow vent will be cooled by said endothermic substrate;

an adjustable directional air flow guide connected to said out-flow vent capable of directing air expelled from said out-flow vent towards a desired location wherein the adjustable directional air flow guide includes at least one tube attached to the container at a near end and having the removed end adapted to accept said fan for expelling air from said out-flow vent;

said in-flow vent, said endothermic substrate holder, said out-flow vent and said air flow guide being located, sized, and shaped so said fan pulls air into said interior of said container through said in-flow vent and pulls said air about an endothermic substrate in said interior of said container and engaged with said endothermic substrate holder so said endothermic substrate cools said air and so said cooled air is expelled out said air flow guide by said fan towards a desired location; and

,

said combination of said container, in-flow vent, endothermic substrate holder, out-flow vent, fan, air flow guide, and container interior being sized, shaped, designed, and constructed to be capable of accepting endothermic substrate and cooling a portion of a confined air space.