Air cooling apparatus

Abstract

An air cooling apparatus includes a housing that defines a chamber. The housing defines at least one outlet opening and at least one inlet opening. A fan is positioned in the chamber and is configured to draw air through the at least one inlet opening, and to emit air through the at least one outlet opening. The chamber includes a tank for holding a liquid is in the housing. At least one mister is connected to the housing and fluidly connected to the tank for emitting a mist adjacent to the at least one outlet opening for mixing the mist with air being emitted from the at least one outlet opening.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 064944-02679AIR COOLING APPARATUSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This utility patent application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 63 / 695,558, filed on September 17, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to air cooling apparatuses, such as personal air coolers.BACKGROUND

[0003] A variety of personal air cooling devices are commonly used to provide cooling to individual users. These devices include fans, evaporative coolers, and air conditioners that operate on a refrigeration cycle. While each type of device serves its intended purpose, they also present specific limitations. For example, fans do not actively lower the air temperature, as they lack a cooling mechanism. Refrigeration-based air conditioners, on the other hand, are typically large, heavy, and consume substantial power. As a result, there remains a need for improved personal air cooling solutions that address these limitations.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] This section provides a general summary of the present disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features, aspects, and objectives.

[0005] According to an aspect of the disclosure, an air cooling apparatus includes a housing that defines a chamber. The housing defines at least one outlet opening and at least one inlet opening. A fan is positioned in the chamber and is configured to draw air through the at least one inlet opening, and to emit air through the at least one outlet opening. The chamber includes aAttorney Docket No. 064944-02679 tank for holding a liquid. At least one mister is connected to the housing and fluidly connected to the tank for emitting a mist adjacent to the at least one outlet opening for mixing the mist with air being emitted from the at least one outlet opening.

[0006] Accordingly, the embodiments of the subj ect air cooling apparatus provide a simple and effective cooling mechanism that is inexpensive and easy to manufacture.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Other advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0008] FIG. l is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an air cooling apparatus;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a side, cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the air cooling apparatus;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the air cooling apparatus;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a front, cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the air cooling apparatus;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of the second embodiment of the air cooling apparatus;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a side, cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the air cooling apparatus;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a front view of the second embodiment of the air cooling apparatus;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a top view of the second embodiment of the air cooling apparatus;

[0016] FIG. 9 is a front, perspective view of a third embodiment of the air cooling apparatus; andAttorney Docket No. 064944-02679

[0017] FIG. 10 is a rear, perspective view of the third embodiment of the air cooling apparatus.DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, embodiments of an air cooling apparatus 100, 200, 300 are provided.

[0019] According to a first embodiment of the air cooling apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1-2, and a second embodiment of the air cooling apparatus 200 shown in FIGS. 3-12, the air cooling apparatus includes a housing 102, 202 that has a top surface 104, 204, a bottom surface 106, 206, a front surface 108, 208, a rear surface 110, 210 and a pair of side surface 112, 212. The housing defines a chamber 114, 214. The housing 102, 202 may have various shapes and sizes.

[0020] The front surface 108, 208 of the housing 102, 202 defines a plurality of outlet openings 116, 216. According to the first and second embodiments, an arrangement of louvres 145, 245 are coupled to the front surface 108, 208 of the housing 102, 202, and the outlet openings 116, 216 are defined between the louvres 145, 245. As shown in the second embodiment, the louvres 145, 245 may be pivotable relative to the housing 102, 202 to permit a user to orient airflow in a desired direction.

[0021] One of the side surfaces 112, 212 of the housing 102, 202 defines a plurality of inlet openings 118, 218 for receiving air into the chamber 114, 214 of the housing 102, 202. The inlet openings 118, 218 may be defined by a series of ribs 117 or a mesh 219 to define an array of the inlet openings 118, 218. Any number of outlet and inlet openings 116, 216, 118, 218 may be used, and they may have various shapes and sizes.

[0022] A centrifugal fan assembly 120, 220 is positioned in the chamber 114, 214 and configured to receive air from the inlet openings 118, 218 and to emit air through the outletAttorney Docket No. 064944-02679 openings 1 18, 218. The centrifugal fan assembly 120, 220 includes a case 122, 222 that defines a compartment 124, 224. The centrifugal fan assembly 120, 220 also has a fan wheel 126, 226 that is positioned in the compartment 124, 224, and rotatable about an axis A. The case 122, 222 further has a volute 128, 228 that terminates adjacent to the outlet openings 116, 216 such that air propelled by the fan wheel 126, 226 escapes through the outlet openings 116, 216. According to embodiments, a surface area of the volute 128, 228 expands as the volute extends to its outlet 129, 229. A filter 130, 230 is positioned between the volute 128, 228 and the outlet openings 116, 216 for filtering air prior to exiting through the outlet openings 116, 216. Also, as discussed in detail below, the filter 130, 230 may be saturated with cool liquids to enhance and prolong the cooling effect.

[0023] A tank 132, 232 for holding liquids such as cooled water, or a water / ice mixture is located in / part of the chamber 114, 214 of the housing 102, 202. The housing 102, 202 is of a highly insulating material, particularly around the tank 132, 232. For example, a material with a thermal conductivity of less than 0.02 W / m K could be used to minimize heat transfer to the liquid / ice in the tank 132, 232.

[0024] Two or more misters 134, 234 are positioned on or adjacent to the front surface 108, 208 of the housing 102, 202. The misters 134, 234 are fluidly connected to the tank 132, 232 for emitting a mist adjacent to the outlet openings 116, 216 for providing a cooling misting effect to the user as air is propelled outside of the air cooling apparatus 100, 200. The misters 134, 234 may also be configured to saturate the filter 130, 230 to enhance and prolong the cooling effect. Any number of misters 134, 234 may be used and they may be located at various locations on the housing 102, 202.Attorney Docket No. 064944-02679

[0025] According to embodiments, a controller 136, 236 (schematically shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) is contained in the housing 102, 202 for activating the fan assembly 120, 220 and / or a pump 144, 244 (discussed below). One or more input devices 128, 238, such as a button, switch, or remote device are connected to the controller 136, 236 for permitting an operator to control the fan assembly 120, 220 and / or pump 144, 244. The controller 136, 236 and input devices 128, 238 may be located at various locations of the housing 102, 202.

[0026] With specific reference to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the chamber 114 of the housing 102 is separated into a fan segment 148 and the tank 132 by a divider 146. The divider 146 spans horizontally across the housing 102, such that the tank 132 is positioned above the centrifugal fan assembly 120. Furthermore, the top surface 104 of the housing 102 defines an inlet 140 into the tank 132 so as to permit a user to fill the tank 132, and a cover 142 detachably closes the inlet 140. Additionally, the misters 134 are positioned above the outlet openings 116 and beneath the tank 132. According to this arrangement, gravity causes the liquid in the tank 132 to flow into the misters 134 and through a misting outlet 135 of the misters 134. A pump 144 may also be provided for pumping water through the misters 134.

[0027] The second embodiment of the air cooling apparatus 200 is shown in FIGS. 3-8. Like numerals, separated by a prefix of “2” instead of “1” identify corresponding components with the first embodiment described above. According to this embodiment, a divider 246 is positioned in the chamber 214 of the housing 202 and is connected to one of the side surfaces 212 above and below the inlet openings 218 to separate the tank 232 from the fan segment 248. A pair of wicks 250 of the misters 234 extend from the tank 232, through the divider 246 and into the fan segment 248. A pair of misting outlets 235 of the misters 234 are each connected to one of the wicks 250 and located in front of the outlet openings 216. A pump 244 is connected to the wicks 250 forAttorney Docket No. 064944-02679 pumping fluids from the tank 232, through the wicks 250 and through the misting outlets 235 for mixing the fluid with the air being emitted through the outlet openings 216 to provide a misting and cooling effect to the user. The pump 244 includes an intake 245 which extends to a bottom of the tank 232 such that it may receive all of the liquid in the tank 232. The misters 234 are located between the centrifugal fan assembly 220 and the filter 230 such that the misters 234 are configured to dampen the filter 230 during use. The misters 234 may instead be located on the front surface 208 of the housing 202 like the first embodiment such that the mist mixes with the airflow outside of the housing 202 and separate from the filter 230.

[0028] It should be appreciated that the use of the centrifugal fan assembly 120, 220 in the first and second embodiments moves a large amount of air in a simple and quiet manner. Furthermore, the misters 134, 234 not only provide a misting effect, but also saturate the filter 130, 230 to provide a continued cooling effect. The filter 130, 230 could alternatively be partially submerged in a liquid to provide the same effect.

[0029] The third embodiment of the air cooling apparatus 300 is shown in FIGS. 9-10. Like numerals, separated by a prefix of “3” instead of “1” and “2” identify corresponding components with the first and second embodiments described above. This embodiment operates with an inline fan assembly 320 instead of the centrifugal fan assembly like the first and second embodiments. As shown, this arrangement has a housing 302 with a top surface 304, a bottom surface 306, a front surface 308, a rear surface 310 and a pair of side surface 312. The housing 302 defines a chamber 314 which holds a tank 332 for holding a liquid. The housing also defines a tank inlet 340 for receiving liquid into the housing 302. The housing 302 also has a pair of arms 352 that extend upwardly from the side surfaces 312 of the housing 302.Attorney Docket No. 064944-02679

[0030] An inline fan assembly 320 is pivotally connected to the arms 352. The inline fan assembly 320 includes a fan tube 354 that is pivotably connected between the arms 352 along a pivot axis B. The fan tube 354 defines a channel 356 that extends along an axis A between an inlet opening 318 and an outlet opening 316. The inline fan assembly 320 includes an inline fan 326 that is positioned in the channel 356 of the fan tube 354. The inline fan 326 is configured to propel air from the inlet opening 318 and out of the outlet opening 316. An inlet grate 357 overlies the inlet opening 318 and an outlet grate 359 overlies the outlet opening 316.

[0031] A pair of misters 334 are positioned at a comer of the front surface 308 and the top surface 304 of the housing 302 below the fan tube 354. A pump 344 is contained in the tank 332 and connected with the misters 334 for propelling the liquid out of the misters 334 in front of the outlet opening 316 of the inline fan 326 to provide a cooling and misting effect to the user.

[0032] A controller 326 is contained in the housing 302 for activating the inline fan 326 and pump 344. A switch 338 is located along one of the side surfaces 312 of the housing 302 for selectively activating the inline fan 326 and the pump 344. The switch 338 may be located at other parts of the housing 302. The controller 336 and switch 338 may be located at various locations of the housing 302.

[0033] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, andAttorney Docket No. 064944-02679 operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in that particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0034] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or later, or intervening element or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0035] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to described various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0036] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. SpatiallyAttorney Docket No. 064944-02679 relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0037] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in any embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 064944-02679CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An air cooling apparatus, comprising: a housing defining a chamber; the housing defining at least one outlet opening and at least one inlet opening; a fan positioned in the chamber and configured to draw air through the at least one inlet opening and to emit air through the at least one outlet opening; the chamber including a tank for holding a liquid; and at least one mister connected to the housing and fluidly connected to the tank for emitting a mist adjacent to the at least one outlet opening for mixing the mist with air being emitted from the at least one outlet opening.

2. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the at least one mister has an outlet, and wherein a pump is configured to pump the liquid from the tank through the outlet.

3. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the outlet of the at least one mister is located beneath the tank such that liquid from the tank is gravity fed into the mister.

4. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pump includes an intake extending to a bottom portion of the tank for drawing in liquid to the pump from the bottom of the tank.Attorney Docket No. 064944-026795. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one mister includes a pair of misters positioned in spaced relationship with one another.

6. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing has a front wall and a side wall extending generally perpendicularly to the front wall, wherein the at least one outlet opening is defined by the front wall, wherein the at least one inlet opening is defined by the side wall, and wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan being configured to draw in air through the at least one inlet opening of the side well and emit air through the at least one outlet opening on the front wall.

7. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein a volute is located between the fan and the at least one outlet opening for directing air from the fan toward the at least one outlet opening.

8. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the volute extends between a first end at the fan and a second end, and wherein a surface area of the volute at the second end is larger than at the first end.

9. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a filter is located between the fan and the at least one outlet opening for filtering air prior to escaping the housing.

10. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the at least one mister is located adjacent to the filter for saturating the filter during use.Attorney Docket No. 064944-0267911. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the at least one mister is positioned between the fan and the fdter.

12. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing has a front wall and a rear wall opposite the front wall and extending along a central axis, wherein the at least one inlet opening is defined by the rear wall, and wherein the at least one outlet opening is defined by the front wall, and wherein the fan is an inline fan configured to draw air in through the at least one inlet opening and emit air through the at least one outlet opening.

13. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the inline fan is pivotable in upward and downward directions along a pivot axis being perpendicular to the central axis.

14. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein the housing has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, wherein a pair of arms extend upwardly from the top surface in spaced relationship with one another, and wherein the inline fan is pivotally coupled to the arms along the pivot axis.

15. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the housing further has a front surface, a rear surface and a pair of side surfaces between the front and rear surfaces, and wherein the at least one mister is located at a corner of the housing between the front and top surfaces of the housing.Attorney Docket No. 064944-0267916. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a divider separates the chamber of the housing into a fan segment and the tank, and wherein the fan is located in the fan segment.

17. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein the housing has a front surface, a rear surface, and a pair of side surfaces, wherein the at least one inlet opening is defined by one of the side surfaces, and wherein the divider is connected to one of the side surfaces above and below the at least one inlet opening.

18. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein the tank is at least partially located beneath the fan compartment.

19. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein the at least one mister includes a wick extending from the tank through the divider into the fan compartment.

20. The air cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein the mister includes an outlet coupled to the wick in the fan compartment.

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