PORTABLE AIR COOLER

Abstract

A portable air cooler for cooling air circulated in a designated area. The portable air cooler comprises an air inlet; an air outlet; a refrigeration unit including a cooling coil, a compressor, a heating coil and an expansion valve operatively interconnected with each other; a receptacle for containing water; and a centrifugal fan preferably positioned between an evaporative pad and the air outlet. The cooling coil is configured for placement in the receptacle for cooling water contained therein. A water pump delivers cooled water to the evaporative pad mounted proximate the air inlet through at least one conduit. The centrifugal fan draws ambient air through the evaporative pad from the air inlet and directs cooled air into the designated area through the air outlet. A part of the cooled air is channeled through an air duct to cool the heating coil, reducing waste heat generated by the heating coil.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable air cooler for cooling air circulated in a designated area; and more particularly an environmentally-friendly portable air cooler which has greater cooling capacity and is capable of reducing waste heat being released into the ambient environment during its operation.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Air cooler has been widely used for cooling air in a designated area, especially by those living in uncomfortably hot and dry climates due to its affordability and lower power consumption. In a conventional air cooling system, water is used to wet the cooling pad so as to cool the hot dry air travels through the evaporative pad by evaporation. Apart from the surrounding air temperature and the relative humidity level which could affect the efficiency of the air cooler to generate cold air, it should be noted that the temperature of the cold air generated by the air cooler is also greatly affected by the temperature of the water used to wet the evaporative pad. Air cooler which uses water with lower temperature to wet the evaporative pad could generate colder air as compared to those which use water with higher temperature. Typically, user who tends to get colder air will need to manually add ice to the water contained in the tank of the air cooler by which this could create inconvenience to the users as ice will need to be added to the air cooler from time to time so as to retain the desirous cooling effect.

On the other side, although air conditioner could provide the desirous cooling effect, it is known to be not economical in terms of installation and operating costs. Further, usage of air conditioner could indirectly cause an increased in carbon dioxide emission from power plants due to higher power consumption. It is known that carbon dioxide is one of the most important causes of global warming and global climate change. Further, waste heat generated by air conditioner could raise the outdoor temperature, particularly in urban areas and contributing to a rise in global temperature. It should be noted that high outdoor temperature could eventually lead to increased air conditioning demand and consequently power consumption, resulting in a positive feedback loop.

In view of these and other shortcomings, it is desirous to provide a portable air cooler which is economical and has greater cooling capacity by which the air cooler is capable of generating colder air without the need for ice being manually added to the water tank of the air cooler. Further, it is another objective of the present invention to provide a portable air cooler which is capable of reducing waste heat being released into the ambient environment during its operation.

The portable air cooler according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and its combination of elements or parts thereof will be described and/or exemplified in the detailed description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a portable air cooler for cooling air circulated in a designated area. According to the present invention, the air cooler comprises an air inlet, an air outlet, a refrigeration unit, a receptacle for containing water, a centrifugal fan and an evaporative pad.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portable air cooler is preferably having an upper compartment and a lower compartment. Preferably, the upper compartment and the lower compartment of the portable air cooler are separated from each other by a partition. By way of example but not limitation, the partition may be made of plastics, aluminium, steel or metal sheet or any other materials which deemed suitable.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration unit of the portable air cooler includes a cooling coil, a compressor, a heating coil and an expansion valve operatively interconnected with each other. It should be noted that the cooling coil of the refrigeration unit is configured to be placed in the receptacle of the portable air cooler so as to cool the water contained in the receptacle. Preferably, the cooled water contained in the receptacle is delivered to the evaporative pad by means of at least one conduit operatively connected to a water pump. It will be appreciated that the water pump of the portable air cooler is configured to supply and deliver the cooled water efficiently to the evaporative pad.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the evaporative pad is preferably mounted proximate the air inlet of the portable air cooler. It should be noted that the cooled water is preferably delivered to the top of the evaporative pad such that the cooled water flows down and wet the entire evaporative pad.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the centrifugal fan is suitably positioned between the evaporative pad and the air outlet. It should be noted that the centrifugal fan is configured to draw ambient air from the air inlet of the portable air cooler through the wetted evaporative pad. It will be appreciated that the drawn air gets cooled after travels through the wetted evaporative and exits the air outlet so as to cool the designated area where the cooled air is directed.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portable air cooler is provided with at least one air duct so as to channel a part of the cooled air to cool the heating coil of the refrigeration unit so as to reduce waste heat generated by the heating coil of the refrigeration unit being released into the ambient environment.

The present invention consists of several novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying description and drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:

FIG. 1a illustrates a front view of the portable air cooler in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1b illustrates a side view of the portable air cooler in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2a illustrates a front view of the portable air cooler in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2b illustrates a side view of the portable air cooler in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a portable air cooler for cooling air circulated in a designated area. More particularly, an environmentally-friendly portable air cooler which has greater cooling capacity and is capable of reducing waste heat being released into the ambient environment during its operation. Hereinafter, this specification will describe the present invention according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the invention is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalents without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

The portable air cooler for cooling air circulated in a designated area according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in accordance to the accompanying drawings FIGS. 1a to 2b, either individually or in any combination thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1a to 2b, illustrates therein is a portable air cooler 1. The portable air cooler 1 comprises an air inlet 500, an air outlet 700, a refrigeration unit 100, a receptacle 200 for containing water, a centrifugal fan 600 and an evaporative pad 400.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the portable air cooler is preferably having an upper compartment 50 and a lower compartment 70 as illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 2b. Preferably, the upper compartment 50 and the lower compartment 70 of the portable air cooler 1 are separated from each other by a partition 90. By way of example but not limitation, the partition 90 may be made of plastics, aluminium, steel or metal sheet or any other materials which deemed suitable.

In the preferred embodiment, the refrigeration unit 100 of the portable air cooler 1 includes a cooling coil 110, a compressor 130, a heating coil 150 and an expansion valve 170 operatively interconnected with each other and formed a closed circuit.

Preferably, the closed circuit is filled with refrigerant. In the preferred embodiment, the refrigeration unit 100 is sited in the upper compartment 50 of the portable air cooler 1.

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cooling coil 110 of the refrigeration unit 100 is configured to be placed and submerged in water contained in the receptacle 200 of the portable air cooler 1 so as to cool the water in the receptacle 200. Preferably, the cooling coil 110 is made of copper tubing for efficient heat transfer by which heat from the water is extracted by the cooling coil 110 and thereby cools the water in the receptacle 200. In the preferred embodiments, the receptacle 200 is preferably positioned in the upper compartment 50 of the portable air cooler 1 and seated on the partition 90 of the portable air cooler 1. Preferably, the receptacle 200 is sited below the evaporative pad 400 as illustrated in FIGS. 1b and 2b. It should be noted that water can be added manually to the receptacle by user, preferably before the portable air cooler 1 is put into operation. According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the portable air cooler 1 is provided with a water pump 300. The water pump 300 is configured to pump and supply the cooled water from the receptacle 200 to the evaporative pad 400 through at least one conduit 10. It should be noted that the water pump 300 of the preferred embodiments of the present invention may be placed external to the receptacle as illustrated in FIG. 1a or is a submersible type as illustrated in FIG. 2a. In order to avoid water droplets from being formed on the surface of the receptacle 200 and the at least one conduit 10 due to condensation, the receptacle 200 and the at least one conduit 10 are preferably enclosed with an insulator. By way of example but not limitation, the insulator may be made from polystyrene or any other materials deemed suitable.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the evaporative pad 400 is preferably mounted proximate the air inlet 500 of the portable air cooler 1 as illustrated in FIGS. 1b and 2b. It should be noted the evaporative pad 400 is preferably having dimensions sufficient to conceal the air inlet 500 of the portable air cooler 1. By way of example but not limitation, the evaporative pad 400 may be a multilayer fiber pad or a cellulose pad or a wood wool pad or corrugated cardboard or the like. Preferably, the cooled water is delivered to the top of the evaporative pad 400 such that the cooled water flows down and wet the evaporative pad 400. In one preferred embodiment, the at least one conduit 10 is preferably extended to the top of the evaporative pad 400. It should be noted that the at least one conduit 10 sited on top the evaporative pad 400 is provided with a plurality of perforations 11 configured to distribute the cooled water to the evaporative pad 400 as illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b. In another preferred embodiment, the portable air cooler 1 is further provided with a water receiving tray 20 suitable positioned above the evaporative pad 400 and connected to the at least one conduit 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The water receiving tray 20 is having a plurality of distribution nozzles 21 at the bottom of the water receiving tray 20. It should be noted that the water receiving tray 20 is configured to retain and dispense the cooled water supplied from the at least one conduit 10 onto the evaporative pad 400 through the water distribution nozzles 21. It should be noted that the water droplets seeped from the evaporative pad 400 are collected in the receptacle 200.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the centrifugal fan 600 is preferably deposited at the central portion of the upper compartment 50 of the portable air cooler 1 and suitably positioned between the evaporative pad 400 and the air outlet 700 of the portable air cooler 1 as illustrated in FIGS. 1b and 2b. In the preferred embodiments, ambient air from the surrounding is drawn by the centrifugal fan 600 at the air inlet 500 and traveled through the evaporative pad 400. It will be appreciated that the drawn air gets cooled after travels through the evaporative pad 400 due to heat exchange between the cooled water and the ambient air that occurs in the evaporative pad 400. The cooled air exits the air outlet 700 to cool the designated area where the cooled air is directed.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heating coil 150 of the refrigeration unit 100 is preferably extending within the upper compartment 50 of the portable air cooler 1 in a helical form prior entering the lower compartment 70 of the portable air cooler 1 such that the length of the heating coil 150 can be extended so as to increase heat transfer surface of the heating coil 150. It will be appreciated that such configuration could allow heat generated by the heating coil 150 be dissipated efficiently. According to the preferred embodiments, the heating coil 150 is preferably surrounded by a plurality of heat transfer fins 151 as illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 2b. It should be noted that the heat transfer fins 151 could facilitate and increase heat transfer rate so as to ensure that the heat generated by the heating coil 150 could be dissipated efficiently to the surrounding.

In order to reduce waste heat being generated by the heating coil 150, a part of the cooled air is channeled to the lower compartment 70 of the portable air cooler 1 through at least one air duct 30 for cooling the heating coil 150 as illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 2a. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the at least one air duct 30 is preferably extended from a space between the centrifugal fan 600 and the air outlet 700 at the upper compartment 50 and entered into the lower compartment 70 so as to channel the cooled air for cooling the heating coil 150. It will be appreciated that such configuration could reduce the heat of the heating coil 150 and thereby significantly reduce the released of waste heat generated by the heating coil 150 to the ambient environment.

If desired, the compressor 130 of the refrigeration unit 100 of the portable air cooler 1 is further provided with a heat dissipation element 131. Preferably, the heat dissipation element 131 is suitably covered the top portion of the compressor 130 as illustrated in FIG. 2a. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conduit 10 of the portable air cooler 1 is further provided with a branch tube 13. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the branch tube 13 is integrally extended from the conduit 10 and suitably positioned above the compressor 130 as illustrated in FIG. 2a. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the branch tube 13 of the conduit 10 is configured to deliver cooled water droplets to the heat dissipation element 131. In the preferred embodiment, the branch tube 13 of the conduit 10 is preferably enclosed with an insulator so as to avoid water droplets from being formed on the surface of the branch tube 13 of the conduit 10 due to condensation. By way of example but not limitation, the insulator may be made from polystyrene or any other materials deemed suitable. It should be noted that the heat dissipation element 131 of the compressor 130 is configured to absorb the cooled water droplets supplied by the branch tube 13 of the conduit 10. It will be appreciated that the wet heat dissipation element 131 of the compressor 130 is capable of absorbing and dissipating heat generated by the compressor 130 and thereby decreasing the released of waste heat generated by the compressor 130 to the ambient environment. By way of example but not limitation, the heat dissipation element 131 of the compressor 130 is preferably made from gypsum powder.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portable air cooler 1 is also provided with a thermostat (not shown). It should be noted that the thermostat (not shown) is adapted to control the operation of the compressor of the refrigeration unit 100 so as to ensure the water in the receptacle could be maintained at the proper temperature.

It should be noted that configurations of various parts, elements and/or members used to carry out the above-mentioned embodiments are illustrative and exemplary only. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that those configurations, parts, elements and/or members used herein may be altered in a manner so as to obtain different effects or desired operating characteristics. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described configurations, arrangements, structures, applications, functions or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments and conditions, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the principle and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would obvious to one skilled in the art intended to be included within the scope of following claims.

Claims

1. A portable air cooler (1) for cooling air circulated in a designated area comprising:

a refrigeration unit (100), the refrigeration unit (100) includes a cooling coil (110), a compressor (130), a heating coil (150) and an expansion valve (170) operatively interconnected with each other, wherein the cooling coil (110) is placed in a receptacle (200) for cooling water contained therein;

a water pump (300) configured to deliver and supply the cooled water to an evaporative pad (400) mounted proximate an air inlet (500) through at least one conduit (10); and

a centrifugal fan (600) positioned between the evaporative pad (400) and an air outlet (700), the centrifugal fan (600) is configured to draw ambient air through the evaporative pad (400) from the air inlet (500) and direct the cooled air into the designated area through the air outlet (700), characterized in that:

a part of the cooled air is channeled through at least one air duct (30) to cool the heating coil (150) of the refrigeration unit (100) so as to reduce waste heat generated by the heating coil (150) of the refrigeration unit (100).

2. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 1, wherein the portable air cooler (1) has an upper compartment (50) and a lower compartment (70) separated from each other by a partition (90).

3. The portable air cooler according to claim 2, wherein the heating coil (150) extends within the upper compartment (50) of the portable air cooler (1) in helical form prior to being deposited at the lower compartment (70) of the portable air cooler (1) so as to increase the heat transfer surface.

4. The portable air cooler according to claim 2, wherein the air duct (30) extends through the upper compartment (50) into the lower compartment (70) so as to supply cooled air to the lower compartment (70).

5. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 2, wherein the heating coil (150) is deposited at the lower compartment (70) of the portable air cooler (1) and is surrounded by at least one heat transfer fin (151) so as to facilitate heat transfer to the atmosphere.

6. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 1, wherein the evaporative pad (400) is a multilayer fiber pad or a cellulose pad or a wood wool pad or corrugated cardboard.

7. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle (200) is insulated.

8. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle (200) is sited below the evaporative pad (400) so as to collect leaked water from the evaporative pad (400).

9. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cooling coil (110) is submerged in the water contained in the receptacle (200).

10. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one conduit (10) is extended to the top of the evaporative pad (400), wherein the at least one conduit (10) sited on top of the evaporative pad (400) is provided with a plurality of perforations (11) configured to distribute the cooled water to the evaporative pad (400).

11. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 1, wherein the portable air cooler (1) is further provided with a water receiving tray (20) having a plurality of distribution nozzles (21), wherein the water receiving tray (20) is suitably positioned above the evaporative pad (400) and is configured to retain and dispense the cooled water supplied from the at least one conduit (10) onto the evaporative pad (400) through the plurality of distribution nozzles (21).

12. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 1, wherein the compressor (130) of the refrigeration unit (100) is provided with a heat dissipation element (131) suitably covering the top portion of the compressor (130).

13. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 12, wherein the heat dissipation element (131) of the compressor (130) of the refrigeration unit (100) is made from gypsum powder.

14. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conduit (10) of the portable air cooler (1) is provided with a branch tube (13), wherein the branch tube (13) is integrally extended from the conduit (10) and suitably positioned above the compressor (130).

15. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 14, wherein the branch tube (13) is configured to deliver cooled water droplets to the heat dissipation element (131) of the compressor (130).

16. The portable air cooler (1) according to claim 1, wherein the portable air cooler (1) is provided with a thermostat so as to control the operation of the compressor (130).