Air cooling device

Abstract

An air cooling device includes a bottle-shaped thermal cell with an outer side wall surface having equally spaced recessed fluid flow channels in a generally helical orientation. The cell contains super-absorbent polymer gel in a frozen state. The device also includes a thermally insulated chimney adapted to operatively enclose the frozen cell. The chimney has partially extended floor disposed under the bottom of the frozen cell. The enclosure defines a substantially narrow lateral spacing between the interior wall surface of the chimney and the outer side wall surface of the frozen cell, and a substantially narrow posterior spacing between the bottom of the frozen cell and the partially extended floor of the chimney. An integral fan blower draws ambient air over the outer cell wall surface including within the recessed channels against gravity to promote cooling. The narrow lateral and posterior spacings restrict the airflow therein to prolong air cooling.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of pending utility patent application Ser. No. 11/009,922, filed Dec. 10, 2004, which was published on Jun. 15, 2006 under Pub. No. US 2006/0123832 A1 and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Human beings normally function over a fairly narrow ambient temperature range. Adjustment of the amount and type of clothing may afford some relief from rising or falling ambient air temperature. However, as ambient air temperature steadily rises, conditioning the same by some form of heat extraction is a preferred solution to maintaining comfortable body temperature. Typically, such heat extraction is performed by air conditioners.

Air conditioners operate on the principle of heat absorption whereby a refrigerant substance may gradually change phase from solid to liquid or from liquid to gas. Unfortunately, most of the known air conditioners are fairly bulky and costly to maintain. Various types of portable or semi-portable air cooling devices have been developed over the years. Most such air cooling devices are designed to cool an enclosed space, for example, rooms of a building, the interior of a motor vehicle, and the like. These air cooling devices must, therefore, be capable of efficiently cooling a relatively large volume of air. Unfortunately, known devices of this type require relatively costly and/or bulky power sources.

Some known air cooling devices utilize indirect conduction of heat between water and air with the cooling effect of air being relatively low. This increases the size and weight of the air cooling device and requires a bigger space for storage and/or installation. Other air cooling devices use a multi-tube type heat exchanger which requires a large quantity of cooling water to flow in a single pass or in a constantly circulating manner. Additionally, the maintenance of the heat exchanger is somewhat troublesome because of the necessity of cleaning the complicated cooling water tubes. Portable air conditioners or swamp cooler systems are designed for spot cooling, not area cooling, and are thus relatively ineffective.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are generally directed to an air cooling device.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the air cooling device comprises at least one thermal cell having an outer surface provided with a plurality of equally spaced recessed fluid flow channels in a generally helical orientation to raise the cell heat transfer efficiency. The thermal cell is filled with super-absorbent refrigerant.

The device also comprises at least one chimney adapted to operatively enclose the refrigerant-filled thermal cell, means for thermally insulating the chimney, and means for forcing ambient air to flow between the inner wall of the thermally insulated chimney and the outer surface of the refrigerant-filled thermal cell including within the fluid flow channels against gravity to promote cooling. The device further comprises means for restricting the forced air flow over the outer cell surface to prolong the air cooling period.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the air cooling device comprises a thermal cell having an open top, a closed bottom, and an outer side wall surface provided with a plurality of equally spaced recessed fluid flow channels in a generally helical orientation. The thermal cell contains super-absorbent polymer (SAP) gel in a frozen state. The device also comprises a chimney adapted to operatively enclose the frozen cell. The chimney has partially extended floor disposed under the bottom of the frozen cell. The enclosure defines a substantially narrow lateral spacing between the interior wall surface of the chimney and the outer side wall surface of the frozen cell, and a substantially narrow posterior spacing between the bottom of the frozen cell and the partially extended floor of the chimney.

The device further comprises a thermal insulation sleeve adapted to wrap around the chimney, and a fan blower operatively coupled to the thermally insulated chimney. The fan blower is configured to draw ambient air over the outer side wall surface of the enclosed frozen cell as well as within the fluid flow channels against gravity to promote cooling. The narrow lateral and posterior spacings restrict the flow of the drawn air over the outer side wall surface of the enclosed frozen cell to prolong the air cooling period.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the air cooling device comprises a thermal cell having an open top, a closed bottom, and an outer side wall surface provided with a plurality of equally spaced recessed fluid flow channels in a generally helical orientation. The thermal cell contains super-absorbent polymer (SAP) gel in a frozen state.

The device also comprises a chimney adapted to operatively enclose the frozen cell. The chimney has partially extended floor disposed under the bottom of the frozen cell. The enclosure defines a substantially narrow lateral spacing between the interior wall surface of said chimney and the outer side wall surface of the frozen cell, and a substantially narrow posterior spacing between the bottom of the frozen cell and the partially extended floor of the chimney.

The device further comprises a thermal insulation sleeve adapted to wrap around the chimney, and a bottom housing provided with first and second internal partitions. The first partition is configured to accommodate the thermally insulated chimney with the enclosed frozen cell. The also has a top housing which is pivotally coupled at one end to the bottom housing, and a fan blower operatively housed in the top housing over the open top of the thermally insulated chimney. The fan blower is configured to draw ambient air over the outer side wall surface of the enclosed frozen cell as well as within the fluid flow channels against gravity to promote cooling. The narrow lateral and posterior spacings restrict the flow of the drawn air over the outer side wall surface of the enclosed frozen cell to prolong the air cooling period.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the air cooling device comprises a thermal cell having an open top, a closed bottom, and an outer side wall surface provided with a plurality of equally spaced recessed fluid flow channels in a generally helical orientation. The thermal cell contains super-absorbent polymer (SAP) gel in a frozen state.

The device also includes a chimney adapted to operatively enclose the frozen cell. The chimney has partially extended floor disposed under the bottom of the frozen cell. The enclosure defines a substantially narrow lateral spacing between the interior wall surface of the chimney and the outer side wall surface of the frozen cell, and a substantially narrow posterior spacing between the bottom of the frozen cell and the partially extended floor of the chimney.

The device further includes a thermal insulation sleeve adapted to wrap around the chimney, and a bottom housing provided with first and second internal partitions. The first partition is configured to accommodate the thermally insulated chimney with the enclosed frozen cell. Also included is a base which is coupled to the bottom housing. The base is configured to accommodate a condensation drip tray and at least one air filter.

Further included is a top housing which is pivotally coupled at one end to the bottom housing, and a fan blower. The fan blower is operatively housed in the top housing over the open top of the thermally insulated chimney. The fan blower is configured to draw ambient air through the air filter over the outer side wall surface of the enclosed frozen cell including within the fluid flow channels against gravity to promote cooling. A multi-directional air vent subassembly is operatively housed in the top housing proximate to the fan blower. The narrow lateral and posterior spacings restrict the flow of the filtered air over the outer side wall surface of the enclosed frozen cell to prolong the air cooling period.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from a review of the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is generally shown by way of reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an air cooling device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing exemplary air flow in the air cooling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of components being used in the air cooling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of components of the air cooling device of FIG. 1 being in a partially assembled state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the components of FIG. 5 being in fully assembled state;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional operational view along section line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the air cooling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an air cooling device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the air cooling device of FIG. 9 with a cap portion being in a partially open state;

FIG. 11 is an exploded assembly view of air cooling device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a schematic operational view showing exemplary air flow within the air cooling device of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 13 is an exploded component view of the air cooling device of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the exemplary embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the exemplary embodiments in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Some embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the related drawings of FIGS. 1-13. Additional embodiments, features and/or advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description or may be learned by practicing the invention. In the figures, the drawings are not to scale with like numerals referring to like features throughout both the drawings and the description.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an air cooling device 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Air cooling device 10 comprises a generally tubular housing 12 (FIG. 1) adapted to accommodate a thermally insulated container 14 containing encapsulated refrigerant 15, as generally shown in FIG. 2. Encapsulated refrigerant 15 is configured as a plurality of compacted frozen balls/bubbles (FIG. 3). Each ball/bubble is filled with a cooling agent that is capable of freezing and sustaining its frozen state for periods longer than water once exposed to the atmosphere. Cooling agents of this type may include ethylene glycol and its polymers, propylene glycol and its polymers, glycerol and its polymers and/or the like.

The cooling agent may be injected in the balls/bubbles before freezing. Alternatively, the cooling agent may be automatically encapsulated at a manufacturing facility. For example, glycol balls may be trapped between two relatively thin, flexible sheets of plastic. The plastic sheets may be heat-sealed together to securely and compactly trap the glycol balls between the sheets. The trapped glycol balls may be mass-produced in encapsulated sheet form and cut to size, as needed. A household or commercial freezer may be used to freeze the encapsulated glycol balls. One or more frozen glycol sheets may be inserted in thermally insulated container 14, as needed. Unused glycol sheets are easily stored away for later use.

Container 14 may be made from plastic, foam or other suitable thermally insulating material. Container 14 has a partially open top 16 (FIG. 4) and a partially open bottom 18 (FIG. 6) adapted to allow air to flow there through. Partially open top 16 and/or partially open bottom 18 may be removed to allow the insertion of encapsulated refrigerant 15. With encapsulated refrigerant 15 packed inside (FIG. 2), container 14 is introduced into the hollow interior of housing 12, as generally depicted by directional arrow 17 in FIG. 5.

Housing 12 is equipped at one end with a blower 19 and at an opposite end with a mesh-like air intake portion 20, as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, 5-8. Ambient air is pulled inside refrigerant-packed container 14 for cooling by blower 19 (FIG. 7) via air intake portion 20 and partially open bottom 18. Blower 19 has fan blade(s) 21 being driven by an integral motor (not shown), an air inlet section 22 and an air outlet section 24 (FIG. 7). Air inlet section 22 is in communication with cold air coming from the interior of container 14 through partially open top 16. Air inlet section 22 may be equipped with an air filter 26 (FIG. 7). The blower motor is turned on by a switch 25 operatively mounted on the exterior of housing 12 (FIGS. 1, 5-6). Once turned on, blower 19 evacuates cold air from the interior of container 14 via air inlet section 22, and blows the same out of the unit via air outlet section 24 and vent 28, as generally shown in FIGS. 1-2.

With blower 19 being mounted at the top, rather than at the bottom of housing 12, the incoming air is forced to flow inside refrigerant-packed container 14 against gravity G (FIG. 7), i.e. the air flow rate is purposely slowed down to allow for a longer air cooling period. A faster flow rate would contribute to a more rapid deterioration of encapsulated refrigerant 15. A relatively slower flow rate would prolong the “cold life” of each frozen glycol ball/bubble. Air is gradually cooled by flowing over the frozen glycol bubbles which collectively serve as a primary cooling source. Cold air is accumulated in air pockets formed between the compacted frozen glycol bubbles. This accumulated cold air serves as a secondary cooling source.

A person skilled in the art would readily appreciate that if there was no accumulation of frozen glycol bubbles, i.e. if container 14 were to be packed with a single contiguous refrigerant mass, cold air would only be produced from flowing around the exterior surface of the refrigerant mass. There would be no secondary source of cooling the air. Moreover, if ambient air were to be blown against (as opposed to being sucked in) such refrigerant mass, the ambient air would rapidly cause deterioration of the refrigerant surface. In such case, the overall cooling efficiency of the device may be degraded.

The provision of multiple refrigerant surfaces and air pockets there between, as contemplated by compactly packing encapsulated refrigerant 15 into thermally insulated container 14, ensures significantly improved cooling efficiency for air cooling device 10 when compared to known cooling devices. The cooled air flows through the entire refrigerant-packed container 14. The size of each frozen glycol ball, as well as the compactness of the balls may be varied, as needed. Obviously, if the ball size was too small, there would be insufficient cooling surface area. On the other hand, if the ball size was too big, the air pockets would grow in size which would have detrimental effect on the cooling of incoming air, i.e. the air flow rate would increase. In one example, the cross section of a frozen glycol ball is about 3.5 inches. Other suitable ball sizes may be utilized, as needed.

Exposing warm ambient air to a cold environment leads to condensation. A condensation pan 30 (FIG. 8) is provided inside housing 12 under partially open bottom 18 of refrigerant packed container 14. Condensation pan 30 is adapted to capture water droplets formed during the air cooling process. Since blower 19 is mounted at the top of housing 12, there is no risk of water droplets falling on any electric/electronic part. Also, with the evacuation effect produced from above by air inlet section 22 of blower 19, dispersion of formed water droplets within container 14 would be significantly inhibited. Condensation pan 30 is introduced into or removed from housing 12 via maintenance door 32, as generally depicted in FIG. 8. Maintenance door 32 may be formed as an integral part of mesh-like air intake portion 20. Maintenance door 32 may be adapted to pivot toward and away from the interior of housing 12. Housing 12 may be mounted at one end to a base 34 (FIG. 8).

The air cooling device of FIGS. 1-8 may be configured as a table top unit, a floor standing unit, or a hand-held unit. Other configurations are possible, provided such other configurations reside within the intended scope of the present invention. For example, housing 12 may be adapted to accommodate a plurality of thermally insulated containers, each packed with encapsulated refrigerant. The thermally insulated containers may be operatively coupled in series and/or in parallel. Moreover, each of the glycol-filled balls may be made with a relatively rough (textured) surface to inhibit fluidity, i.e. to further slow down the cooling period for the incoming air.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an air cooling device 40 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Air cooling device 40 includes a thermal cell 42 (FIG. 11) and a chimney 44 (FIGS. 11, 13) adapted to receive and retain cell 42 while permitting air flow around it. Thermal cell 42 is generally bottle-shaped, as illustrated in reference to FIG. 11. Particularly, it has an open top, which may be secured with a cap 52 (FIG. 11), and a closed bottom. Chimney 44 is open at the top and bottom and has a generally arch-like cross-section. Chimney 44 may be thermally insulated by inserting the same in an insulation sleeve 46 (FIGS. 11, 13).

Insulation sleeve 46 is configured to match the outer contours of chimney 44, i.e. it wraps around chimney 44 thermally insulating the same. Chimney 44 is provided with a top lip 53 (FIG. 11) which overlies the top edge of insulation sleeve 46 when chimney 44 is inserted in sleeve 46. Chimney 44 is also provided with a partially open floor 55 that extends internally to a certain degree and is configured to lie under bottom 45 of thermal cell 42, as schematically shown in FIG. 12.

In one embodiment, thermal cell 42 is filled via its open top with a super-absorbent polymer (SAP) substance, which may be in the form of crystalline powder, and water in appropriate quantities. SAP substances use cross-linked polymers to absorb water many times their weight. Some commercially available SAP substances include, for example, potassium polyacrylate (Chemical Abstracts Services or CAS Registry No. 25608-12-2), sodium polyacrylate (CAS No. 9003-04-7), and polyacrylamide (CAS No. 9003-05-8). The structural formula of potassium polyacrylate is: [—CH2-CH(COOK)—]n. The structural formula of sodium polyacrylate is: [—CH2-CH(COONa)—]n. The structural formula of polyacrylamide is: [—CH2-CH(CONH2)—]n.

When water is added, for example, to crystalline sodium polyacrylate, the polymer crystals readily absorb water many times their size and a polymeric gel forms. In the absorbing process, the gel that forms swells considerably. When sodium polyacrylate is immersed in water, there is higher concentration of water outside the polymer. When water approaches a sodium polyacrylate molecule, it is drawn to the interior of the molecule by osmosis. The ability of the sodium polyacrylate polymer to absorb excessive amounts of water is due to osmosis. The term “osmosis” generally refers to diffusion of fluid through a semi-permeable membrane from a solution with a low solute concentration to a solution with a higher solute concentration until there is an equal concentration of fluid on both sides of the membrane. In this case, the sodium polyacrylate molecule absorbs water until there is equal concentration of water inside and outside the molecule.

Once fully hydrated, the sodium polyacrylate gel may be frozen and used in its frozen state as a refrigerant. When the crystals are fully hydrated, the density of the polymer medium stays generally constant throughout its volume. This constant density plays a key role in regulating heat transfer when the polymer gel is used in cooling applications.

Crystalline sodium polyacrylate has been used, for example, in disposable diapers to absorb baby urine. Sodium polyacrylate has also been used by florists to keep cut flowers fresh for a prolonged period of time, in filtration units to remove water from jet and automobile fuel, and in Gro-Creature™ toys which can be hydrated over and over again. Potassium polyacrylate gel is commonly used to absorb chemical spills. Polyacrylamide gel is used in horticulture to retain moisture around root systems of seedlings.

To prepare thermal cell 42 for use in cooling applications in accordance with the general principles of the present invention, the user may fill thermal cell 42 via its open top with a commercially prepared SAP (e.g., potassium polyacrylate) gel 41 (FIG. 12). Potassium polyacrylate gel is available commercially from a number of manufacturers such as, for example, Aldon Corporation of Avon, N.Y. Another commercially available SAP substance which may be suitable for practicing the present invention is Super Ice® cold pack manufactured by SCA Packaging NA of Hayward, Calif. Various other SAP preparations may be utilized as refrigerant as long as there is no departure from the intended purpose of the present invention.

Once filled with SAP gel 41, thermal cell 42 is placed in a freezer and kept therein until the polymer gel medium is completely frozen. The SAP gel-filled thermal cell may be hand-carried via snap-on handle 54 (FIG. 11) to/from a freezer. The frozen cell is taken out of the freezer and inserted in chimney 44 which is adapted to retain the same while maintaining a relatively small lateral gap between its inner wall and the outer surface of inserted thermal cell 42, as schematically illustrated in reference to FIG. 12.

As generally illustrated in reference to FIGS. 11-12, thermal cell 42 includes a relatively thin side wall 43 which is disposed between a closed curvilinear bottom 45 and an open top. The outer surface of side wall 43 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced recessed fluid flow channels (flutes), such as at 47, 49 and 51 in FIGS. 11-12, in a generally helical orientation, to increase the outer surface area of thermal cell 42. A person skilled in the art would recognize that increasing the outer thermal cell surface area raises heat transfer efficiency.

Thermal cell 42 may be made from plastic having suitable thermal transfer characteristics. Other materials and/or combinations of materials may be utilized to manufacture thermal cell 42 provided such other materials and/or combinations of materials do not deviate from the intended scope and spirit of the present invention. Chimney 44 may also be made from plastic or other suitable materials. Chimney insulation sleeve 46 may be made of foam or other material(s) having appropriate thermal insulating properties.

Air cooling device 40 also includes a bottom housing 48 and a top housing 50 that is pivotally coupled at one end to bottom housing 48, as generally shown in reference to FIGS. 9-13. Each housing may be made of plastic and/or other suitable materials, as needed. Bottom housing 48 has two internal partitions 56 and 58 (FIGS. 10-11, 13). Partition 56 is configured to accommodate insulation sleeve 46, chimney 44 and thermal cell 42, as generally depicted in FIG. 11. Each component (42, 44, and 46) may be removed by the user for maintenance, as needed. Partition 58 is used to house a rechargeable battery 60 (FIG. 13). A removable battery door provides interior access to partition 58 for insertion/removal of battery 60. A latching mechanism 62 (FIG. 13) pivotally couples bottom housing 48 to top housing 50.

Top housing 50 contains a fan blower assembly 64 (FIG. 13) which is powered by an integral electric motor which is operatively coupled to a controller 66 (FIG. 13). Power to the fan motor may be turned on/off by the user via power knob 68 (FIGS. 9-11, 13). Top housing 50 is provided in the front with a multi-directional air vent sub assembly 70 (FIGS. 9-11, 13) which is mounted thereto via a cutout 72 (FIG. 13).

A bottom housing close-out 74 (FIG. 13) accommodates a slidable condensation drip tray 76 and an air filter 77 (FIG. 12). Air filter 77 may be implemented, for example, as a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) or charcoal filter. Other suitable types of air filter may be utilized, as needed. Bottom housing close-out 74 is equipped with a plurality of air intake slots such as schematically shown at 69 in FIG. 12. The base of bottom housing 48 is provided with a cutout 75 (FIG. 13) adapted to receive removable drip tray 76 (FIG. 11).

When fan 64 is operational and device 40 is assembled in accordance with the present invention, ambient air (from outside air cooling device 40) is drawn inside chimney 44 from the bottom of device 40 via air intake slots 69 of close-out 74, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 12. The incoming ambient air is filtered and cooled as it is forced to flow against gravity (as schematically illustrated by directional arrow G in FIG. 12) between interior wall 78 (FIGS. 11-12) of chimney 44 and the outer surface (including via fluid flow channels 47, 49 and 51) of side wall 43 (FIGS. 11-12) of thermal cell 42 with thermal cell 42 containing SAP gel 41 in a frozen state, as depicted schematically in FIG. 12.

Thermal efficiency of air cooling device 40 is optimized by maintaining a relatively narrow lateral spacing (gap) between interior wall surface 78 (FIGS. 11-12) of chimney 44 and the outer surface of side wall 43 of frozen thermal cell 42, as well as a relatively narrow posterior spacing (gap) between bottom 45 of frozen thermal cell 42 and partially extended floor 55 (FIG. 12) of chimney 44. These narrow lateral and posterior spacings (gaps) restrict the flow of filtered air over the outer surface of thermal cell wall 43 to prolong the cooling period. In one exemplary embodiment, a lateral spacing of about 0.1 inch and a posterior spacing of about 0.2 inch were utilized to ensure prolonged cooling. Other suitable spacings (gaps) may be used, as needed.

FIG. 12 is a schematic operational view showing exemplary air flow within air cooling device 40 (FIG. 9). Particularly, cold air is shown flowing around closed cap 52 of thermal cell 42 as it is being pulled up in top housing 50 by fan blower 64. Fan 64 blows the cold air out of top housing 50 via vent assembly 70 (FIGS. 9-12). In another exemplary embodiment, the air coming out of vent assembly 70 was measured to be at least 10°-15° colder than ambient air. The generally constant density of frozen SAP gel 41 (FIG. 12) that is contained inside thermal cell 42 is instrumental in regulating the cooling of incoming ambient air.

When configured in accordance with the general principles of the present invention, air cooling device 40 is capable of providing hours of efficient cooling operation for the user. Air cooling device 40 may be implemented as a portable table top unit, a floor standing unit, or a hand-held unit. Other implementations are possible, provided such other implementations reside within the intended scope of the present invention. For example, the air cooling device of the present invention may be modified to operate with multiple thermal cells. Various multiple thermal cell configurations may be utilized, as needed. Alternatively, the outer side wall of the thermal cell of the present invention may be provided with a single helical recessed air flow channel.

The air cooling device of the present invention is easy to maintain and/or store away, if not needed. Other suitable design configurations and materials may be used to construct the air cooling device of the present invention, as needed. The air cooling device of the present invention has a relatively small footprint, while offering the user an attractive and efficient portable cooling solution.

A person skilled in the art would appreciate that exemplary embodiments described hereinabove are merely illustrative of the general principles of the present invention. Other modifications or variations may be employed that are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative and not meant to be a limitation thereof.

Moreover, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Thus, it is intended that the invention cover all embodiments and variations thereof as long as such embodiments and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An air cooling device, comprising:

at least one thermal cell having an outer surface provided with a plurality of equally spaced recessed fluid flow channels in a generally helical orientation to raise the cell heat transfer efficiency, said at least one thermal cell being filled with super-absorbent refrigerant;

at least one chimney adapted to operatively enclose said at least one refrigerant-filled thermal cell;

means for thermally insulating said at least one chimney;

means for forcing ambient air to flow between the inner wall of said at least one thermally insulated chimney and the outer surface of said at least one refrigerant-filled thermal cell including within said fluid flow channels against gravity to promote cooling; and

means for restricting said forced air flow over the outer cell surface to prolong the air cooling period.

2. The air cooling device of claim 1, wherein said thermal insulating means includes at least one insulation sleeve configured to match the outer contours of said at least one chimney, said at least one chimney being adapted for insertion in said at least one insulation sleeve.

3. The air cooling device of claim 2, wherein said at least one sleeve is made of thermally insulating foam.

4. The air cooling device of claim 3, wherein said at least one chimney has an arch-like cross-section.

5. The air cooling device of claim 4, wherein said at least one chimney is made of plastic.

6. The air cooling device of claim 1, wherein said at least one thermal cell is substantially bottle-shaped.

7. The air cooling device of claim 6, wherein said at least one thermal cell is made of plastic.

8. The air cooling device of claim 6, wherein the open top of said at least one thermal cell is secured with a cap.

9. The air cooling device of claim 8, wherein said at least one thermal cell is provided with a snap-on handle in the vicinity of said cap.

10. The air cooling device of claim 4, wherein said at least one chimney is provided with a top lip.

11. The air cooling device of claim 10, wherein said top lip overlies the top edge of said at least one insulation sleeve when at least one chimney is inserted in said at least one insulation sleeve.

12. An air cooling device, comprising:

a thermal cell having an open top, a closed bottom, and an outer side wall surface provided with a plurality of equally spaced recessed fluid flow channels in a generally helical orientation, said thermal cell containing super-absorbent polymer (SAP) gel in a frozen state;

a chimney adapted to operatively enclose said frozen cell, said chimney having partially extended floor disposed under the bottom of said frozen cell, said enclosure defining a substantially narrow lateral spacing between the interior wall surface of said chimney and the outer side wall surface of said frozen cell and a substantially narrow posterior spacing between the bottom of said frozen cell and the partially extended floor of said chimney;

a thermal insulation sleeve adapted to wrap around said chimney; and

a fan blower operatively coupled to said thermally insulated chimney and configured to draw ambient air over the outer side wall surface of said enclosed frozen cell including within said fluid flow channels against gravity to promote cooling, said substantially narrow lateral and posterior spacings restricting the flow of said drawn air over the outer side wall surface of said enclosed frozen cell to prolong the air cooling period.

13. The air cooling device of claim 12, wherein said SAP gel contains potassium polyacrylate.

14. The air cooling device of claim 12, wherein said SAP gel contains sodium polyacrylate.

15. The air cooling device of claim 12, wherein said SAP gel contains polyacrylamide.

16. An air cooling device, comprising:

a thermal cell having an open top, a closed bottom, and an outer side wall surface provided with a plurality of equally spaced recessed fluid flow channels in a generally helical orientation, said thermal cell containing super-absorbent polymer (SAP) gel in a frozen state;

a chimney adapted to operatively enclose said frozen cell, said chimney having partially extended floor disposed under the bottom of said frozen cell, said enclosure defining a substantially narrow lateral spacing between the interior wall surface of said chimney and the outer side wall surface of said frozen cell and a substantially narrow posterior spacing between the bottom of said frozen cell and the partially extended floor of said chimney;

a thermal insulation sleeve adapted to wrap around said chimney;

a bottom housing provided with first and second internal partitions, said first partition configured to accommodate said thermally insulated chimney with said enclosed frozen cell;

a top housing pivotally coupled at one end to said bottom housing; and

a fan blower operatively housed in said top housing over the open top of said thermally insulated chimney, said fan blower configured to draw ambient air over the outer side wall surface of said enclosed frozen cell including within said fluid flow channels against gravity to promote cooling, said substantially narrow lateral and posterior spacings restricting the flow of said drawn air over the outer side wall surface of said enclosed frozen cell to prolong the air cooling period.

17. The air cooling device of claim 16, wherein said second partition is configured to house a battery pack.

18. The air cooling device of claim 16, further comprising a latching mechanism adapted to pivotally couple said top housing to said bottom housing.

19. The air cooling device of claim 17, wherein said fan blower is powered by an integral electric motor.

20. The air cooling device of claim 19, wherein the electric motor is operatively coupled to a controller.

21. The air cooling device of claim 20, wherein the electric motor is powered by the housed battery pack.

22. The air cooling device of claim 16, further comprising a multi-directional air vent subassembly operatively housed in said top housing proximate to said fan blower.

23. An air cooling device, comprising:

a thermal cell having an open top, a closed bottom, and an outer side wall surface provided with a plurality of equally spaced recessed fluid flow channels in a generally helical orientation, said thermal cell containing super-absorbent polymer (SAP) gel in a frozen state;

a chimney adapted to operatively enclose said frozen cell, said chimney having partially extended floor disposed under the bottom of said frozen cell, said enclosure defining a substantially narrow lateral spacing between the interior wall surface of said chimney and the outer side wall surface of said frozen cell and a substantially narrow posterior spacing between the bottom of said frozen cell and the partially extended floor of said chimney;

a thermal insulation sleeve adapted to wrap around said chimney;

a bottom housing provided with first and second internal partitions, said first partition configured to accommodate said thermally insulated chimney with said enclosed frozen cell;

a base coupled to said bottom housing and configured to accommodate a condensation drip tray and at least one air filter;

a top housing pivotally coupled at one end to said bottom housing;

a fan blower operatively housed in said top housing over the open top of said thermally insulated chimney, said fan blower configured to draw ambient air through said at least one air filter over the outer side wall surface of said enclosed frozen cell including within said fluid flow channels against gravity to promote cooling; and

a multi-directional air vent subassembly operatively housed in said top housing proximate to said fan blower, wherein said substantially narrow lateral and posterior spacings restrict the flow of said filtered air over the outer side wall surface of said enclosed frozen cell to prolong the air cooling period.

24. The air cooling device of claim 23, wherein said at least one air filter is a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.