PERSONAL COOLING DEVICE

Abstract

A personal cooling device for reducing the temperature within an area immediately surrounding a person. The personal cooling device includes at least one heat exchanger that is connected to a supply of water within a home or building. When desired, the water supply flows through the heat exchanger to cool an airflow passing over the heat exchanger. The cooled airflow is directed into the personal space to cool the air within the personal space. The airflow that passes over the heat exchanger is created by a fan assembly that is selectively activated by the user to create the cooled airflow into the personal space. The personal cooling device thus relies upon the water supply within the home or building to cool an airflow.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based on and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/244,195, filed on Sep. 21, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a personal cooling device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a personal cooling device that can be utilized to cool air around an individual in a heated environment, such as a bathroom or a changing room.

Although a home may be air conditioned, when an occupant uses heating elements in small, enclosed spaces, such as the use of a hair dryer in a bathroom, the temperature within the enclosed space may exceed the desired temperature at which the remainder of the home is being maintained. As an example, when a hair dryer is used in a bathroom or a changing room, the temperature in the bathroom may rise 10° above the temperature (such as) 75°) in the remainder of the house. Since the remainder of the home remains at the desired temperature, the home air conditioning unit will not respond to the increase in temperature within the enclosed space. Therefore, a need exists for a system that neutralizes the heat created while using heat-producing home appliances within an enclosed environment, such as the bathroom or changing room.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a small, built-in personal cooling device that is particularly effective in bathrooms and dressing areas to neutralize the heat that builds up while using heat-producing hair appliances and after showering. The second function of the personal cooling device is to disburse unhealthy vapors that result from the user of aerosol and pump spray hair styling products.

The personal air cooling device functions by blowing ambient air from a remote location via a fan through a filter and radiator that includes one or more a heat exchangers. Activation of the fan energizes a solenoid valve that allows water at a temperature of about 55-60° F. to flow through the one or more heat exchangers in the radiator. The relatively cool water in the heat exchanger cools the ambient air passing over the heat exchanger to approximately 70° F. Cooled air is then delivered through one or more ducts to adjustable, louvered vents in the vanity of the bathroom or dressing area. Since the heated water from the radiator does not contact the ambient air, the heated water can be discharged to drain in the home.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing the use a cooling device constructed in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 is a magnified view of the personal cooling device constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the personal cooling device 10 of the present disclosure. The personal cooling device 10 directs a supply of cooled air onto an occupant that is located within an enclosed space, such as the changing room 12 shown in FIG. 1. The changing room 12 is shown including a vanity 14, a chair 16 and a mirror 18. The changing room 12 could a bathroom or any other area where a person may use a heat-producing appliance, such as a hair dryer or curling iron. Since the changing room 12 is typically small and enclosed, heat quickly builds up during use of the heat-producing appliance.

In accordance with the present disclosure, when the temperature within the changing room 12 exceeds a comfortable level, the occupant can depress an activation switch 20 that turns on the personal cooling device 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the personal cooling device 10 is mounted below the floor 22, such as in the basement area 24. However, it is contemplated that the personal cooling device 10 could be located at other locations, such as behind a wall of the changing room 12.

When the activation switch 20 is depressed, the personal cooling device 10 is activated. When the personal cooling device 10 is activated, ambient air from room 26 is drawn into the personal cooling device 10. The ambient air from room 26 is cooled and directed from the personal cooling device 10 to a pair of vents 28 located within the changing room 12. The vents 28 each receive the cooled air from the personal cooling device 10 through one of a pair of ducts 30. It is contemplated that the vents 28 could each be louvered and adjustable to direct the flow of cooled air from each of the ducts 30. Since the personal cooling device 10 receives inlet air from the room 26, the personal cooling device 10 reduces the temperature of the already-cooled air within room 26 of the home and supplies the cooled air to the vents 28 within the changing room 12. In this manner, the personal cooling device 10 reduces the temperature of the air within the home and directs the cooled air directly at the user when the user is in the changing room 12.

Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes an activation switch 20 that can be depressed by the user to begin operation of the personal cooling device 10, it is contemplated that the activation switch 20 could be replaced with an automatic sensing circuit. In such an embodiment, the automatic sensing circuit would detect an elevation in the temperature within the changing room 12 and automatically activate the personal cooling device 10 to maintain the temperature within the changing room 12 at or near the temperature that is present within the changing room prior to use of the heat-producing appliance. In such an embodiment, the sensing circuit could either monitor for a change in temperature over a period of time or monitor whether the temperature exceeds a temperature setpoint. When the activations parameters were met, the sensing circuit will then automatically operate the personal cooling device 10. In such an embodiment, the user could also still manually activate the personal cooling device when desired.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a pair of vents 28 and a pair of ducts 30 are shown. However, it is contemplated that only a single vent 28 and a single duct 30 could be utilized while operating within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the position of the vent 28 can be modified depending upon the specific configuration for the room.

FIG. 2 illustrates the operational details of the personal cooling device 10 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The personal cooling device 10 includes a radiator 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the radiator 32 includes a pair of heat exchangers 34a and 34b that each includes a series of fins 35 to enhance heat transfer. Although heat exchangers 34a and 34b are shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, it should be understood that the radiator 32 could utilize various other similar devices that function to reduce the temperature of air passing through the radiator 32. As an example, the heat exchangers could be replaced with tubing that winds through the radiator 32 to remove heat from air within the enclosed radiator 32.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first heat exchange 34a receives a supply of water from an inlet pipe 36. Preferably, the supply of water is an available water supply in the home of the occupant. Typically, the supply of water within the home has an ambient temperature of between 55-60°. The water supply flows into the heat exchanger 34a from the inlet pipe 36, as shown by arrow 38. After the water passes through the first heat exchanger 34a, a connecting pipe 37 directs the water flow through the second heat exchanger 34b for further cooling of air passing through the radiator 32. The flow of water ultimately leaves the radiator 32 through an outlet pipe 40. The outlet pipe 40 directs the water to a drain contained within the home.

When the user depresses the activation switch 20, the activation switch opens a solenoid control valve 42. Since the water supply in the home is pressurized, when the solenoid valve 42 opens, water flows through the pair of heat exchangers 34a and 34b. Additionally, when the activation switch 20 is depressed, electric power is supplied to the motor 44 of the fan assembly 46. The electric motor 44 rotates a fan blade 48 which creates a flow of air over the heat exchangers 34, as illustrated by arrows 50. Since the radiator 32 and fan assembly 46 are closed to the outside, the rotation of the fan blade causes air to flow out of the enclosed housing 39 through the ducts 30. The outflow of air causes additional air to be drawn into the open interior 52 of the radiator 32 through a vent 54, as illustrated by arrows 56. The flow of air through the vent 54 passes through an air filter 58 which removes particles and dust from the air within room 26 (see FIG. 1) while also preventing a backflow of air from the open interior 52.

As air is drawn into the open interior 52 from the vent 54, the air passes over the pair of heat exchangers 34a and 34b. Since the temperature of water within the heat exchangers 34a and 34b is below the temperature of the air entering the open interior 52, the air temperature is reduced by the heat exchanger. As an example, if the water supply entering through the inlet pipe 36 has a temperature of 55 to 60° and the ambient air temperature is 75°, the air passing through the open interior 52 can be cooled between 5-10° below ambient.

The cooled air, after passing over the exchangers 34a and 34b, exits the radiator housing through one of two ducts 30. In the embodiment shown, each of the ducts 30 are formed from PVC pipes, although other materials are contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure. The air leaving the open interior 52 of the radiator 32, as shown by arrows 60, travels through the ducts 30 and is discharged through one of the two vents 28. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vents 28 are positioned near the vanity 14 and can be adjusted to direct air onto the user.

As described previously, the personal cooling device 10 operates to cool the temperature of ambient air before the air is directed at the user through one of the two vents 28. In this manner, the personal cooling device 10 cools ambient air and directs the cooled air at the user in an on demand basis.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the personal cooling device 10 draws air into the radiator 32 from a room 26 different from the changing room 12. It is contemplated that drawing air from the room 26 will allow a cooler supply of air to pass over the heat exchangers contained within the radiator 32, which will result in a cooler supply of air directed into the changing room 12 through the vents 28. However, air could be drawn directly from the changing room 12 and cooled within the radiator 32 before being reintroduced into the changing room 12. In such an embodiment, it is anticipated that the temperature of the air from within the changing room 12 will be higher than the air within room 26 and thus would not result in as cool of an airflow through the vents 28. However, such an embodiment is contemplated as being within the subject matter of the present disclosure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A system for cooling a personal space within a building having a water supply, comprising:

at least one heat exchanger having an inlet connected to the water supply such that the water supply flows through the heat exchanger;

a fan assembly operable to create an airflow that passes over the heat exchanger;

at least one duct positioned to receive the airflow after the airflow passes over the heat exchanger, wherein the duct directs the airflow toward the personal space; and

a vent positioned in the personal space to distribute the airflow into the personal space.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a control valve positioned between the water supply and the heat exchanger; and

an activation switch in communication with the control valve and the fan assembly, wherein the control valve is moved to an open position and the fan assembly is activated upon actuation of the activation switch.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger is contained within an enclosed housing having an inlet vent, wherein upon activation of the fan assembly, the airflow is drawn into the enclosed housing through the inlet vent.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the inlet vent is located in a room separate from the personal space.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the inlet vent includes an air filter.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein an outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to a drain in the building.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the temperature of the water supply is below the temperature of the airflow drawn through the inlet vent.

8. A system for cooling a personal space within a building having a water supply, comprising:

at least one heat exchanger having an inlet connected to the water supply;

a control valve positioned between the water supply and the heat exchanger, wherein when the control valve is in the open position, the water supply flows through the heat exchange;

a fan assembly operable to create an airflow that passes over the heat exchanger;

at least one duct positioned to receive the airflow after the airflow passes over the heat exchanger and to direct the airflow toward the personal space;

a vent positioned in the personal space to distribute the airflow into the personal space; and

an activation switch operable to open the control valve and activate the fan assembly.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the heat exchanger is contained within an enclosed housing having an inlet vent, wherein upon activation of the fan assembly the airflow is drawn into the enclosed housing through the inlet vent.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the inlet vent is located in a room separate from the personal space.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the inlet vent includes an air filter.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein an outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to a drain in the building.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the temperature of the water supply is below the temperature of the airflow drawn through the inlet vent.

14. A method of cooling a personal space within a building having a water supply, comprising the steps of:

connecting at least one heat exchanger to the water supply;

opening a control valve to allow the water supply to flow through the heat exchanger upon activation of a switch;

activating a fan assembly to create an airflow that passes over the heat exchanger upon activation of the switch;

directing the airflow into at least one duct that extends to the personal space; and

distributing the airflow into the personal space through at least one vent.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the heat exchanger is contained within an enclosed housing, wherein the at least one duct extends from the enclosed housing to the personal space.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the activation of the fan assembly draws the airflow through an inlet vent contained within the enclosed housing.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the inlet vent is located in a room separate from the personal space.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

cooling the airflow as the airflow passes over the heat exchanger; and

discharging the water supply from the heat exchanger to a drain within the building.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the water supply within the building is pressurized.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the temperature of the water supply is below the temperature of the airflow created by the fan assembly.