Abstract: A ground-based system and method of supplying temperature-controlled air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses a throttle valve to control the flow of compressed air flowing through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger, which may be mounted in a wheeled cart, removes heat from the compressed air supplied to the air conditioning unit and supplies cooled compressed air at a desired temperature. The temperature of the cooled compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the throttle valve, which regulates compressed air flow from the compressed air source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically driven aircraft cabin and ventilation and environmental control system. The system includes at least one inlet for capturing ram air, an electrically driven compressor for pressurizing the ram air, and a thermal conditioning subsystem for thermally conditioning the pressurized ram air. The system further includes a subsystem for removing undesirable moisture from the thermally conditioned ram air.

Abstract: The vapor membrane dehumidification device and method for air cycle environment control systems uses a semipermeable vapor membrane for water vapor, air separation. The vapor membrane has a high water to air permselectivity. When air containing water vapor is passed over or through the semipermeable fibers of the membrane countercurrently or crosscurrently to a purge air stream the water vapor may permeate through the fibers. Using a purge air stream of lower water vapor partial pressure relative to the feed moist air stream, the water vapor is moved to the purge air stream due to the partial pressure differential of water vapor and then expelled overboard with the purge air stream. The purge air stream can be replaced with any source of air internal or external to the aircraft such as air from the aircraft cabin.

Abstract: The invention is comprised of a venturi tube with a very narrow throat, a compressor fan at the intake end of said venturi tube, a blower fan at the output end, a plurality of turbinate fins on the interior of the intake end, and a means of heat dissipation on the exterior of the intake end of said venturi tube. Instead of a circular cross-section profile, the venturi tube has a cross-section of a polygon with no parallel sides, so that considerably less aerodynamic noise is generated than if the venturi tube's cross-section was circular. In addition, this cross-section results in variances in flow velocity along the cross-section, assuring continuous flow through the unit should a sonic choke occur at any point in the unit. The fans may be of any type and driven by any means appropriate to the respective model of the invention's application, i.e. by internally or externally mounted motor(s), power takeoff, belt drive from an external source of torque, etc.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus (12) for use on a vehicle includes a heat exchanger (13) in wich heat is removed from a heat load (11) by a coolant, characterised in that the cooling apparatus (12) also includes a first (15-28) and second (31-37) coolant supply means, the first coolant supply means (15-28) being adapted to receive a first coolant and supply the first coolant to the heat exchanger (13), the first coolant being available normal vehicle operation, and the second coolant supply means (31-37) being adapted to receive a second coolant and supply the second coolant to the heat exchanger (13), the second coolant being supplied by a fluid supply means (36), which is unavailable during normal vehicle operation.

Abstract: A cabin air temperature control system includes cooling recirculated air. A first air circuit includes an intake that receives air from outside the cabin and then conditions the air to bring it closer to a desired cabin temperature before the air is introduced into the cabin. A second air circuit recirculates air from the cabin and then reintroduces it back into the cabin. The second circuit includes an air cooling assembly, comprising a heat exchanger, that is selectively used to cool the recirculated air before it is reintroduced into the cabin. A bypass flow arrangement is provided to selectively direct the recirculated air through the air cooling assembly or to simply recirculate it back into the cabin depending on the current temperature adjustment needs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically driven aircraft cabin and ventilation and environmental control system. The system includes at least one inlet for capturing ram air, an electrically driven compressor for pressurizing the ram air, and a thermal conditioning subsystem for thermally conditioning the pressurized ram air. The system further includes a subsystem for removing undesirable moisture from the thermally conditioned ram air.

Abstract: In an air conditioner, air extracted from engine is fed through a main air flow path into cabin after being cooled by a cooling device. This extracted air is fed into the cabin through an auxiliary air flow path. The air within the cabin flows out through an outflow air flow path. A plurality of adsorption sections are constituted by an adsorption agent that adsorbs molecules contained in the air and releases adsorbed molecules by being raised in temperature to more than the temperature thereof on adsorption. By control of an air flow changeover mechanism by a controller, each of the adsorption sections is changed over between a condition connected with the auxiliary air flow path and a condition connected with the outflow air flow path.

Abstract: An integrated, self-contained microrefrigeration apparatus, in a dimension small enough to fit inside small appliances, such as electronic cases and portable equipment is described. The microrefrigerator employs a working fluid that circulates between evaporator, compressor, condenser and turbine-expander components in a closed loop. Two configurations are claimed: one with the compressor and turbine operating on independent shafts, and the other with the turbine and compressor both operating on the motor shaft.

Abstract: A system and method of supplying temperature-controlled air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses a bypass valve in a bypass line to control the amount of cooling air flowing through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger removes heat from a flow of compressed air supplied to the air conditioning unit and supplies cooled compressed air at a desired temperature. The temperature of the cooled compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the bypass valve, which regulates cooling air flow through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An aircraft environmental control system (ECS) provides fresh air for the cabin of an aircraft by using electric motor driven compressors in place of traditional engine bleed air. Conventional aircraft ECS use an engine bleed to provide the pressurized fresh air flow for an aircraft cabin. However, such a system suffers from the disadvantage of requiring additional fuel consumption in order to provide an adequate engine bleed source. The present invention, using a zero bleed, electric powered architecture, does not suffer from this drawback of the conventional ECS.

Abstract: The following invention relates to an air conditioning system, in particular for aircraft, comprising at least one heat exchanger, arranged in a ram air duct, for cooling compressed air by means of a fluid, and comprising at least a first and a second air cycle machine which at the compressed-air end are connected to the heat exchanger. A particularly compact, reliable, redundant and economical arrangement is achieved in that the heat exchanger comprises at least one first heat exchanger unit and a second heat exchanger unit, of which one each is connected at the compressed-air end to one of the air cycle machines, and in that ram air outlet ducts which are fluidically separate from each other are provided, of which one is connected to the first heat exchanger unit and another is connected to the second heat exchanger unit.

Abstract: The proposed method and the installation are intended for application in systems of reduction of natural gas from high—e.g. in a borehole or in a main pipeline down to the pressure value required for the consumer.

Abstract: The present invention is an air treatment system for airplanes. It includes: (a.) an environmental conditioning system located within an airplane to provide at least one of heating, cooling, and compressing air, and has ingress ductwork to remove air from an airplane cabin into the system, and an air movement mechanism, e.g. blowers, or equivalent devices, to cycle the air from the cabin and into the environmental conditioning system via the ingress ductwork. It also has egress ductwork for return of treated air into the cabin; and, (b.) an ionic oxygen generator connected to one or both of the ingress ductwork and the egress ductwork. The ionic oxygen generator may be one or more, and should be of sufficient capacity to generate at least 200 ions of ionic oxygen per cubic centimeter of incoming air for removal of airborne contaminants and odor from exiting air before it is returned to the cabin.

Abstract: A system for providing refrigeration to a chemical processing operation wherein a refrigerant fluid is compressed and cooled, and a portion turboexpanded prior to being passed to a chemical processing operation for direct contact or indirect heat exchange.

Abstract: This invention relates to an air-conditioning system for passenger aircraft for conditioning humidity-containing air under excess pressure for air-conditioning a passenger aircraft cabin, comprising at least one compressor and two expansion turbines, where in accordance with the invention a droplet coalescing device with succeeding water separator is disposed between the expansion turbines.

Abstract: A shoe (1) having an active air-conditioning device (2) for maintaining the temperature inside the shoe (1) at a value selectively above or below the temperature of the outside environment. The air-conditioning device(20) is integrated in the sole (3) of the shoe (1), and comprises a main heat exchanger (4) for exchanging heat with the inside of the shoe (1), and air compressing device (5) for feeding a pressurized air stream to the main heat exchanger (4), an auxiliary heat exchanger (10) located between the air compressing device (5) and the main heat exchanger (4) to reduce the temperature of the pressurized air stream, an expansion valve (11) located immediately downstream from the auxiliary heat exchanger (10) to rapidly expand and so cool the pressurized air stream, and a bypass conduit (12) with a relative on-off valve (13), for connecting the main heat exchanger (4) directly to the air compressing device.

Abstract: A cabin air temperature control system includes cooling recirculated air. A first air circuit includes an intake that receives air from outside the cabin and then conditions the air to bring it closer to a desired cabin temperature before the air is introduced into the cabin. A second air circuit recirculates air from the cabin and then reintroduces it back into the cabin. The second circuit includes an air cooling assembly, comprising a heat exchanger, that is selectively used to cool the recirculated air before it is reintroduced into the cabin. A bypass flow arrangement is provided to selectively direct the recirculated air through the air cooling assembly or to simply recirculate it back into the cabin depending on the current temperature adjustment needs.

Abstract: A system for providing refrigeration to a chemical processing operation wherein a refrigerant fluid is compressed and cooled, and a portion turboexpanded prior to being passed to a chemical processing operation for direct contact or indirect heat exchange.

Abstract: An all electric air conditioning system for an aircraft, wherein the aircraft defines an interior volume having conditioned air at a first pressure. A compressor is provided and is operable to compress supply air to a second pressure. The compressor being operated in response to an electrical drive motor. A passage fluidly couples the compressor and the interior volume of the aircraft. A heat dissipating device, such as a heat exchanger, is positioned in the passage to extract heat energy from the supply air. This arrangement permits conditioning of air within the aircraft without using bleed air from the engines. The use of bleed air results in a significant amount of fuel burn. An optional conditioned air recovery system may be coupled to the interior volume of the fuselage to direct at least a portion of the conditioned air from the interior volume back for further conditioning and use.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system for airplanes is proposed in which a portion of the fresh airflow to be prepared is tapped at high pressure from a power unit and another portion is sucked in from the surroundings. The energy potential of the tapped airflow is utilized to compress the ambient air. The compressed ambient air and the tapped air are mixed into a mixed airflow before the mixed airflow's pressure is expanded in one or more turbine stages (T1, T2). Water is separated from the mixed airflow between the mixing point (X) and the first turbine stage 1 (T1). In order to cool down the tapped airflow to a temperature at which water can be separated at all, the tapped airflow is guided past the entire cooler mixed airflow, preferably in two steps (REH, CON), namely once before the pressure expansion and another time after the pressure expansion of the mixed airflow in the first turbine stage (T1) .

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a multi-stage air compressor. The heat exchanger includes several cooling chambers. Each cooling chamber is configured to receive compressed air from one of the compressor stages. A cooling tube is positioned to carry cooling fluid through each of the cooling chamber sequentially. The cooling chambers are also positioned in series so that heated fluid leaving the outlet of a first cooling chamber enters the inlet of a second cooling chamber after passing through an additional compressor stage.

Abstract: A cryocooler system comprising a heat exchanger for cooling a compressed returning warmed cryogenic fluid stream, the heat exchanger having a bypass loop to produce a major stream and a minor stream exiting the heat exchanger. The minor stream is further cooled by expansion and used as a heat exchange medium for an external heat load after which it is compressed and returned to the heat exchanger for heat exchange with the compressed return warmed cryogenic fluid stream. The major stream is further cooled by expansion and recirculated to the heat exchanger to cool the compressed returning warmed cryogenic fluid stream. The major stream and minor stream are combined either inside or outside of said heat exchanger to form the warmed cryogenic fluid inlet stream for compression.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ram air duct for an aeroplane air conditioning system having an inlet channel which can be closed by an inlet valve and in which at least one heat exchanger is arranged, having a blower arranged in a blower chamber and an outlet passage closable by an outlet valve. In accordance with the invention, the outlet passage is divided into two separately extending passages of which one is guided as a blower outlet passage up to the blower into the blower chamber and the other is designed as a bypass passage. The outlet valve only closes the bypass passage in the closed state.

Abstract: A heat pump system 160 contains a hydristor pump/motor 162 in fluid and thermodynamic communication with a first heat exchanger 172 communicating with a relatively warm reservoir 174, and a second heat exchanger 176 thermodynamically communicating with a relatively cold reservoir 178, whereby the hydristor 162 and the first and second heat exchangers 172 and 176 are integral to and in fluid communication with a closed compressible fluid loop 164.

Abstract: A cooling air arrangement for an aircraft air conditioning unit includes an air inlet, a heat exchanger, an outlet plenum, first and second air outlet channels branching from the plenum, and a fan arranged in the first outlet channel. During flight of the aircraft, external ram air driven into the air inlet flows primarily through the second outlet channel. During ground operation, the fan primarily sucks cooling air through the first outlet channel, which merges back into the second outlet channel at an air mixing junction that functions as an injector nozzle and a non-return flap valve. The first outlet channel is provided in a spiral housing of the fan, or in a smooth curved duct. The air inlet and outlet of the cooling air arrangement, and the air outlet of the air cycle machine, are oriented in the same direction, e.g. the flight forward direction.

Abstract: Air is extracted from a pressurized air source. An air-to-air heat exchanger (115) receives and cools the extracted pressurized air. Further, an expansion turbine (130) receives at least a portion of the cooled pressurized air from the air-to-air heat exchanger and expands the cooled pressurized air into chilled air while extracting work. An air-to-coolant heat exchanger (120) receives the chilled air from the expansion turbine which is used to chill refrigerant coolant. The air-to-air heat exchanger (115) also receives the chilled air reclaimed from the air-to-coolant heat exchanger (120), subsequent to chilling the refrigerant coolant, to cool the air extracted from the pressurized air source. In one embodiment, the extracted work is used to drive a generator (135) to supply electricity to a distribution system.

Abstract: An air conditioning system and method are provided for use in an aircraft having a pressurized area and an unpressurized area. The air conditioning system includes an air conditioning pack located in the unpressurized area of the aircraft that conditions fresh air. The air conditioning system also includes a first air duct for directing a flow of recirculation air from the pressurized area, through a pressure bulkhead, and into the unpressurized area. A mixer is also provided and advantageously positioned in the unpressurized area for mixing the conditioned air from the air conditioning pack and the recirculation air from the pressurized area. Advantageously, the mixer obviates the need for a mix manifold and saves valuable space for passengers, cargo, and other aircraft equipment. The air conditioning system also includes a second air duct that directs the mixture of conditioned air and recirculation air from the mixer to the pressurized area of the aircraft.

Abstract: An integrated environmental control (IEC) system includes a decontamination Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) system in which a contaminated decontamination bed is purged through a purge exhaust duct and subsequently dumped overboard through a purge ejector. The energy from a high pressure drain duct serves as the primary motive force for the purge ejector to create a sub-atmospheric region therein and reduce back pressure upon the PSA filtration system. The reduced back pressure creates additional pressure drop across the PSA filtration system which improves performance. Risk of the purge exhaust duct and the purge ejector freezing in a low temperature environment is further minimized by mixing the purge exhaust with the relatively warmer high pressure drains.

Abstract: An air cycle air conditioning system is provided that utilizes the compartment to be cooled as a heat storage chamber within the system. In an automobile environment, the use of the enclosed passenger compartment as a heat storage chamber within the air cycle system enables the construction and implementation of a compact low energy consumption air conditioning system within the automobile. Through the use of valves within the system, the air cycle air conditioner is easily converted into a heat pump for the passenger compartment. The system of the present invention can be implemented in industrial, commercial, residential and/or automobile applications.

Abstract: A water extractor of an environmental control system includes a swirl section and a water collector downstream the swirl section. The water collector includes an upstream sump having an inlet positioned to capture the bulk of water droplets leaving the swirl section. The water collector further includes a downstream sump for capturing water droplets that were not captured by the first sump.

Abstract: A cooling air arrangement for an aircraft air conditioning unit includes an air inlet, a heat exchanger, an outlet plenum, first and second air outlet channels branching from the plenum, and a fan arranged in the first outlet channel. During flight of the aircraft, external ram air driven into the air inlet flows primarily through the second outlet channel. During ground operation, the fan primarily sucks cooling air through the first outlet channel, which merges back into the second outlet channel at an air mixing junction that functions as an injector nozzle and a non-return flap valve. The first outlet channel is provided in a spiral housing of the fan, or in a smooth curved duct. The air inlet and outlet of the cooling air arrangement, and the air outlet of the air cycle machine, are oriented in the same direction, e.g. the flight forward direction.

Abstract: In a method of generating a third gas flow of medium pressure and medium temperature, which can be particularly employed as cooling air for a gas turbine, from a first gas flow of high-pressure and high temperature, a high effectiveness with simultaneous simple process control is achieved in an arrangement wherein the reduction is undertaken by stepwise energy exchange between the first gas flow and a second gas flow of low pressure and low temperature in a cascade consisting of a plurality of energy exchangers connected in series.

Abstract: A method for generating refrigeration for application to a heat load, especially at very cold temperatures, using an environmentally benign working gas such as air and using an upstream precooling circuit to reduce or eliminate inefficiencies stemming from warm end pinch.

Abstract: An air conditioning device has two compression and expansion units connected with one another through a heat exchanger, and a mixing device arranged before the object to be air conditioned, wherein the units for expansion and compression are used at a first stage and a second stage, or for a first airstream portion and a second airstream portion.

Abstract: A vortex heater to transfer a vortex flow's heat flux to a separate gas flow in a system including a vortex tube having a slender tube plugged at the far end, fins attached to the slender tube's outer side and a shell which includes enclosing the finned vortex slender tube with the shell, thus forming an outer wall of the heat exchanger, connecting a vortex tube's inlet with a source of compressed gas and then discharging the gas flow through vortex tube's diaphragm to provide for the gas flow to undergo an energy separation in the vortex tube, connecting a separate gas flow with the heat exchanger inlet, and discharging this flow from the heat exchanger outlet, to provide for the vortex flow to cool down and for the heat exchanger's flow to heat up.

Abstract: An environmental control system includes a single heat exchanger, a single water separator and two air cycle machines on separate spools. Cooling turbines of the air cycle machines are cascaded. Air flows through both air cycle machines during normal operation of the environmental control system. If one of the air cycle machines fails, air can be bypassed around the failed air cycle machine. Cascading allows water separation to be performed by a mid-pressure water separator located between the air cycle machines.

Abstract: An air conditioning system including a compressor for compressing high temperature air supplied by an engine, a turbine for cooling the compressed air by expanding the compressed air, a condenser which is connected to the turbine and condenses air, and an axially hollow rotation shaft coaxially coupling the compressor and the turbine, the shaft allowing a portion of the high temperature air flowing in the compressor to pass through the shaft toward the turbine for mixing with the air cooled in the turbine and supplied to the condenser.

Abstract: A method of air cooling supplied from atmosphere has the steps of subdividing an airstream into a first airstream portion and the second airstream portion, compressing the first airstream portion by compression waves to a required pressure, compressing the second airstream portion in a compressor to the pressure equal the pressure of first airstream portion, uniting both airstream portions to form a joint stream, and expanding the united stream by rarification waves.

Abstract: A compressed air strainer and drying treatment is provided in which a filter core of the strainer can be used successively without replacement. The strainer includes a strainer main trunk, an admitting pipe stretching into the inside of the main trunk, a water intake apparatus on one side of the top end of the main trunk, and an escape pipe set on the other side of the top end connecting a heat exchanger. An automatic drainer and a manual drainer are coupled to one side of the main trunk. On another side of the main trunk, a check valve is provided and a U-shaped pipeline connects the strainer to the evaporator. The drying treatment is accomplished by splitting the inlet compressed air into many fine streams by filter baffle plates to generate innumerable small bubbles and thereby increase the contacting area between the air and the water. Oil, dirt and contaminants are carried into the air bubble and then are filtered therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provides an air cooling duct and a cooling apparatus which can effect ventilation and cooling with certainty while suppressing noise. The cooling air duct is provided on a wall of a housing, in which a heat source is accommodated, and inducts external air into the housing or vents air in the housing to the outside of the housing in order to cool the inside of the housing. The cooling air duct defines an air path for communicating the inside and the outside of the housing with each other and further defines an expansion chamber formed on the air path. The cooling apparatus includes the cooling air duct. The cooling air duct and the cooling apparatus can be used principally to cool the inside of a housing of an electronic apparatus such as a computer or a communication apparatus.

Abstract: The bleed air requirements for a pressurization and environmental control system for the cabin (10) of an aircraft may be reduced by a system that includes a turbomachine (20) having a rotary compressor (22) driven by a turbine wheel (26). A ram air inlet (16) is connected to the compressor inlet (28) and the aircraft is provided with a cabin air exhaust port (18) which is connected to the outlet (34) of the turbine wheel (26). A heat exchanger (40) has a cabin inlet air flow path (42) and a cabin outlet air flow path (44) in heat exchange with one another. The cabin inlet air flow path (42) is connected to the outlet (30) of the compressor (22) and to the cabin (10) of the aircraft. The cabin outlet air flow path (44) is connected to the cabin (10) as well as to the inlet (32) of the turbine (26).

Abstract: A method of heat transfer enhancement in the vortex tube harnessed in a system including a vortex tube with its slender tube plugged at the far end, fins attached to the slender tube's outer side and a shell and comprising the steps of: enclosing the finned vortex slender tube with the shell, thus forming an outer wall of the heat exchanger; connecting a vortex tube's inlet with the source of compressed gas and then discharging the gas flow through vortex tube's diaphragm, thus providing for the gas flow to undergo an energy separation in the vortex tube; and connecting a separate gas flow with the heat exchanger inlet and then discharging this flow from the heat exchanger outlet, thus providing for the vortex flow to cool down and for the heat exchanger's flow to heat up.

Abstract: A mobile cold air supply unit which comprises, as housed in a single casing, an air compressor-expander constituted of an integral combination of a motor, an air compressor and an air expander, an air-to-water heat exchanger and an air-to-air heat exchanger, is furnished in the casing with air tubing for interconnecting the aforesaid components at an air pressure not higher than 5 kg/cm.sup.2, and is provided with a cold air discharge connection, a return air intake connection, a cooling water outlet connection and a cooling water intake connection.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling computer components generating thermal energy. The cooling system includes a high efficiency heat exchanger attached to the heat producing component and an evaporator. The heat exchanger comprises a hollow body formed of a thermally conductive material having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. A periodically lanced metal fin is located within the hollow body and is oriented between the inlet and outlet to provide maximum contact of the coolant along the surface area of the metal fin. An evaporator is attached to the inlet of the heat exchanger to pre-cool the air flow delivered to the heat exchanger and thus the heat generating component.

Abstract: A closed hollow filter canister having gas-impermeable end walls (94, 96) and a gas-permeable side wall (100). Gas contaminated with liquid is sprayed under pressure through line (90) and flow-restricting orifice (80) into the interior space of the canister where the contaminants become atomized and are retained by the side wall (100). Gas free of liquid contaminants passes into the atmosphere. In a preferred embodiment the gas is air contaminated with water, and the wall (100) is of cellulosic material which becomes wetted with water which gradually volatilizes. The filter canister may be used to treat streams (90a, 90b) from a gas compressor (50) and an associated reservoir tank (125).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating a thermal difference in a working medium between an inlet and an outlet of an enclosure and transferring the thermal difference to a region being cooled. The working medium is drawn into the enclosure (45) through the inlet (76). A force is applied to compress the working medium in the enclosure with decreasing entropy in the working medium and with an input of work to the working medium. The working medium is allowed to expand through the outlet (56) with a change in entropy between zero and no greater than the magnitude of the decrease in entropy during the step of compression and with an output of work from the working medium equal to or greater than the work input to the working medium in the step of compression. Thereby, a thermal difference is caused in the working medium between the inlet and the outlet. The thermal difference is transferred to the region being cooled.

Abstract: Gas at elevated temperature from a compressor (50) is fed to a first cooling coil (14) and thence to a second cooling coil (18) in chamber (16). The cooled gas at line (20) enters a chamber (22) where water and oil (if present) separate. A contaminant-free stream of compressed gas is further purified at filter chambers (28, 34). A portion of the gas flow, carrying the liquefied water or water/oil mixture is returned via reducing valve (44) to the interior of chamber (16) where it travels up riser pipe (46) in heat-exchanging relationship with the gas in coil (18) and emerges through port (48) as a condensate-free gas stream, the condensate having re-volatilized after passage through the reducing valve (44). The described arrangement minimizes or eliminates watery waste and cools the gas stream without the need for a powered cooler or supply of cooling water.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an air stream that is substantially-columnated about a given axis includes a converging-diverging nozzle, a manifold in fluid communication with the nozzle, and a compressor supplying a quantity of compressed air to the manifold to induce a first air flow through the nozzle. The first air flow is characterized by sonic flow at the nozzle throat and supersonic flow at the nozzle exit. The supersonic first air flow exiting the nozzle is directed into one end of an elongate tube. The thus-directed first air flow induces a second flow of ambient air into the one end of the tube. The first air flow mixes with the second air flow within the tube and exits as an air stream that is substantially columnated about the axis of the tube.

Abstract: A portable cooler is provided including a plastic bag or container with inflatable sidewalls into which are placed items for cooling, such as infant feeding bottles, food, soft drinks, etc. Prior to using these items, the sidewalls of the bag are inflated with CO.sub.2 gas, which upon expansion, sufficiently cools the interior of the bag, and chills the food. The plastic bag may also contain a frozen gel package to provide temporary cooling prior to use, and augment cooling by the CO.sub.2. In a similar manner, cooling may be provided using a relatively stiff container having hollow sidewalls and/or a bottom into which may be expanded CO.sub.2 gas to provide cooling prior to use. A frozen gel package may be placed inside the container or in the top portion of the container to augment CO.sub.2 gas cooling. The same technique of cooling may also be accomplished using the expansion of CO.sub.2 gas into the sidewalls of a thermos container.