Portable air cooling system

Abstract

A portable cooling system includes an air cooling unit, a housing enclosing the air cooling unit, an output port, and flexible tubing. The air cooling unit includes an air intake, an air cooler, an air output, and a blower. The blower is configured to drive air from the outside through the air cooling unit. The air cooler is configured to cool air received through the air intake. The cooled air is then discharged through the air output by the blower. The output port is connected to the air output for receiving the cooled air. The flexible tubing includes a first end that is coupled to the output port and can be used to deliver the cooled air to a portable personal shelter.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable cooling system comprising: 
 an air cooling unit having an air intake, an air cooler configured to cool air received through the air intake, an air output receiving the cooled air from the air cooler, and a blower driving air into the air intake and air through the air output;    a housing having a first compartment enclosing the air cooling unit;    an output port connected to the air output; and    flexible tubing including a first end coupled to the output port.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes the output port and a vent positioned adjacent the air intake of the air cooling unit.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  including an air filter between the vent and the air intake.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the air filter is an electrostatic filter.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a plurality of compartments including the first compartment.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a rigid base member on which the air cooling unit is supported.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , including a pair of wheels attached to an end of the rigid base member.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , including an extendible handle connected to an end of the rigid base member that is opposite the wheels.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first compartment is water-resistant.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes at least one cooling vent.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes side walls formed of a fabric.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubing is collapsible.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubing is insulated.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the output port includes a sleeve member having a first end connected to the air output of the cooling unit and a second end having a connector portion configured to receive the first end of the flexible tubing.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the connector portion includes a drawstring attached adjacent to a lip of the second end of the sleeve member.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  including a portable power supply configured to provide power to the air cooling unit.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the portable power supply is a generator or a fuel cell.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1  including a controller configured to control operation of the air cooling unit in response to one or more inputs.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  including a control panel having a display for displaying information regarding the system and input controls for providing the inputs to the controller.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  including a remote control for providing various inputs to the controller, wherein the controller controls operation of the air cooling unit in response to the inputs from the remote control.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1  including: 
 a temperature sensor having a temperature output signal; and  
 a controller configured to control operation of the air cooling unit in response to the temperature output signal.  
 
     
     
         22 . A portable personal shelter system comprising: 
 the cooling system of  claim 1;  and    a portable personal shelter including exterior walls defining an interior chamber, and an input port defining an opening through one of the exterior walls and configured to receive a second end of the flexible tubing.    
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the input port includes a sleeve member attached to the exterior wall and a connector portion attached to the sleeve member and configured to receive the second end of the flexible tubing.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the connector portion includes a drawstring attached adjacent to a lip of the sleeve member.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the portable personal shelter is a tent or a cabin of a boat.  
     
     
         26 . A portable cooling system comprising: 
 an air cooling unit having an air intake, an air cooler configured to cool air received through the air intake, an air output receiving the cooled air from the air cooler and a blower driving air into the air intake and air through the air output;    a housing including a first compartment enclosing the air cooling unit, a rigid base on which the air cooling unit is supported, an air input vent adjacent the air intake of the air cooling unit, and an output port coupled to the air output of the air cooling unit, and a handle; and    flexible tubing including a first end coupled to the output port.    
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26  including an air filter between the air input vent of the housing and the air intake of the air cooling unit.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , including a pair of wheels attached to an end of the rigid base member.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , including an extendible handle that is connected to an end of the rigid base member that is opposite the wheels.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the housing includes at least one cooling vent.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the housing is formed of a fabric.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the housing includes a second compartment configured to store the flexible tubing.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the output port includes a sleeve member having a first end connected to the air output of the cooling unit and a second end having a connector portion configured to receive the first end of the flexible tubing.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the connector portion includes a drawstring attached adjacent to a lip of the second end of the sleeve member.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 26  including a portable power supply configured to provide power to the air cooling unit.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 26  including: 
 a temperature sensor having a temperature output signal; and  
 a controller configured to control operation of the air cooling unit in response to the temperature output signal.  
 
     
     
         36 . A portable personal shelter system comprising: 
 the cooling system of  claim 26;  and    a portable personal shelter including exterior walls defining an interior chamber, and an input port defining an opening through one of the exterior walls and configured to receive a second end of the flexible tubing.    
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the portable personal shelter is a tent or a cabin of a boat.  
     
     
         38 . A portable personal shelter system comprising: 
 a portable personal shelter including exterior walls defining an interior chamber;    an input port coupled to one of the exterior walls and having an opening through which the interior chamber is accessible; and    a portable cooling system positioned outside of the personal shelter, the portable cooling system comprising: 
 an air cooling unit having an air intake, an air cooler configured to cool air received through the air intake, an air output receiving the cooled air from the air cooler and a blower driving air into the air intake and air through the air output;  
 a housing including a first compartment enclosing the air cooling unit, a rigid base on which the air cooling unit is supported, an air input vent adjacent the air intake of the air cooling unit, and an output port coupled to the air output of the air cooling unit, and a handle; and  
 flexible tubing including a first end coupled to the output port.  
   
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the portable personal shelter is a tent or a cabin of a boat.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the tent is collapsible and the housing includes a second compartment that is configured to receive the collapsed tent.