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.

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.