Personal air-cooled garment apparatus

Abstract

A personal cooling apparatus includes a ventilation unit connected to an air distribution garment, and is operable to generate a flow of air from the ambient to the air distribution garment. The air distribution garment includes first and second spaced layers of a flexible, but strong material that contours to a person's body when worn, while defining a plenum for the air to flow throughout the air distribution garment. A flexible cuff at a bottom seam of the air distribution garment prevents air within the plenum from escaping from the bottom, thereby forcing the air upward and laterally within the plenum. An air dam is centrally positioned within the air distribution garment for directing the airflow from the ventilation unit in at least two different directions to facilitate propagation of the air throughout the air distribution garment. Air holes are oriented along the outer seam or edge of the air distribution garment to allow air from the plenum to escape and carry heat away from the body. The placement of the air holes is optimized to increase air propagation uniformity throughout the air distribution garment.

1 . A personal cooling apparatus, comprising: 
 a ventilation unit operable to generate a flow of air, and having an outlet connector to funnel the generated air;    an air distribution garment connected to the outlet connector of the ventilation unit to distribute the air generated by the ventilation unit throughout the air distribution garment, the air distribution garment comprising 
 first and second spaced layers of a flexible material that contours to a person's body when worn, while defining a plenum for the air to flow throughout the air distribution garment, and  
 a means for preventing air within the plenum from escaping from a bottom of the air distribution garment, thereby forcing the air upward and laterally within the plenum.  
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an air dam centrally positioned in proximity to where the air distribution garment connects to the ventilation unit, the air dam being capable of directing the airflow from the ventilation unit in at least two different directions to facilitate propagation of the air throughout the air distribution garment.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the air dam comprises a non-permeable fabric substantially spanning a vertical dimension on an inner surface of the air distribution garment in contact with a person's body, where the air distribution garment connects to the ventilation unit.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the air dam is substantially triangular shaped, and is centrally positioned within the air distribution garment for directing the airflow from the ventilation unit in at least two different directions to facilitate propagation of the air throughout the air distribution garment.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , the triangular shaped air dam having its apex positioned adjacent the outlet of the ventilation unit.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the apex of the air dam conforms to a shape of the outlet connector of the ventilation unit, thereby creating two sub-plenums within the air distribution garment.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the outlet connector of the ventilation unit comprises a plurality of outlet orifices for initially funneling air in two separate directions upon entry into the air distribution garment.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the outlet connector is one of a T-shaped connector or Y-shaped connector.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for preventing air within the plenum from escaping from a bottom of the air distribution garment includes an elastic cuff material that conforms to a person's body.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the air dam is positioned such that when the air distribution garment is worn by a person, the air dam is adjacent the middle of the lower back of the person.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the air distribution garment is of sufficient size to suitably cover the torso of the person.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an upper seam of the air distribution garment has an undulating shape to accommodate a person's underarms while allowing sufficient mobility when worn.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a non-porous material substantially covering an outer surface of the air distribution garment not in contact with the person.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising air holes positioned along an outer edge of the air distribution garment to allow air from the plenum to escape to the ambient air.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the air holes are oriented and optimized to increase air propagation uniformity throughout the air distribution garment.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising shaped inserts positioned with the plenum to increase air propagation uniformity throughout the air distribution garment.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ventilation unit is a low pressure unit containing a blower for suctioning ambient air into the ventilation unit.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the ventilation unit generates airflow of about 10 cubic feet per minute (cfm).  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a battery to power the ventilation unit.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising straps for providing additional means for securing the ventilation unit to the air distribution garment.