Cooling apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable cooling vented apparatus, comprising:an array made of one or more thermoelectric cooler(s), each thermoelectric cooler having a cold side and a hot side, the cumulative cold sides and the cumulative hot sides of all the thermoelectric coolers define cold and hot sides of the array, respectively;one or more heatsinks at the hot side of the array; andat least one reservoir configured to supply liquid to the heatsink(s), by being adjoined to the heatsink(s) and/or with the aid of one or more liquid channels connected to said reservoir and installed in the interior of the cooling apparatus in proximity to, or within, said heatsink(s);wherein the apparatus is open to the surroundings.A method of cooling using a thermoelectric cooler is also provided.

1 . A portable cooling vented apparatus, comprising:
 an array made of one or more thermoelectric cooler(s), each thermoelectric cooler having a cold side and a hot side, the cumulative cold sides and the cumulative hot sides of all the thermoelectric cooler(s) define cold and hot sides of the array, respectively;   one or more heatsinks at the hot side of the array; and   at least one reservoir configured to supply liquid to the heatsink(s), by being adjoined to the heatsink(s) and/or with the aid of one or more liquid channels connected to said reservoir and installed in the interior of the cooling apparatus in proximity to, or within, said heatsink(s);   wherein the apparatus is open to the surroundings.   
     
     
         2 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is in the form of a liquid-absorbing layer attached to the heatsink(s). 
     
     
         3 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is in the form of a container, wherein the liquid channel(s) is(are) tube(s) connected to the container, with one or more drippers along the length of the tube(s), directed onto the hot side. 
     
     
         4 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid impermeable layer separating between the hot side and the cold side of the array. 
     
     
         5 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a heat dissipating layer, which is attached to the cold side of the array. 
     
     
         6 . A cooling apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising one or more pumps, for assisting in conveying a liquid coolant from the container to the drippers. 
     
     
         7 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising a recycling reservoir and recycling liquid channels, for accumulating excessive liquid coolant, and returning the excessive coolant to the container. 
     
     
         8 . A cooling apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising one or more pumps for assisting in returning excessive liquid coolant from the recycling reservoir to the container. 
     
     
         9 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said one or more pumps operate based on pressure applied by the user. 
     
     
         10 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the hot side is at least partially uncovered or covered with a gas-permeable cover, such that when vapors are formed in the hot side, these vapors escape to the surroundings. 
     
     
         11 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , combined with a garment. 
     
     
         12 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , for use within a cooling box, a chair cushion, a helmet or a bike handle. 
     
     
         13 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a liquid channel in the form of a narrow piece of wettable material emerging from the liquid reservoir and in contact with the heatsink. 
     
     
         14 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the liquid channel has one end that is immersed in the liquid tank, to enable liquid flow along the channel by capillary action. 
     
     
         15 . A portable cooling apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said liquid channel has a serpentine-like shape, curving in alternate directions on the heatsink. 
     
     
         16 . A method of cooling using a thermoelectric cooler, comprising passing an electric current through the thermoelectric cooler from a DC power supply, to create a cold side and a hot side, drawing off heat from the hot side with the aid of one or more heatsink(s) coupled to the hot side, characterized in that liquid coolant is delivered to the heatsink(s) whereby said liquid evaporates and vapors formed escape to the surrounding environment. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the liquid coolant is delivered to the heatsinks by supplying the liquid coolant to a liquid-absorbing layer attached to said heatsinks. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the liquid coolant is delivered to the heatsinks by causing one or more liquid streams to flow in one or more tubes equipped with drippers directed to said heatsinks or to the liquid-absorbing layer attached to said heatsinks. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the liquid coolant is delivered to the heatsinks by causing one or more liquid streams to flow from a liquid reservoir by capillary action.