Helmet cooling device

Abstract

A helmet air conditioning unit configured for operation with a helmet having air flow spaces within an interior space thereof, the helmet air conditioning unit including an electrical ventilating fan with a housing portion having one or more exhaust ports positionable in fluid communication with the air flow spaces within the interior space of the helmet; a battery power supply connected to energize the fan; a solar power supply coupled to recharge the power battery supply; and a fan controller coupled for actuating the fan for generating a pressurized air flow at the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan, whereby the pressurized air flow is directed through the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan when the fan is actuated.

1 : A helmet air conditioning unit configured for operation with a helmet having air flow spaces within an interior space thereof, the helmet air conditioning unit comprising:
 an electrical ventilating fan comprising a housing portion comprising one or more exhaust ports positionable in fluid communication with the air flow spaces within the interior space of the helmet;   a battery power supply connected to energize the fan;   a solar power supply coupled to recharge the power battery supply; and   a fan controller coupled for actuating the fan for generating a pressurized air flow at the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan, whereby the pressurized air flow is directed through the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan when the fan is actuated.   
     
     
         2 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan are further positioned in fluid communication with the air flow spaces within the interior space of the helmet; and
 the pressurized air flow is further directed through the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan into the air flow spaces within the interior space of the helmet when the fan is actuated.   
     
     
         3 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 2 , wherein the housing portion further comprises one or more side fan air intake ports in fluid communication with the fan. 
     
     
         4 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling element that is positionable within the pressurized air flow generated by the fan. 
     
     
         5 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 1 , further comprising means for releasably coupling the housing portion to the helmet with the one or more exhaust ports being coupled in fluid communication with the air flow spaces within the interior space of the helmet. 
     
     
         6 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 1 , further comprising means for coupling the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan in fluid communication with a ventilation duct system resident in the helmet. 
     
     
         7 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 6 , wherein the means for coupling the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan in fluid communication with a ventilation duct system resident in the helmet further comprises a means for coupling the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan in fluid communication with one or more intake ports resident on the helmet and in fluid communication with the ventilation duct system resident in the helmet. 
     
     
         8 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 6 , wherein the means for coupling the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan in fluid communication with a ventilation duct system resident in the helmet further comprises a means for ducting the pressurized air flow around a neck lip of the helmet and into the interior space of the helmet. 
     
     
         9 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermal control unit coupled for controlling the fan as a function of a sensed temperature. 
     
     
         10 : A helmet air conditioning unit configured for operation with a helmet having a ventilation duct system resident in the helmet and communicating with an interior space of the helmet, the helmet air conditioning unit comprising:
 an electrical ventilating fan comprising a housing portion structured for coupling to a helmet and further comprising: one or more fan air intake ports in fluid communication with the fan, and one or more exhaust ports positionable in fluid communication with one or more intake ports resident on the helmet and the ventilation duct system resident in the helmet;   a rechargeable battery power supply connected to energize the fan;   a solar power supply coupled to recharge the power battery supply; and   a fan controller coupled for actuating the fan for generating a pressurized air flow at the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan, whereby the pressurized air flow is directed through the one or more exhaust ports of the housing portion of the fan when the fan is actuated.   
     
     
         11 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 10 , further comprising a cooling pad refrigeration element positioned for cooling the pressurized air flow. 
     
     
         12 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 11 , further comprising a thermal control unit coupled for controlling the cooling pad refrigeration element as a function of a sensed temperature. 
     
     
         13 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 10 , further comprising an anchor mechanism structured for releasably anchoring the housing portion to the helmet with the one or more exhaust ports being coupled in fluid communication with the ventilation duct system resident in the helmet. 
     
     
         14 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 13 , further comprising a flexible clip structured for securing the fan housing to a neck lip of the helmet adjacent to a rear surface thereof. 
     
     
         15 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 14 , further comprising a thermal sensor positioned for controlling the actuating of the fan as a function of a temperature sensed within the helmet. 
     
     
         16 : A helmet air conditioning unit configured for operation with a helmet having air flow spaces within an interior space thereof, the helmet air conditioning unit comprising:
 an electrical ventilating fan comprising a housing portion structured for removably coupling to a helmet and further comprising: one or more fan air intake ports in fluid communication with the fan, and neck lip output air ducting structured for wrapping around a neck lip of the helmet, and the neck lip output air ducting further comprising one or more exhaust ports positionable in fluid communication with the air flow spaces within an interior space of the helmet;   a rechargeable battery power supply connected to energize the fan;   a solar power supply coupled to recharge the power battery supply; and   a fan controller coupled for actuating the fan for generating a pressurized air flow at the one or more exhaust ports of the neck lip output air ducting of the housing portion of the fan, whereby the pressurized air flow is directed through the neck lip output air ducting of the housing portion of the fan and the one or more exhaust ports thereof when the fan is actuated.   
     
     
         17 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 16 , further comprising a cooling pad refrigeration element positioned for cooling a portion of the pressurized air flow. 
     
     
         18 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 17 , further comprising a thermal control unit coupled for controlling the cooling pad refrigeration element as a function of a sensed temperature. 
     
     
         19 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 16 , further comprising one or more anchors structured for releasably anchoring the housing portion to the helmet with the neck lip output air ducting being wrapped around a neck lip of the helmet, and the one or more exhaust ports being coupled in fluid communication with the air flow spaces within an interior space of the helmet. 
     
     
         20 : The helmet air conditioning unit of  claim 19 , further comprising a thermal sensor positioned for controlling the actuating of the fan as a function of a sensed temperature.