Portable air cooling device

Abstract

The present application describes a portable cooling device configured to regulate the temperature of an airflow through the use of one or more saturated pads. The device includes a fan unit configured to generate the airflow. A water storage unit is used to store a volume of water that is pumped into communication with the one or more pads. A power supply is provided to provide electrical power to operate the device. The pads are used to pre-cool the airflow prior to reaching the fan.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cooling device, comprising:
 a fan unit configured to generate an airflow;   a water storage unit configured to store a volume of water;   a pump in communication with the water storage unit and configured to transport the water;   a pad configured to receive the water from the pump, the water configured to saturate the pad; and   a power supply configured to provide electrical power to operate the pump and the fan unit;   wherein the saturated pad pre cools the airflow prior to discharging.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fan unit includes a fan operable at a plurality of speeds. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fan unit is fully contained within a shroud. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an enclosed duct in communication with the shroud and configured to permit the selective directing of airflow.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the duct is detachable from the shroud. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the duct is flexible to selectively allow for the manipulation of its orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the duct is insulated. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pump supplies the water through one or more ports to saturate the pad. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein water exiting the pads is passed into the water storage unit. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a one-way valve configured to regulate the direction of water passage from the water exiting the saturated pad and entering the water storage unit.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fan unit and the pump are configured to operate independent of each other. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a charging port configured to supply electrical power to the power supply.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the charging port is configured to accept electrical power while the fan unit and pump are operating. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control unit configured to selectively regulate the distribution of electrical power through the power supply and to each of the fan unit and the pump.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the fan unit and the pump are configured to operate independent of each other. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the water storage unit is detachable from the saturated pads. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fan unit and the water storage unit are in communication with each other to form a portable and personal cooling device. 
     
     
         18 . A cooling device, comprising:
 a fan unit configured to generate an airflow;   a main body configured to store a volume of water, the main body in communication with the fan unit, the fan unit closing the main body;   a pump in communication with the main body and configured to transport the water;   a pad configured to receive the water from the pump, the water configured to saturate the pad; and   a power supply configured to provide electrical power to operate the pump and the fan unit;   wherein the saturated pad pre cools the airflow prior to passing through a duct.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the water is at least one of a solid and a liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the air is subjected to a dual stage cooling process first through the saturated pad and second by being passed adjacent to frozen material.