Solar powered portable personal cooling system with dual modes of operation

Abstract

A device enables a wearer to obtain a personal zone of cooling effect. Specifically, a headwear is provided that incorporates a stabilizing and aerating platform to house and support an array of photo-voltaic cells that in turn power strategically placed and positionable personal variable speed fans. The device anticipates and counters the power decreases typically encountered by photo-voltaic cells when operating in elevated temperatures. The present invention, and also provides dual modality of use to provide a smaller photo-voltaic cell array in situations where a sacrifice in power is acceptable relative to a sizing of the device.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a headwear comprising front and rear portions; a stabilizing mounting platform mounted to the headwear; and a photo-voltaic cell array platform having a photo-voltaic cell array comprised of a front photo-voltaic cell array and a rear photo-voltaic cell array disposed on the photo-voltaic cell platform, and the photo-voltaic cell array platform being configured to be mounted to the stabilizing mounting platform, the photo-voltaic cell array platform defining front and rear array platform portions respectively corresponding to the front and rear portions of the headwear, and wherein the front and rear array platform portions, respectively, are disposed on the corresponding front and rear arrays of the photo-voltaic cell array; a plurality of fan assemblies comprising a front array fan assembly operatively connected with the front array and configured to direct an air flow from an area adjacent the front portion of the headwear toward a wearer of the headwear, a rear array fan assembly operatively connected with the rear array configured to direct an airflow from an area adjacent the rear portion of the headwear toward the wearer of the headwear, and an auxiliary fan assembly operatively connected with the photo-voltaic cell array and configured to direct an airflow to the photo-voltaic cell array, wherein the photo-voltaic cell array is configured to be operable in first and second modes, in which in the first mode, the front and rear arrays are aligned and configured to, respectively, supply power to the front array fan assembly, the rear array fan assembly and the auxiliary fan assembly, and in which in the second mode, each of the front and rear arrays are misaligned such that the rear array platform portion, the rear array and rear array fan assembly are disposed beneath the front array platform portion, the front array and the front array fan assembly, such that the rear array platform portion and the rear array are disposed within a compartment of the photo-voltaic cell array platform, the disposition of the rear array beneath the front array rendering the rear array inoperable to supply power, and the auxiliary fan assembly is configured to be automatically operable, in response to sensing of an occurrence of a predetermined temperature of the photo- voltaic cell array, to direct an airflow toward at least one of the front and rear arrays of the photo-voltaic cell array.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary fan assembly comprises a capillary thermostat configured to obtain the sensing of the occurrence of the pre-determined temperature of the photo-voltaic cell array and enable automatic operation of the auxiliary fan.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing mounting platform comprises a one-piece construction forming edge portions of the stabilizing mounting platform, in which the edge portions comprise foam or rubber.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing mounting platform comprises one or more mounting tabs, wherein each of the one or more mounting tabs is configured to attach a respective one of the plurality of fan assemblies to the stabilizing mounting platform.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of fan assemblies comprises a motor.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein each of the plurality of fan assemblies is configured to be controlled by a switch determining respective operational status of the motor, and speed of each of the plurality of fans.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein each of the plurality of fan assemblies is configured to be flexibly mounted with respect to the stabilizing platform so as to be positionable toward or away from the stabilizing platform.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the compartment of the photo-voltaic cell array platform comprises a drawer.

9. The device of claim 8 further, wherein the compartment of the photo-voltaic cell array comprises rollers disposed within the drawer, and is configured to receive the rear array platform portion, and the rear array.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the photo-voltaic cell array comprises a hinge enabling folding of the photo-voltaic cell array.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the photo-voltaic cell array comprises a hinge enabling folding of the photo-voltaic cell array.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts a typical headwear (1) suitable for use in one embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the device showing a stabilizing mounting platform (2) supported by mounting struts (3) attached to the headwear (1).

(3) FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the device with a photo-voltaic cell array (4) mounted onto the stabilizing mounting platform (2) that is of a size sufficient to fully support the photo-voltaic cell array (4) and may thus extend outward in any direction as indicated by the extension lines (2a) and supported by mounting struts (3) attached to the headwear (1). Additionally, in one embodiment, the stabilizing mounting platform may have attached any number of mounting tabs (5) for supporting and attaching personal cooling fan assemblies (not shown). In one embodiment, the photo-voltaic cell array may also contain a hinge (6) to allow for folding.

(4) FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of the device with two personal cooling fan assemblies (7) mounted to the headwear via tabs (5) mounted to the stabilizing mounting platform (2) with flexible and positionable snake-like mounting arms (8) and an electrical connection to the photo-voltaic cell array (not shown).

(5) FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of the device with a smaller cooling fan assembly (9) attached to a mounting tab (5) that is used to circulate air around the photo-voltaic cell array (4) to optimize its efficiency.

(6) FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of the device with a typical arrangement of individual photo-voltaic cells (10) in the overall photo-voltaic cell array having two sets of 5×2 cells interconnected in series (11) and with the further arrangement of a front area platform (12) and a rear area platform (13) wherein the rear area may disengage from the front area when desired and as explained in further detail elsewhere.

(7) FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of the device with a side view to demonstrate the clearances between the headwear (1), the stabilizing mounting platform (2) and the photo-voltaic cell array (4).

(8) FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of the device demonstrating a personal cooling fan assembly suitable for use wherein the blades of the fan (14) are housed in an enclosed cage (15) and powered by a shunt wound DC motor (16) fed energy through the snake like mounting arm (8) from the photo-voltaic cell array (4).

(9) FIG. 9 depicts individual photo-voltaic cells (10) mounted on the front area platform (12) and rear area platform (13) wherein the rear area platform disengages and slides into a compartment that comprises a drawer mechanism underneath the front area platform on rollers (17) and secured by spring loaded latches (18).

(10) FIG. 10 depicts one embodiment of a drawer mechanism for housing the rear platform (13), in the open position being secured open by the spring loaded latch (18) and further depicting the side by side array of photo-voltaic cells that when in the open position are all fully functional.

(11) FIG. 11 depicts one embodiment of the device wherein two photo-voltaic cell arrays of five cells by two cells connected in series and in parallel, one front assembly of two sets of 3×2 photo voltaic cell arrays (12) that power a front cooling fan assembly (7) and one rear assembly of two sets of 2×2 photo-voltaic cell arrays (13) that power a rear cooling fan assembly (7) (and potentially a smaller photo-voltaic cooling fan assembly (not shown)) wherein the rear area cell array is capable of disengaging and sliding underneath the front area cell array on rollers (17). Additionally, in one embodiment, the entire structure may be hinged (6) such that it can be folded for transport (including the rollers, which may comprise separated or separable individual rollers (17a)).

(12) FIG. 12 depicts one embodiment of the device wherein the photo-voltaic cell array structure is folded (19) but remains attached to the mounting platform (2) at the hinge (6) and is thus easier to transport in a carry bag or backpack (20). In this depiction, the photo-voltaic cell array is still extended, the rear area array out from the front area array (21), but may be closed first prior to folding to become even more compact. When folded, because the fans are mounted with moveable snake-like arms, they are folded flat against the folded structure (24). Once folded closed, in one embodiment, a latch may be used to secure the device in the folded position (25).

(13) FIG. 13 depicts a photo-voltaic cell array of five cells by two cells connected in series (22) and in parallel (23), one front assembly depicting the connection to a front cooling fan assembly (7) and one rear assembly. An automatic capillary style thermostat switch (24) can be used to activate any fan. Both arrays depict the use of individual photo-voltaic cells capable of producing 0.60 volts at 2 amps for a power output of 1.2 watts or 12 watts total to power a DC shunt wound motor via a switch, with the rear array further encompassing a thermostat switch for the auxiliary cooling fan (7).

(14) FIG. 14 depicts a cut away view of one embodiment of the drawer mechanism showing the rear portion sliding in or out on rollers (17), which may be split for folding.

(15) FIG. 15 depicts one embodiment of the photo-voltaic cell arrays in the drawer configuration with the drawer in the closed position and taking off-line the rear area photo-voltaic cell array. In one embodiment, electrical connectors protrude slightly such that they are capable of connecting with the rear photo-voltaic cell array when pulled out. Also depicted is the hinge (6), in some embodiments, allowing the entire structure to be folded for transport as indicated elsewhere.

(16) FIG. 16 depicts one embodiment of the connection of the photo-voltaic cell circuitry depicting the front photo-voltaic cells maintaining electrical integrity with the rear photo-voltaic cells when the drawer is in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(17) For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the invention is divided into the following subsections that describe or illustrate certain features, embodiments or applications of the present invention.

Definitions

(18) “Photo-voltaic cell” as used herein means a device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photo voltaic effect through the absorption of light generating either electron-hole pairs or excitons, the separation of charge carriers of opposite types and the separate extraction of those charge carriers to an external circuit.

(19) “Cooling fan and motor assembly” as used herein means any self contained propelled fan blade assembly powered by an electric motor capable of being powered by electric charge generated by a photo-voltaic cell.

The Device of the Present Invention

(20) One embodiment of the device of the present invention comprises: a) a headwear; b) a stabilizing mounting platform; c) a photo-voltaic cell array; d) an at least one repositionable fan and motor assembly; i) wherein said photo-voltaic cell array is optimized for efficiency by providing air circulation around said photo-voltaic cell array to minimize temperature; and ii) wherein said photo-voltaic cell array generates electric current to power said at least one repositionable fan and motor assembly through an electronic circuitry.

(21) In one embodiment, the device of the present invention utilizes commercially available photo-voltaic cells of 3.3 inches square and arranges them on a dual platform in two 5×2 rows, one such 5×2 array on the one side of the platform and the second such 5×2 array on the other side of the platform.

(22) In this embodiment, the front three of the 5×2 array is separate from the rear two or the 5×2 array such that the when the rear part of the platform disengages and slides underneath the front portion in a drawer like fashion, the rear portions of the side by side photo voltaic cell arrays are taken off line. The front powering array powers the front fan and the rear powering array powers the back fan and any other auxiliary fan, such as the smaller photo-voltaic cell array cooling fan, if present. However, when the rear portion of the platform is disengaged, the rear and auxiliary fans are then disengaged from power and are inoperative. In this embodiment, the front area array circuitry is completed via a circuit engagement. However, the size of the overall platform is substantially reduced to almost half of its original size configuration.

(23) In the open position, where there are two 5×2 cell arrays made from 3.3 inch square individual photo-voltaic cells, the platform is approximately 17 to 18 inches by 14 to 14½ inches. When in the closed position, the latter dimension is reduced to 10 inches or less.

(24) Each 3.3 inch square photo-voltaic cell individually is capable of producing 0.60 volts at 2 amps for a power output of 1.2 watts. When connected in parallel and series, the total output from 10 cells is thus 12 watts which is sufficient to fully operate a personal shunt wound dc motor cooling fan assembly.

(25) The front powering photo-voltaic cell array attached to the front part of the platform is always exposed and connected to the front personal cooling fan and motor assembly and is always on line. The rear powering photo-voltaic cell array attached to the rear part of the platform is only operational in the open position. When in the open position, it is kept open with a spring loaded latch that operates to catch the top of the front platform and preventing the rear platform from sliding. When the closed position is desired, the spring loaded catch is depressed releasing the rear platform, which can then slide into its drawer underneath the front platform on rollers and a second spring loaded catch secures the rear platform in place in the closed position. In the closed position, the photo-voltaic cell array on the rear platform is disengaged from the circuitry and can no longer power the rear and/or auxiliary cooling fan assemblies.

EXAMPLES

(26) In a preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention utilizes a stabile headwear, such as with a typical bicycle helmet with aerating vents and of a suitable material to enable a stabilizing support platform, photo-voltaic cell array and cooling fans to be attached and manipulated.

(27) In a preferred embodiment, there are two separate photo-voltaic cell arrays in a side by side configuration attached to both a front platform and a rear platform, such that the rear platform is capable of disengaging and sliding underneath the front platform. The front platform will have twelve 3.3 inch square individual photo-voltaic cells arranged in a double 3×2 array and connected in series and parallel and the rear platform will have eight 3.3 inch square individual photo-voltaic cells arranged in a double 2×2 array and connected in series and parallel to generate a total of 12 watts of power. One side is connected to one front facing personal cooling fan and motor assembly with a rheostat control switch to adjust the speed of the fan. The other side is connected to a rear personal cooling fan and motor assembly and a smaller device cooling fan and motor assembly. However, in situations where space is at a premium, such as a public event, and movement is at a minimum, again such as when seated at a public event, it may be desirable to only operate the front fan and save space by sliding the rear platform into the closed position as described elsewhere herein. By doing so, the rear photo-voltaic cells become disengaged from the overall circuitry and no longer generates power. The connected rear facing and auxiliary fans become disengaged.

(28) In a preferred embodiment, when the rear platform is open and the device is fully powered and operational, the smaller fan assembly that cools the photo-voltaic cell platforms to maximize power generated therefrom, is controlled by a capillary style thermostat switch such that that fan is only operational above a certain programmable temperature. All of the fans may have on/off switches and/or rheostat speed controls for ultimate user control.

(29) In a preferred embodiment, the photo-voltaic cell array will contain rounded edges and soft corners to insure that anyone coming in contact with the device of the present invention will not be injured by sharp corners or edges. Additionally, the entire edge of the device of the present invention may contain a soft material such as a neoprene or rubber or foam or foam-like material to further soften and cushion any contact with its edges.

(30) Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually exclusive.