U.S. patent application number 15/353660 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-06 for portable ventilation system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kurt West Tompkins. Invention is credited to Kurt West Tompkins.
Application Number | 20170191684 15/353660 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59235408 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170191684 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tompkins; Kurt West |
July 6, 2017 |
Portable Ventilation System
Abstract
A portable ventilation system with a single centralized electric
motor with two in-line drive shafts connected to two centrifugal
fans directing air flow from inlet openings on the sides of the
base unit, up into a vertically oriented fixed air plenum. A
vertically oriented adjustable air plenum is positioned on and
telescopes over the fixed air plenum to conduct a flow of air up
from the base unit to an elevated height appropriate for exhausting
the air flow into the environment. The adjustable air plenum
redirects the air flow through a horizontal outlet. The adjustable
air plenum may be set at a number of different positions on the
fixed air plenum so as to vary the overall height of the system and
the point at which the horizontal delivery of air flow is achieved.
Heating elements may be incorporated into the airflow system.
Inventors: |
Tompkins; Kurt West;
(Kendalia, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tompkins; Kurt West |
Kendalia |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59235408 |
Appl. No.: |
15/353660 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62255893 |
Nov 16, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 21/044 20130101;
F24F 2221/12 20130101; F24F 9/00 20130101; F24F 7/065 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/06 20060101
F24F007/06 |
Claims
1. A portable ventilation system comprising: a base unit comprising
at least one fan motor and at least one centrifugal fan; a fan
enclosure comprising a walled enclosure defining an air flow inlet
and a constriction air flow outlet; a vertical fixed air plenum in
air flow communication with the constriction air flow outlet of the
fan enclosure; a vertical adjustable air plenum positioned in air
flow communication and telescoping engagement with the fixed air
plenum; and a horizontal air exhaust port connected to the vertical
adjustable air plenum for exhausting a horizontal flow of air into
the environment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United
States Code .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 62/255,893; Filed: Nov. 16, 2015; the full disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to systems and
devices for providing circulation of ambient air through the
ventilation of interior environments. The present invention relates
more specifically to a portable ventilation system particularly
useful for circulating the air surrounding a person resting or
reclining on a flat surface such as a bed.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The present invention improves upon a portable ventilation
system generally described and claimed in issued U.S. Pat. No.
7,908,688, issued on Mar. 22, 2011, entitled Portable Ventilation
System, Inventor: Kurt West Tompkins (the Inventor on the present
Application). The full disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 7,908,688 is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0006] The present invention fulfills many of the needs associated
with providing ventilation to selected living spaces by way of the
circulation of ambient air. The devices defined by the above
referenced U.S. Pat. No. 7,908,688 and by the present invention,
are especially well suited to providing ventilated air to a person
resting on a bed by directing air flow from the room to the volume
of space defined by the top surface of the mattress of the bed and
a bed covering disposed thereon. The use of these devices and
systems increase the ability of the individual to receive restful
sleep by enabling convenient control of the air surrounding the
person at a comfortable level.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention improves upon the structures and
functions of the device disclosed in the above references issued
U.S. Patent by incorporating specific new structures and new
functionality to the device that improve its performance, increase
its applicability to a variety of environments, and expand the
manner of user control over the device. The portable ventilation
system of the present invention includes a base component with a
single central electric motor having two in-line opposing drive
shafts connected to two centrifugal fans (squirrel cage fans) that
direct air flow from inlet openings on the sides and center of the
base unit, up into a vertically oriented fixed air plenum. A
vertically oriented adjustable air plenum is positioned on and
telescopes over the fixed air plenum to conduct a flow of air up
from the base unit to an elevated height appropriate for exhausting
the air flow into the environment. A top portion of the adjustable
air plenum redirects the air flow ninety degrees through a
horizontally oriented outlet. The adjustable air plenum may be set
at a number of different positions on the fixed air plenum so as to
vary the overall height of the system and the point at which the
horizontal delivery of air flow is achieved. The device is
preferably controlled by way of electrical/electronic control
circuitry that may be manually switched on the device, or may be
operated with a remote control. Heating elements may optionally be
incorporated into the system at either the air flow inlet at the
base unit or at the air flow outlet at the top of the adjustable
air plenum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first preferred
embodiment of the present invention shown with the adjustable air
plenum in a lowered position.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention shown with the adjustable air
plenum in an elevated position.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention shown with the adjustable air
plenum in a lowered position.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention shown with the adjustable air
plenum in a lowered position.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the top portion of
the adjustable air plenum of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the bottom portion
of the adjustable air plenum of the present invention showing its
attachment to the fixed air plenum and the base unit of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the adjustable air
plenum component of the present invention shown separated from the
balance of the system.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the fixed air
plenum and the top of the base unit of the present invention shown
with the adjustable air plenum removed.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a detailed top plan view of the fixed air plenum
and the base unit of the present invention shown with the
adjustable air plenum removed.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a detailed perspective view of the fixed air
plenum and the base unit of the present invention shown with the
adjustable air plenum in an elevated position.
[0018] FIG. 11 is an exploded assembly perspective view of the
components that make up the air plenum positioning element of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 12 is an assembled perspective view of the air plenum
positioning element of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the base unit
of the present invention showing the central fan motor and two
centrifugal fans.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a detailed rear elevational view of the base unit
of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of an alternate preferred
embodiment of the present invention with the adjustable air plenum
in a lowered position.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the alternate
preferred embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIG. 15,
with adjustable the air plenum in an elevated position.
[0024] FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram showing the various
essential system components and optional system components
associated with the preferred embodiments of the present
invention.
[0025] FIGS. 18A & 18B are perspective views of an optional
heating element component of the present invention positioned on
the adjustable air plenum at the air flow outlet of the system.
[0026] FIGS. 19A & 19B are a perspective view and a front
elevational view, respectively, of an alternate optional heating
element component of the present invention, again positioned on the
air flow outlet of the adjustable air plenum.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Reference is made to FIGS. 1-4 for a description of a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention and the various basic
components of the system. Portable ventilation system 10 is
generally made up of base unit 12 with an attached adjustable air
plenum 14. Adjustable air plenum 14 is a generally vertically
oriented box shaped air conduit that extends up from base unit 12
and terminates with a right angle turn through air exhaust port 16.
FIG. 1 provides a front perspective view of the device showing the
manner in which adjustable air plenum 14 sits on top of base unit
12 and directs air from base unit 12 up to air exhaust port 16.
Base unit 12 is supported by a number of support structures formed
as feet or sled rails shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.
[0028] Adjustable air plenum 14 is positioned on fixed air plenum
22 (see FIG. 2) and is held in place on fixed air plenum 22 by way
of air plenum positioning elements 20a & 20b. As seen in FIG.
2, these air plenum positioning elements 20a & 20b may be
variably positioned on the sides of fixed air plenum 22 so as to
appropriately support adjustable air plenum 14 at the height
appropriate for a particular use. FIG. 1 therefore shows the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention configured at its
lowest height with FIG. 2 showing the same system configured at an
elevated height by the re-positioning of adjustable air plenum 14
along with air plenum positioning element 20a & 20b on fixed
air plenum 22, all in a manner described in more detail below.
[0029] Reference is next made to FIGS. 3 & 4 for elevational
front and side views of the portable ventilation system, shown in
the configuration represented generally in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 discloses
the front of ventilation system 10 positioned as it would be
against the foot (or the side) of a bed, for example, with base
unit 12 positioned on the floor adjacent the bed, adjustable air
plenum 14 extending upward along the foot (or side) of the bed
(that is, the foot or side of the mattresses), to air exhaust port
16 which redirects the flow of air over the top surface of the bed.
In FIGS. 3 & 4, base unit 12 is shown to include fan enclosures
24a & 24b positioned on support skids 18 with a central portion
of base unit 12 enclosing an electric motor (not seen in this view)
that drives the two centrifugal fans of the device. Power inlet
plug 26 is configured to receive the necessary AC or DC power from
a standard AC wall outlet, either directly into the unit or through
an AC adaptor.
[0030] Positioned on a tangent plane of the generally cylindrical
base unit 12 is fixed air plenum 22 that extends up to receive
adjustable air plenum 14 in the manner described above. Air plenum
support elements 20a & 20b are movably fixed on the sides of
fixed air plenum 22 and support adjustable air plenum 14 in a
variety of elevated positions.
[0031] Air flow within the device is directed by the electric motor
and centrifugal fans and draws air in through the air inlet ports
28a & 28b positioned on the outward facing ends of fan
enclosures 24a & 24b. The centrifugal fans enclosed within fan
enclosures 24a & 24b draw air in through these axial center
openings and direct air flow centrifugally outward where it is
gathered by the walls of the enclosures and directed upward through
the plenum inlet opening for fixed air plenum 22. Fixed air plenum
22 thereafter directs the flow of air through a generally
rectangular cross-section conduit up into adjustable air plenum 14
and thereafter through the right angle re-direction at the top of
adjustable air plenum 14 out through air exhaust port 16.
[0032] Reference is next made to FIGS. 5 & 6 for a description
of the outlet and inlet portions of adjustable air plenum 14. FIG.
5 shows in detail the top portion of adjustable air plenum 14 with
air exhaust port 16 configured at the terminal end of a right angle
conduit 32. Air flow is directed horizontally outward from air
exhaust port 16 and is channeled between exhaust vanes 30 to
facilitate the horizontal flow orientation.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows the corresponding lower portion of adjustable
air plenum 14 and the manner of its connection to base unit 12 by
way of fixed air plenum 22. Base unit 12 provides the enclosure
around the centrifugal fans as described above and is shaped
through an air flow constriction portion 36 to confine the flow of
air vertically within fixed air plenum 22. On either side of fixed
air plenum 22 are positioned air plenum support elements 20a &
20b. These support elements are variably positioned on releasable
attachment surfaces 34a & 34b described in more detail below.
By moving air plenum support elements 20a & 20b up and down
along the sides of fixed air plenum 22, the position of adjustable
air plenum 14 above base unit 12 may be vertically set. This varies
the height at which air exhaust port 16 directs a horizontal flow
of air out from the portable ventilation system.
[0034] Reference is next made to FIG. 7 which shows adjustable air
plenum 14 detached from the system of the present invention in a
manner which discloses the cross-section of the plenum, as well as
its overall walled construction. Adjustable air plenum 14 is
generally configured with rear wall panel 43 and front wall panel
45, which are connected together by side walls 38a & 38b to
form a generally rectangular cross-section 42 for the plenum. The
shape of the edges where wall panels 43 & 45 meet side walls
38a & 38b is important with respect to the manner in which
adjustable air plenum 14 slides over and is supported on fixed air
plenum 22. These edge structures interact with air plenum support
elements 20a & 20b in a manner described in more detail below
with respect to FIG. 8. Once again, as seen in FIG. 7, air exhaust
port 16 re-directs the flow of air through adjustable air plenum 14
to what would be a horizontal orientation when the system is
upright and positioned for use.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the fixed air plenum 22 as it
is structured on the top of base unit 12 (not seen in this view)
and oriented in a vertical manner by which it supports adjustable
air plenum 14. Fixed air plenum 22 is a similarly configured
rectangular conduit, slightly smaller in dimensions than adjustable
air plenum 14, so that adjustable air plenum 14 may slide over the
structure of fixed air plenum 22. In the orientation shown in FIG.
8, front panel 44 of fixed air plenum 22 is parallel to and slides
against front panel 45 of adjustable air plenum 14. Side walls 38a
& 38b of adjustable air plenum 14 engage the side walls of
fixed air plenum 22 down to the point where they contact air plenum
support elements 20a & 20b. These support elements are
structured with extended tabs that slide between side walls 38a
& 38b of adjustable air plenum 14 and the respective sides of
fixed air plenum 22. Releasable attachment surfaces 34a & 34b
as shown in FIG. 8 allow for the variable positioning of support
elements 20a & 20b vertically along the side wall edges of
fixed air plenum 22.
[0036] FIGS. 9 & 10 show in additional detail the manner in
which adjustable air plenum 14 is supported on, and may be variably
positioned on, fixed air plenum 22. FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a
portion of base unit 12 showing fixed air plenum 22 through its
upper opening and disclosing rear panel 41 and front panel 44 of
fixed air plenum 22 that together define the generally rectangular
conduit opening 46 through which the air flows. On either side of
this rectangular conduit on the exterior side walls of fixed air
plenum 22, are air plenum support elements 20a & 20b. The
curved configuration of the tabs on these support elements are
designed to tightly engage the side walls of the opening of
adjustable air plenum 14 (see FIG. 7) and to thereby support
adjustable air plenum 14 in a variable position on fixed air plenum
22.
[0037] FIG. 10 shows the above described process and structure in
greater detail. Releasable attachment surfaces 34a & 34b mate
with opposing surfaces on the inside faces of support elements 20a
& 20b and hold the elements in position along the side wall
edges of fixed air plenum 22. Adjustable air plenum 14 may then be
slid down over the top of the opening of fixed air plenum 22 up to
the point where it engages air plenum support elements 20a &
20b. In this manner, the system of the present invention is
structured to provide a horizontal flow of air at the height
required by the user.
[0038] FIGS. 11 & 12 show in greater detail the structure of
the air plenum support elements 20a & 20b positioned one on
each side of fixed air plenum 22. FIG. 11 shows three basic
components associated with each support element, including the
support element 20b (typical) itself with a first releasable
attachment surface 48b adhesively secured to the back face. Mating
attachment surface 34b is adhesively positioned along the edge of
fixed air plenum 22 which allows the combination of support element
20b and attachment surface 48b to be variably positioned along the
length of attachment surface 34b to establish the desired height
for adjustable air plenum 14. FIG. 12 shows the entire assembly
secured together as on the side of fixed air plenum 22. The basic
structure of air plenum support element 20b comprises a curved grip
portion 54b from which extends an elongated tab portion 52b.
Support element 20a incorporates similar elements.
[0039] Reference is next made to FIGS. 13 & 14 which provide
additional detail on the structures and function of base unit 12 of
the present invention. FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view
into the interior of the enclosure of base unit 12 disclosing in
greater detail the centrifugal fan elements 60a & 60b and the
electric motor element 56. Base unit 12 is generally made up of fan
enclosures 24a & 24b which sit on either side of a central
enclosure portion surrounding electric motor 56. Once again, power
is provided to electric motor 56 by way of power inlet 58 in the
preferred embodiment.
[0040] Electric motor 56 may preferably be a DC motor that receives
current through an AC to DC convertor (such as an AC wall adaptor)
to turn an extended through-the-motor drive shaft. The drive shaft
of the motor, which extends outward from each side of motor 56,
drives centrifugal fans 60a & 60b centrally positioned within
fan enclosures 24a & 24b. The centrifugal fans 60a & 60b
draw air in from a central axis and direct it outward into the
enclosures 24a & 24b. Air inlet ports 28a & 28b are
positioned on the sides of generally cylindrical base unit 12 to
allow for this inflow of air to the centrifugal fans. Airflow
constriction portion 36 then channels this centrifugal air flow
upward through fixed air plenum 22 (not shown in FIG. 13).
[0041] FIG. 14 is a detailed elevational view of the rear of base
unit 12, again showing the position of fan enclosures 24a & 24b
on either side of the central motor enclosure, all of which are
supported on skid supports 18. Air inlet ports 28a & 28b are
disclosed on the sides of base unit 12. Additional airflow
apertures 57 are provided through the enclosure surrounding
electric motor 56 in order to add to the inflow of air and
facilitate cooling of the motor during operation.
[0042] The embodiment of the present invention shown generally in
FIGS. 1-4 and thereafter is configured to be of a variable height
associated with a wide range of standard sized beds holding
standard sized mattresses. In general, the height of the horizontal
air flow may vary between twenty-seven and thirty-eight inches.
FIGS. 15 & 16 disclose a nearly identical alternate embodiment
of the present invention, with shorter components capable of
operating with shorter and/or smaller bed frames and mattresses. In
general, the height of the horizontal air flow from this alternate
embodiment may vary between eighteen and twenty-nine inches. FIGS.
15 & 16 show the shorter version of the present invention in
its lowest position (FIG. 15) and in an elevated position (FIG.
16). Otherwise, the various elements of this alternate preferred
embodiment of the present invention configured for shorter bed
frames and shorter mattress assemblies, is generally identical to
the structures associated with the taller embodiment described
above.
[0043] In FIGS. 15 & 16, portable ventilation system 70 is
shown to be generally made up of base unit 72 with an attached
adjustable air plenum 74. Adjustable air plenum 74 is again a
generally vertically oriented box shaped air conduit that extends
up from base unit 72 and terminates with a right angle turn through
air exhaust port 76. FIG. 15 provides a rear perspective view of
the device showing the manner in which adjustable air plenum 74
fits on top of base unit 72 and directs air from base unit 72 up to
air exhaust port 76. Base unit 72 is supported by a number of
support structures 78 formed as feet or sled rails shown in the
embodiment of FIGS. 15 & 16.
[0044] Adjustable air plenum 74 is positioned on fixed air plenum
82 (see FIG. 16) and is held in place on fixed air plenum 82 by way
of the same type of air plenum positioning elements as utilized in
the first preferred embodiment. These air plenum positioning
elements may be variably positioned on the sides of fixed air
plenum 82 so as to appropriately support adjustable air plenum 74
at the height appropriate for a particular use. FIG. 15 therefore
shows the alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention
configured at its lowest height (with horizontal air flow
approximately eighteen or nineteen inches above the floor) with
FIG. 16 showing the same system configured at an elevated height
(with horizontal air flow approximately twenty-eight or twenty-nine
inches above the floor) accomplished by the re-positioning of
adjustable air plenum 74 along with the air plenum positioning
elements secured on fixed air plenum 82.
[0045] Reference is next made to FIG. 17 which provides a schematic
block diagram showing the structural and functional relationships
between the various components and elements of the system of the
present invention. In this schematic view, the system of the
present invention is shown to be structured around motor 56 with
centrifugal fans 60a & 60b. Motor 56 is driven and controlled
by motor control circuit 90 which, by way of wire control switches
92, receives its power from electrical power AC/DC source 94. Air
flow from fans 60a & 60b (shown with large arrows) flows
through fixed air plenum 22 up through adjustable air plenum 14 and
out into the environment. One of the two optional heating elements
102 & 120 may be associated with the system of the present
invention as described in more detail below. An optional heating
element may preferably be positioned as heating element 102 at an
air flow outlet placement or as heating element 120 at an air flow
inlet placement. The optional heating element is controlled by
heater control circuit 122 which receives both power and control
signals by way of wire control switches 92, receiving electrical
power from electrical power AC/DC source 94.
[0046] Further optional functionality associated with the system of
the present invention is shown in FIG. 17 by way of a number of
wireless remote control components. While motor control circuit 90
may be manually controlled through wire control switches 92, the
system may also incorporate wireless receiver circuit 96 which is
structured to receive control signals from wireless remote control
98. In the preferred embodiment, wireless remote control 98
provides a radio frequency (RF) signal to wireless receiver circuit
96 as there may not be line of sight communication between the
remote and the system. Alternate wireless signal communications are
also anticipated. Wireless receiver circuit 96 could, for example,
be a Bluetooth.RTM. connection structured on the system of the
present invention with wireless remote control 98 comprising a
Bluetooth.RTM. transceiver device such as a smart phone. In other
words, wireless remote control 98 may be a smart phone device
configured with a software application to communicate control
signals to the device by way of a short range Bluetooth.RTM. signal
connection.
[0047] Both the wired control circuitry and the wireless control
circuitry are preferably configured to direct not only the on/off
condition of the system, but additional features such as fan speed,
timed activation or deactivation, heating and cooling controls
(essentially temperature settings), as well as other system
condition information that the user might take advantage of at a
remote device.
[0048] Reference is finally made to FIGS. 18A & 18B as well as
FIGS. 19A & 19B for a brief description of two optional heating
element assemblies that may be configured in association with the
portable ventilation system of the present invention. FIGS. 18A
& 18B disclose a heating element assembly 102 made up of an
array of positive thermal coefficient (PTC) ceramic heaters
110a-110n which are configured within heating element enclosure 104
positioned on connection conduit 106 and fitted with thermal
insulation support structure 108. Heating element assembly 102 is
positioned as shown in FIG. 18B at the top of adjustable air plenum
14 by attachment to air exhaust port 16. Connector 106 has a
geometry structured to be attached to air exhaust port 16 in the
manner shown. Heating element enclosure 104 prevents direct
contract between the bedding components and the array of ceramic
heaters 110a-110n. Electrical connections between the heating
element assembly 102 and the power supply for the overall system
may be made through the constructed walls of adjustable air plenum
14 with appropriate accommodations made for the variable length
electrical conductor required.
[0049] FIGS. 19A & 19B show an alternate embodiment for the
optional heating element, again positioned at the upper end of
adjustable air plenum 14. In FIG. 19A, heating element assembly 112
is seen as a single heating element 116 enclosed by a fully
surrounding heating element enclosure 114. Heating element assembly
112 is similarly positioned on air exhaust port 16 and takes
advantage of air exhaust vanes 30 to direct the flow of air
horizontally through the heating element. FIG. 19B is a front
elevational view of heating element assembly 112 positioned on air
exhaust port 16 of adjustable air plenum 14.
[0050] Although the present invention has been described in
connection with a number of preferred embodiments, those skilled in
the art will recognize that further alternate embodiments may be
implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Variations in the cross-sectional dimensions of the air
plenums, and in the variable overall height provided by the
adjustable air plenum, are anticipated. Different types of electric
motors, as well as different centrifugal fan blade configurations,
are also anticipated in order to accommodate variable fan speed
functionality, as well as alternate air flow conduction. In
addition, the optional component systems described, including the
heating elements as well as the wireless remote control
functionality, may be implemented with a variety of different
electrical/electronic circuits. Once again, those skilled in the
art will recognize that these variations are anticipated by the
above disclosure and do not depart from the fundamental elements of
the invention.
* * * * *