WO2024064414A1

WO2024064414A1 - Mobile impeller fan blade assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2024064414A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/033645
Authority: WO
Inventors: Larry Canipe; Raymund Vivar
Original assignee: Cleva Technologies, Llc
Priority date: 2022-09-23
Filing date: 2023-09-25
Publication date: 2024-03-28

Abstract

A mobile impeller fan blade assembly having a portable housing, an evaporative media, an impeller fan motor assembly retained within the portable housing and with a motor operably coupled to a plurality of fan blades interposed between an internal upstream air-flow channel and an internal downstream channel of the housing and operably configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and defining a centrifugally configured outlet aperture relative to an axis of rotation and interposed between the internal downstream channel and the plurality of fan blades, wherein the assembly has a duct of a flexible material, defining one or more duct aperture(s), and operably configured to selectively removably couple to the portable housing to cover air outlet, such that the motor is operably configured to cause the blades to generate an airflow moving cooled air through the housing and out through the duct aperture(s).

Description

MOBILE IMPELLER FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a mobile fan assembly and, more particularly, relates to mobile impeller fan blade assembly utilized as an evaporative air generate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Providing a mobile device for generating conditioned air, namely cooled air, to an outdoor or indoor environment, particularly over a larger area, has many challenges. For example, many known devices are not mechanically or electronically configured to generate a sufficient volume, temperature, or speed of air over a larger area, e.g., 400ft², or an or open-air environment. These problems are exacerbated when employing a mobile air conditioning device in a remote location, e.g., like a construction site or a location with a pop-up structure. Additionally, many known air generating devices are also severely inefficient and ineffective when attempting to generate conditioned air using evaporative cooling means, e.g., by virtue of the screens, filters, and cooling mediums utilized by those known evaporative cooling devices.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an evaporative cooling assembly that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that effectively can be effectively and efficiently employed in remote locations, particularly hot or humid locations, can combat extreme ambient temperatures and trap approximately 98% of airborne viruses, pollutants, and allergens. Embodiments of the invention provide an evaporative cooling assembly.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a fan impeller assembly that is operable to quietly produce a smooth and powerful air stream that can cool up to approximately 25°C incoming ambient air and cover a wide area with adjustable oscillation speeds or an attachable flexible ducting for more versatility.

Another feature of the present invention provides a housing that is rugged, impact-resistant design, designed for 24/7 outdoor storage, sealed to protect against rain and dust, and protected against rust and fading.

Another feature and benefit of the present invention is to provide a housing with built-in forklift slots for fast and effortless deployment and incorporated LEDs for displaying system status notifications (e g., a system needing water or maintenance) and a customizable ambient light.

An additional feature and benefit of the assembly is to provide a particle filter between the evaporative media and the water reservoir, which most know evaporative cooling assemblies are unable to accomplish because of the type of fan assembly they utilize. This feature drastically reduces the time needed for cleaning while also protecting the water pump to increase longevity.

An additional feature and benefit also includes the modular nature of the assembly, thereby making it easier to service and/or perform regular maintenance to the assembly, resulting in significantly less time and money to maintain the assembly compared to other known evaporative cooling systems on the market.

An additional feature and benefit of the present invention is to provide an assembly with a computer system, including a controller and one or more temperature sensors that are configured to constantly monitor the surrounding environment for adjusting water usage to save energy and preserve the lifespan of the evaporative media used with the assembly.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a mobile impeller fan blade assembly having a portable housing with an upper end, with a lower end opposing the upper end of the housing, with a front housing surface defining an air outlet, defining an air inlet, with a rear housing surface opposing the front surface, defining an internal upstream airflow channel, and defining an internal downstream air flow channel, an evaporative media housed within the portable housing, interposed between the air inlet and the internal upstream air-flow channel, and of a porous material configured to retain a liquid substance therein, an impeller fan motor assembly retained within the portable housing, defining an inlet aperture, with a motor electrically couplable to a power source and operably coupled to a plurality of fan blades interposed between the internal upstream air-flow channel and the internal downstream channel and operably configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and defining a centrifugally configured outlet aperture relative to an axis of rotation and interposed between the internal downstream channel and the plurality of fan blades, and a duct of a flexible material, defining at least one duct aperture, and operably configured to selectively removably couple to the portable housing to cover air outlet, the impeller fan motor assembly operably configured to induce an airflow sequentially into the portable housing through the air inlet, through the evaporative media, through the internal upstream air-flow channel, through the inlet aperture, through the centrifugally configured outlet aperture, through the internal downstream channel, and through the air outlet into the duct for discharge through the at least one duct aperture.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the duct having a first terminal end, a second terminal end opposing the first terminal end, a duct length separating the first and second terminal ends of the duct, and a plurality of duct apertures spaced apart from one another along the duct length through which the airflow is discharged.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the plurality of duct apertures are uniformly and continuously spaced apart from one another along the duct length.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the duct is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the portable housing in a hermetically sealed configuration and the plurality of fan blades are each of a backward curved configuration.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes an air filter selectively removably retained by the portable housing and interposed between the air inlet and the evaporative media. In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the evaporative media is disposed proximal to the air inlet.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the portable housing having an annular port defining and enclosing the air outlet, wherein the duct is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the annular port in a hermetically sealed configuration.

In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a front louver member translatably coupled the portable housing and configured to have a position along a front louver translation path to cover the air outlet.

In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes an electronic controller communicatively coupled to the motor, operably configured to selectively control the rotation of the plurality of fan blades about the axis of rotation, and operably configured to generate a plurality of fan mode operations that includes an off mode without any fan rotation, an on mode with a fan rotation generating an airflow velocity, and an auto-dry mode with a fan rotation generating an airflow velocity less than the airflow velocity when in the on mode.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid tank defined by the portable housing and configured to house a liquid therein and a pump operably configured to pump the liquid from the liquid tank onto the evaporative media.

Also in accordance with the present invention, a mobile impeller fan blade assembly is disclosed that includes a portable housing with an upper end, with a lower end opposing the upper end of the housing, with a front housing surface defining an air outlet, defining an air inlet, with a rear housing surface opposing the front surface, defining an internal upstream air-flow channel, defining an internal downstream air flow channel, defining a liquid tank and configured to house a liquid therein, and having a pump disposed within the liquid tank, an evaporative media housed within the portable housing, interposed between the air inlet and the internal upstream air-flow channel, and of a porous material configured to retain a liquid substance therein, wherein the pump is operably configured to pump the liquid from the liquid tank onto the evaporative media, an air filter selectively removably retained by the portable housing and interposed between the air inlet and the evaporative media, and an impeller fan motor assembly retained within the portable housing, defining an inlet aperture, and with a motor electrically couplable to a power source and operably coupled to a plurality of fan blades interposed between the internal upstream air-flow channel and the internal downstream channel, each of a backward curved configuration, and operably configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein the impeller fan motor assembly defines a centrifugally configured outlet aperture relative to an axis of rotation and interposed between the internal downstream channel and the plurality of fan blades and is operably configured to induce an airflow sequentially into the portable housing through the air inlet, through the evaporative media, through the internal upstream air-flow channel, through the inlet aperture, through the centrifugally configured outlet aperture, through the internal downstream channel, and through the air outlet.

Other features that are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user’s perspective of the enclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. Unless otherwise stated herein, approximately may at least be interpreted as +/- 5mm if expressed in mm and +/- 2% if expressed in percentage. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the enclosure, or in direction spanning from the air intake to the air outlet of the housing, wherein “traverse” should be understood to mean in a side-to-side direction or 180° +/- 10° relative to the longitudinal direction. The terms “program,” “software application,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program,” “computer program,” or “software application” may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. The attached figures are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 1-6 are perspective views of a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded view of a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded view of a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11-12 are views of a louver member utilized with a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in various configurations in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13-20 are various elevational and perspective views of a mobile impeller fan blade assembly, with exemplary dimensions, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 22-31 are various views of an impeller fan motor assembly utilized with a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 32-33 are various views of an evaporative media utilized with a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 depicts a perspective view of a filter utilized with a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 35-36 depicts an elevational view and perspective view, respectively, of a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a block diagram depicting electrical and/or mechanical components communicatively coupled to one another in a mobile impeller fan blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of a duct coupled to the portable housing in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The invention described herein provides a mobile impeller fan blade assembly that overcomes known disadvantages of those known devices and methods of this general type and that generates evaporative cooling airflow and climate-controlled cooling. Specifically, most known fan assemblies that are configured to generate evaporative cooling airflows are loud, require oscillation, and inefficient. Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a mobile or portable impeller fan blade assembly, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Referring now to the figures, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in various views. The figures show several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a mobile impeller fan blade assembly 100, as shown in the figures, includes a portable housing 102 operably configured to be transported, e.g., with wheels 200, 202, and/or with apertures 204, 206 spanning laterally on the housing 102 shaped and sized to receive forklift forks (as depicted in FIG. 4). The housing 102 may also beneficially include one or more handles to maneuver the housing 102 around. The housing 102 is preferably 72in. in height, 48in. in longitudinal length, and 30in. in transverse width. The housing 102 is preferably of a rigid durable polymeric material that has a weight of approximately 3151bs when not filled with any liquid.

The housing 102 includes an upper end 104, a lower end 106 opposing the upper end 104 of the housing 102, a front housing surface 108 defining an air outlet 112, and can also be seen defining an air inlet 500 that may be defined by a rear housing surface 502 opposing the front surface 108, defining an internal upstream air-flow channel 300 (wherein channels are defined by walls within the housing 102), and defining an internal downstream air flow channel 706. The portable housing 102 includes an open configuration (as exemplified in FIG. 3 by using a hinge member separating two piece of the portable housing 102) where a user can beneficially access the internal components quickly and easily (for, e.g., removable, insertion, and/or maintenance). The internal upstream airflow channel 300 may be exposed for beneficially accessing an evaporative media 302 (as best depicted in FIGS. 32-33) retained within the housing 102 and/or a base 114 of the assembly 100, wherein the base 114 may house and retain a liquid tank 708 for supplying liquid, e.g., water, to the evaporative media 302. The liquid tank 708 may hold approximately 60g or 227L of liquid therein. The evaporative media 704 is housed within the portable housing 102, interposed between the air inlet 500 and the internal upstream air-flow channel 300, and is of a porous material configured to retain a liquid substance therein. . Siad another way, the evaporative media 302 includes spaces or holes, that are preferably small, through which liquid or an air may pass (thereby cooling the incoming ambient air — exemplified in FIG. 7). With reference to FIGS. 32-33, the evaporative media 704 may be of paper material, e.g., wood, pulp cellulose, etc., a phenol formaldehyde resin, or a sponge material. Beneficially, the evaporative media 704 may be of thickness, preferably a uniform thickness, of approximately 6-24in. through which all of the air flows. Said another way, because the suction produced by the impeller fan motor assembly 700 is greater than most (if not all) fan assemblies used in an evaporative cooling assembly, the assembly 100 is beneficially able to utilize more durable and larger evaporative media 704 that many users prefer and permits more liquid to be retained and/or absorbed therein.

The housing 102 may include a front housing surface 108, a rear housing surface 502 opposing the front surface 108, and a front louver member 110 forming at least a portion of the front housing surface 108 and defining an air outlet 112. The front louver member 110 may be selectively translatable on a track and/or removable to permit attachment of a flexible duct 208 (as exemplified in FIG. 2) for pointed and proximal distribution of airflow. Siad another way, the front louver member 110 is translatably coupled the portable housing 102 and configured to have a position along a front louver translation path to cover the air outlet 112 and a position without covering the air outlet 112 so as to connect the duct 208 without structurally inhibiting the same.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 11-12, the front louver member 110 defines an air outlet 112 that may be configured (via selective removal, inversion, and coupling of the front louver member 110 to the housing 102) to provide a wide airflow distribution or a concentrated airflow distribution (depending on the user’s desired application). The front louver member 110 beneficially includes a plurality of slats or fins 1104a-n (wherein “n” represents any number greater than one) that each include a first fin end 1100, a second fin end 1102 opposing the first fin end 1100, and a fin length separating the first and second fin ends 1100, 1102, wherein the plurality of fins 1104a-n span from one side 304 of the front louver member 110 to another opposing side 306 of the front louver member 110.

The front louver member 110 may define a center median axis, wherein the plurality of fins 1104a-n may be symmetrically disposed and configured with respect to the center median axis. Said another way, the plurality of fins 1104a-n along a louver member length separating the sides 304, 306 may include one side with the second fin end 1102 curved in one direction and the first fin end 1100 disposed in a linear orientation and another side with the second fin end 1102 curved in an opposite direction to the second fin end 1102 on the opposing side and the first fin end 1100 disposed in a linear orientation. Said differently, the center portion of the front louver member 110 on opposing sides of the front louver member 110 are linear and, on one side of the front louver member 110, the plurality of fins 1104a-n are curved in opposing or diverging directions away from one another, and on another opposing side of the front louver member 110, the plurality of fins 1104a-n are all parallel to one another and linearly aligned. As such, one side of the front louver member 110 includes opposing curved orientations that enables a “wide” airflow distribution and an opposing side of the front louver member 110 includes linear orientations plurality of fins 1104a-n that enables a “power” or “linear” airflow distribution that provides a higher airflow velocity than the wide airflow distribution. The louver member 110 may include a symmetrically curved slats changing to straight louver slats and the flappable to a straight louver slats, thereby providing pinpoint air distribution and dispersed air, e.g., to a room. In one embodiment, the louver member 110 may also be removable and have ducting coupled thereto for supply air to a particular area.

In one embodiment, the housing 102 may define (with internal housing walls) an internal downstream air flow channel 706 interposing the air outlet 112 and the internal upstream air-flow channel 300, and also defines an air inlet 500 fluidly coupled to the housing air-flow channel 300 and the air outlet 112. In one embodiment, an air filter 702 is beneficially housed within or otherwise coupled to the portable housing 102, that is fluidly coupled to the internal housing air-flow channel 300, disposed proximal to and disposed in an overlapping relationship with the air inlet 500, and disposed in an interposing relationship with the air inlet 500 and an evaporative media 704 housed within the portable housing 102 and fluidly coupled to the internal housing air-flow channel 300. Because of the suction beneficially caused by the impeller fan motor assembly 700, the assembly 100 is able to allow users to add one or more filter(s) 702 (e.g., HEPA filters) before the evaporative media, which are very usually expensive and prone to replacement in harsh environments if a filter upstream of the evaporative media 704 is not utilized. With reference briefly to FIG. 34, the filter(s) 702 may also be a standard or conventional filter (e.g., 20in. x 20in. x lin.) that are widely available and preferred for many users, which most known evaporative cooling assemblies are unable to utilize due to the lack of suction generated and configuration by the fan in known evaporative cooling assemblies.

To that end, the evaporative media 704, e.g., a membrane system or member operable configured to absorb a liquid, is able to receive a liquid and, because of the low suction pressure generated by the impeller fan motor assembly 700, is of a porous configuration enabling liquid or air mass to be transported therethrough with little degradation or drop in airflow velocity (that would gas/air that includes liquid/water droplets) through the housing 102 and out through the louver member 110. The evaporative media 704 is beneficially kept moist/wet through utilization of a liquid circulation pump and conduit assembly. Specifically, a pump may be located within the base 114 and/or liquid (e.g., water) tank 708 that houses a liquid supply and induces a flow of liquid from the water tank onto the top (or other surface) of the evaporative media 704. Liquid that pools beneath the evaporative media 704 may be filtered before entering the liquid tank 708.

Beneficially and with reference to FIG. 9 and FIGS. 22-31 and FIG. 37, the impeller fan motor assembly 700 is housed within the portable housing 102 and fluidly coupled to the internal housing air-flow channel 300 and the air outlet 112. The impeller fan motor assembly 700 is electrically couplable to a power source (e.g., a battery and/or an alternating-current source/driver). The impeller fan motor assembly 700 may define an inlet aperture 2400 and may have a motor 2100 operably coupled to a plurality of fan blades 2102a-n that are operably configured to induce a high-pressure airflow through the air outlet 112 and the internal downstream channel 706 and a low-pressure airflow through the air filter 702, the evaporative media 704, and the internal housing air-flow channel 300. The motor 2100 may utilize approximately 100-1, 000W of power and may require approximately 120-22-V input voltage. The impeller fan motor assembly 700 is able to generate these beneficial pressures because it preferably utilizes a “backward curved fan” (that is typically utilized when desiring to exhaust environments). Said another way, an impeller fan motor assembly 700 is retained within the portable housing 102, defines an inlet aperture 2400, with a motor 2100 electrically couplable to a power source 3702 and operably coupled to a plurality of fan blades 2102a-n interposed between the internal upstream air-flow channel 300 and the internal downstream channel 706 and operably configured to rotate about an axis of rotation 2104, and defining a centrifugally configured outlet aperture 2200 relative to an axis of rotation and interposed between the internal downstream channel 706 and the plurality of fan blades 2102a-n. To that end, the fan motor assembly 700 may include plate walls that define air is transported only through the centrifugally configured outlet aperture 2200 and into the internal downstream channel 706 located proximal thereto, wherein “proximal” is defined as at or near (within approximately 6 in. from) the referencing structure or surface. The internal configuration of the fan motor assembly 700 produces a noise level of approximately 59dB, which is also very low amount when compared to other known assemblies.

The backward curved fan is operably configured to block approximately 80% of the evaporative media 704 and still get high airflow. To that end, the airflow through the louver member 110 may be approximately 500-13, 000CFM (but is preferably 12,500CFM) may generate pressures ranging from approximately 400-600 PA, and generate an impeller blade speed of approximately 500-2000RPM. The fan assembly 700 may be also configured to generate an air velocity of approximately 40mph, which is very rare for known evaporative cooling assemblies. The assembly 100 is also configured to cover approximately 2, 500-3, 000ft² area, which is also very rare for known evaporative cooling assemblies. As such, the impeller fan motor assembly 700 is operably configured to generate a nearvacuum pressure in the internal upstream air-flow channel 300. The impeller fan motor assembly 700 may include a bracket retaining a motor that is beneficially configured within the housing 102 such that the inlet aperture 2400 faces the internal housing air-flow channel 300 and the plurality of fan blades 2102a-n are below the internal downstream air flow channel 706. The backward curved fan (blade) of the impeller enables the flow produced in a radial direction because the impeller develops static pressure across the longer length of blade. On the front side of the blade a positive pressure is generated pushing the air outwards and on the reverse side of the blade a negative pressure is generated. This negative pressure draws air into the space so that the front side of the following blade picks this air up and pushes it outwards. With reference to FIGS. 36-37, another embodiment of a mobile impeller fan blade assembly 3600 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the guard or louver 3602 covering the air outlet is operably configured to oscillate using, for example, a motor and/or gear assembly coupled thereto. In another embodiment, the louver 3602 configured to oscillate manual and possibly locked in place using, for example, a fastener. The path of oscillation may be lateral, i.e., left and right, and may be planar oscillation. Additionally, the path of oscillation may be diagonally or longitudinal (i.e., up and down), wherein the angle of oscillation may be modulated by the user, or automatically with an electronic device communicatively coupled to the motor, by rotating the louver 3602. The oscillation thereby increases the coverage of the fan. In another embodiment of the present invention that may not utilize a rotating lover assembly, a second set of adjustable louvers can be utilized and provided that are operably configured to direct air flow up or down (i.e., longitudinal). The oscillation may be approximately 70° in horizontal movement or approximately 45° in vertical movement.

When desired for use in one embodiment (as best seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 38), the duct 208 may be preferably selectively coupled to the portable housing 102, wherein the duct 208 is of a flexible material (e.g., a fabric material) that can be beneficially moved around to a desired location (even attached to rafters or walls). The duct 208 defines one or more duct aperture(s) 210a-n, wherein “n” represents any number greater than one. The duct 208 is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the portable housing 102, preferably in a hermetically sealed configuration with one or more gasket(s). The duct 208 covers the air outlet 112, such that the impeller fan motor assembly 700 is operably configured to induce an airflow sequentially into the portable housing 102 through the air inlet 500, through the evaporative media 704, through the internal upstream air-flow channel 300, through the inlet aperture 2400, through the centrifugally configured outlet aperture 2200, through the internal downstream channel 706, and through the air outlet 112 into the duct 208 for discharge through the at least one duct aperture 210a-n. In one embodiment, the duct 208 includes a first terminal end 3800, a second terminal end 3802 opposing the first terminal end 3800, a duct length 3804 separating the first and second terminal ends 3800, 3802 of the duct 208, and a plurality of duct apertures 210a-n spaced apart from one another along the duct length 3804 through which the airflow is discharged. In one embodiment, the duct length 3804 may be approximately 10- 50ft., but may be longer in some other embodiments and due to the significant airflow generated by the assembly 100. In one embodiment, the second terminal end 3802 is covered, such that all air flows through the duct apertures 210a-n. In one embodiment, the duct aperture(s) 210a-n are narrow in a static state and opened when airflow through the duct 208 (i.e., in a dynamic state).

In one embodiment, the plurality of duct apertures 210a-n are uniformly and continuously spaced apart from one another along the duct length 3804, e.g., every 6-12in. along the duct length 3804, wherein the duct aperture(s) 210a-n may be approximately l-6in. in diameter and may be of a circular or oblong shape. The housing 102 can be seen having an annular port defining and enclosing the air outlet 112, wherein the duct 208 is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the annular port in a hermetically sealed configuration. Further, the duct 208 is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the portable housing 102 in a hermetically sealed configuration.

Additionally, the assembly 100 includes an electronic controller 3700 communicatively coupled to the motor 2100, operably configured to selectively control the rotation of the plurality of fan blades 2102a-n about the axis of rotation 2104, and operably configured to generate a plurality of fan mode operations that includes an off mode without any fan rotation, an on mode with a fan rotation generating an airflow velocity, and an auto-dry mode with a fan rotation generating an airflow velocity less than the airflow velocity when in the on mode. As such, the controller 3700 is operably configured to “AutoDry” the evaporative media 704 by running the fan assembly 700 on low power to ensure the evaporative media 704 is dry to prevent harmful buildup.

Additionally, housing 102 is preferably sealed, watertight or hermetically, to protect against rain and dust. Beneficially, the housing 102 may also include one or more LED(s), e.g., an LED indicator 116, that may be communicatively coupled to the controller 3700. The LED indicator may display system status notification(s) and doubles as a customizable ambient light. For example, if the liquid in the liquid tank 708 needs replacement or is running low, the ambient light may change colors (compared to, for example, a green light if the assembly 100 is functioning properly and a red light if the assembly 100 is not functioning properly), thereby providing a subtle alert to the user. Said another, the assembly 100 onboard controller/computer 3700 may also constantly monitor the surrounding environment with one or more sensor(s). FIG. 37 depicts dashed lines representing wireless or wired communication paths enabling communication between electrical components. Additionally, the controller 3700 is configured to receive an indicator of an outside ambient temperature (e.g., using a thermocouple) and ascertain when a maximum cooling level has been reached, wherein the controller 3700 can control the pump 3704 to automatically adjusts water usage to save energy and preserve the lifespan of the evaporative media.

Exemplary dimensions of the assembly are depicted in the figures, namely FIGS. 13-21, but other dimensions may be utilized. Although a specific order of executing process steps has been disclosed and depicted herein, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more steps shown or described as occurring in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps can be combined into a single process.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above-described features.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A mobile impeller fan blade assembly comprising: a portable housing with an upper end, with a lower end opposing the upper end of the housing, with a front housing surface defining an air outlet, defining an air inlet, with a rear housing surface opposing the front surface, defining an internal upstream air-flow channel, and defining an internal downstream air flow channel; an evaporative media housed within the portable housing, interposed between the air inlet and the internal upstream air-flow channel, and of a porous material configured to retain a liquid substance therein; an impeller fan motor assembly retained within the portable housing, defining an inlet aperture, with a motor electrically couplable to a power source and operably coupled to a plurality of fan blades interposed between the internal upstream air-flow channel and the internal downstream channel and operably configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and defining a centrifugally configured outlet aperture relative to an axis of rotation and interposed between the internal downstream channel and the plurality of fan blades; and a duct of a flexible material, defining at least one duct aperture, and operably configured to selectively removably couple to the portable housing to cover air outlet, the impeller fan motor assembly operably configured to induce an airflow sequentially into the portable housing through the air inlet, through the evaporative media, through the internal upstream air-flow channel, through the inlet aperture, through the centrifugally configured outlet aperture, through the internal downstream channel, and through the air outlet into the duct for discharge through the at least one duct aperture.

2. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 1, wherein the duct further comprises: a first terminal end, a second terminal end opposing the first terminal end, a duct length separating the first and second terminal ends of the duct, and a plurality of duct apertures spaced apart from one another along the duct length through which the airflow is discharged.

3. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of duct apertures are uniformly and continuously spaced apart from one another along the duct length.

4. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 1, wherein the duct is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the portable housing in a hermetically sealed configuration.

5. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fan blades are each of a backward curved configuration.

6. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: an air filter selectively removably retained by the portable housing and interposed between the air inlet and the evaporative media.

7. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 1, wherein the evaporative media is disposed proximal to the air inlet.

8. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 1, wherein the portable housing further comprises: an annular port defining and enclosing the air outlet, wherein the duct is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the annular port in a hermetically sealed configuration.

9. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a front louver member translatably coupled the portable housing and configured to have a position along a front louver translation path to cover the air outlet.

10. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: an electronic controller communicatively coupled to the motor, operably configured to selectively control the rotation of the plurality of fan blades about the axis of rotation, and operably configured to generate a plurality of fan mode operations that includes an off mode without any fan rotation, an on mode with a fan rotation generating an airflow velocity, and an auto-dry mode with a fan rotation generating an airflow velocity less than the airflow velocity when in the on mode.

11. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a liquid tank defined by the portable housing and configured to house a liquid therein; and a pump operably configured to pump the liquid from the liquid tank onto the evaporative media.

12. A mobile impeller fan blade assembly comprising: a portable housing with an upper end, with a lower end opposing the upper end of the housing, with a front housing surface defining an air outlet, defining an air inlet, with a rear housing surface opposing the front surface, defining an internal upstream air-flow channel, defining an internal downstream air flow channel, defining a liquid tank and configured to house a liquid therein, and having a pump disposed within the liquid tank; an evaporative media housed within the portable housing, interposed between the air inlet and the internal upstream air-flow channel, and of a porous material configured to retain a liquid substance therein, wherein the pump is operably configured to pump the liquid from the liquid tank onto the evaporative media; an air filter selectively removably retained by the portable housing and interposed between the air inlet and the evaporative media; and an impeller fan motor assembly retained within the portable housing, defining an inlet aperture, and with a motor electrically couplable to a power source and operably coupled to a plurality of fan blades interposed between the internal upstream air-flow channel and the internal downstream channel, each of a backward curved configuration, and operably configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, the impeller fan motor assembly defining a centrifugally configured outlet aperture relative to an axis of rotation and interposed between the internal downstream channel and the plurality of fan blades and operably configured to induce an airflow sequentially into the portable housing through the air inlet, through the evaporative media, through the internal upstream air-flow channel, through the inlet aperture, through the centrifugally configured outlet aperture, through the internal downstream channel, and through the air outlet.

13. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 12, further comprising: a duct of a flexible material, defining at least one duct aperture, and operably configured to selectively removably couple to the portable housing to cover air outlet, the impeller fan motor assembly operably configured to induce the airflow through the air outlet into the duct for discharge through the at least one duct aperture.

14. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 13, wherein the duct further comprises: a first terminal end, a second terminal end opposing the first terminal end, a duct length separating the first and second terminal ends of the duct, and a plurality of duct apertures spaced apart from one another along the duct length through which the airflow is discharged.

15. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of duct apertures are uniformly and continuously spaced apart from one another along the duct length.

16. The mobile impeller fan blade assembly according to claim 12, wherein the duct is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the portable housing in a hermetically sealed configuration.