US3774410A

US3774410A - Portable air cooler and dehumidifier

Info

Publication number: US3774410A
Application number: US00154973A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Hans
Original assignee: AREA CONDITIONER CORP
Current assignee: AREA CONDITIONER CORP
Priority date: 1971-06-21
Filing date: 1971-06-21
Publication date: 1973-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-27

Abstract

A portable air cooler and dehumidifier, comprising at least one closed container enclosing a refrigerant having a latent heat of fusion value below that of ice, said container having at least one wall which serves as a heat exchanger, and at least one blower which causes relatively warm and humid ambient air to pass across said heat exchanger wall, thereby lowering the temperature of the ambient air below its dew point and condensing and removing at least some of its moisture content, and causing a flow of the relatively cooled and dehumidified air in a predetermined direction.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Hans [ Nov. 27, 1973 PORTABLE AIR COOLER AND DEHUMIDIFIER [75] Inventor: Daniel Hans, New York, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Area Conditioner Corp., New York,

[22] Filed: June 21, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 154,973

[52] US. Cl 62/426, 62/406, 62/430,

62/425 [51] Int. Cl. F25d 17/06 [58] Field of Search 62/406, 430, 529, 62/530, 426, 425

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 662,541 11/1900 Miskolczy 62/406 1,874,843 8/1932 Adler 1 62/426 2,067,004 1 1937 Spengler 62/406 2,134,881 11/1938 Mitchell 62/426 2,203,591 6/1940 Brown 62/530 2,378,087 6/1945 Kearney... 62/530 2,595,328 5/1952 Bowen 62/530 2,749,725 6/1956 Essman 62/426 Primary Examiner-William J. Wye Att0rneySamuel J. Stoll et a].

[5 7] ABSTRACT A portable air cooler and dehumidifier, comprising at least one closed container enclosing a refrigerant having a latent heat of fusion value below that of ice, said container having at least one wall which serves as a heat exchanger, and at least one blower which causes relatively warm and humid ambient air to pass across said heat exchanger wall, thereby lowering the temperature of the ambient air below its dew point and condensing and removing at least some of its moisture content, and causing a flow of the relatively cooled and dehumidified air in a predetermined direction.

9 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHUVZ? 1975 Q 3774.

SHEET 10F 3 22 20 20 22 W T 10 "H I 1 1 INVENTOR DAN/EL HA N5 IJ IQQHM ATTOR NEYJ' PMENTEDNHV 27 I975 SHEET 30F 3 INVENTOR DHN/EL HANS HTTOPNEYJ' :1 PORTABLE AIRCOOIJER AND DEHUMI-DIFIER BACKGROUND =OFTHE1NVENTION l Field of the invention: Localized .air cooling and dehumidifying meansfor 'relativelyushort duration use in-motorrvehicles, homes, offices; and the like.

.2. Description of the'Prior Art: Inthe course of a=preliminary search conductedprior to 1 the filing l of :this application, the following patents were" located:

Name Number Warren 1 644408 Madden l ,92 3 ;547 Malm 972,231 Timms l 2,207956 Lepper 2,557,004

Theseprior art air coolersnhowever, suffer from certain significant inherent disadvantages including the following:

l @Ice is-used as the primary refrigerant. Fhe normal operative temperature of ice cooled units is 32 -F. (understandard conditions )-and thiseistooi high for effective dehumidification of the :ambient. air.

2. Theice is, in mostcases, exposedto'the ainThis has the effect of increasing rather thanvdiminishing the .humidity iof the lair, since evaporation (or sublimation) unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a portable air coolerand dehumidifier which suffers from none of the aforementioned disadvantages of the priorart and, instead, .provides substantial advantages of itsown. Y One basic feature of the present invention resides'in its use of a refrigerant whose latent heat offusion value is farbelow that of water ice. The preferred refrigerant is a water solution of propylene glycol with a latentz'heat of fusion point in the range of 15 to 18 Fahrenheit,

depending upon the particular proportions used. This should be contrasted with the latent heat of fusion point of water ice which is 32 Fahrenheit. The significance of this feature in terms of dehumidification of the air may be seen in the fact that at 100 Fahrenheit, air holds 300 grains of .moisture,.at 70 it holds 1 10 grains, at 32 it holds 25 grains, and at it:holds 12 grains.

The present devicehas an initial temperature range between the temperature to which it is reduced in a freezer, e.g., zero degrees Fahrenheit, andits operative (heat-of fusion) temperature, e.g., 15 Fahrenheit. The time it takes to reach its operative temperature is a variable, depending upon itsB.T.U. capacity, the ambient airtemperatures, the volume-of air which is caused to flow across it, the extent of heat exchange surface .heat transfer and reducedefficiency ofthexcooling no which is exposed to the air, the extent of 'which'the device is otherwise insulated, and other conditions. In

preferred-forms of' the invention, in ambient air having a temperature of Fahrenheit, it takes 15 to 30 minutes for thettemperature-of'thepresent device to rise from zero to 15 Fahrenheit. During this initial period of its operation itprovides a strong but progressively diminishing cooling and dehumidifying action upon'the air which is caused to'flow across it.

The operative temperature ofpre ferred fromsof the -deviceis l"5'Fahrenheit, and this temperature is retained, and remains constant, for a period of time rang- 'ingfrom minutes to twohoursQDuring this period of its operation, the device provides strong'constant -codling'and dehumidifyingaction, although to a lesser \degree than in"the*iriitial' period above mentioned. This operative-temperature of 15 should be contrasted with the 32 operative temperatures of the prior art.

Another important feature A of the present invention resides in the fact'thatthe'refrigerant is confined within a'closed'or sealed container. This'prevents evaporation ofthe-ref1igerant into' the air. l-leat-exchangeis effected through a-'heat exchanger'only, thatis, 'through 'one or more walls of the refrigerant container. The result=is that the air which is brought into contact'or proximity 'with 'the heat exchange wall or walls is effectively caused to'loseheat and moisture, in sharp contrast to the'prior art devices whereinthe air is caused to absorb moisture from the refrigerant. Even where moisture is .condensed out ofthe air in prior art devices, such moistureis in large part reabsorbed and recirculated bythe alr.

Animportant feature of the present invention resides in the use of-insulation to confine the heat exchange action to the particular surface area which the induced current of air crosses. The result is a highly concentrated cooling action which derives its strength andlintensity from substantially the entire B.T.U. capacity of ;the=refrigerant. By contrast, prior art devices leak and diffuse -their cooling action through all of the heat'exchange walls of their refrigerant container.v

Another important feature of the present invention resides in its compact structure and proportions, so that it may be placed bodily in a home-type food freezer chest to freeze therefrigerant to the freezer chest temperature. 'Some of the prior art devices are not designed for this method of restoring the cooling capacity of the refrigerant. In most cases, the prior art air cooling devices are simply recharged with a new supply of ice in much the same manner as the ice boxes of an earlier age.

Another significant feature of the present invention resides in the angle of deflection of the air stream following its contact with the heat exchange surface area. Theair isinducted by'the spiral screw action of the fan blades (blower) and it is then drawn into an abrupt 1 10 turn in a concentrated stream to its forced draft direction. Centrifugal loss of excess moisture results because water is 800 times heavier than air. The excess moisture which is thereby removed from the air collects, in large part, upon the heat exchange surface of the device where it freezes, together with such dust, dirt and pollen which may be entrained therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front view of a portable air cooler and dehumidifier made in accordance with one preferred formoftheinvention. v

FIG. 2 is a back view thereof. FIG. 3 is a top view.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section on the line 44 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section on'the line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a portable air cooler and dehumidifier made in accordance with a second form of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a vertical section with the fan enclosure caps removed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing how the portable air cooler and dehumidifier of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 is mounted.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a portable air cooler and dehumidifier made in accordance with a third form of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a vertical section on the line 12'l2 of FIG. 1 1.

FIG. 13 is a horizontal section on the line'l3-13 of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the first embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawing, it will be seen that portable air cooler and dehumidifier 10 comprises a container 12, refrigerant 14 within said container and a motor-driven rotary fan 16 mounted on said refrigerant container 12. More particularly, refrigerant container 12 is, preferably, of generallyrectangular shape although this is not a critical feature of the invention. It has a flat bottom 18 so that it may stand on a flat horizontal surface. It may also be provided with other support means (not shown) for suspending it from an elevated support ormounting it on a vertical support or in any conventional manner and by any conventional means supporting said refrigerant container in any desired location and position.

Refrigerant container 12 is provided with a threaded neck 20 through which the refrigerant may be introduced into the container or drained therefrom, as desired. A threaded cap 22 engages the threaded neck 20 and serves as a closure therefor to seal the refrigerant in the container. A tunnel 24 is'formed through refrigerant container 12, the wall 26 of said tunnel constituting an inner wall of the container. The tunnel extends from front to back and, preferably, is open at both ends.

Rotary fan 16 comprises ablade assembly 28 and a motor 30 which drives said blade assembly through a shaft 32 which projects from the motor and on which the blade assembly is mounted. A mounting plate 34 of generally disc shape constitutes the front mounting element by which the motor is supported on the refrigerant container. A bracket 36 serves as'the' back mounting element for supporting said motor on said refrigerant container. As is clearly shown in FIG. 4, mounting plate 34 is formed with an outer peripheral flange 40, a recessed annular shoulder portion 42 within said annular; flange 40 and a central portion 44 which is also recessed but in the opposite direction from the recess of annular shoulder portion 42. As FIG. 4 'indicates, motor 30 nests within the center portion 44 and the annular shoulder portion 42 serves as an annular spacer between the motor and wall 26 of thetunnel. Annular peripheral flange 40 bears against the front wall 46 of the refrigerant container.

Mounting bracket 36 has a recessed center portion 50 which corresponds to recessed center portion 44 of mounting plate 34. Mounting bracket 36 is also provided with a pair of end flanges 52 which perform substantially the same function as annular flange 40 of the front mounting plate 34 except that they bear against the back wall 48 of the refrigerant container. Screws 54 interconnect the two mounting plates and wing nuts 56 lock said mounting plates against the front and back walls, respectively, of the refrigerant container. It is by this means that the motor-driven fan is supported on said refrigerant container. Other conventional means may be used to equal effect.

It will now be understood that refrigerant container 12 has at least one heat exchange wall, namely, front wall 46. The axis of rotation of the fan is the longitudinal axis of shaft 32 and it will be observed that said axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface of front heat exchange wall 46.

When the above-described device is in operation air is drawn inlaterally across the face of the front heat exchange wall 46 as indicated by arrows 60. More precisely the air is drawn toward the axial center of the fan and consequently it flows in radial paths substantially parallel to the front heat exchange wall. The air is then whipped around a turn and directed forwardly away from the front heat exchange wall, as indicated by arrows 62, in the form of a concentrated stream of generally conical formation. As the air is drawn across the front heat exchange wall of the refrigerant container the temperature of the air is lowered and its moisture content is in substantial degree condensed and thereby lost and a relatively cool and dehumidified air stream is blown by the fan toward the user of the device. Since the air stream is concentrated and localized its cooling effect is not diffused.

As has above been indicated, the refrigerant which is used in this device has a latent heat of fusion point considerably below that of water ice. Specifically, the latent heat of fusion point should not be higher than about 20 Fahrenheit. The temperature to which the refrigerant is reduced when placed in a freezer or conventional refrigerating device will depend entirely upon the temperature at which the freezer normally operates. For example, a domestic food freezer chest may operate at a temperature of 0 Fahrenheit. If so, the temperature of refrigerant 14 will be reduced to 0 Fahrenheit if the device is placed in the freezer chest and left there a sufficient period of time. The lower the temperature to which the refrigerant is reduced, the more efficiently does the device function and the longer is the duration of its functioning life.

Therefrigerant may be selected from the group consisting of glycerine, ethylene glycol and propylene glycoli The latter is preferred since it is a relatively safe composition, particularly of U.S.P. purity. The preferred proportions are approximately one-third propylene'glycoland two-thirds water, resulting in a latent heat of fusion point of approximately 18 Fahrenheit.

The proportions may be varied, as known. to the art, producing correspondingly different latent heat of fusion points. The refrigerant may also be a water-alcohol solution, preferably a water solution of ethyl alcohol in the proportions of about percent ethyl alcohol and 80 percent water, resulting in a latentheat of fusion point of approximately 20 Fahrenheit. If desired, the refrigerant may be a salt brine wherein the salt is selected from the class consisting of sodium and calcium chloride. When the salt is in the proportion of about 20 percent to 80 percent water the latent heat of fusion point is approximately 20 Fahrenheit.

Referring now to the second form of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 6-9, it will be observed that there are two

fan assemblies

70 and 72 instead of only one as in the first embodiment. These fan assemblies are mounted on a common shaft 74 which is rotatably supported in a bushing 76 which extends through a tubular formation 78 in refrigerant container 80. As is the case with tunnel26 in the first embodiment of the invention,

tubularfor'mation 78 provides an opening through the refrigerant container 80 but precludes escape of the refrigerant. A motor 82 drives the two fan assemblies through a pulley 84 on the motor shaft, a pulley 86 on the fan shaft 74 and a drive belt 88 which interconnects the two pulleys. As will be apparent, the two fans are caused to rotate in'the same angular direction. Their orientation is such that both fansfunction to drive the air in the same direction.

It will be observed that refrigerant container 80 is encased within a housing 90. This housing includes a front wall 92 and a back wall 94 which, in one form of the invention,may simply be snapped or held frictionally in place. The casing should provide insulation to protect the refrigerant and this may be achieved by means of an insulating lining 96 which is applied to the inner surface of the casing, including its front and back wall sections.

It will now be seen that casing 90provides support for motor 82. The motor is simply attached to the casing by means of'a screw 98 or other conventional fastening means. It will also be seen that

openings

100 and 102 are provided, respectively, in the front and back walls of the casing. Mounted within these openings are the two

fan assemblies

70 and 72. And finally it will be noted that an air space 104 is provided between the refrigerant container and the insulating lining of the casing. Spacers 106 between the refrigerant container and the insulating lining support said container. in such spacedposition within the casing.

The operation of the device will be understood from the foregoing description of its construction. When the fans are in operation,- air will be drawn into the casing through opening 102 by fan 72. The air will then be forced through air space 104 and around the refrigerant container, passing from the back of saidcontainer to the front. It will then be drawn out of air space 104 i by fan 70 and it will then be projected forwardly away from the front of the refrigerant container in the form of a concentrated air stream. Since the air has thereby been brought into contact with the several walls of the refrigerant container, and since these walls function as heat transfer elements, the temperature of the air will be caused to drop and much of its entrained moisture will be caused to condense out of the air. In consequence the air stream which flows through opening 100 and away from the refrigerant container will consist of relatively cooled and dehumiditied air.

It is important to insulate the refrigerant container prior to use in order to minimize the absorption of heat from the ambient air. The casing is itself insulated but openings and 102 should also be covered. This may, be done by means of removable covers 110 and 112 which frictionally engage flanges 114 and 116 around said

openings

100 and 102. These covers are lined, respectively, with insulating

walls

118 and 120. It will be evident that when covers 110 and 112 are positioned above flanges 114 and 116 said covers not only function as closures with respect to

openings

100 and 102 but also serve to protect the fan assemblies.

In the use of cooling device shown in FIGS. 6-9, it may be found desirable to suspend said device adjacent the user of thedevice, e.g., a driver of an automobile. In such case the device would be suspended by means of a flexible cord 122 or similar conventional means froma suitable support such as a plate 124 which is adhesively secured to the windshield of the automobile. Another cord element 126 may attach to the lower end of the cooler to another support below the dashborad of the automobile or the steering column or the like. This may also be done by means of an adhesively secured plate 128 or other conventional means. The position of the cooler may be adjusted by means of screw elements 130 which are provided with bumper elements 132 at their outer ends. These adjusting screws may be set to meet the individual requirements of a particular installation and a particular user. As an illustration, these adjusting screws and more particularly their bumper ends will rest against a dashboard 130 and thereby not only protect the dashboard but also properly position the cooler for efficient functioning and focused cooling effect.

The third form of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 10-13 comprises an insulated container containinga plurality of

refrigerant containers

142 ,and 144. Refrigerant containers 144 are conventional and may be purchased on the open market. In one arrangement of these refrigerant containers the larger containers 142 are placed in the bottom of receptacle 140, a metal plate 146 is then placed on said containers 142 and containers 144 are then placed on said plate 146. Containers 144 are arranged in a circle and a cup element 148 is placed within the circle. Motor 150 which drives fan 152 is secured to a plate 154 which corresponds, substantially, to plate 146. Plate 154 is placed upon'containers 144 and cup 148 and it will be observed that motor 150 is thereby inserted into said cup.-

The entire device is now in operative condition. Receptacle 140 has a cover 156 which would enclose the fan: and plate 154 when the unit is not in use but said cover may be swung into open position, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the device is to be used.

The form of invention shown in FIGS. 10-13 is intended for use when supported on a flat surface such as a floor, chair or table. It maybe placed on the seatof an automobile. This is also true of the first form of the invention but the supporting means which is shown in connection with the second form of the invention may also be applied to the first and third forms. In short, any conventional means of supporting or suspending any one of the three devices herein described and shown may be used. Applicant does not claim any specific supporting means.

It should also be understood that the type of motor used is determined by the nature of the power source. For example, if the device is to be used in an automobile having a 12 volt circuit, the motor would be a 12 volt direct current motor. If the device is to be used in the home having the usual 1 10 volt alternating current, the motor would be a l 10 volt alternating current motor. Alternatively, a 12 volt motor powered by a 110 volt circuit through a transformer may be used. All of these possibilities are conventional and known to the art.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier, comprismg:

a. a closed container having a heat exchange wall;

b. a refrigerant in said container having a latent heat of fusion point below that of water ice; and

c. a rotary fan situated adjacent said heat exchange wall to draw ambient air across said heat exchange wall and then direct the air in a concentrated stream away from said heat exchange wall;

d. the axis of rotation of the fan being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the heat exchange wall;

e. whereby ambient air is initially drawn across the heat exchange wall in paths substantially parallel to the plane of said heat exchange wall and radially toward the axial center of the fan; and

f. the air is then forced away from the heat exchange wall and caused to flow in a concentrated stream in a path substantially parallel to the axis of the fan and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the heat exchange wall.

2. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

a. the refrigerant is a solution of water and a latent heat of fusion depressant selected from the group consisting of glycerine, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol;

b. said solution having a latent heat of fusion point not higher than about Fahrenheit.

3. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

a. the refrigerant is a water solution of propylene glycol in the proportions of about two-thirds water and one-third propylene glycol; and

b. has a latent heat of fusion point of approximately 18 Fahrenheit.

4. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accordance claim 1, wherein:

a. the refrigerant is a water-alcohol solution;

b. having a latent heat of fusion point not higher than about 20 Fahrenheit.

5. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accordance with claim 4, wherein:

a. the refrigerant is an ethyl alcohol-water solution in the proportions of about 80 percent water and 20 percent ethyl alcohol; and

b. having a latent heat of fusion point of approximately 20 Fahrenheit.

dance with claim 1, wherein:

6. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accor-' a. the refrigerant is a salt brine in the proportions of about percent water and about 20 percent of a salt selected from the class consisting of sodium and calcium chloride; and

b. having a 'latent'heat of fusion point of approximately 20 Fahrenheit.

7. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

a. the closed refrigerant container is provided with a tunnel which is formed through the heat exchange wall;

b. said tunnel being sealed from communication with the refrigerant inside said container;

c. said rotary fan comprising a motor and blades driven thereby;

d. said motor being mounted in said tunnel and said blades being disposed outside of the tunnel and in a plane which substantially parallels the plane of the heat exchange wall.

8. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier, comprisa. a closed container having a heat exchange wall;

d. the closed refrigerant container being provided with at least two heat exchange walls, one in front and the other in back;

e. two rotary fans associated with said heat exchange walls, one fan in front, the other in the back;

f. motor drive means connected to said fans to cause the front fan to blow air away from the front heat exchange wall, and the back fan to blow air upon the back heat exchange wall; and

g. deflector means for deflecting to the front of the closed refrigerant container the air which is blown by the back fan upon the back heat exchange wall;

h. thereby augmenting the air stream produced by the front fan with the air stream produced by the back fan; and

i. augmenting the cooling action of the front heat exchange wall with the cooling action of the back heat exchange wall.

9. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier, comprisa. a closed container having a heat exchange wall;

(1. a plurality of closed refrigerant containers are provided; and

e. an insulated enclosure is provided to accommo' date said closed refrigerant containers and the rotary fan;

f. said insulated enclosure having a cover which can be opened to expose the rotary fan to the ambient all.

Claims

1. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier, comprising: a. a closed container having a heat exchange wall; b. a refrigerant in said container having a latent heat of fusion point below that of water ice; and c. a rotary fan situated adjacent said heat exchange wall to draw ambient air across said heat exchange wall and then direct the air in a concentrated stream away from said heat exchange wall; d. the axis of rotation of the fan being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the heat exchange wall; e. whereby ambient air is initially drawn across the heat exchange wall in paths substantially parallel to the plane of said heat exchange wall and radially toward the axial center of the fan; and f. the air is then forced away from the heat exchange wall and caused to flow in a concentrated stream in a path substantially parallel to the axis of the fan and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the heat exchange wall.

2. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accordance with claim 1, wherein: a. the refrigerant is a solution of water and a latent heat of fusion depressant selected from the group consisting of glycerine, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol; b. said solution having a latent heat of fusion point not higher than about 20* Fahrenheit.

3. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accordance with claim 2, wherein: a. the refrigerant is a water solution of propylene glycol in the proportions of about two-thirds water and one-third propylene glycol; and b. has a latent heat of fusion point of approximately 18* Fahrenheit.

4. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accordance claim 1, whereIn: a. the refrigerant is a water-alcohol solution; b. having a latent heat of fusion point not higher than about 20* Fahrenheit.

5. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accordance with claim 4, wherein: a. the refrigerant is an ethyl alcohol-water solution in the proportions of about 80 percent water and 20 percent ethyl alcohol; and b. having a latent heat of fusion point of approximately 20* Fahrenheit.

6. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accordance with claim 1, wherein: a. the refrigerant is a salt brine in the proportions of about 80 percent water and about 20 percent of a salt selected from the class consisting of sodium and calcium chloride; and b. having a latent heat of fusion point of approximately 20* Fahrenheit.

7. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier in accordance with claim 1, wherein: a. the closed refrigerant container is provided with a tunnel which is formed through the heat exchange wall; b. said tunnel being sealed from communication with the refrigerant inside said container; c. said rotary fan comprising a motor and blades driven thereby; d. said motor being mounted in said tunnel and said blades being disposed outside of the tunnel and in a plane which substantially parallels the plane of the heat exchange wall.

8. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier, comprising: a. a closed container having a heat exchange wall; b. a refrigerant in said container having a latent heat of fusion point below that of water ice; and c. a rotary fan situated adjacent said heat exchange wall to draw ambient air across said heat exchange wall and then direct the air in a concentrated stream away from said heat exchange wall; d. the closed refrigerant container being provided with at least two heat exchange walls, one in front and the other in back; e. two rotary fans associated with said heat exchange walls, one fan in front, the other in the back; f. motor drive means connected to said fans to cause the front fan to blow air away from the front heat exchange wall, and the back fan to blow air upon the back heat exchange wall; and g. deflector means for deflecting to the front of the closed refrigerant container the air which is blown by the back fan upon the back heat exchange wall; h. thereby augmenting the air stream produced by the front fan with the air stream produced by the back fan; and i. augmenting the cooling action of the front heat exchange wall with the cooling action of the back heat exchange wall.

9. A portable air cooler and dehumidifier, comprising: a. a closed container having a heat exchange wall; b. a refrigerant in said container having a latent heat of fusion point below that of water ice; and c. a rotary fan situated adjacent said heat exchange wall to draw ambient air across said heat exchange wall and then direct the air in a concentrated stream away from said heat exchange wall; d. a plurality of closed refrigerant containers are provided; and e. an insulated enclosure is provided to accommodate said closed refrigerant containers and the rotary fan; f. said insulated enclosure having a cover which can be opened to expose the rotary fan to the ambient air.