Abstract:
Animal health and wellbeing is of significance to our society, whether the animal is wild or domesticated. Many humans have practiced methods to secure animal interests in both their natural habitats and in modern day society/homes. The presented device is designed around these principles for the wellbeing and humane treatment of the animal, while it is being caged, crated, and/or kenneled. The invention is a portable unit that may be added/attached universally to the outside of any cage, crate, kennel or specialized porous animal pad, and provide air conditioning for the animal within the enclosure. The invention is powered by either a DC or AC supply, so it may be used in the home and on the road. The complete device conceived as “Kool Kennel” and/or “Kool Kushion”, consists of a thermoelectric Peltier Module used for cooling and/or heating the ambient air “The KK Module” along with various air diffusers to connect the regulated air to the animal crate or pad. The KK Module and air diffusers comes with Velcro mounting brackets, and a flexible insulating enclosure covering, to prevent heat exchange between the animal enclosure and surroundings.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/839,575, filed on Aug. 24, 2006, entitled “Portable and Adaptable Animal Cage, Crate and Kennel Air Conditioning Device: KOOL KENNEL,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/899,250, filed on Feb. 2, 2007, entitled “Portable and Adaptable Animal Cage, Crate, Kennel and Mat Air Conditioning Device: KOOL KENNEL &amp; KOOL KUSHION.” The entire teachings of the above application(s) are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Pets are often kept in cages, crates and kennels when traveling with their owners to protect both the pet and the general public. Kennels or crates are also used to store pets when in stationary locations away for their home. For example, it is common for pets to be stored in a crate or kennel for significant periods of time while at events such as the numerous dog shows that occur throughout the country. Due to space limitations in the venues where the shows are held, kennels are often stored in close proximity in areas with less than ideal air temperature control. These environmental conditions may result in excessively high temperatures that may be hazardous to the pets. The ability to protect pets from excessive temperature extremes would be beneficial to the pet&#39;s health as well as their owner&#39;s well being.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     An apparatus to provide conditioned air to an enclosure adapted to house a pet according to an example embodiment of the invention may include a cushion adapted to fit into in the base of a pet enclosure. The cushion may have a ventilation layer within a substantially air-tight compartment having an inlet duct for accepting airflow into the ventilation layer and a plurality of outlet openings for exhausting conditioned air to the cushion surface. The example apparatus may include a portable air conditioning unit that has an air intake port, a thermoelectric module, an exhaust port, and a fan positioned to move air from the intake port, across the thermoelectric module, and out the exhaust port. The example apparatus may further include an air diffuser coupled between the exhaust port and the cushion inlet duct so that conditioned air is delivered to the cushion&#39;s outlet openings, and a power supply unit configured to provide power to the thermoelectric module and the fan. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]     The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a portable Air Conditioning (AC) unit and a variety of air diffusers according to an example embodiment of the invention.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating the portable AC unit air diffusers of  FIG. 1  shown from a different angle according to an example embodiment of the invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is a drawing illustrating a portable AC unit and an air diffusing pad according to an example embodiment of the invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  is a drawing illustrating the portable AC unit diffusing cushion shown from a different angle according to an example embodiment of the invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating an example embodiment of the invention as attached to an animal enclosure or as attached to a ventilated cushion.  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  is a drawing illustrating the invention of  FIG. 5  shown from a different angle according to an example embodiment.  
         [0011]      FIG. 7  is a drawing illustrating an example embodiment of the invention employing a thermal cover to prevent heat or cooling loss or gain.  
         [0012]      FIG. 8  is a drawing illustrating an example embodiment of the invention and thermal cover of  FIG. 7  shown from a different angle.  
         [0013]      FIG. 9  is mechanical diagram of an AC unit with labeled parts according to an example embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are electrical diagrams of an example embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 11  is diagram depicting an interior view of an air diffusing pad according to an example embodiment of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 12, 13 , and  14  illustrate alternative example embodiments of a portable AC unit.  
         [0017]      FIG. 15  is a drawing illustrating example embodiments of power sources for powering the portable AC unit. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     A description of example embodiments of the invention follows.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a Kool Kennel™ portable Air Conditioning (AC) unit  100 ,  200  according to an example embodiment of the present invention. (Kool Kennel™ is a trademark of Kool Kennel, LLC. of Tewksbury, Mass.) The Kool Kennel™ (KK) module  100 ,  200  is a stand-alone air conditioning (AC) device that may be attached to or hung from a pet enclosure (not shown) without modifying the enclosure itself.  
         [0020]     In the example embodiment, the portable AC unit  100 ,  200  may comprise an AC module  105 ,  205  and an air diffuser  10   a - c ,  210 . Air enters the portable AC unit  105 ,  205  via an intake duct  115 ,  215  and exits via an exhaust duct  220 . The air diffuser  110   a - c ,  210  may be constructed in a variety of shapes and lengths and is coupled to the exhaust duct  220  such that conditioned air flows from the exhaust duct  220  through the air diffuser  110   a - c ,  210  and out at least one exhaust port  225   a - c . Alternatively, the portable AC unit  105 ,  205  may be used alone (i.e., without the air diffuser  110   a - c ,  210 ).  
         [0021]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a Kool Kushion™  305 ,  405  used in conjunction with the portable AC unit  310 ,  410  according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The Kool Kushion™ is a pet cushion adapted for use in a pet enclosure and is described below in further detail in conjunction with  FIG. 11 . The exhaust duct  320  of the portable AC unit  305 ,  405  may be coupled directly to the cushion  305 ,  405 , via an inlet port  315 .  
         [0022]     Hence, in this configuration ambient air is drawn into the portable AC unit&#39;s  310  intake duct  325 , heated or cooled as it flows past a thermoelectric module (not shown), exits the exhaust duct  320 , and further flows to the cushion  305  where the conditioned air may exit a plurality of outlet openings  330  in the cushion. In an alternative embodiment, an air diffuser (not shown) may be coupled between the portable AC Unit&#39;s  310 ,  410  exhaust duct  320  and the cushion&#39;s  305 ,  405  inlet port  315  to allow for a variety of placement options of the portable AC unit  310 ,  410 .  
         [0023]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a pet enclosure  505 ,  605  employing example embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, a pet cushion  525 ,  625  is adapted for placement in the pet enclosure  505 ,  605  and the portable AC unit  515 ,  615  may be placed, for example, on the ground adjacent to the pet enclosure  505 ,  605 . The portable AC unit  515 ,  615  may be connected directly to the cushion  525 ,  625  or alternatively, an air diffuser  520 ,  620  may be coupled between the portable AC unit  515 ,  615  and the pet cushion  525 ,  625 .  
         [0024]     The portable AC unit  530  and diffuser(s)  535  may have Velcro mounting strips or similar mechanical mounting technique (not shown) that may allow it to be attached to the ventilation/grating or similar attachment point of the pet enclosure  505  allowing the portable AC unit  530  to be attached to the pet enclosure  505  without complicated mounting procedures as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0025]     Thus, the portable AC unit  515 ,  530 ,  615 , alone or optionally coupled to an air diffuser  535 , comprise one embodiment whereby a complete air conditioning system may be attached to the pet enclosure or rested on the ground to provide conditioned air. In an alternative embodiment, the portable AC unit  515 ,  530 ,  615 , pet cushion  525 ,  625 , and optional air diffusers  520 ,  620  comprise a complete air conditioning system adapted for use with a cushion designed to fit within the pet enclosure  505 ,  605 . In another embodiment, the portable AC unit  515 ,  530 ,  615  and cushion  525 ,  625  may be removed from the pet enclosure  505 ,  605  for use outside the pet enclosure to provide conditioned air in a manner similar to that described herein.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the use of a thermal insulating material  705 ,  805  used in conjunction with a pet enclosure  730 ,  830  employed with the present invention. In this embodiment, a pet cushion  725 ,  825  adapted for use with the portable air conditioning unit  715 ,  815  may be placed within the pet enclosure  730 ,  830 . Alternatively, or in addition, a portable AC unit  710  may be mounted to the pet enclosure  730 ,  830  itself as was described above with reference to  FIG. 5 .  
         [0027]     The thermal insulator and reflective covering  705 ,  805 , such as an insulating blanket or other thermally resistant material may be adapted to substantially cover, for example, the top, sides, back, and optionally front or bottom surfaces of the enclosure  730 ,  830  to insulate the enclosure thereby reducing undesirable heat loss or gain. The covering  705 ,  805  may also reflect solar energy if the system is to be used outdoors. In one embodiment, the covering&#39;s outer layer may be made from a Scotchlite™ fabric and inner, crate side layer may be made of Thinsulate™ insulation. (Scotchlite™ and Thinsulate™ are registered trademarks of 3M Company, Minneapolis, Minn.)  
         [0028]     Thus, the complete Kool Kennel™ and Kool Kushion™ system is easily mounted/hung/placed on the outside/inside of any cage, crate, or kennel, or other enclosure to provide air conditioning for the animal within the enclosure.  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a mechanical drawing illustrating various components comprising a portable AC unit  900  according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The portable AC unit  900  may comprise a module housing  920  that includes a fan and air intake  905 , thermoelectric module  910 , exhaust air duct  915 , attachment point for an air diffuser  930 , and the unit&#39;s associated electronics  925  (e.g., circuit breaker, power switch, power attachment, temperature control, etc.). An air filter (not shown) may be provided, such as one coupled to the fan and air intake  905 , and may be permanently mounted or easily replaced. In this embodiment, the fan may be used to draw ambient air into the air intake duct  905  and past the thermoelectric module  910  where the air is heated and cooled. The heated air then flows to the exhaust air vent  915  where it may, for example, exit the portable AC unit  900 . The cooled air flows to the exhaust duct  930  where an air diffuser or cushion maybe coupled to further direct the conditioned air.  
         [0030]     In an example embodiment, the portable AC unit&#39;s housing has a male/female (lock and key) slide-in diffuser connection as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 9  (also made clear in  FIGS. 5-8 ) which allows for the cooled/heated air to enter the enclosure in a user determined/prefabricated direction. The diffusers of various length and shape are made from the same material as the portable AC unit&#39;s housing (e.g., high strength plastic) which is molded to the forms shown. The diffusers hollow tube design is the male mate to the output of the portable AC unit to direct the conditioned air to a desired location or to a cushion. The portable AC unit&#39;s output (female connection) allows it to connect to various (male) air conditioned apparatuses as shown in  FIGS. 1-8 .  
         [0031]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  depict an electrical wiring diagram and schematic, respectively, of an example embodiment detailing the electrical components and corresponding connections used within a portable AC unit and includes a power source  1005 , power switch  1010 , electrical fuse  1015 , thermal fuse  1020 , thermoelectric module  1025 , and blower/fan  1030 .  
         [0032]     In this embodiment, a terminal of the power supply  1005  (e.g., positive) may be coupled to a user controlled power switch  1010  for use in providing power to the circuit. The other side of the power switch  1010  may be coupled to the electrical fuse  1015  (optionally resettable). The other side of the electrical fuse  1015  may be coupled to the thermal fuse  1020  and the blower  1030 . The thermal fuse  1020  may be used to prevent overheating. The other side of thermal fuse  1020  may then be connected to a thermoelectric module  1025 . One example of a thermoelectric module  1025  is a thermoelectric module, part number # 144 manufactured by Ferrotec Corporation USA, 33 Constitution Drive Bedford, N.H. 03110. The other side of the thermoelectric module  1025  may be connected to the other side of the blower  1030  and the other power supply terminal (e.g., negative), thus, completing the circuit.  
         [0033]     The portable AC unit&#39;s air conditioning mechanism is based on a thermoelectric module that employs the “Peltier” effect, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,971 B1, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0034]     The thermoelectric module  1025  is a semiconductor-based electronic component that operates like a small heat pump. When a power supply  1005  is connected to a thermoelectric module, the resulting current flow through the thermoelectric module causes heat to move through the module from one side to the other. Therefore, one side of the thermoelectric module  1025  will be cooled while the opposite side simultaneously is heated. However, if the polarity of the power supply voltage  1005  is reversed such that current flows in the other direction heat will move through the thermoelectric device in the opposite direction. Thus, the direction of current flow can determine whether a particular side of the thermoelectric module effectively cools or warms ambient air. Consequently, the portable AC unit may be used for both heating and cooling applications.  
         [0035]     The thermoelectric module  1025  may further include a copper heatsink (not shown) with protruding fins that is attached to one or both sides of the thermoelectric module  1025  such that the fins protrude into the air flow as the air is drawn from the input duct to the exhaust duct as shown in  FIG. 9 , for example.  
         [0036]     In still another embodiment, the portable AC system (e.g., Kool Kennel™ and Kool Kushion™) may include a temperature control unit (not shown) providing the ability to monitor and adjust the temperature of air provided by the portable AC unit by, for example, adjusting the magnitude and/or direction of current flow through the thermoelectric module. The air conditioning system may comprise multiple cooling/heating units combined into a single housing to provide additional BTU cooling/heating capacity.  
         [0037]     The Kool Kushion™ device&#39;s cushion is a soft pad made of three layers as shown in  FIG. 11 . The outer layer  1105  is composed of a porous and soft but rugged fabric. The inner layer  1110  is a plastic meshwork that resists compression and allows for the air from the portable AC unit to flow throughout the meshwork. The middle layer  1115  surrounds and seals the inner layer  1110  and controls the movement of thermally controlled air out pin holes in its walls and further out the outer layer  1105  providing conditioned air  1125  to the animal, even when the full weight of the pet is on the cushion, such as when the pet is sleeping or resting on the cushion.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 12, 13 , and  14  illustrate an example embodiment of an alternative housing for the portable AC unit. In this embodiment, the unit portable AC unit may be used in conjunction with a cushion as described above. Alternatively, the unit may be used in a stand alone configuration where, for example, it may be attached to a pet enclosure (e.g., cage, crate, or kennel), on the ground, or some other support mechanism. In yet another example embodiment, the portable AC unit may be used in other confined environmental spaces such as an automobile, truck cabin, boat, small office or room, etc.  
         [0039]      FIG. 15  is a block diagram illustrating different power supply sources for a portable AC unit  1505  according to an example embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the portable AC unit  1505  is powered by a 12 volt (V) Direct Current (DC) power supply, such as an adaptor  1520  connected to an automobile power port. For example, power may be provided by an electrical connection from an adapter  1520  inserted into a cigarette lighter receptacle (not shown) where the adapter  1520  is wired to a connector  1535  which is further coupled to a mating connector  1510  on the portable AC unit  1505 .  
         [0040]     Alternatively, power may be supplied by an Alternating Current to Direct Current (AC/DC) converter  1525 . Here, a standard plug  1530  may be plugged into a wall socket or similar outlet (not shown) that provides 110V or 220V. The outlet&#39;s output is converted to 12V DC via the AC/DC converter  1525  and further provided to the portable AC unit&#39;s  1505  mating connector  1510  via connector  1535 . In other embodiments, the portable AC unit  1505  may be powered by a battery, solar, wind, or other similar power supply sources known in the art. Power to the portable AC unit  1505  may be controlled via an on-off switch  1515 .  
         [0041]     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.