Abstract:
An apparatus and method for cooling air that utilizes a removable reservoir that may be filled with a consumable beverage or other cooled liquid or solid material. The bottom of the reservoir is made of a thermally conductive material that is placed within an air duct within a base unit that has a battery powered fan capable of drawing in warm air from outside of the base unit and cooling it by passing it over the thermally conductive material in a turbulent fashion and expelling it back into the surrounding environment. An expandable hose may also be included to direct the airflow in a desired direction or location. The unit may also include an alternative path for airflow such that the airflow may be heated. The unit may also be secured to an open air vehicle such as a golf cart to provide cooled or heated air for golf course patrons. Another important feature of the air conditioner is to provide a means to prevent unauthorized access to the contents of the reservoir as to prevent contamination of its contents.

Description:
The present invention is a continuation in part of earlier-filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/775,915 filed on Feb. 9, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to portable air conditioning units for golf carts. Specifically, the air conditioning unit cools, and even scents the surrounding air by ingesting the surrounding air and cooling it by fanning the air across a surface area that is in direct contact with liquid that is much cooler than the surrounding air so that the surface area temperature approaches that of the liquid. The unit also heats the surrounding air by ingesting outside air that is warmed as it passes through heated coils. The unit also functions as a liquid storage container that may be used to store drinking water or other consumable beverages. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Open-air golf carts are often utilized in extreme temperatures. For instance, when golfers play during the hot temperatures of summer or in the cold temperatures of winter, it is desirable to maintain a comfortable environment while driving around a golf course. One approach to address the problem would be to install a portable air conditioner in the golf cart itself. However, air conditioning units are very expensive, bulky, contain elements that are potentially harmful to the environment, and often require an AC external power source to operate. Because most golf carts run on battery power, it would be very difficult to power an air conditioning unit unless it was small enough or could be powered by its own battery. 
   One other major concern on many golf courses is to avoid transmitting potentially harmful bacteria between humans that may grow in standing water on the courses. Golf courses often use reclamated water in its ponds, streams and to water the grass on the course. Some golf courses have experienced instances of sickness and deaths to patrons who have come into contact with contaminated water on the course. It is certainly desirable to prevent golf course employees or patrons from contaminating the water supply, especially when it comes to water that may sit dormant for many hours in warmer climates. 
   The present invention addresses these concerns by providing a portable air condition unit that both cools and heats the surrounding air during the usage of a golf cart. The present invention makes use of a portable apparatus that includes a reservoir for cooled liquid or ice that is isolated from human contact by means of a locking mechanism, and may be accessible only by those authorized to do so. The reservoir is insulated with the exception of its bottom surface, which doubles not only as the bottom area of the reservoir, but also as the top to a heat sink that provides the area below the reservoir which acts as an air duct. The heat exchange system is substantially hollow but may also contain a series of fins that are in contact with the reservoir. The heat exchange system is designed to maximize the exposure of the air to the exposed surface area of the reservoir since the only air that is cooled is the air that directly comes in contact with the exposed surface of the reservoir. Generally, the heat exchange system should be located on the bottom of the unit so the heat transfer between the outside air and the bottom surface area of the reservoir may occur even when there are very low levels of cooled liquid in the reservoir. This would take advantage of the principle that the coldest liquid will always remain at the bottom of the container while in a given environment thus making an even more efficient cooling system. 
   When the reservoir is filled with cold liquid or ice, the exposed surface area of the reservoir becomes cooled to the temperature of the reservoir&#39;s contents. The heat exchange system is connected on one side by an air intake chamber and by an air exhaust chamber on the other. Warm air is drawn into the intake chamber from a battery-powered variable-speed motorized fan that creates a vacuum. The fan then pushes the warm air through the heat exchange system and is dehumidified and cooled by coming into direct contact with the exposed surface area of the reservoir and fins that extrude perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the reservoir within the coil system. The fins provide resistance and vary the direction of the air, creating turbulence. Also, coolness from the exposed surface area is transferred down through the fins providing additional cooled surface area, which contacts and further cools the air. The turbulence greatly enhances the thermal conductive capacity of the system so that the heat transfer can occur at a highly efficient rate and maximizes the time that the temperature of the exposed surface of the reservoir remains cold. The cooled air is then propelled into the exhaust chamber where it is thrust into the external environment and may be directed at an individual or used to generally cool a surrounding area. 
   Over a period of time while cold fluid comes in contact with the surface of the heat exchanger that is exposed to the interior of the reservoir or container, a narrow region next to the surface of the heat exchanger exists where the velocity of the fluid is zero and rapidly changes to a finite number as the distance from the surface increases. This is known as the boundary layer. The fluid&#39;s velocity is zero due to a variety of factors ranging from molecular attraction to surface tension to friction. When a boundary layer forms, it may prevent the surface area of the fins from efficient thermal conductivity between the inner reservoir to the surface area of the fins. This lack of conduction is due to the layer of insulation the boundary layer creates from the fluid directly adjacent to the exposed surface of the heat exchanger. 
   When the ambient air temperature is sufficiently cold, the unit also serves to heat the outside air by drawing in cool air into the unit and passing the air through a series of heated coils before being expelled back into the environment. The unit works much in the same way as a hair dryer heats ambient air. Generally, the user may select either the heating or cooling process by a switch that redirects the air through a given path depending on whether heating or cooling is desired. The air conditioning unit itself may be set to switch on only when one or more persons are seated within the golf cart. This is accomplished by using a seat switch to sense the presence of a person in either the driver or passenger seat of the cart. 
   The reservoir may also include additional features such as holding area for beer and soda cans to keep them cold and an aroma cartridge to scent the surrounding air. The reservoir may also be removed from the unit so that its contents may be stored in a refrigerated environment. This allows multiple reservoirs to be used in succession thereby increasing the amount of time that cool air may be generated. Another feature of the apparatus is that the airflow may be directed by means of an extendable hose, which is embedded within the exhaust chamber of the unit. The entire external surface of the unit should be heavily insulated in order to prevent unwanted heat from coming into contact with the reservoir&#39;s contents. 
   It is also understood that to a person of reasonable skill in the art that the underlying claimed invention for a portable air conditioner can be utilized in other applications such as automobiles, boats, RVs, trucks, patio furniture, stadium seating or any similar application. 
   DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   The use of air conditioners is known in the prior art. More specifically, air conditioners that cool the surrounding air that exchange heat while passing outside air over cooled surfaces is discussed in the prior art. Other similar portable air conditioning devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,427,476; 6,227,004; 6,119,477; 5,953,933; 5,062,281; 5,046,329; and 4,841,742. A portable air conditioning device used with golf carts is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,824. 
   While these devices aim to function as air conditioners, and while each invention disclosed in the respective patents may disclose a feature of the present invention, none of the above-listed patents disclose the combination of features in the present invention either individually or in combination with each other in such a way that it would have been obvious to do so at the time the present invention was conceived. 
   In addition, there is a need in the art for a device which can function as a portable air conditioner and a beverage container for a golf cart that maximizes the time that ambient air may be cooled to a temperature much lower than the ambient air temperature and accomplishes these tasks utilizing a removable cooling source in combination with a directed application of the cooled air. The device should be capable of dispensing warm air as well. A device of this type is disclosed by the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable air conditioner that includes a separate container for storing cold water or ice. 
   It is a further object of the present invention for the container to be composed of a thermally conductive material for storing cold liquid or ice. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable air conditioner that utilizes a motorized fan to ingest outside air and cool it by passing the air over a substantial portion of the thermally-conductive, non-toxic material before propelling the cooled-air back into the environment. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to minimize the temperature of cooled air by passing the air through a turbulent environment. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of cooling outside air that efficiently ingests outside air, and cools it by passing the outside air in a turbulent manner over and through a cooled surface area of a container and expelling the cooled air into the environment. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to position the thermally-conductive material on the bottom of the container. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to maximize the efficiency of heat exchange by minimizing the effects of the formation of a boundary layer on the thermally-conductive material. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a removable container that may be removed from a base unit and easily and thoroughly sanitized. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a locking mechanism that will prevent unauthorized access to the reservoir area. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a locking mechanism that prevents the removal of the reservoir. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an area directly adjacent to the reservoir area to store drink containers in a thermally insulated area that is not contaminated by the contents of the reservoir. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a heating coil for heating air that is ingested into the air conditioner so that the heated air may be expelled into the area surrounding the air conditioner. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to use the portable air conditioner in conjunction with an open-air vehicle such that the air conditioner may be switched on whenever a person is seated in the open-air vehicle. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means to acoustically dampen the internal noise of the air conditioner fan. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a separate exhaust path for warm air and cold air. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means to scent the air expelled from the air conditioner. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable and expandable hose that may be used to direct the flow of conditioned air where desired. 
   The description of the invention which follows, together with the accompanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention to the example shown and described, because those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains will be able to devise other forms thereof within the ambit of the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an apparatus showing the removable container separate from the base of the apparatus; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view in cross section of the apparatus demonstrating the direction of air intake, flow and expulsion from the apparatus; 
       FIG. 3A  is a side view in cross section of the removable reservoir; 
       FIG. 3B  is a front cross-sectional view of the reservoir with the thermally-conductive surface area extending inside of the reservoir. 
       FIG. 3C  is a front cross-sectional view of the reservoir with a drainage tube for removing excess liquid from the inside of the reservoir. 
       FIG. 3D  is a front cross-sectional view of the reservoir with an agitator for mixing the contents inside of the reservoir. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view in cross section of the apparatus with the expandable hose fully extended; 
       FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the expandable hose fully retracted; 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the expandable hose fully extended. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the seat switch used to activate the portable air conditioner. 
       FIG. 8  is a detailed side view of the seat switch in the open position. 
       FIG. 9  is a detailed side view of the seat switch in the closed position. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the portable air conditioner with the locking mechanism that secures the removable portion of the unit to the base unit. 
       FIG. 11   a  is a side view of the portable air conditioner unit demonstrating the removable portion of the unit being lifted from the base unit. 
       FIG. 11   b  is a perspective view of the base unit of the portable air conditioner. 
       FIG. 11   c  is a perspective view of the removable portion of the unit in the open position showing stored beverage cans. 
       FIG. 12   a  is a perspective view of the base unit with the heating and cooling switch in the “cool” position. 
       FIG. 12   b  is a perspective view of the base unit with the heating and cooling switch in the “heat” position. 
       FIG. 12   c  is a cross-section of the air expulsion section of the base unit with the heating and cooling switch operating in the “heat” position. 
       FIG. 12   d  is a cross section of the air expulsion section of the base unit with the heating and cooling switch operating in the “cool” position. 
       FIG. 12   e  is a detailed view of the heating and cooling switch. 
       FIG. 13   a  is a cross section of the noise dampening element in the air intake section of the base unit. 
       FIG. 13   b  is a side view showing fan and noise dampening element connected in the air intake section of the base unit. 
       FIG. 13   c  is a detailed view of the fan and noise dampening element as connected in the air intake section of the base unit. 
       FIG. 13   d  is an exploded view of the fan/noise dampening assembly. 
       FIG. 14   a  is a perspective and exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the air exhaust guide with the aroma cartridge. 
       FIG. 14   b  is a front view of the air guide with a variable aroma control. 
       FIG. 14   c  is a rear view of the air guide with a scent card inserted. 
       FIG. 14   d  is a cross sectional view of the air exhaust guide demonstrating airflow paths. 
       FIG. 15  is a view of the entire portable air conditioner unit with air exhaust guide adjustment and securing means. 
       FIG. 16  is a view of the portable air conditioner unit installed on a golf cart. 
       FIG. 17  is a detailed view of the portable air conditioner in conjunction with the seating switch when in use on a golf cart. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   By way of one example of many to serve as background in understanding the present invention,  FIG. 1  shows a portable air conditioner  100  that includes a base unit  110  and a removable beverage container  120 . The container  120  is intended for storing a liquid or solid whose temperature is substantially colder than the air temperature outside of the air conditioner  100 . A spout  130  provides access to the contents of the container  120  which may include a chilled beverage such as ice water. A handle  125  is included for easy portability. The container  120  is secured within the base unit  110  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The external portion of the base unit  110  includes an air intake valve  140  that takes in air from outside of the air conditioner  100  for processing within the unit  110  and is expelled out an air nozzle  155 . The air nozzle  155  is connected to an expandable hose  150  such that expelled air from the nozzle  155  can be directed to a given location. 
   In  FIG. 2 , the container  120  is shown removed from the base unit  100  with its handle  125  fully extended. The container  120  comprises a highly thermal-conductive, non-toxic material such as aluminum that is heavily insulated on all sides  165  but the lower portion  160 . The lower portion  160  is exposed and comes into direct contact with the base unit  110  when secured. It is a primary goal for the lower portion  160  to obtain, and subsequently retain, the same temperature of the liquid or solid inside of the container  120  for as long as possible, and to remain in constant contact with the surface area  175  thereby cooling the surface area  175  to the temperature of the liquid  200  inside the reservoir  220 . The surface area  175  of the lower portion  160  is used to cool any air that comes into contact with the surface area  175 . Because the container  120  is removable, it is possible to fill the container  120  with a given liquid and store it in a refrigerated environment for use at a later time. The container  120  may also be filled with liquid and stored in a freezer so that the entire contents of the container  120  becomes frozen. A typical size of the container  120  can hold between one half and two gallons of liquid. 
     FIG. 3  shows the cross-sectional view of the air conditioner  100  with the container  120  secured within the base unit  110 . As shown, a cooled liquid  200  is filled approximately ¾ to the top of a reservoir  220 . The container  120  is surrounded on all sides by insulation  210  in order to maximize the time that the cooled liquid  200  retains its original temperature. 
   Air from outside of the air conditioner  100  is drawn into the air intake chamber  140  by means of an high-speed electric motor  255  that may be powered by a battery  260 . An alternative embodiment of the invention may include an AC/DC power source. However, an AC/DC power source is understood to limit the portability of the air conditioner  100 . The motor  255  turns a rotating fan  250  in a manner that creates an airflow  230  that pulls in warmer air from outside of the air conditioner  100 . It is desirable to minimize the volume of the air intake chamber  140  while maximizing the amount of airflow  230 . The airflow  230  follows the general direction as shown with the arrows through from the air intake chamber  140  through the fan  250  and into the central chamber  240 . It is desirable to maximize the volume of the chamber  240  while creating turbulence in the air through the use of fins  245  ( FIG. 3A ). The fins  245  would be in direct contact with the lower surface area  175  and would create an environment such that the air molecules would maximize the time that they come in contact with the conductive surface area  175  thereby allowing the temperature of the airflow  230  to be minimized so that it may approach the temperature of the liquid  200  inside of the reservoir  220 . Because the chamber  240  is in direct contact with the lower portion  160  ( FIG. 3A ) of the container  120 , the lower portion  160  is able to continually cool the surface area  175  for as long as there is even a minimal amount of liquid  200  remaining in the reservoir  220 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3A , one embodiment of the removable container  120  demonstrates how the cooled surface area  160  may be arranged to maximize the length of time that the airflow  230  may come in direct contact with the cooled surface area  160 . As can readily be seen, the lower surface area  175  of the reservoir  220  is configured with a series of vertically arranged fins  245  that protrude perpendicular to the lower surface  175 . The fins  245  are comprised of an efficient thermally-conductive material such as aluminum or copper. It is understood that the fins  245  are not required to be positioned exactly perpendicular to the lower surface  175 . As stated above, because the fins  245  are directly connected to the lower surface  175  of the reservoir  220 , the temperature of the surface areas of all fins  245  will drop to the temperature of the lower surface  175  which would be the temperature of the contents  200  of the reservoir  220 . As the airflow  230  passes between the fins  245 , the airflow  230  will have a maximum amount of cooled surface area in which it will come in contact thereby minimizing the temperature of the airflow  230 . The airflow  230  will also bounce back and forth between each of the fins  245  thereby creating an air turbulence  240  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In an alternative embodiment, the fins  245  can be arranged in a maze-like formation such that the airflow  230  would reverse its direction of travel several times thus creating more turbulence and still enabling the airflow  230  to maximize the surface area of the fins  245  that it contacts. 
   Alternatively, in  FIG. 3B  the fins  245  may form one continuous thermally conductive surface with fins  246  that extend within the reservoir  220 . In some instances during the heat exchange process, a thin layer of ice may form on the fins  245  which may decrease the efficiency of heat exchange. This may occur in the same way that ice may accumulate in a refrigerator-freezer that electrically cools a thermally-conductive metal surface as its primary source for heat exchange. With the addition of the fins  246  that are directly connected to the fins  245  it was noticed that a substantial reduction, and in many cases, a complete elimination of the boundary layer would occur. As a result, a more efficient heat transfer may occur thereby maintaining the coldest possible temperature on the surface area of the fins  245  for the longest possible time. 
   In an alternative embodiment that also serves to address the problem of boundary layer formation,  FIG. 3C  offers an alternative approach when the contents of the reservoir are intended to be completely frozen. A drainage pipe  222  is included at the lower surface  175 . The pipe  222  has an opening  224  that extends within the reservoir  220  and a cap  223  on the external end of the pipe  222 . When this embodiment is used with a reservoir  220  that contains frozen contents, the pipe  222  is used to drain excess liquid that may melt from the frozen contents over time. Through experimentation, it was learned that a boundary layer would frequently form on the fins  245  when using only frozen contents in the reservoir  220 . However, when excess water was drained away from the reservoir  220 , the boundary layer would appear less frequently on the fins  245 , and many times not at all. 
   In another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3D , an agitator  251  is included within the reservoir  220 . The agitator includes a set of blades  252  that are fixed perpendicular to a rod  253  such that when the rod  253  is rotated in a circular fashion, the blades  252  will mix the contents of the reservoir  220 . This may be necessary when some of the frozen contents of the reservoir  220  become stagnant in one section of the reservoir  220 . By mixing the contents of the reservoir  220 , it will allow for the lower surface area  175  to maintain the temperature of the contents of the reservoir  220  for the longest period of time. It is understood that the agitator  251  may operate either manually by means of an external crank, or electrically by means of a motor. This embodiment may also be combined with the embodiments in  FIG. 3B  or  3 C. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 3 , upon exiting the chamber  240 , the airflow is now cooled substantially below the ambient air temperature and proceeds toward the exhaust chamber  290 . In the preferred embodiment, the airflow  230  travels through an expandable hose  280  that may be extended like an accordion  300  as shown in  FIG. 4  to direct the airflow  230  in whatever direction and point desired by an individual. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  show more detailed drawings of the expandable hose  280  that is connected to the exhaust valve  290 . The hose  280  is attached on one end to a catch  270  and on the other end by the exhaust valve  290 . As shown in  FIG. 5  with the hose  280  in its fully retracted position, the combination of these three elements sits within an insulated exhaust guide  310  such that when the hose  280  is extended fully as shown in  FIG. 6 , the catch  270  may move upward within the guide  310  until it reaches the top of the guide  310  thus allowing the valve  290  to be directed to whatever location the user desires. 
     FIGS. 7 through 16  demonstrate an alternate embodiment of the portable air conditioner with additional components that allow both chilled and heated air to be expelled into the surrounding environment. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the unit is used to cool or heat a golf cart or other mobile open-air vehicle. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 7–9 , a seat switch  400  is shown. The switch  400  is secured to either a passenger or driver seat  435  in a golf cart such that when a person is seated in either seat  435 , the switch  400  activates the air conditioner  100 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the switch  400  is in the “open” position. The bottom of the cushion of the golf cart seat  430  is in direct contact with the top contact  420  by way of a flexible panel  450 . The flexible panel  450  is secured to the golf cart  445  and maintains the switch  400  in the open position until a person is seated on the cushion  431 . When a person is seated on the cushion  431 , the flexible panel  450 , by way of the top portion  410  of the flexible panel  450  is lowered onto the lower contact  440 . When the contacts  420  and  440  converge, the switch  400  is changed to the “closed” position as shown in  FIG. 9  thereby turning on the air conditioner  100  by way of wires  460  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 10 , the air conditioner  100  shows the alternate embodiment in its entirety with container  120  secured within the base unit  110 . The modified air conditioner  100  utilizes a locking mechanism  505  that may be secured by a standard key  500 . The locking mechanism  505  secures not only the entire container  120  within the base unit  110 , but also secures the top of compartment  515  in a locked position so that within the compartment  515  the contents cannot be accessed by anyone not having authorized access to the compartment  515  as shown in  FIG. 11C . When unlocked, the container  120  may be removed from the base unit  110  as shown in  FIG. 11A . The modified base unit as shown in  FIG. 11B  displays the locking mechanism  505  and the recessed chamber  240 . The unit in  FIG. 11   c  shows drink containers  520  being stored in an insulated area between the top of the compartment  515  and below the hinged lid  510 . Drink containers  520  cannot be contaminated by the contents of the compartment  515  that reside below them. 
   The alternate embodiment of the air conditioner  100  maintains the basic operation of ingesting ambient air into the intake valve  140  and expelling air out of the hose  150 . However, in the modified golf cart embodiment, the user may select to use the air conditioner to either cool the surrounding air, or to heat it. The user may also vary the speed of the motor  255  that drives the fan  250  utilizing control  560  as shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B . As shown in  FIGS. 12A through 12E , a switch  550  may be manually moved from left to right depending on whether heating or cooling is desired.  FIGS. 12C through 12E  provide a cross sectional detail of the exhaust chamber  290  that shows how the switch  550  operates. The switch  550  comprises two hollow cylindrical sections  610  and  615 . Within cylinder  610 , a heating element  611  is secured and may be switched on from the control  560 . 
     FIG. 12C  shows the switch  550  operating in the “heating” mode. When the airflow  230  enters the exhaust chamber  290  from the internal chamber  240 , the air enters the cylinder  610  and across the heating element  611  in a fashion similar to that of a standard hair dryer. When the airflow  230  passes through the cylinder  610 , it leaves at a much higher temperature than when it entered the cylinder  610 . A sample heating element  611  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 12E . 
     FIG. 12D  shows the switch  550  operating in the “cooling” mode. When the airflow  230  enters the exhaust chamber  290  from the internal chamber  240 , the air enters the cylinder  615  it passes directly through and unobstructed into the hose  150 . 
   The alternate embodiment also comprises a noise dampening mechanism  700  as shown in  FIGS. 13A through 13D . A front and side view showing cross sectional views of the dampening muffler  700  are shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B  respectively. As can be seen in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the ambient air that is ingested into the intake valve  140  enters the muffler  700 . The muffler  700  is made up of a plurality of curves or bends as part of the surface area of the molded material and is secured to a faceplate  710  that has a circular opening  711  as shown in  FIG. 13D . The circular opening  711  is attached directly to the fan  250 . When the fan  250  is operating, the noise generated by the motor  255  can be loud at times. In the normal case where the muffler  700  would not be present, the fan noise would travel in a direct path back out through the intake valve  140 . In this embodiment, when the fan  250  is coupled to the muffler  700 , the sound waves are muffled since there is no direct path back through the intake valve  140 . As the sound waves travel through the air in the muffler  700 , they are not only met with incoming air which impedes the sound pulses, they are also reflected and deflected back and forth through the muffler  700  thereby further impeding the sound from leaving the intake valve  140  as shown in  FIG. 13C . 
   Additionally, the alternate embodiment includes a directional spout  840  that is attached to the hose  280  as shown in  FIG. 14A . The spout  840  comprises two primary air paths. The first air path  841  is where most of the air expelled from the exhaust chamber  290  collects. The second air path  842  contains an opening  830  that is used to secure an aroma cartridge  800 . The aroma cartridge  800  contains a scented card  805  securely fastened within the cartridge  800 . The cartridge also comprises a variable scent control  810  that varies the size of the opening within the cartridge  800  for scented air to be released into the surrounding area as shown in  FIGS. 14B and 14C . The spout  840  contains several holes  820  for releasing unscented air. As shown in  FIG. 14D , the air expelled from the exhaust chamber  290  may follow one of two paths. The air that flows through path  841  remains unscented air, while the air that flows through path  842  becomes scented. 
     FIG. 15  demonstrates the entire air conditioning system including a semi-rigid rod  850  that is used to retain the spout  840  in a secure fashion.  FIGS. 16 and 17  show the system in use in conjunction with the golf cart  900 . 
   While the inventive apparatus, as well as a method of cooling ambient air as described and claimed herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims. 
   Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to one or more particular preferred embodiments, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.