Abstract:
A portable misting system is disclosed for producing mist atomization in remote locations without pressurized water supplies. The system is easily retrofitted to open vehicles such as golf carts and forklifts. The system may be pressurized during filling by a pressurized water supply source. In the absence of a pressurized water supply, the system may be pressurized manually. In a preferred embodiment, a manifold for a misting system is disclosed having internally threaded ends, and a centrally located internally threaded inlet. The manifold provides a streamlined design for reliable fluid distribution that is easily attached to vehicles such as golf carts and forklifts. The system can also be used on boats, campsites, parks, playgrounds, construction sites, and other locations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Application No. 60/137,193, filed Jun. 2, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to the field of fluid atomization for evaporative cooling, and more particularly to a device for directable mist atomization for cooling the occupants of golf carts or other open-air vehicles. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Heat illness is associated with the cause of death of over 4,000 people annually in the United States. The risk of heat illness such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, are directly related to the temperature-humidity index. It is commonly known that the process of atomizing water provides a cooling effect. The atomization of water into a fine mist can reduce the ambient temperature from 10 to 25 degrees depending upon the relative humidity. In recent years, a number of water atomization or “misting” devices have been produced for pool and patio applications, restaurants, outdoor theme parks, zoos, etc. Most of these applications utilize conventional water or plumbing lines to provide both a water source and the necessary system pressurization to create a cooling mist. 
     Many of the early atomization nozzles were actually designed for livestock and pesticide applications. This agricultural technology eventually was transferred into water atomization devices for human comfort. 
     The golfing industry suffers seasonal lows when the weather becomes hot. Conventional air-conditioning systems for golf carts and other open vehicles such as forklifts are impractical. Field tests have shown that golfers will play more often in hot weather if the vehicles are equipped with misting systems. 
     Many workers drive forklifts and engage in strenuous work outdoors. Other workers drive forklifts and engage in strenuous work inside buildings without airconditioning systems or sufficient ventilation, such as warehouses. In addition to the inefficiencies associated with being uncomfortable while working, these workers are at risk of heat related illnesses. Misting systems attached to forklifts can substantially improve the attitude and productivity of the workers while reducing their exposure to the risks of heat-related illnesses. 
     To address the problem of heat-related discomfort and illnesses, numerous devices have been patented or otherwise marketed. The majority of these devices are designed to be carried by hand, and do not address the volume, and hands-free requirements of individuals operating open-air vehicles. Other devices require the introduction of pressurized air or water. These devices are not appropriate for vehicular systems that may travel far from pressurized water and compressed air sources. Still other devices are complex in nature, requiring retrofitting of electrical devices and motors that limit the range of travel of electric vehicles and are expensive to install and maintain. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,056 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,951 disclose personalized atomization devices that are portable in nature. These devices have reservoirs divided into separate sealed sections by a flexible internal bladder, and quick-disconnect hose and nozzle couplings. These systems utilize the pressure of city water lines to fill an internal bladder while compressing the air inside of a secondary chamber surrounding the bladder. The disadvantages of these devices are that they incorporate the complex construction of a flexible bladder sealingly installed in a secondary containment reservoir, lack a functional distribution system for use in open vehicles, and are restricted to use in areas in immediate proximity to a pressurized water system or a compressed air source. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,140, a personal, portable cooling device utilizes a manual pumping chamber to achieve water atomization and provides for conductive cooling in addition to convective cooling, and allows for remote system pressurization. The disadvantages of this and similar devices are that the conductive cooling function is inapplicable to vehicle installations, they lack a functional distribution system for use in open vehicles, require separate operational steps to fill the reservoir and to compress the air in the reservoir, and they lack a capability to utilize alternative energy sources to compress air in the reservoir, relying instead on the energy of the person using the device to continuously pump air into the reservoir by hand. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,535 describes a vehicle having a cooling system which utilizes a recirculating evaporative water cooler and motor driven sprayers, with the system mounted on the roof of the vehicle. The disadvantages of these devices are that they are large, heavy, aesthetically obtrusive, noisy, expensive, difficult to retrofit to existing vehicles, require electrical power to operate, and are subject to substantial maintenance and repair. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,371 discloses a system for providing water mist to the occupants of open vehicles such as golf carts. This system utilizes the power system of the vehicle to electrically pump water to atomizing nozzles. The system requires a relatively elaborate design of equipment, including an electrical water pump, accumulator, fuses, on/off switches, and a separate water tank. The disadvantages of these devices are that they are difficult to retrofit to existing vehicles, expensive, complex, and require electrical power to operate. Power supplied to accessory systems from electric carts is undesirable since it reduces the duration for which the vehicle can operate. 
     It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages and limitations associated with the existing technology. What is needed further is a system that provides a uniform distribution of the fluid supply to the atomizing nozzles that can be adjusted as to direction and flow between individual occupants of the vehicle, that is esthetically appealing and unobtrusive, that is economical and easily retrofitted to vehicles, and that can be assembled primarily from commercially available components. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it provides a simple, easily installed and retrofitted cooling apparatus for golf carts and other open-air vehicles. This is important since provision of this type of equipment normally involves assembly and attachment to numerous vehicles. 
     Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it is relatively inexpensive as compared to other devices designed for misting open vehicles. This is again important since application normally requires retrofitting dozens of golf carts or forklifts. 
     Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it is unobtrusive, and has a minimum component, streamlined design. This is most important when attaching a misting system to a golf cart on an expensive private course. 
     Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it provides a design that is simple to operate and maintain, and highly reliable, having no electric motors or moving parts, thus minimizing the likelihood of mechanical or electrical failure. 
     Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the reservoir can be either manually pressurized or pressurized automatically during filling. This allows for fast, effortless, single operational step pressurization and filling when a pressurized water source is available, while still providing a remote pressurization capability. 
     Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it provides a design that can be utilized in numerous locations and applications, both human and non-human, including golf carts, forklifts, boats, live animal trailers, outdoor parks and camp sites, construction sites and the like. 
     Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it provides a unitary manifold capable of receiving both pipe-threaded attachment of directable nozzles assemblies and inlet connections from the reservoir without the requirement for additional adaptive hardware. This substantially simplifies assembly and improves the reliability and appearance of the device. 
     Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it has a long-lasting water reservoir with a built-in pump sprayer. This permits the use of readily available pump spray units and their component parts. 
     Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it provides manual control over the direction of the mist. This allows the occupants of the vehicle to adjust the mist in accordance with their own personal preferences. 
     Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it provides a uniform distribution of the fluid supply to the atomizing nozzles, and manual control over the flow of mist to individual nozzles. This allows the occupants of the vehicle to turn the mist on and off to accommodate the personal preferences of individual occupants of the vehicle. 
     Another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it provides a distribution of the fluid supply to the atomizing nozzles that is aesthetically appealing and unobtrusive, and that is economical and easily retrofitted to vehicles. 
     Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
     The present disclosure is for a vehicle misting device designed for easy, reliable, and economical retrofit attachment to open vehicles such as golf carts and forklifts. In a preferred embodiment the device comprises a fluid reservoir having an air pump and a quick-disconnect hose coupling attached. A fluid conduit is connected at one end to the reservoir and at the opposite end to a tubular manifold. Valves are connected one each to each end of the manifold. Flexible conduit portions are connected one each to each of the valves, and atomization nozzles are connected one each to each of the flexible conduit portions. 
     In another preferred embodiment the outside diameter of the manifold is approximately 0.81 inches, so as to be readily secured by commercially available clamping devices. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the inside diameter of the manifold is approximately 0.44 inches, so as to be receivable of a ¼-18 NPT thread into the ends of the manifold, and thereby being readily connectable to a nozzle assembly. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the manifold is at least approximately 0.18 inches. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the flexible conduit portions are ball and socket elements, which allow reliable independent positioning of the nozzle assemblies. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a receptacle is connected in-line between the nozzle and the flexible conduit, and a filter is located within the receptacle, adjacent to the flexible conduit. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a receptacle is connected in-line between the nozzle and the flexible conduit and an anti-drip ball and spring is located inside the receptacle, adjacent to the nozzle. 
     In another preferred embodiment, there is at least one mounting clamp attached to the manifold. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a pair of mounting clamps are attached to the manifold on opposite sides of the fluid conduit connection to the manifold, for securing the manifold to the vehicle. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the mounting clamps have an adhesive backing to allow quick, removable attachment of the manifold to the vehicle. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a tubular manifold portion has internally threaded ends, and a centrally located internally threaded inlet connecting the exterior of the manifold to interior of the manifold. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the manifold ends have a ¼-18 NPT thread. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the manifold inlet has a ⅛-27 NPT thread. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this view, the primary components of the system are shown connected and assembled in place on a vehicle. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the primary components of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated as assembled separate from a vehicle. 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the combination pump-reservoir component of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3A is an isometric view of the female quick-disconnect coupling for threaded connection to a garden hose or other pressurized water supply source, which permits quick, sealed connection of the water supply source to the reservoir. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the manifold of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional top view of the manifold of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the misting assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this view, the nozzle assemblies are shown connected to the ends of the manifold. 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the nozzle assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this view, the nozzle, ball and spring anti-drip device, receptacle, and filter are shown in line for connection to the end of the flexible conduit. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a general overview of the invention. In this view, a misting system  10  is shown installed on a vehicle  12 . Referring to FIG. 2, the primary components of a preferred embodiment of the misting system of the present mi invention are shown. A reservoir  14  has an integral manual air pump  16 . In a more preferred embodiment, reservoir  14  is a commercially available garden sprayer, such as in commercially available from various sources, including: Root-Lowell Manufacturing Company, 1000 Foreman Road, Lowell, Mich. 493313. Referring to FIG. 3, a quick-disconnect valve  18  is connected to reservoir  14 . Referring to FIG. 3A, a complementary coupling  19  is provided for threaded connection to a garden hose or other pressurized water supply source. Referring back to FIG. 3, a reservoir connection  20  is connected near to an inlet  22  (hidden lines) of a tubular fluid conduit  24 . Inlet  22  of fluid conduit  24  is located inside, and near to the bottom of reservoir  14 . Referring back to FIG. 2, fluid conduit  24  has an opposite outlet  25  connected by a manifold connection  26  to a tubular manifold  28 . In a preferred embodiment, manifold  28  has an outside diameter of approximately 0.81 inches. In another preferred embodiment, manifold  28  has an inside diameter of approximately 0.44 inches. In another preferred embodiment, manifold  28  has a wall thickness of at least approximately 0.18 inches. In a more preferred embodiment, manifold  28  is made of a PVC material, extruded to within the preferred dimensions. In a still more preferred embodiment shown in FIG.  4  and FIG. 5, manifold  28  has a threaded manifold inlet  30  for threaded attachment of manifold connection  26 . In a still more preferred embodiment, manifold inlet  30  is threaded with a ⅛-27 NPT thread. Still referring to FIG.  4  and FIG. 5, in another preferred embodiment, manifold  28  has an internally threaded first end  32  and an opposite internally threaded second end  34 . In a still more preferred embodiment, first end  32  and second end  34  are threaded with a ¼-18 NPT thread. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an isometric view of a misting assembly  36  of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this view, a first valve  38  is connected to manifold first end  32 , and a second valve  40  is connected to manifold second end  34 . A first flexible conduit  42  is connected to first valve  38 , and a second flexible conduit  44  is connected to second valve  40 . In a more preferred embodiment, first flexible conduit  42  and second flexible conduit  44  are of the ball and socket configuration that is commonly commercially available. For example, these component parts of the invention can be purchased from various companies including Lockwood Products, Inc. 5615, S.W. Willow Lane, Oswego, Oreg., 97035. 
     At the distal end of first flexible conduit  42  is a first threaded end element  46 . Likewise, at the distal end of second flexible conduit  44  is a second threaded end element  48 . A first nozzle assembly  50  is connected to first end element  46 , and a second nozzle assembly  52  is connected to second end element  48 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7, an exploded isometric view of nozzle assembly  50  of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this view, a threaded first receptacle  54  is threadedly connected to first end element  46 . In this preferred embodiment, a filter element  56  is located between first receptacle  54  and first end element  46 . In another preferred embodiment, a first ball and spring anti-drip device  58  is located inside the opposite end of first receptacle  54 . A nozzle  60  is threadedly connected to receptacle  54 . In a preferred embodiment, nozzle  60  has a flow rating of 0.75 gallons per hour. A first o-ring seal  62  seals the connection between nozzle  60  and receptacle  54 . Although FIG. 7 shows the components of nozzle assembly  50 , the same components are present but not shown, in the same configuration and relationship in nozzle assembly  52 , shown in FIG.  6 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 6, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first clamp  64  and a second clamp  66  are circumferentially attached to manifold  28  and secured to vehicle  12 . In a more preferred embodiment, clamps  64  and  66  have an adhesive backing  68  and  70  respectively, for easy attachment to vehicle  12 . In a still more preferred embodiment, clamps  64  and  66  are of the commercially available plastic semi-circular cable clamp type. 
     OPERATION 
     A misting system  10  is shown installed on a vehicle  12 . Referring to FIG. 2, the primary components of a preferred embodiment of misting system  10  of the present invention are shown. Referring to FIG. 3, reservoir  14  includes integral manual air pump  16 . Quick-disconnect valve  18  is connected to reservoir  14 . Complementary coupling  19  is threadedly connected to the end of a garden hose for easy attachment and release to quick-disconnect valve  18 . Thus, to fill reservoir  14  with water for service, a garden hose fitted with coupling  19  is connected to valve  18 . When the water is turned on, it flows past valve  18  into reservoir  14 . Valve  18  is a one-way valve, which prevents the escape of air pressure and water from reservoir  14 . Misting system  10  is a closed system, so the addition of water into reservoir  14  at the pressure of the supply source (i.e., city water line pressure) increasingly compresses the air in reservoir  14  as it is filled with water. Thus, as water enters reservoir  14 , the air pressure inside of reservoir  14  exceeds the ambient air pressure. 
     As can best be seen in FIG. 3, conduit inlet  22  (hidden lines) of a tubular fluid conduit  24 , extends downwardly inside of reservoir  14  to near the bottom of reservoir  14 . It is at the open end of conduit inlet  22  that water enters conduit inlet  22  under pressure. Conduit inlet  22  is plumbingly connected to fluid conduit  24 . Fluid conduit  24  is plumbingly connected to tubular manifold  28  by manifold connection  26  at manifold inlet  30 . In a preferred embodiment, manifold  28  has a wall thickness of at least approximately 0.18 inches. This permits threading manifold inlet  30  with a ⅛-27 NPT thread for direct and sealed connection to a complimentary pipe thread on manifold connection  26 , without further modification, adjustment, or hardware. This cannot be accomplished with standard ½ inch PVC pipe, since standard  12  inch schedule  40  PVC pipe has a wall thickness of only approximately 0.11 inches. 
     In a preferred embodiment, manifold  28  has an inside diameter of approximately 0.44 inches. This permits threading of manifold first end  32  and manifold second end  34  with a ¼-18 NPT thread to within recommended industry standards. This configuration threaded ends  32  and  34  of manifold  28  is especially desirable since it permits a direct and sealed connection of first end  32  and second end  34  with commercially available valves  38  and  40  having ¼-18 NPT threads without further modification, adjustment, or hardware. This cannot be accomplished with standard ½ inch PVC pipe since standard ½ inch schedule  40  PVC pipe has an inside diameter of approximately 0.62 inches. 
     In another preferred embodiment, manifold  28  has an outside diameter of approximately 0.81 inches. This approximate diameter is especially desirable since it permits the use of commercially available clamps  64  and  66  to attach misting system  36  to cart  12  quickly, and easily, by attaching clamps  64  and  66  around manifold  28  without further modification, adjustment, or hardware. This cannot be accomplished with standard ½ inch PVC pipe, since standard ½ inch schedule  40  PVC pipe has an outside diameter of approximately 0.84 inches. In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, clamps  64  and  66  have an adhesive backing  68  and  70  respectively, for easy attachment to vehicle  12 . 
     In a more preferred embodiment, manifold  28  is made of a PVC material, extruded to within the preferred dimensions detailed above. By extruding manifold  28  to the preferred dimensions, misting assembly  36  can be assembled with the fewest necessary parts, adding to the reliability, ease of assembly, cost effectiveness, and aesthetic value of assembly  36  and misting system  10 . 
     Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an isometric view of a misting assembly  36  of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. First valve  38  and second valve  40  provide independent control of spray mist to individual occupants of vehicle  12 . Likewise, first flexible conduit  42  and second flexible conduit  44  provide additional control of spray mist to individual occupants of vehicle  12 . 
     Referring to FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, valves  38  and  40  are closed when filling reservoir  14  from a water hose through quick-disconnect valve  18  so as to allow misting system  10  to become pressurized. As vehicle  12  is operated, valves  38  and  40  may be opened to start the flow of mist to the occupants of vehicle  12 . When valves  38  and  40  are opened, the pressurized air in reservoir  14  forces water to travel sequentially through conduit inlet  22 , through fluid conduit  24 , past manifold connection  26 , into manifold  28 . Once in manifold  28 , the water flow will be through whichever of valves  38  and  40  is in the open position. If both first valve  38  and second valve  40  are in the open position, the water flow is divided, with half flowing through first valve  38  and first nozzle assembly  50 , the other half flowing through second valve  40  and second nozzle assembly  52 . 
     As reservoir  14  loses water through misting, the volume of air space inside reservoir  14  increases, proportionally decreasing the air pressure inside of reservoir  14 . Since air pressure provides the energy source for forcing water through misting system  10 , it may eventually be necessary to increase the air pressure inside of reservoir  14  to continue misting. As vehicle  12  may have departed from the vicinity of a water supply, the occupants of vehicle  12  may use air pump  16  on reservoir  14  to add air to reservoir  14 , thus increasing the air pressure sufficiently to continue forcing water through misting system  10 . The option of using pump  16  also allows use of misting system  10  when reservoir  14  is filled from a non-pressurized water source. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, an exploded isometric view of nozzle assembly  50  of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this view, threaded first receptacle  54  is connected to first end element  46 . In this preferred embodiment, filter element  56  is located between first receptacle  54  and first end element  46  to prevent misting of impurities in the water supply and clogging of nozzle  60 . In another preferred embodiment, a first ball and spring anti-drip device  58  is located inside of first receptacle  54  to prevent water dripping from nozzle  60  when the pressure inside misting system  10  is insufficient to atomize the water passing through nozzle  60 . First o-ring seal  62  seals the connection between nozzle  60  and receptacle  54 . Although the foregoing description refers to FIG.  7  and the components of nozzle assembly  50 , the same components are present, but not shown, in the same configuration and operative relationship in nozzle assembly  52 , shown in FIG.  6 . 
     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.