U.S. patent application number 09/748323 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-21 for personal cooling apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Crabtree, Jerry Allen, Siman-Tov, Moshe.
Application Number | 20010003907 09/748323 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23572226 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010003907 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Siman-Tov, Moshe ; et
al. |
June 21, 2001 |
Personal cooling apparatus and method
Abstract
A portable lightweight cooling apparatus for cooling a human
body is disclosed, having a channeled sheet which absorbs sweat
and/or evaporative liquid, a layer of highly conductive fibers
adjacent the channeled sheet; and, an air-moving device for moving
air through the channeled sheet, wherein the layer of fibers
redistributes heat uniformly across the object being cooled, while
the air moving within the channeled sheet evaporates sweat and/or
other evaporative liquid, absorbs evaporated moisture and the
uniformly distributed heat generated by the human body, and
discharges them into the environment. Also disclosed is a method
for removing heat generated by the human body, comprising the steps
of providing a garment to be placed in thermal communication with
the body; placing a layer of highly conductive fibers within the
garment adjacent the body for uniformly distributing the heat
generated by the body; attaching an air-moving device in
communication with the garment for forcing air into the garment;
removably positioning an exchangeable heat sink in communication
with the air-moving device for cooling the air prior to the air
entering the garment; and, equipping the garment with a channeled
sheet in communication with the air-moving device so that air can
be directed into the channeled sheet and adjacent the layer of
fibers to expell heat and moisture from the body by the air being
directed out of the channeled sheet and into the environment. The
cooling system may be configured to operate in both sealed and
unsealed garments.
Inventors: |
Siman-Tov, Moshe;
(Knoxville, TN) ; Crabtree, Jerry Allen;
(Knoxville, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NEXSEN PRUET JACOBS & POLLARD, LLP
P.O. Box 10107
Greenville
SC
29603
US
|
Family ID: |
23572226 |
Appl. No.: |
09/748323 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09748323 |
Dec 22, 2000 |
|
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09397685 |
Sep 16, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/259.3 ;
2/458 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2007/0067 20130101;
A41D 13/0056 20130101; A61F 7/10 20130101; A61F 2007/0057 20130101;
A62B 17/005 20130101; A61F 2007/0292 20130101; Y10T 428/24041
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/259.3 ;
2/458 |
International
Class: |
F25D 023/12 |
Goverment Interests
[0001] The U.S. Government has rights in this invention pursuant to
contract number DE-AC05-960R22464 between Lockheed Martin Energy
Research Corporation and the Department of Energy.
Claims
We claim:
1. An apparatus for cooling a living body comprising: a layer of
thermally conductive material; and a heat sink operably connected
to said thermally conductive layer, said apparatus configured to
cause heat from the living body to be conducted through the
thermally conductive material and to the heat sink when the living
body is proximate the layer of thermally conductive material.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said thermally conductive
material comprises carbon fibers.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said heat sink comprises a
thermal energy storage device.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said thermal energy storage
device comprises a thermal storage medium contained within an
enclosure.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said enclosure comprises a
material selected from the group consisting of aluminum and
aluminum alloys.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said enclosure is thermally
conductive and further comprises fins.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said thermal energy storage
medium comprises water and said enclosure is configured to contain
water in liquid phase, solid phase, and combinations thereof.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said heat sink is removably
connected.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a garment for
supporting said layer of thermally conductive material proximate
the living body.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an interface
between said thermally conductive material and said heat sink.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said interface comprises a
thermally conductive flexible to semi-rigid to rigid transition
coupling.
12. An apparatus for cooling a living body, comprising: a channeled
sheet capable of absorbing evaporative liquid; and, a means for
moving air into and through said channeled sheet and communicably
connected thereto, wherein said apparatus is configured so that
when the living body is proximate the channeled sheet the channeled
sheet may absorb evaporative liquid from the living body and air
moving through said channeled sheet will aid in removing the
evaporated liquid.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said channeled sheet
comprises a plurality of tubular channels.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said channeled sheet
comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting
of polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, and
polyurethane.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said channeled sheet is
impregnated with at least one material selected from the group
consisting of carbon fiber needles and phase change materials.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said channeled sheet has at
least one property selected from the group consisting of
hydrophilic and anti-microbial.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for moving air is
selected from the group comprising a fan, blower, impeller, and
natural convection.
18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for moving air is
manually controlled.
19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for moving air
comprises a controller having at least one sensor selected from the
group consisting of temperature sensor, relative humidity sensor,
and wet-bulb temperature sensor.
20. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a garment for
supporting said channeled sheet proximate the living body.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising an air conduit
disposed between said garment and said means for moving air.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said air conduit comprises
at least one tube.
23. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising an electric power
supply, said means for moving air connected to and driven by said
electric power supply.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said electrical power supply
further comprises at least one battery selected from the group
consisting of lithium-ion battery, nickel-cadmium battery,
nickel-metal-hydride battery, sealed lead acid battery, and
alkaline battery.
25. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a heat sink
disposed in communication with said means for moving air for
preconditioning the air propelled by said means for moving air.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said heat sink comprises a
thermal energy storage device.
27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said thermal energy storage
device comprises an energy storage medium contained within an
enclosure.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said enclosure comprises a
material selected from the group consisting of aluminum and
aluminum alloys.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said enclosure is thermally
conductive and further comprises fins.
30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said thermal energy storage
medium comprises water and said enclosure is configured to contain
water in liquid phase, solid phase, and a combination thereof.
31. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said heat sink is removably
connected.
32. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a means for
dehumidifying the air moved through said channeled sheet
communicably connected to said means for moving air.
33. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a layer of
thermally conductive material configured to be disposed between
said channeled sheet and the living body to conduct heat across the
living body.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said layer of thermally
conductive material comprises carbon fibers.
35. A method for removing heat generated by a body, comprising the
steps of: providing an apparatus comprising a garment, a layer of
thermally conductive material disposed within said garment, and a
heat sink connected to said thermally conductive material to permit
conduction of heat therebetween; and placing the thermally
conductive material proximate at least a portion of the body to
cause the thermally conductive material to conduct heat from the
body to the heat sink.
36. A method for removing heat generated by a body, comprising the
steps of: providing an apparatus comprising a garment, a channeled
sheet for absorbing evaporative liquid disposed within said
garment, and a means for moving air through channels within said
channeled sheet; placing the channeled sheet in contact with at
least a portion of the body; and causing the air-moving device to
direct air through the channeled sheet and expel air therefrom
whereby liquid from the body may be absorbed by the channeled sheet
and evaporated to evaporatively cool the body and heat from the
body is convectively removed by the moving air.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein the apparatus further comprises
a heat sink disposed in communication with said air moving device
for preconditioning the air moving therethrough.
38. The method of claim 36 wherein the apparatus further comprises
a layer of conductive material which distributes heat across the
body and channel sheet disposed in surface contact between said
channeled sheet and at least a portion of the body.
39. An apparatus for cooling a living body, said apparatus
comprising: a continuous layer of thermally conductive material
having a first portion and a second portion wherein said first
portion of said layer is configured to be proximate the living body
for absorbing heat from the living body and said second portion of
said layer is configured to be exposed to ambient air for
discharging heat to the ambient air.
40. The apparatus as recited in claim 39, wherein said layer of
thermally conductive material comprises carbon fibers.
41. A body armor protective garment for protecting and cooling a
living body, said garment comprising: a projectile-resisting
shield; and a continuous layer of thermally conductive material
having a first portion that is configured to be inside said
projectile-resisting shield proximate the living body for absorbing
heat from the living body and a second portion of said layer that
is configured to be outside said projectile-resisting shield and
exposed to ambient air for discharging heat to the ambient air.
42. A body armor protective garment for protecting and cooling a
living body comprising: a projectile-resisting shield; and a first
layer of thermally conductive material configured to be inside said
projectile-resisting shield proximate the living body for absorbing
heat from the living body and a second layer of thermally
conductive material configured to be outside said
projectile-resisting shield and exposed to ambient air for
discharging heat to the ambient air; and thermally conductive
connecting fibers, said thermally conductive connecting fibers
passing through said projectile-resisting shield and being
thermally connected to said first layer and said second layer.
43. The body armor protective garment as recited in claim 41,
wherein said layer of thermally conductive material comprises
carbon fibers.
44. The body armor protective garment as recited in claim 42,
wherein said layer of thermally conductive material comprises
carbon fibers.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a portable cooling device
generally used with body armor systems and which is designed to
utilize the body's natural cooling process of convection and the
evaporation of sweat and/or other evaporative liquid to provide
cooling and comfort to the person wearing the garment while being
lightweight, thin, and flexible.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Body armor systems, including vests worn by law enforcement
officers, use Kevlar.RTM. or similar fibers, which are coated in
plastic, as a projectile-resistant shield. The plastic coating is
necessary to assure the safe performance of the vest, but makes the
garment hot and uncomfortable to wear. This, in turn, decreases the
mobility and, thus, the efficiency of the officers who wear them
and acts as a deterrent to using the body armor and as a result,
increases officer casualties. There have been several attempts to
provide a more comfortable protective garment. For example, Parrish
et al (U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,666), teach a cooling device that can be
incorporated into a person's apparel to permit the transfer of
water vapor from the wearer's skin. Parrish et al (U.S. Pat. No.
5,111,668), a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,666,
teach a sealed garment containing a working fluid in an evaporation
section of the garment, vaporization occurring by heat generated
from the person wearing the garment. Parrish et al (U.S. Pat. No.
5,289,695), a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,668, teach cooling
devices such as vests, pads or patches used in garments, including
space suits, sealed hazardous material suits, and/or vests. All of
these embodiments comprise of a desiccant layer which is utilized
in the storage of the water vapor resulting from the evaporation
process. In the present invention, however, the water vapor
resulting from the evaporation process is discharged to the
environment thus alleviating the requirement of storage and
decreasing the weight and size of the cooling apparatus.
[0004] Other examples may also be found in Scaringe et al (U.S.
Pat. No. 4,856,294), Szczesuil et al (U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,164),
Faghri (U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,369), Garner (U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,693),
Koon et al (U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,570), Coulon et al (U.S. Pat. No.
4,852,645), Buckley (U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,482), and Benson (U.S.
Pat. No. 4,572,864), which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0005] These cooling systems, however, remain heavy and
uncomfortable to the wearer. Therefore, there remains room in the
art for a portable, lightweight, thin, and flexible garment which
will provide more comfortable thermal conditions under the armor
vest (or similar vest type garments) and would induce people to
wear them as necessary, and thereby reduce the occurrence of
preventable injuries and fatalities.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
portable, lightweight, thin, flexible, comfortable and adaptable
cooling device generally used in conjunction with a body armor
protective garment.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
cooling device that uses the body's natural capabilities to cool
itself by conduction, convection, and/or evaporation as a part of
the garment's cooling system.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
cooling garment that will make body armor protective garments more
likely to be worn by those requiring such protection.
[0009] It is an even further object of the present invention to
provide a cooling system operable in both sealed and unsealed
garments.
[0010] These and other objects are achieved by a portable
lightweight cooling apparatus for cooling an object, comprising
some combination of a channeled sheet which absorbs sweat and/or
other evaporative liquid, means for moving air through said
channeled sheet, and a layer of highly conductive fibers adjacent
to said channeled sheet wherein the layer of fibers uniformly
distributes heat across the object being cooled, while the air
moving within the channeled sheet evaporates sweat and/or other
evaporative liquid, absorbs and discharges the heat and moisture
generated by the object into the environment.
[0011] These and other objects are also achieved by a method for
removing heat generated by the human body, comprising the steps of
providing a garment to be placed in thermal communication with the
body; potentially placing a layer of conductive fibers within the
garment adjacent the body for uniformly distributing the heat
generated by the body; removably attaching means for moving air in
communication with the garment for forcing air into the garment;
potentially including an exchangeable heat sink in communication
with the means for moving air in order to precondition the air
prior to the air entering the garment or becoming in communication
with the layer of highly conductive fibers to transfer heat from
the body to the heat sink; and, potentially equipping the garment
with a channeled sheet in communication with the air-moving device
such that air is directed into the channeled sheet adjacent the
layer of fibers so that heat and moisture are expelled from the
body by the air being directed out of the channeled sheet and into
the environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
foregoing and other objects are achieved by an apparatus for
cooling a living body which apparatus comprises: a layer of
thermally conductive material; and a heat sink operably connected
to said thermally conductive layer, the apparatus being configured
to cause heat from the living body to be conducted through the
thermally conductive layer and to the heat sink when the living
body is proximate the thermally conductive layer.
[0013] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
the foregoing and other objects are achieved by an apparatus for
cooling a living body which comprises: a channeled sheet capable of
absorbing evaporative liquid; and means for moving air into and
through said channeled sheet and communicably connected thereto;
said apparatus configured so that when the living body is proximate
the channeled sheet the channeled sheet may absorb evaporative
liquid from the living body and air moving through said channeled
sheet may vaporize the evaporative liquid.
[0014] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,
the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a method for
removing heat generated by a body, comprising the steps of:
providing an apparatus including a garment, a layer of thermally
conductive material disposed within said garment, and a heat sink
connected to said thermally conductive material to permit
conduction of heat therebetween; and placing the thermally
conductive material in contact with at least a portion of the body
to cause the thermally conductive material to conduct heat from the
body to the heat sink.
[0015] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention,
the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a method for
removing heat generated by a body, comprising the steps of:
providing an apparatus comprising a garment, a channeled sheet for
absorbing evaporative liquid disposed within said garment, and a
powered air moving device disposed for moving air through channels
within said channeled sheet; placing the channeled sheet in contact
with at least a portion of the body; and causing the air-moving
device to direct air through the channeled sheet and expel air
therefrom whereby liquid from the body may be absorbed by the
channeled sheet and evaporated to cool the body and whereby heat
from the body may be convectively removed by the moving air.
[0016] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention,
the foregoing and other objects are achieved by an apparatus for
cooling a living body which comprises: a continuous layer of
thermally conductive material wherein a first portion of the
continuous layer is configured to be proximate to the living body
for absorbing heat from the body and a second portion of said layer
is configured to be exposed to ambient air for discharging heat to
the ambient air.
[0017] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention,
the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a body armor
protective garment for protecting and cooling a living body which
comprises a projectile-resisting shield and a continuous layer of
thermally conductive material wherein a first portion of the layer
is configured to be inside the shield proximate to the living body
for absorbing heat from the body, and a second portion of said
layer is configured to be outside said shield and exposed to
ambient air for discharging heat to the ambient air.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In the drawings,
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the garment, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the garment,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the cooling belt,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view of the garment along line
A-A as shown in FIG. 2, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4b is a detailed cross-sectional view of the garment,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the thermal energy storage
(TES) capsule in the cooling belt, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention is a cooling system integrated into a
garment that uses the body's natural capability to cool itself
through convection and sweat evaporation. In a preferred embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1-4a and 5, the garment cooling system
comprises a sheet of hydrophillic material having a plurality of
channels formed therein, an air moving device that introduces
outside air into the plurality of channels, and a layer that
interfaces between the human skin and the channeled sheet to absorb
perspiration. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4b
and 5, the garment cooling system comprises a thermal energy
storage (TES) capsule that is coupled to carbon fiber fabric.
Although the cooling system will be described in terms of its use
as part of a bullet proof vest, it is apparent that the cooling
system could be used in fire-proof protective suits, chemical and
biological suits, diving suits, hospital blankets, tents and other
personal equipment where a means for cooling might be employed.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a garment, generally referred to by
reference number 10, having a cooling system according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed in the
shape of a vest 20 connected to a belt 30. Although it is
appreciated that a vest may be appropriate for certain
applications, cooling system could easily be adapted for use in
pants, shirts, skirts, hats and other like garments. In the vest
configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, belt 30 has a plurality of
openings 32 (FIG. 3) formed therein that are placed in fluid
communication with a plurality of channels 22 formed within vest
20. An air moving device 40, such as a mini-fan, blower, impeller
or like device, is carried by belt 30 so that air is circulated
within plurality of channels 22. Belt 30 and openings 32 therefore
serve as a manifold for distributing air to channels. Each opening
of plurality of openings 32 places air from air moving means 40 in
fluid communication with plurality of channels 22 within vest 20 to
distribute the flow of air created by air moving device 40
throughout gament 10. Importantly, air moving device 40 brings air
from the outside environment into gament 10. Air flows close to the
skin absorbing both heat and moisture and, thereby, cooling the
human body in a way that takes advantage of the natural process of
perspiring. The metabolic heat generated by the body is carried out
of channels 22 and is exhausted to the outside environment.
[0027] Optionally, a cooling means 50, which is essentially a heat
sink, as will be described in more detail below, is positioned
between air moving device 40 and channels 22 to condition the
outside air prior to its entering channels 22. Cooling means 50 is
used only for partial cooling of outside air in climates where
outside air temperature is unacceptably high. Depending upon the
particular climate in which garment is being used, cooling means 50
may not be required. In the event use of cooling means is not
desired, garment 10 may be designed such that carbon fiber wraps
around to the outside of vest and the environment serves as the
heat sink. In climates where humidity is high, cooling means 50 may
serve as a dehumidifier, extracting moisture from the air during
the cooling process via condensation on the cool walls of cooling
means 50 or via an absorbing material. Cooling means 50 is used
only for partial cooling of outside air in climates where outside
air temperature is unacceptably high. Depending upon the particular
climate in which garment is being used, cooling means 50 may not be
required. In the event use of cooling means is not desired, garment
10 may be designed such that carbon fiber wraps around to the
outside of vest and the environment serves as the heat sink. In
climates where humidity is high, cooling means 50 may serve as a
dehumidifier, extracting moisture from the air during the cooling
process via condensation on the cool walls of cooling means 50 or
via an absorbing material.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, belt 30 is capable of detachment
from vest 20 by releasing fastening means 24. Fastening means 24
may comprise a male-type connection or fitting, or other suitable
fastening means such as snaps, adhesives and the like, and is
hollow to receive air from openings 32 and deliver air to channels
22. Cooling means 50, which is preferably TES material, is placed
in belt 30 at openings 32 so that it can remove some heat from
incoming air before it enters fastening means 24 and channels 22.
Cooling means 50 serves to lower the temperature of incoming air by
a few degrees to take up only part of the heat load. It will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that air moving
means 40 and cooling means 50 could be incorporated into vest 20,
rather than using a separate belt 30. Referring to FIG. 4A, vest 20
is formed from a sheet 26 having a plurality of channels 22, each
of which allows the flow of air through garment 10. A protective
layer 80, such as a layer of KEVLAR manmade fibers is worn over
sheet 26. Channels 22 are preferably formed in a manner that
minimizes pressure drop. Sheet 26 is preferably formed from a
lightweight and flexible hydrophilic materials, such as porous
plastics or felted foams, so that sweat, and other evaporative
liquids are wicked throughout sheet 26. Sheet 26 may be worn in
contact with the skin of the wearer, or, alternatively, may be worn
over an undergarment, and the undergarment may be intentionally
wetted prior to use or may become wetted by sweat from the user. As
herein used, wearing garment 10 "proximate to the body" of its user
includes wearing garment in direct contact with the skin or in
contact with any garment between the skin and sheet 26. Sheet 26
may be incorporated into a CoolMax.RTM. type garment for structural
support of channels.
[0029] Optionally, sheet 26 may be further enhanced by introducing
carbon fiber "needles," or other highly conductive material, into
sheet 26 during the molding process. The resulting 26 sheet would
then be better adapted to wick the sweat, and/or other evaporative
liquid, all through channels 22 as well as having a much-improved
thermal conductivity so as to be able to redistribute the heat more
uniformly throughout vest 20. The combination of carbon fibers and
moving air is another important feature of the present invention
because the combination is so effective in removing heat from hot
areas very efficiently. To prolong the useful life, sheet 26 can
also be enhanced by the addition of anti-microbial agents, such as
those sold under the trademark MICROBAN, incorporated into the
material from which it is made. Further, sheet 26 can be enhanced
with the addition of phase change material that could preclude the
use of cooling means 50 in belt 30.
[0030] An alternative embodiment of a garment 100 comprising a
carbon fiber fabric 120 coupled to a TES material, and then covered
with a protective layer 130 such as a layer of KEVLAR manmade
fibers. This alternative embodiment may be used for applications in
which duty cycles are less demanding and where weight is not as
much of a factor. In this instance, cooling will depend on
conduction and the TES capsule and not on air flow. To ensure
adequate operation of garment 100, a transition coupling (not
shown) between TES capsules and carbon fiber fabric is necessarily
provided. This coupling connects the flexible carbon fiber
impregnated fabric 120 to the rigid TES capsule and, thus, requires
a flexible to semi-rigid to rigid transition. Although this may be
achieved in many possible ways, it is also imperative that the
thermal conductivity of this coupling or transition does not impair
or impede the conductivity of garment 100. Coupling could be an
adhesive, having a high thermal conductivity, that secures TES
capsules to carbon fiber fabric 120.
[0031] Preferably, air is conditioned prior to being introduced
into plurality of channels 22 using a TES capsule 60, which is best
illustrated in FIG. 5. TES capsule 60 is preferably formed from
aluminum or other highly conductive, lightweight material and is
preferably located within belt 30. TES capsule will 60 preferably
contain a low melting temperature phase change material, for
example, ice/water at zero degrees Celsius. The phase change
material, however, may be any known TES type material which will
meet the desired needs of the invention and the conditions of use.
TES capsule 60 may also have cooling fins 70 made of aluminum,
aluminum alloy, or some other highly conductive material for
effective heat transfer and light weight. TES capsule 60 will serve
primarily as a heat sink to cool the incoming outside air from its
ambient temperature to a cooler but comfortable temperature prior
to entering channels 22.
[0032] The airflow from air moving device 65 may adjusted manually
or adjusted using an automatic integrated control system 55 (FIG.
5). Control system 55 is in operational connection with a
thermostat (not shown), which controls the air flow of air moving
device depending upon the desired temperature. Control system 55 is
completely analogous to a home thermostat control, which turns on
fans in response to an increase in temperature, but may have
additional capabilities as well. For example, in conjunction with
the adjustably controlled flow rate, the exposed surface of a TES
60 capsule 60 can be altered to maintain the exit temperature from
TES capsule 60. Air-moving device 65 may be operated by lightweight
rechargeable batteries, for example, lithium-ion batteries,
nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal-hydride batteries, and the
like or conventional non-rechargeable batteries. Air moving device
65 operates in conjunction with TES 60 because it reduces the
amount of TES material needed for cooling and results in a lighter
weight garment 10. Prior art systems dump all the heat into a heat
sink, and must therefore be sized for the maximum heat load,
resulting in a much larger quantity of TES material than the
present invention requires. Here, TES capsule 60 is only used for
part of the load, the remained being taken care of by air moving
device 65.
[0033] The present invention, thus, provides a lightweight, thin,
flexible, and comfortable cooling garment which is adaptable to the
circumstances of the user, and uses the body's natural capabilities
to cool itself as a part of the garment's cooling system. The
invention provides a cooling device for a protective garment which
is operable in both sealed and unsealed garments.
[0034] In use, garment may be worn by a user to provide additional
cooling. By manually operating air moving means 40 or using
controller system to operate air moving means 40, air will be
circulated through channels 22 close to the skin absorbing both
heat and moisture, thereby cooling the human body. The metabolic
heat generated is carried out of channels 22 and is exhausted to
the environment.
[0035] It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in
the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility
and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present
invention other than those described, as well as many variations,
modifications and equivalent arrangements will be apparent from or
reasonably suggested by the present invention and foregoing
description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope
of the present invention as defined by the following appended
claims.
* * * * *