U.S. patent application number 11/645553 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for portable heating systems and methods.
Invention is credited to Youngtack Shim.
Application Number | 20080156893 11/645553 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39562712 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080156893 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shim; Youngtack |
July 3, 2008 |
Portable heating systems and methods
Abstract
The present invention relates to portable heating systems for
generating heat through various exothermic reactions excluding
combustion of inflammable gases and liquids and carbon-containing
fossil fuels. More particularly, the present invention relates to
portable air heating systems generating heat by the exothermic
chemical reactions and delivering heat to a target by conduction or
convection. The present invention also relates to various portable
heating systems supplying reactants, air, and/or heated air into
and/out of such by a driving force generated by ordinary bodily
movement of an user. Thus, the present invention relates to gloves,
shoes, and cloths incorporated with the portable heating systems to
keeping the user warm in cold weather. The present invention also
relates to methods of generating heat by the portable heating
systems and methods of applying such systems to the gloves, shoes,
and cloths. The present invention also relates to processes for
making such portable heating systems and processes of fabricating
gloves, shoes, and cloths incorporated with such systems.
Inventors: |
Shim; Youngtack; (Port
Moody, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Youngtack Shim
155 Aspenwood Drive
Port Moody
BC
V3H 5A5
omitted
|
Family ID: |
39562712 |
Appl. No.: |
11/645553 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
237/81 ;
126/263.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 7/03 20130101; A61F
2007/0233 20130101; A43B 7/02 20130101; F24V 30/00 20180501; A61F
2007/0045 20130101; A41D 19/01535 20130101; C09K 5/18 20130101;
A61F 2007/0036 20130101; A41D 13/0051 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
237/81 ;
126/263.01 |
International
Class: |
F24J 1/00 20060101
F24J001/00 |
Claims
1. A portable heat generator for generating heat by an exothermic
hydration of at least one oxide of at least one alkali earth metal
and delivering said heat to a target comprising: at least one
portable reactor which is configured to retain therein said oxide
of said metal; at least one air inlet fluidly communicating with
said reactor and ambient air with water; and at least one air
supplier which is configured to be in fluid communication with said
ambient air and reactor and to supply said ambient air into said
reactor through said air inlet; whereby said metal oxide reacts
with said water inside said reactor and generates said heat at
least a portion of which is then delivered to said target.
2. The generator of claim 1, wherein said generator is configured
to have a shape defining a low profile than a length and a width
thereof.
3. The generator of claim 1, wherein said alkali earth metal
includes Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba.
4. The generator of claim 3, wherein said metal is CA and wherein
said metal oxide is CaO.
5. The generator of claim 3, wherein said metal oxide is configured
to define a shape of at least one of a ball, a pellet, a bar, a
fiber, and a powder.
6. The generator of claim 5, wherein said metal oxide is configured
to define a porous structure defining therethrough at least one of
macroscopic pores and microscopic pores therealong.
7. The generator of claim 6, wherein said structure is also
configured to form at least one internal lumen so as to facilitate
of mass transport of said second reactant therethrough.
8. The generator of claim 1, wherein said reactor is configured to
releasably receive at least one cartridge incorporating said metal
oxide therein and to also dispose said cartridge along said first
fluid communication so that said water travels into said cartridge
and to react with said metal oxide.
9. The generator of claim 1 further comprising a control member
which is configured to control said air supplier and to manipulate
an amount of said air supplied to said reactor as well as an amount
of said heat generated in said reactor.
10. The generator of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of air
paths, wherein at least one of said air paths is configured to be
disposed along said first communication, wherein at least another
of said air paths is configured to be disposed off from said first
communication, and wherein said air supplier is configured to
manipulate said air to path through either of said air paths.
11. The generator of claim 1, wherein said portion of said heat is
delivered to said target through a thermal conduction.
12. A portable hot air generator for heating ambient air by heat
which is released by an exothermic hydration of at leas one oxide
of at least one alkali earth metal and then delivering heated
ambient air to a target comprising: at least one portable reactor
which is configured to retain therein said oxide of said metal; at
least one air inlet fluidly communicating with said reactor and
ambient air including water; at least one air outlet fluidly
communicating with said reactor and target; and at least one air
supplier which is configured to be in fluid communication with said
ambient air, reactor, and target, to supply said ambient air into
said reactor through said air inlet, and to discharge said heated
ambient out therefrom, whereby said metal oxide reacts with said
water inside said reactor and heats said ambient air therein and
whereby said air supplier delivers said heated air to said target
through said air outlet.
13. The generator of claim 12, wherein said alkali earth metal
includes Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba.
14. The generator of claim 13, wherein said metal is CA and wherein
said metal oxide is CaO.
15. The generator of claim 12, wherein said reactor is configured
to releasably receive at least one cartridge incorporating said
metal oxide therein and to also dispose said cartridge along said
first fluid communication so that said water travels into said
cartridge and to react with said metal oxide.
16. The generator of claim 12 further comprising a heat exchanging
chamber which is configured to contain therein at least a
substantial portion of said reactor, to receive said air therein,
to generate said heated air by flowing said air around said reactor
and heating said air by said reactor, and then to discharge said
heated air to said target.
17. The generator of claim 12, wherein said metal oxide is
configured to define a shape of at least one of a ball, a pellet, a
bar, a fiber, and a powder.
18. A method of generating heat by a portable heating system
without using electricity and without burning fuel comprising the
steps of: charging a refillable reactor with at least one oxide of
at least one alkali earth metal capable of generating heat by
hydration thereof; incorporating said reactor into said system;
supplying air containing therein water to said metal oxide, thereby
generating said heat; removing said metal oxide from said reactor
after a preset extent of said hydration; and repeating said
charging with fresh metal oxide.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of:
transferring said heat to said user across said reactor through
thermal conduction.
20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of: flowing
at least a portion of said air around but not in said reactor;
heating said portion of said air by said reactor; and delivering
said heated air to target, thereby transferring said heat to said
target by convention.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims a benefit of an earlier
invention date of the Disclosure Document which is entitled
"Portable Heating Systems and Methods," deposited in the U.S. PTO
on Feb. 11, 2005 by the same Applicant, and bearing the Ser. No.
570,394, an entire portion of which is to be incorporated herein by
reference and will be referred to as the "co-pending Applications"
herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to portable heating systems
for generating heat through various exothermic reactions excluding
combustion of inflammable gases and liquids and carbon-containing
fossil fuels. More particularly, the present invention relates to
portable air heating systems generating heat by the exothermic
chemical reactions and delivering heat to a target by conduction or
convection. The present invention also relates to various portable
heating systems supplying reactants, air, and/or heated air into
and/out of such by a driving force generated by ordinary bodily
movement of an user. Thus, the present invention relates to gloves,
shoes, and cloths incorporated with the portable heating systems to
keeping the user warm in cold weather. The present invention also
relates to methods of generating heat by the portable heating
systems and methods of applying such systems to the gloves, shoes,
and cloths. The present invention also relates to processes for
making such portable heating systems and processes of fabricating
gloves, shoes, and cloths incorporated with such systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various heating devices have been used to supply heat to
various body parts of an user. The heating devices generally
provide the heat or heated air to a target by thermal conduction,
convection, and/or radiation, and use electricity or fossil fuels
as their energy source. Such devices are generally designed as
stationary articles to which electricity is supplied or fuels are
refilled. Thus, modifications of such devices into portable
articles have not yet been successful.
[0004] Some portable heating devices, however, are currently
available on the market. For example, some electric heaters operate
on batteries or portable generators, while other heaters burn
kerosene or inflammable gas stored in a fuel tank. Although the
portable electric heaters may be useful in some occasions, their
applications are limited in that the batteries tend to be heavy and
bulky, such batteries may last only several hours, and the like. It
is cumbersome to carry tens of extra batteries to replace the used
ones and to recharge the rechargeable batteries whenever such
heaters are to be used in the future. Although the energy source of
the portable burners such as the fuel tanks and canisters of
inflammable gas are generally less cumbersome to carry, flame
temperature of such heaters may be relatively high, and no suitable
methods have been developed to control the flame temperature at a
range not detrimental to a skin of an user. A mixture of charcoal
and metal powder is also available so that the mixture gradually
generates heat as powder particles are rubbed against each other
and burn the charcoal. Although this heating device may generate
heat at a low temperature, it is typically difficult to control
heat generation once the powder begins to burn. In addition, this
device does not have enough heating capacity to last more than a
few hours.
[0005] Accordingly, there is an urgent need for a portable heating
system which can provide thermal energy at a low temperature level
for an extended period of time. There also exists a need for
gloves, shoes, and cloths incorporating such a heating system and
providing heat to hands, feet, and body of the user for an extended
period of time. There is a further need for the heating system
which can be incorporated into the gloves, shoes, and cloths and
can be actuated by ordinary bodily movements of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to portable heating systems
for generating heat through various exothermic chemical reactions
excluding combustion of inflammable gases and/or liquids and
carbon-containing fossil fuels such as, e.g., natural gas, propane
gas, butane gas, gasoline, kerosene, coal, charcoal, and a mixture
thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to
portable heating systems capable of generating heat by the
exothermic chemical reactions and delivering such heat to a target
by direct thermal conduction and/or forced convection, by indirect
convection alone, and the like. Thus, the present invention relates
to various reactants provided in various shapes and capable of
reacting with each other and generating such heat by such
reactions. The present invention also relates to various portable
heating systems supplying reactants and/or heated air into and/out
of the systems by driving forces which are generated by ordinary
body movements of an user. Therefore, the present invention also
relates to various portable heating systems which are provided as
compact articles and capable of being incorporated into gloves,
shoes, and cloths.
[0007] The present invention also relates to methods of generating
heat and delivering the heat to an user by the above portable
heating systems without generating undesirable substances such as
CO, NO.sub.x, other toxic substances, and the like. More
particularly, the present invention relates to methods of disposing
various reactants into the portable heating systems, methods of
supplying the reactants to various parts of the heating systems for
the exothermic reactions, methods of controlling amounts of the
reactants supplied to various parts of the system and controlling
amounts of the heat generated by the systems, and methods of
delivering the heat to the user by different heat transfer
mechanisms. Therefore, the present invention also relates to
methods of providing the reactants in various shapes and/or
arrangements for maximizing and/or manipulating extents of
generating such heat. In addition, the present invention relates to
various methods of incorporating such portable heating systems into
the gloves, shoes, and/or cloths to provide such heat to the user
wearing such.
[0008] The present invention further relates to processes for
making such portable heating systems capable of generating heat by
the exothermic chemical reactions and delivering such heat to the
user and processes of providing various parts of such systems. More
particularly, the present invention relates to processes of
providing heat generators for generating such heat by the chemical
reactions and delivering such heat to the user by the thermal
conduction and/or forced convection, processes of providing hot air
generators for generating the heat by such reactions and delivering
heated air to the user solely by the force convection, processes of
constructing heat generators for the heating and/or hot air
generators, and the like. Thus, the present invention also relates
to various processes of forming various reactants for such systems.
In addition, the present invention relates to various processes for
making gloves, shoes, and/or cloths incorporating such heating or
hot air generators, various processes for supplying the reactants
into the systems with such generators, and processes for providing
driving forces for transporting such reactants for the systems.
[0009] Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is
to provide a portable heating system which can generate heat by at
least one exothermic chemical reaction but in a safe, slow, as well
as controllable mode. Thus, a related objective of this invention
is to provide the portable heating system capable of generating the
heat without burning inflammable gases and liquids, without burning
fossil fuels such as, e.g., natural gas, propane gas, butane gas,
gasoline, kerosene, coal, charcoal, and a mixture thereof. Another
related objective of this invention is to provide the portable
heating system capable of generating such heat from the exothermic
reaction without producing reaction products which are not
desirable because they may be toxic (e.g., SO.sub.x or NO.sub.x),
because they may contribute to global warming (e.g., CO.sub.2), and
the like.
[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the
portable heating system capable of transferring heat released by
various exothermic chemical reactions to an user wearing or
carrying such a system. Thus, a related objective of this invention
is to provide such a portable heating device capable of harnessing
the heat of various chemical reactions such as, e.g., a formation
reaction of a metal hydroxide from water and at least one metal
oxide, a formation reaction of at least one salt from at least one
acid and at least one base, a reaction between at least one acid
and at least one metal, a hydration of a preset substance by water,
a dissolution of a preset substance into a solvent, a dilution of a
preset substance by a solvent, a phase change of a preset
substance, and any other exothermic reactions. Another related
objective of this invention is to provide the portable heating
system which may employ the exothermic chemical reaction which does
not necessarily form an enormous amount of reaction products.
Another related objective of this invention is to provide such a
portable heating system which may employ the exothermic chemical
reaction which is readily controllable so that the reaction is not
too fast but easily controllable, that the reaction heat will not
render the system reach dangerously high temperature, and the like.
Another related objective of this invention is to provide the
portable heating system which can generate such heat at least
roughly in proportion to an user input and which does not run away
or overshoot from a safe and controllable temperature range.
[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide
various reactants which can generate such heat by the exothermic
chemical reaction. Thus, a related objective of this invention is
to provide at least one of such reactants in various shapes and/or
arrangements in order to achieve a maximum conversion and/or to
generate a maximum amount of the heat per unit mass of the
reactant. Another related objective of this invention is to provide
at least one of such reactants in various configurations in order
to facilitate replacement of consumed reactants by fresh reactants.
Another related objective of this invention is to select at least
two suitable reactants to meet the other objectives of the present
invention as have been described hereinabove and as will be
disclosed hereinafter.
[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide
various heat generators for the above portable heating system in
order to transfer the heat from the exothermic chemical reaction to
the user preferentially by thermal conduction. Thus, a related
objective of this invention is to provide the heat generator which
incorporates materials having high thermal conductivity and in
which the exothermic reaction occurs, thereby facilitating the
conduction of such heat to the user. Another related objective of
this invention is to construct the heat generator in a
configuration into which the reactant is readily charged and from
which consumed reactant is replaced. Another related objective of
this invention is to provide the heat generator in a compact
configuration so that the user can incorporate the system with the
heat generator into his or her gloves, shoes, and/or cloths.
[0013] Another objective of the present invention is to make
various hot air generators for the above portable heating system
capable of transferring the heat from the exothermic chemical
reaction to the user preferentially by forced convection. Thus, a
related objective of this invention is to provide such a hot air
generator which employs ambient air as one of the reactants,
supplies the air to a reactor in which the reaction takes place,
heats the air in the reactor, and then delivers the heated air
directly to the user from the reactor. Another related objective of
this invention is to provide such a reactor for the hot air
generator by selecting the suitable exothermic chemical reaction
which does not form any reaction products which may not be
desirable when delivered to the user. Another related objective of
this invention is to provide the hot air generator which also
includes an additional heat exchanging chamber, supplies ambient
air to the chamber while supplying such reactants to the reactor in
which the reaction takes place and the heat is released, transfers
the heat to the ambient air disposed inside the chamber but outside
the reactor, and then delivers the heated air to the user out of
the chamber. Another related objective of this invention is to
construct the hot air generator in a configuration into which the
reactant may be readily charged and from which consumed reactant is
replaced. Another objective of this invention is to also provide
the hot air generator in a compact configuration so that the user
can incorporate the system including the hot air generator into his
or her gloves, shoes, and/or cloths.
[0014] Another objective of the present invention is to provide
various heat generators for the above portable heating system which
can supply the reactants of the exothermic chemical reaction based
on various arrangements. Therefore, a related objective of this
invention is to provide a reactor of such a heat generator in which
all reactants for the exothermic reaction are fixedly or releasably
charged so that the generator does not need to transport any
reactant at all. Another related objective of this invention is to
provide a reactor of the heat generator in which at least one but
not all of the reactants is fixedly or releasably charged so that
the generator does not have to transport all reactants into the
reactor to generate the heat. Another related objective of this
invention is to provide a reactor of the heat generator into which
all reactants for the reaction are to be supplied from their
external sources such that the generator needs to transport each of
such reactants into the reactor. Another related objective of this
invention is to provide the heat generator which can manipulate an
amount of each reactant supplied into the reactor and control a
rate of generation of the heat by the reactor. Another related
objective of this invention is to provide the heating system which
includes at least one supplier capable of supplying the ambient air
and/or reactants into the heat generators based on movement of at
least one body part of the user.
[0015] Another objective of the present invention is to provide
various hot air generators for such a portable heating system which
can also supply such reactants of the exothermic chemical reaction
in various embodiments. Therefore, a related objective of this
invention is to provide a reactor of such a hot air generator in
which all reactants for the exothermic reaction are fixed or
releasably charged so that such a generator does not need to
transport any reactant at all. Another related objective of this
invention is to provide a reactor of the heat generator in which at
least one but not all of the reactants is fixedly or releasably
charged so that the generator does not have to transport all
reactants into the reactor to generate the heat. Another related
objective of this invention is to provide a reactor of the heat
generator into which all reactants for the reaction are to be
supplied from their external sources such that the generator needs
to transport each of the reactants into such a reactor. Another
related objective of this invention is to provide the hot air
generator which can manipulate an amount of each reactant supplied
into the reactor and control a rate of generation of such heat by
the reactor as well as a flow rate of the heated air delivered to
the user. Another objective of this invention is to provide the
heating system which includes at least one supplier capable of
supplying the ambient air and/or reactants into the hot air
generators based on movement of at least one body part of the
user.
[0016] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
glove which is incorporated with the above portable heating system
which in turn includes the above heat and/or hot air generators.
Thus, a related objective of this invention is to provide the glove
which includes such a heat generator and supplies various reactants
into the reactor of the generator by driving forces provided by
movement of a finger, a hand, a wrist, and/or a lower arm of the
user, thereby generating and transferring such heat to the user in
proportion with the body movement. Another related objective of
this invention is to provide the glove which includes the hot air
generator and supplies various reactants into the reactor of the
generator by such driving forces, thereby generating and delivering
the heated or hot air to the user in proportion with such body
movement. Another related objective of this invention is to provide
the glove which satisfies all of the foregoing objectives.
[0017] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
shoe which is incorporated with the above portable heating system
which in turn includes the above heat and/or hot air generators.
Thus, a related objective of this invention is to provide the glove
which includes such a heat generator and supplies various reactants
into the reactor of the generator by driving forces provided by
movement of a toe, a foot, an ankle, a lower leg, and/or a knee of
the user, thereby generating and transferring the heat to the user
in proportion with the body movement. Another related objective of
this invention is to provide the glove which includes the hot air
generator and supplies various reactants into such a reactor of the
generator by the driving forces. Another related objective of this
invention is to provide the shoe which satisfies all of the
foregoing objectives.
[0018] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
cloth which is incorporated with the above portable heating system
which in turn includes the above heat and/or hot air generators.
Thus, a related objective of this invention is to provide the cloth
which includes such a heat generator and supplies various reactants
into the reactor of the generator by driving forces provided by
movement of any body part of the user, thereby generating and
transferring the heat to the user in proportion to the body
movement. Therefore, a related objective of this invention is to
also provide the cloth which includes the hot air generator and
supplies various reactants into the reactor of the generator by the
driving forces. Another related objective of this invention is to
provide the cloth which satisfies all of the foregoing
objectives.
[0019] The portable heat or hot air generating systems of the
present invention may be incorporated into various articles of
commerce. Such systems may generally be applied to those articles
which are worn by the user and insulate his or her specific body
parts from cold atmosphere. Therefore, such portable systems of
this invention may be readily incorporated into gloves, shoes,
helmets, caps, hats, ear masks, cloths, and the like.
[0020] Such portable heating systems of this invention may offer
various benefits over the foregoing prior art counterparts. First
of all, such portable heating systems may be constructed as compact
and light units and, accordingly, may be readily incorporated into
the gloves, shoes, and/or cloths, without burdening the user by
their weights, sizes, and/or volumes. Secondly, such systems do not
generally require any stationary, bulky or heavy energy source
which has to be attached or connected thereto. Accordingly, the
user may engage in activities without being restricted within a
certain distance from the energy stationary source and without
being hindered by the weight, size, and/or volume of such a source.
In addition, such systems do not require any inflammable energy
source and, accordingly, the user does not need to limit extents of
his or her activity without being unnecessarily concerned about
spilling liquid or solid fuels from the system. Furthermore, such
systems may generate the heat or hot air without involving any
combustion and flame. Therefore, such heat or hot air may be
generated at a relatively low temperature level and then directly
delivered to the user and/or target without physically damaging or
burning a skin of the user. Various reactants or energy source of
such heating systems may be provided as replaceable cartridges
which may define minimal weights and volumes, because such
cartridges may be made from light materials and include dry solid
or powder of reactants. Thus, the user may carry a significant
number of cartridges as he or she may embark on a trip. In
addition, an extent of the exothermic chemical reaction may be
easily manipulated by then controlling amounts of reactants fed to
reactors of such systems. Thus, the user may readily control an
amount of heat or hot air provided to his or her body parts.
[0021] A variety of apparatus, method, and/or process aspects of
such heating systems and various embodiments thereof are now
enumerated. It is appreciated, however, that following system,
method, and/or process aspects of the present invention may also be
embodied in many other different forms and, accordingly, should not
be limited to such aspects and/or their embodiments which are to be
set forth herein. Rather, various exemplary aspects and/or their
embodiments described hereinafter are provided such that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the
scope of the present invention to one of ordinary skill in the
relevant art.
[0022] In one aspect of the present invention, a portable heat
generator may be provided to generate heat by at least one
exothermic chemical reaction and to deliver the heat to a
target.
[0023] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present
invention, a generator may include at least one reactor, at least
one reactor inlet, and at least one first reactant. The reactor
inlet may be arranged to be in fluid communication with the reactor
and ambient air including water, where such a reactor inlet will
now be referred to as the "type A react inlet" hereinafter. The
first reactant may be arranged to be disposed in the reactor and to
generate heat with the water by the chemical reaction when such
ambient air may be supplied to the reactor (to be referred to as
the "type A first reactant" hereinafter), whereby the generator
generates and delivers heat to the target.
[0024] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may also include at least one
reactor, at least one first reactant, at least one second storage,
at least one reactor inlet, and at least one second reactant. The
reactant may be arranged to be disposed in the reactor, while the
second storage may be arranged to be physically separate from the
reactor, where this second storage will now be referred to as the
"type A second storage" hereinafter. The reactor inlet may be
arranged to be in fluid communication with the reactor and second
storage, where such a reactor inlet will be referred to as the
"type B reactor inlet" hereinafter. Such a second reactant may be
arranged to be disposed in the second storage and to generate heat
with the first reactant by the reaction when the second reactant is
supplied to the reactor (to be referred to as the "type A second
reactant" hereinafter), whereby the generator generates and
delivers heat to the target.
[0025] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may also include at least one
reactor, at least one first storage, at least one second storage,
at least one reactor inlet, at least one first reactant, and at
least one second reactant. Such a first storage may be arranged to
be physically separate from the reactor, where such a first storage
will be referred to as the "type A first storage" hereinafter. The
second storage may be arranged to be physically separate from both
of the reactor and first storage, where this second storage will be
referred to as the "type B second storage" hereinafter). The
reactor inlet may be arranged to be in fluid communication with the
reactor and with both of the first and second storages, where this
reactor inlet is to be referred to as the "type C reactor inlet"
hereinafter. The first reactant may be arranged to be disposed in
the first storage and will be referred to as the "type B first
reactant" hereinafter. The second reactant may be arranged to be
disposed in the second storage and to generate heat with such a
first reactant by the reaction when both of such first and second
reactants are supplied into the reactor (to be referred to as the
"type B second reactant" hereinafter), whereby the generator
generates and delivers heat to the target.
[0026] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may include at least one reactor,
the above type A reactor inlet, and at least one cartridge which
may be arranged to be releasably incorporated into the reactor and
to include at least one first reactant which may be arranged to
generate heat with the water by the reaction when the ambient air
is supplied into the reactor and then the cartridge (to be referred
to as the "type A cartridge" hereinafter), whereby the generator
generates and delivers the heat to the target.
[0027] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may include at least one reactor, at
least one cartridge, the type A second storage, the type B reactor
inlet, the type A second reactant, and at least one cartridge,
where such a cartridge may be arranged to be releasably
incorporated into the reactor and to include at least one first
reactant (to be referred to as the "type B cartridge" hereinafter).
The type A second reactant may also be supplied to the cartridge,
whereby the generator generates and delivers heat to the
target.
[0028] In another aspect of the present invention, a portable hot
air generator may also be provided to generate heat from at least
one exothermic chemical reaction, to hear air with the heat, and to
deliver hot air to a target.
[0029] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present
invention, a generator may include at least one reactor, at least
one air inlet, at least one air outlet, and the type A first
reactant. The air inlet may be arranged to be in fluid
communication with the reactor and ambient air which may include
water (to be referred to as the "type A air inlet" hereinafter),
whereas the air outlet may be arranged to be in fluid communication
with the reactor as well with the target (to be referred to as the
"type A air outlet" hereinafter). Accordingly, the generator may
heat the air in the reactor and then deliver the heated air to the
target.
[0030] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may include at least one reactor, at
least one first reactant which is arranged to be disposed in the
reactor, the type A air inlet, the type A air outlet, the type A
second storage, the type B reactor inlet, and the type A second
reactant, whereby the generator may heat the air in the reactor and
then deliver such heated air to the target.
[0031] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may include at least one reactor,
the type A first storage, the type B first reactant, the type A air
inlet, the type A air outlet, the type B second storage, the type C
reactor inlet, and at least one type B second reactant. The reactor
inlet may be also arranged to be in fluid communication with the
reactor as well as both of the first and second storages.
Therefore, the generator may generate heat and deliver the heat to
the target.
[0032] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may have at least one reactor, the
type A air inlet, the type A air outlet, and the type A cartridge.
Thus, the generator may heat the air and deliver the heated air to
the target.
[0033] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may include at least one reactor,
the type B cartridge, the type A air inlet, the type A air outlet,
the type A second storage, the type B reactor inlet, and the type B
second reactant which may also be supplied to the cartridge,
whereby the generator may heat the air and deliver the heated air
to the target.
[0034] In another aspect of the present invention, a portable hot
air generator may also be provided to generate heat by at least one
exothermic chemical reaction and to generate hot air by heat
transfer.
[0035] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present
invention, a generator may include at least one reactor, the type A
reactor inlet, the type A first reactant, at least one heat
exchanging chamber including the reactor therein, at least one air
inlet, and at least one air outlet. The air inlet may be in fluid
communication with the chamber and ambient air, and will be
referred to as the "type B air inlet" hereinafter). The air outlet
may be in fluid communication with the chamber and target, and will
be referred to as the "type B air outlet" hereinafter. Therefore,
the generator may generate the heat, transfer the heat from the
chamber to the air, and deliver the heated air to the target.
[0036] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may include at least one reactor,
the type B first reactant, at least one second storage, the type B
reactor inlet, at least one second reactant, at least one heat
exchanging chamber, the type B air inlet, and the type B air
outlet. The second storage may be physically separate from the
reactor, while the second reactant may be arranged to be disposed
in the second storage and to generate heat with such a first
reactant through the chemical reaction when the second reactant is
supplied to the reactor. The heat exchanging chamber may include
the reactor therein, whereby the generator may generate the heat,
transfer the heat from the chamber to the air, and then deliver the
heated air from the chamber to the target.
[0037] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may include at least one reactor, at
least one first storage, the type B first reactant, at least one
second storage, the type C reactor inlet, at least one second
reactant, the type B air inlet, and the type B air outlet. Such a
first storage may be arranged to be physically separate from the
reactor, whereas the second storage may be arranged to be
physically separate from both of the reactor and first storage. The
second reactant may be arranged to be disposed in the second
storage and to generate the heat through the chemical reaction with
the first reactant when the first and second reactants are supplied
into the reactor through the reactor inlet. Accordingly, the
generator may generate the heat, transfer the heat from the chamber
to the air, and then deliver the heated air from the chamber to the
target.
[0038] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may include at least one reactor,
the type A cartridge, at least one heat exchanging chamber
including the reactor therein, the type B air inlet, and the type B
air outlet. Accordingly, the generator may generate the heat,
transfer the heat from the chamber to the air, and deliver the
heated air to the target.
[0039] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a generator may include at least one reactor,
the type B cartridge, the type A second storage, the type B reactor
inlet, the type A second reactant which may be also supplied to the
cartridge, at least one heat exchanging chamber including the
reactor therein, the type B air inlet, and the type B air outlet.
Accordingly, such a generator may generate the heat, transfer the
heat from the chamber to the air, and then deliver the heated air
from the chamber to the target.
[0040] In another aspect of the present invention, a portable
heating system may be provided.
[0041] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present
invention, such a system may have at least one cartridge, at least
one reactor, at least one actuator, and at least one air supplier.
Such a cartridge may be releasable and include at least one first
reactant which may be arranged to generate heat with water included
in an ambient air by at least one exothermic chemical reaction,
where such a cartridge will be referred to as the "type C
cartridge" hereinafter. The reactor may then be arranged to
replaceably retain such a cartridge and will be referred to as the
"type A reactor" hereinafter. The actuator may be arranged to
operatively couple with at least one body part of an user and to
convert at least one body movement of the user into a driving
force, where this actuator will be referred to as the "type A
actuator" hereinafter. The air supplier may be arranged to be in
fluid communication with the reactor, to operatively couple with
the actuator, and to supply air including water to the reactor by
such driving force, where this air supplier will be referred to as
the "type A air supplier" hereinafter. Therefore, the system is
arranged to generate heat in the reactor due to the movement and to
deliver at least a portion of the heat to the user.
[0042] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a system may include at least one reactor, the
type A actuator, and the type A air supplier. The reactor includes
at least one first reactant which may be arranged to generate heat
with water and/or water included in ambient air by at least one
exothermic chemical reaction and to be referred to as the "type B
reactor" hereinafter. Thus, the system may be arranged to generate
heat in the reactor due to the movement and to deliver at least a
portion of the heat to the user.
[0043] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a system may include at least one cartridge, the
type A reactor, at least one second storage, the type A actuator,
and at least one reactant supplier. Such a cartridge may be
arranged to be replaceable and to include at least one first
reactant, where such a cartridge will be called as the "type D
cartridge" hereinafter. Such a second storage may be arranged to
store at least one second reactant capable of generating heat with
the first reactant by at least one exothermic chemical reaction and
will be referred to as the "type C second storage" hereinafter. The
reactant supplier may be arranged to fluidly communicate with the
reactor, to operatively couple with the actuator, and to transport
the second reactant into the reactor by such driving force, where
this reactant supplier will be referred to as the "type A reactant
supplier" hereinafter. Accordingly, the reactants may generate heat
in the reactor by the movement, and the system may be arranged to
deliver at least a portion of the heat to the user.
[0044] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a system may have at least one reactor, at least
one first storage storing therein at least one first reactant, the
type C second storage, the type A actuator, and at least one
reactant supplier which may be arranged to fluidly communicate with
the reactor, to be operatively coupled to the actuator, and then to
transport the first and second reactants into the reactor by the
driving force, where this reactant supplier will be referred to as
the "type B reactant supplier" hereinafter. Thus, the reactants may
generate heat due to the movement, and the system may deliver at
least a portion of the heat to the user.
[0045] In another aspect of the present invention, a portable hot
air generating system may further be provided.
[0046] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present
invention, a system may include the type C cartridge, at least one
reactor, the type A actuator, and at least one air supplier. The
reactor may be arranged to include therein at least one air inlet
and at least one air outlet, to releasably retain therein the
cartridge, and to be referred to as the "type C reactor"
hereinafter. The air supplier may be arranged to fluidly
communicate with the reactor, to operatively couple with the
actuator, to supply air including water to the reactor through the
air inlet by the driving force, and then to dispense the air out of
the reactor, where such an air supplier is to be referred to as the
"type B air supplier" hereinafter. Therefore, the system may be
arranged to generate heat in the reactor due to the movement, to
heat the air, and to discharge the heated air out of the reactor to
the user.
[0047] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a system may include at least type C reactor,
the type A actuator, and the type B air supplier. The reactor may
also contain at least one first reactant which may be arranged to
generate heat with water by at least one exothermic chemical
reaction, whereby the system may be arranged to generate heat in
the reactor due to the movement, to heat the air, and to discharge
the heated air out of the reactor to the user.
[0048] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a system may include the type D cartridge, the
type C reactor which may releasably retain the cartridge therein,
the type C second storage, the type A actuator, and the type A
reactant supplier which may be arranged to supply the air into the
reactor, and to dispense the air out of the reactor, whereby the
system may be arranged to generate heat in the reactor due to the
movement, to heat the air, and to discharge the heated air out of
the reactor to the user.
[0049] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, such a system may include the type C reactor, at
least one first storage storing at least one first reactant, the
type C second storage, the type A actuator, and the type B reactant
supplier. Therefore, the system may be arranged to generate heat in
the reactor due to the movement, to heat the air with the heat, and
then to discharge the heated air out of the reactor to the
user.
[0050] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a system may include the type C cartridge, the
type A reactor, at least one heat exchanging chamber, the type A
actuator, and at least one air supplier. The heat exchanging
chamber may be arranged to include at least one air inlet and at
least one air outlet and to retain at least a portion of the
reactor therein. The air supplier may be arranged to be in fluid
communication with the chamber, to operatively couple with the
actuator, to supply air including water to the reactor by the
driving force, to supply ambient air to the chamber, and to
dispense the air out of the chamber, where this air supplier will
be referred to as the "type C air supplier" hereinafter.
Accordingly, the system may generate heat in the reactor due to the
movement, transfer the heat to the ambient air, and discharge the
heated ambient air to the user.
[0051] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, a system may include the type B reactor, at
least one heat exchanging chamber, the type A actuator, and the
type C air supplier, where the heat exchanging chamber may be
arranged to include at least one air inlet and at least one air
outlet and to retain at least a portion of the reactor therein.
Therefore, such a system may generate heat in the reactor due to
the movement, transfer the heat to the ambient air, and then
discharge the heated air out of the chamber to the user.
[0052] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, such a system may include the type D cartridge,
the type A reactor, at least one heat exchanging chamber, the type
C second storage, the type A actuator, the type B reactant
supplier, and at least one air supplier. The heat exchanging
chamber may be arranged to include at least one air inlet and at
least one air outlet and to retain at least a portion of the
reactor therein. Such an air supplier may be arranged to fluidly
communicate with the chamber, to operatively couple with the
actuator, to supply the air to the heat exchanging chamber, and to
dispense the air out of the chamber, where this air supplier will
now be referred to as the "type D air supplier" hereinafter.
Accordingly, such a system may generate heat in the reactor due to
the movement, transfer the heat to the air, and discharge the
heated air out of the chamber to the user.
[0053] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
present invention, such a system may include at least one reactor,
at least one first storage capable of storing therein at least one
first reactant, the type C second storage, at least one heat
exchanging chamber, the type A actuator, the type B reactant
supplier, and the type D air supplier. The heat exchanging chamber
may be arranged to include at least one air inlet and at least one
air outlet and to retain at least a portion of the reactor therein.
Therefore, the system may generate heat in the reactor due to the
movement, transfer such heat to the air, and discharge the heated
air out of the chamber to the user.
[0054] In another aspect of the present invention, a heat
generating shoe may be provided.
[0055] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present
invention, such a shoe may include at least one shoe body, the type
B reactor, at least one actuator, and the type A air supplier. Such
a shoe body may be arranged to define at least one opening and an
interior therein, where the opening may be arranged to receive at
least a portion of a foot of an user therethrough and where the
interior may be arranged to extend from the opening inwardly
thereinto and to retain the portion of the foot. The reactor may
also be arranged to couple with the shoe body. The actuator may be
arranged to be operatively coupled to at least one body part of an
user such as, e.g., a toe, a foot, an ankle, a lower leg, a knee,
and an upper leg of the user, and to convert at least one movement
of the body part into a driving force, where this actuator will be
referred to as the "type B actuator" hereinafter. Therefore, the
water may react with the first reactant in the reactor while
generating the heat in response to the movement and transferring
the heat to the body part of the user.
[0056] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
present invention, a shoe may include the type A shoe body, at
least one reactor which is arranged to include at least one first
reactant and to be coupled to the shoe body, the type C second
storage which may couple with the shoe body as well, the type B
actuator, and the type A reactant supplier. Therefore, the
reactants may react in the reactor while generating the heat in
response to the movement and transferring such heat to the body
part of the user.
[0057] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
present invention, a shoe may include the type A shoe body, at
least one reactor which may couple with the shoe body and contact
such an interior, at least one first storage for storing at least
one first reactant, the type C second storage, the type B actuator,
and the type B reactant supplier. Accordingly, the reactants may
react in the reactor while generating the heat in response to the
movement and transferring such heat to the body part of the
user.
[0058] In another aspect of the present invention, a shoe may be
provided for heating its interior with hot air.
[0059] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present
invention, such a shoe may include the type A shoe body, the type B
reactor which may be arranged to be in fluid communication with the
interior, the type B actuator, and the type A air supplier.
Therefore, the water may react with the first reactant in the
reactor while generating the heat in response to the movement,
transferring the heat to the air, and delivering the heated air to
the body part of the user.
[0060] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
present invention, a shoe may include the type A shoe body, at
least one reactor which is arranged to include at least one first
reactant and to be coupled to the interior, the type C second
storage which may also be coupled to the shoe body, the type B
actuator, and at least one reactant supplier which may be arranged
to fluidly communicate with the reactor, to operatively couple with
the actuator, and to transport the second reactant into the reactor
by a first driving force. In one example, such a shoe may also
include at least one air supplier which may be arranged to supply
air to the reactor by a second driving force, whereby the reactants
may react inside the reactor while generating the heat in response
to the movement, transferring the heat to the air, and delivering
the heated air onto the body part of the user. In another example,
such a shoe may instead include at least one air supplier which may
be arranged to supply air around the reactor in response to a
second driving force, whereby the reactants may react in the
reactor while generating the heat in response to the movement,
transferring the heat onto the air, and delivering the heated air
to the body part of the user.
[0061] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
present invention, a shoe may include the type A shoe body, at
least one reactor which may be arranged to fluidly communicate with
such an interior of the shoe body, at least one first storage
capable of storing at least one first reactant; the type C second
storage, the type B actuator, and at least one reactant supplier
which may be arranged to fluidly communicate with the reactor, to
operatively couple with the actuator, and to transport such first
and second reactants into the reactor by a first driving force. In
one example, such a shoe may also include at least one air supplier
which may be arranged to supply air into the reactor in response to
a first driving force, whereby the reactants may react inside the
reactor while generating the heat in response to the movement,
transferring the heat to the air, and delivering the heated air to
the body part of the user. In another example, such a shoe may
instead include at least one air supplier which may be arranged to
supply air around the reactor in response to a second driving
force, whereby the reactants may react each other in the reactor
while generating the heat, transferring such heat to the air, and
delivering the heated air to the body part of the user.
[0062] In another aspect of the present invention, a heat
generating glove may be provided.
[0063] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present
invention, such a globe may include at least one globe body, the
type B reactor, at least one actuator, and the type A air supplier.
Such a globe body may be arranged to define at least one opening
and an interior therein, where the opening may be arranged to
receive at least a portion of a hand of an user therethrough and
where the interior may be arranged to extend from the opening
inwardly thereinto and to retain the portion of the hand, where
this globe body will be referred to as the "type A globe body"
hereinafter. The type B reactor may also be arranged to couple with
the globe body. The actuator may be arranged to be operatively
coupled to at least one body part of an user such as, e.g., a
finger, a hand, a wrist, a lower arm, an elbow, and an upper arm of
the user, and then to convert at least one movement of the body
part into a driving force, where this actuator will be referred to
as the "type C actuator" hereinafter. Thus, the water may then
react with the first reactant in the reactor while generating the
heat in response to the movement and transferring the heat to the
body part of the user.
[0064] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
present invention, a globe may include the type A globe body, at
least one reactor which may also be arranged to include therein at
least one first reactant and to be coupled to the globe body, the
type C second storage which also couples with the globe body, the
type C actuator, and the type A reactant supplier. Accordingly, the
reactants may react in the reactor while generating the heat in
response to the movement and transferring such heat to the body
part of the user.
[0065] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
present invention, a globe may include the type A globe body, at
least one reactor which may be arranged to couple with the globe
body and to contact the interior, at least one first storage
capable of storing at least one first reactant, the type C second
storage, the type C actuator, and the type B reactant supplier.
Accordingly, such reactants may react in the reactor while
generating the heat in response to the movement and transferring
such heat to the body part of the user.
[0066] In another aspect of the present invention, a glove may be
provided for heating its interior with hot air.
[0067] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present
invention, such a globe may include the type A globe body, the type
B reactor which is also arranged to be in fluid communication with
the interior, the type C actuator, and the type A air supplier.
Therefore, the water may react with the first reactant in the
reactor while generating the heat in response to the movement,
transferring the heat to the air, and delivering the heated air to
the body part of the user.
[0068] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
present invention, a globe may include the type A globe body, at
least one reactor which is arranged to include at least one first
reactant and to be coupled to the interior, the type C second
storage which may also be coupled to the globe body, the type C
actuator, and at least one reactant supplier which may be arranged
to fluidly communicate with the reactor, to operatively couple with
the actuator, and to transport the second reactant into the reactor
by a first driving force. In one example, such a globe may also
include at least one air supplier which may be arranged to supply
air into the reactor by a second driving force. Thus, the reactants
may react inside the reactor while generating the heat in response
to the movement, transferring the heat to the air, and delivering
the heated air onto the body part of the user. In another example,
such a globe may instead includes at least one air supplier which
may be arranged to supply air around the reactor in response to a
second driving force. Thus, the reactants may react inside the
reactor while generating the heat in response to the movement,
transferring the heat onto the air, and delivering the heated air
to the body part of the user.
[0069] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
present invention, a globe may include the type A globe body, at
least one reactor which is arranged to fluidly communicate with the
interior of the globe body, at least one first storage capable of
storing at least one first reactant, the type C second storage, the
type C actuator, and at least one reactant supplier which may be
arranged to be in fluid communication with the reactor, to
operatively couple with the actuator, and then to transport the
first and second reactants to the reactor by a first driving force.
In another example, a globe may also include at least one air
supplier which may be arranged to supply air into the reactor in
response to a first driving force. Therefore, the reactants may
react in the reactor while generating the heat in response to the
movement, transferring the heat onto the air, and delivering the
heated air to the body part of the user. In another example, a
globe may instead include at least one air supplier which may be
arranged to supply air around the reactor in response to a second
driving force. Accordingly, the reactants may react each other in
the reactor while generating the heat, transferring such heat to
the air, and delivering the heated air to the body part of the
user.
[0070] In another aspect of the present invention, another portable
heat generator may be provided to generate heat by an exothermic
hydration of at least one oxide of at least one alkali earth metal
and to deliver the heat to a target.
[0071] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
a generator may include at least one portable reactor, the type A
air inlet, and at least one air supplier. Such a portable reactor
may be arranged to retain therein the oxide of the metal, while the
air supplier may be arranged to be in fluid communication with the
ambient air and reactor and to supply the ambient air into the
reactor through the air inlet. Thus, the metal oxide may react with
the water inside the reactor and generate such heat at least a
portion of which may then be delivered to the target through the
reactor.
[0072] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may include at least one portable reactor,
at least one first storage, at least one second storage, the type A
air inlet, at least one air supplier, and at least one reactant
supplier. Such a first storage may be arranged to be physically
separate from the reactor and to retain therein the oxide of the
metal, while the second storage may be arranged to be physically
separate from both of the reactor and first storage and to store
water. The air supplier may be arranged to be in fluid
communication with the ambient air and reactor and to supply the
ambient air into the reactor through the air inlet, while the
reactant supplier may be arranged to be in fluid communication with
the first and second storages and to supply both of the first and
second reactants into the reactor. Therefore, the metal oxide may
react with the water from the reactant supplier and generate the
heat at least a portion of which may then be delivered to the
target through the reactor.
[0073] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, such a generator may include at least one portable
reactor, at least one cartridge, the type A air inlet, and at least
one air supplier. The cartridge may be arranged to be replaceably
incorporated into the reactor and to retain therein the oxide of
the metal, while the air supplier may be arranged to be in fluid
communication with the ambient air and reactor and to supply the
ambient air into the reactor through the air inlet. Therefore, the
metal oxide may react with the water and generate in the cartridge
the heat at least a portion of which may be delivered to the target
through the cartridge and reactor.
[0074] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may have at least one portable reactor, at
least one cartridge, at least one second storage, the type A air
inlet, at least one air supplier, and at least one reactant
supplier. The cartridge may be arranged to be replaceably
incorporated into the reactor and to retain therein the oxide of
the metal, and the second storage may be arranged to be physically
separate from the reactor and to store the water. The air supplier
may be arranged to be in fluid communication with the ambient air
and reactor and to supply the ambient air into the reactor through
the air inlet, and the reactant supplier may be arranged to fluidly
communicate with the second storage and to supply the water into
the reactor. Therefore, such a metal oxide may react with the water
from the reactant supplier and generate heat at least a portion of
which may then be delivered to the target through the cartridge and
reactor.
[0075] In another aspect of the present invention, another portable
hot air generator may be provided for heating ambient air by heat
which is released by an exothermic hydration of at leas one oxide
of at least one alkali earth metal and delivering heated ambient
air onto a target.
[0076] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
such a generator may include at least one portable reactor, the
type A air inlet, the type A air outlet, and at least one air
supplier. The reactor may be arranged to retain therein the oxide
of the metal. The air supplier may be arranged to be in fluid
communication with the ambient air, reactor, and target, to supply
such ambient air into the reactor through the air inlet, and to
discharge the heated ambient out therefrom. Therefore, the metal
oxide may react with the water inside the reactor and heat the
ambient air therein, and the air supplier may deliver the heated
air to the target through the air outlet.
[0077] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may include at least one portable reactor,
at least one first storage, at least one second storage, the type A
air inlet, the type A air outlet, at least one air supplier, and at
least one reactant supplier. The first storage may be arranged to
be physically separate from the reactor and to retain therein the
oxide of the metal, and the second storage may also be arranged to
be physically separate from both of the reactor and first storage
and to store the water. The air supplier may be arranged to be in
fluid communication with the ambient air, reactor, and target, to
supply the ambient air into the reactor through the air inlet, and
then to discharge the air out therefrom through the air outlet. The
reactant supplier may be arranged to be in fluid communication with
such first and second storages and to supply both of the first and
second reactants into the reactor. Thus, the metal oxide may react
with the water from the reactant supplier and heats the ambient air
in the reactor, while the air supplier may deliver the heated
ambient air to the target through the air outlet.
[0078] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may include at least one portable reactor,
at least one cartridge, the type A air inlet, the type A air
outlet, and at least one air supplier. The cartridge may be
arranged to be replaceably incorporated into the reactor and to
retain therein the oxide of the metal, while the air supplier may
be arranged to fluidly communicate with the ambient air, reactor,
and target, to supply the ambient air into the reactor through the
air inlet, and to discharge the heated ambient air out therefrom.
Therefore, the metal oxide reacts with the water in the cartridge,
the ambient air may be heated in the reactor by the heat, and the
air supplier may then deliver the heated air onto the target
through the outlet.
[0079] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, such a generator may include at least one portable
reactor, at least one cartridge, at least one second storage, the
type A air inlet, the type A air outlet, and at least one air
supplier. Such a cartridge may be arranged to be replaceably
incorporated into the reactor and to retain therein the oxide of
the metal. The second storage may be arranged to be physically
separate from the reactor and to store the water, while the air
supplier may be arranged to fluidly communicate with the ambient
air, reactor, and target, to supply the ambient air into the
reactor through the air inlet, and then to discharge the heated
ambient air out therefrom. The reactant supplier may be arranged to
fluidly communicate with the second storage and to supply the water
into the reactor. Therefore, the metal oxide may react with the
water from the reactant supplier and heat the ambient air in the
reactor, while the air supplier may deliver such heated air to the
target through the air outlet.
[0080] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a generator may include at least one portable reactor,
at least one heat exchanging chamber, at least one air inlet, at
least one exhaust outlet, at least one air outlet, and at least air
supplier. Such a portable reactor may then be arranged to retain
therein the oxide of the metal. The heat exchanging chamber may be
arranged to form an internal space, to retain the reactor in such a
space, and then to allow heat transfer from the reactor into such a
space. The air inlet may fluidly communicate with the ambient air,
reactor, and chamber, while the exhaust outlet may fluidly
communicate with an exhaust. The air outlet may fluidly communicate
with the chamber and the target, whereas the air supplier may be
arranged to be in fluid communication with the ambient air,
reactor, chamber, and target, to supply such ambient air into the
reactor and chamber through the air inlet, and to discharge such
heated ambient out of the chamber through the air outlet.
Accordingly, the metal oxide may react with the water inside the
reactor and transfers the heat to the ambient air in the chamber,
whereas the air supplier may deliver the heated ambient air to the
target through the air outlet.
[0081] Embodiments of such apparatus aspects of the present
invention may include one or more of the following features, while
configurational and/or operational variations and/or modifications
of the foregoing systems also fall within the scope of the present
invention.
[0082] The generator and/or system may generate such heat by any
exothermic chemical reactions. The reaction may not include the
exothermic chemical reaction which may produce a reaction product
which may be CO, CO.sub.2, NO.sub.x, and other toxic compounds. The
generator and/or system may generate such heat without using
electricity, without relying on combustion of inflammable gases,
inflammable liquids, carbon-containing fuels, and the like. The
generator and/or system may generate the heat by reacting multiple
first reactants, multiple second reactants, and the like, where
each of such reactants may participate in the reaction. The
reactions may also include a formation of a metal hydroxide from
water (or moist) and a metal oxide, a formation of a salt from an
acid and a base, a reaction between an acid and a metal, a
hydration, a dissolution, a dilution, a phase change, and the like.
The reactants may include calcium oxides and water.
[0083] The generator and/or system may discharge all reaction
product formed by the reaction. The generator and/or system may
transfer the heat carried by the reaction product to the air, first
product, second product, and/or reactor. The generator and/or
system may deliver at least a portion of such a reaction product to
the target. The generator and/or system may also recycle at least a
portion of the reaction product back to the reactor.
[0084] Such a generator and/or system may have at least one
controller for manipulating amounts of the air and/or reactants
into the reactor, thereby manipulating an amount of the heat
generated by the reaction, where the amounts may range from 0.0 to
a preset maximum number. The generator and/or system may define at
least two paths for such air and/or reactants and manipulate
amounts of the air and/or reactants flowing through the paths,
thereby manipulating an amount of the heat generated by the
reaction.
[0085] The first reactant may form solids, liquids, gases, and/or a
mixture thereof. The solids may be bulks, matrices, particles,
granules, powders, and the like, while the solids may also define a
shape of spheres, rods, pellets, and the like. Such solids with the
above shapes may define a preset nonzero porosity while forming
macroscopic and/or microscopic pores therein and/or therethrough.
The first reactant may be coated over and/or mixed with at least
one inert support material which may be also define the nonzero
porosity. The mixture may be sol, gel, slurry, suspension, and the
like.
[0086] The reactor (or cartridge) may have various shapes and/or
sizes. The reactor (or cartridge) may be made of and/or include at
least one material which may be rigid, elastic, and/or deformable.
The reactor (or cartridge) may define a length and/or a width which
may be less than 30, 25, 20, 17.5, 15.0, 12.5, 10.0, 8.0, 6.0, 5.0,
4.0, 3.0 centimeters, and the like. The reactor (or cartridge) may
define a thickness and/or a height which may be less than 10, 7.5,
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5 centimeters, and the like. Such a reactor (or
cartridge) may define a weight which may be less than 2.0, 1.5,
1.0, 0.75, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05 kilograms, and the like.
The reactor (or cartridge) may also define at least one inner
partition into which at least one of the reactants may be disposed.
The first and/or second reactants may be disposed in the reactor
(or cartridge) and fill only a (or at least a substantial) portion
thereof. The first and/or second reactants may be disposed in the
reactor (or cartridge) and directly contact an inner surface
thereof. The reactor (or cartridge) may also include at least one
filter which may be replaceably or fixedly included therein and
filter undesirable particles and/or particulates from the air
and/or reactants. The reactor (or cartridge) may also include at
least one insulator which may then be replaceably or fixedly
incorporated into its interior and/or exterior and minimize loss of
the heat out of the reactor.
[0087] The cartridge may be made of and/or include at least one
rigid material, porous material, rigid material, permeable
material, elastic material, porous material, elastic material,
permeable material, and the like. The cartridge may be made of
and/or include at least one material which may be deformable,
porous, and/or permeable. The cartridge may include multiple
reactants all of which may participate in the reaction. The
cartridge may be fixedly incorporated into the reactor which may
then be replaced by a fresh one after the reactant stored therein
may be consumed to a preset extent. The cartridge may be
replaceably incorporated into the reactor and replaced by a new one
after the reactant stored therein may be consumed to a preset
extent. Such a reactor may fixedly or replaceably retain multiple
cartridges and manipulate supply of the air, water, and/or
reactants thereinto in a series, parallel or hybrid mode.
[0088] The generator and/or system may include multiple reactor
inlets through each of which at least one of the first and/or
second reactants may be supplied to the reactor. The generator
and/or system may also include at least one reactor outlet which
may be in fluid communication with an exhaust and through which at
least one reaction product of the reaction may be discharged to the
exhaust and/or target. The ambient air may be supplied into the
reactor and heated therein, may be supplied around the reactor and
heated thereby, may be supplied into the chamber and heated
therein, and the like. The air and reactor inlets may be separately
provided or, alternatively, the air inlet may serve as the reactor
inlet as well. At least a portion of the reaction product may be
recirculated into the air and/or reactor inlet. The generator
and/or system may include at least one air outlet which may
similarly be in fluid communication with the target and through
which at least one reaction product from the reaction may be
discharged to the target along with the heated air. The air
supplier may be disposed inside the reactor (or vice versa), may be
disposed inside the reactant supplier (or vice versa), and/or may
be disposed inside the chamber (or vice versa). Alternatively, the
air supplier may also serve as the reactor, reactant supplier,
and/or chamber. The air may flow in the chamber and reactor in the
same direction, in opposite directions, in a transverse direction
defining an angle therebetween which may be neither 0.degree. nor
90.degree.. The air may flow in the chamber and reactor in the same
direction, in opposite directions, in a transverse direction
defining an angle therebetween which is neither 0.degree. nor
90.degree.. The chamber may be disposed inside the reactant
supplier (or vice versa), may be disposed inside such a reactor (or
vice versa), and the like. In the alternative, the chamber may
serve as reactor, air supplier, and/or reactant supplier.
[0089] The generator and/or system may have at least one air
supplier for storing the air therein and supplying the air to the
reactor, at least one water supplier for storing the water therein
and supplying the water into the reactor, at least one reactant
supplier for storing the first and/or second reactants and
supplying the reactants into the reactor, and the like. The
generator and/or system may include at least one water storage
which may store water, fluidly communicate with the reactor, and
then provide the water into the reactor.
[0090] The air and/or at least one of reactants may also be
supplied into the reactor by a driving force which may be generated
by the movement of at least one body part which may be a finger, a
hand, a wrist, a lower arm, an elbow, and/or an upper arm of an
user. The generator and/or system may also include at least one
actuator capable of converting at least one movement of a finger, a
hand, a wrist, a lower arm, an elbow, and/or an upper arm of the
user to a driving force for supplying the air and/or reactants into
the reactor. The air and/or at least one of reactants may be
supplied into the reactor by a driving force which is generated by
the movement of at least one body part which may be a toe, a foot,
an ankle, a lower leg, a knee, and/or an upper leg of the user. The
generator and/or system may include at least one actuator capable
of converting at least one movement of a toe, a foot, an ankle, a
lower leg, a knee, and/or an upper leg of the user into the driving
force for supplying such air and/or reactants into the reactor. The
air and/or at least one of reactants may be supplied into the
reactor by a driving force which is generated by the movement of at
least one body part which may be a head, a neck, an arm, a
shoulder, an upper torso, a waist, a back, and/or a hip of the
user. Alternatively, the generator and/or system may further
include at least one actuator capable of converting at least one
movement of a head, a neck, an arm, a shoulder, an upper torso, a
waist, a back, and/or a hip of the user into the driving force for
supplying the air and/or reactants into the reactor.
[0091] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be
provided for generating heat by at least one exothermic chemical
reaction and then delivering such heat to a target using a portable
heat generating system.
[0092] In on exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
a method may include the steps of: forming at least one portable
reactor (to be referred to as the "first forming"); filling the
reactor with at least one first reactant which is capable of
generating the heat by the reaction with water (which will be
referred to as the "first filling"); and supplying ambient air
including such water to the reactor (to be referred to as the
"first supplying"), thereby generating the heat by the reaction of
the first reactant and water and delivering at least a portion of
the heat to the target.
[0093] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: the first forming;
filling the reactor with at least one first reactant (which will be
referred to as the "second filling"); storing independently of the
first reactant at least one second reactant which is capable of
reacting with the first reactant and generating such heat (to be
referred to as the "first storing"); and supplying the second
reactant to the reactor (which will be referred to as the "second
supplying"), thereby generating the heat through the reaction of
such first and second reactants and delivering at least a portion
of the heat to the target.
[0094] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: the first forming;
forming at least one cartridge filled with at least one first
reactant (as will be referred to as the "first cartridge forming");
replaceably disposing the cartridge inside the reactor (to be
referred to as the "first disposing"); and supplying ambient air
including the water to the reactor and then into the cartridge (to
be referred to as the "third supplying"), thereby generating the
heat by the reaction of the first reactant and water in the
cartridge and delivering at least a portion of the heat to the
target.
[0095] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a method may have the steps of: the first forming; the
first cartridge forming; the first disposing; the first storing;
and supplying the second reactant to the reactor and then into the
cartridge (to be referred to as the "fourth supplying"), thereby
generating the heat by the reaction of the first and second
reactants in the cartridge and then delivering at least a portion
of the heat to the target.
[0096] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be
provided for generating hot air by heating ambient air with heat of
at least one exothermic chemical reaction and delivering the heated
air to a target using a portable hot air generating system.
[0097] In on exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may have the steps of the first forming; the
first filling; forming at least one heat exchanging chamber;
disposing at least a substantial portion of the reactor inside the
chamber; the first supplying, thereby generating the heat by the
reaction of the first reactant and the water; and moving ambient
air into and out of the chamber while transferring the heat from
the reactor to an interior of the chamber, thereby heating the
ambient air by the heat and then delivering the heated air to the
target.
[0098] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: the first forming;
the first filling; forming at least one second storage independent
of such a reactor; filling the second storage with at least one
second reactant capable of reacting with the first reactant and
generating the heat; forming at least one heat exchanging chamber;
disposing at least a substantial portion of the reactor inside such
a chamber; the second supplying, thereby generating the heat by the
reaction between the first and second reactants; and then moving
ambient air into and out of the chamber while transferring such
heat from the reactor into an interior of the chamber, thereby
heating the ambient air by the heat and then delivering the heat
air to the target.
[0099] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may also have the steps of: the first forming;
the first cartridge forming; the first disposing; forming at least
one heat exchanging chamber; disposing at least a substantial
portion of the reactor inside such a chamber; the third supplying,
thereby generating the heat by the reaction of the first reactant
and water inside such a cartridge; and moving ambient air into and
out of the chamber while transferring the heat from the reactor
into an interior of the chamber, thereby heating the ambient air by
the heat and then delivering the heated air to the target.
[0100] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may also have the steps of: the first forming;
the first cartridge forming; the first disposing; the first
storing; forming at least one heat exchanging chamber; disposing at
least a substantial portion of the reactor inside such a chamber;
the second supplying, thereby generating the heat by the reaction
between the first and second reactants; and moving ambient air into
and out of the chamber while transferring the heat from the reactor
into an interior of the chamber, thereby heating the ambient air by
the heat and delivering the heated air to the target.
[0101] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be
provided for generating heat by at least one exothermic hydration
of at least one oxide of at least one alkali earth metal and
delivering the heat to a target using a portable heat generating
system.
[0102] In on exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
a method may include the steps of: the first forming; filling the
reactor with the metal oxide for generating such heat with the
water; and the first supplying, thereby generating such heat by the
hydration of the metal oxide and delivering at least a portion of
the heat to the target.
[0103] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, such a method may have the steps of: the first forming;
the second filling where such a first reactant is the metal oxide;
the first storing; and the second supplying, thereby generating the
heat by the hydration of the metal oxide and delivering at least a
portion of the heat to the target.
[0104] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: the first forming;
the first cartridge forming where such a first reactant is the
metal oxide; the first disposing; and the third supplying, thereby
generating the heat from the hydration of such a metal oxide in the
cartridge and delivering at least a portion of the heat to the
target.
[0105] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: the first forming;
the first cartridge forming where such a first reactant is the
metal oxide; the first disposing; the first storing; and the fourth
supplying, thereby generating the heat by the hydration of the
metal oxide in the cartridge and delivering at least a portion of
the heat to the target.
[0106] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be
provided for generating hot air by heating ambient air by heat of
hydration of at least one oxide of at least one alkali earth metal
and then delivering the heated air to a target with a portable hot
air generating system.
[0107] In on exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
a method may include the steps of: the first forming; the first
filling where the first reactant is such a metal oxide; forming at
least one heat exchanging chamber; disposing at least a substantial
portion of the reactor inside such a chamber; the first supplying,
thereby generating the heat by the hydration of the metal oxide;
and moving ambient air into and out of the chamber while
transferring the heat from the reactor to an interior of the
chamber, thereby heating the ambient air by the heat and then
delivering the heated air to the target.
[0108] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, such a method may have the steps of: the first forming;
the first filling where the first reactant corresponds to the metal
oxide; forming at least one second storage independent of such a
reactor; filling the second storage with at least one second
reactant which is capable of reacting with the metal oxide and
generating the heat; forming at least one heat exchanging chamber;
disposing at least a substantial portion of the reactor inside the
chamber; the second supplying, thereby generating the heat by the
hydration of the metal oxide; and moving ambient air into and out
of the chamber while transferring the heat from the reactor into an
interior of the chamber, thereby heating the ambient air by the
heat and then delivering the heat air to the target.
[0109] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: the first forming;
the first cartridge forming where the first reactant is such a
metal oxide; the first disposing; forming at least one heat
exchanging chamber; disposing at least a substantial portion of the
reactor inside the chamber; the third supplying, thereby generating
the heat by the hydration of the metal oxide; and moving ambient
air into and out of the chamber while transferring such heat from
the reactor into an interior of the chamber, thereby heating the
ambient air by the heat and delivering the heated air to the
target.
[0110] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: the first forming;
the first cartridge forming where the first reactant is such a
metal oxide; the first disposing; the first storing; forming at
least one heat exchanging chamber; disposing at least a substantial
portion of the reactor inside the chamber; the second supplying,
thereby generating such heat by the hydration of such a metal
oxide; and moving ambient air into and out of the chamber while
transferring such heat from the reactor into an interior of the
chamber, thereby heating the ambient air by the heat and then
delivering the heated air to the target.
[0111] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be
provided for generating heat by a portable heat generating system
without using electricity and without burning fuel.
[0112] In on exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
a method may include the steps of: charging at least one refillable
reactor with at least one oxide of at least one alkali earth metal
which is capable of generating heat by hydration of the metal oxide
(to be referred to as the "first charging"); incorporating the
reactor into the system (to be referred to as the "first
incorporating"); supplying air containing therein water to the
metal oxide, thereby generating the heat (to be referred to as the
"fifth supplying"); removing such a metal oxide from the reactor
after a preset extent of the hydration (to be referred to as the
"first removing"); and repeating the charging with fresh metal
oxide.
[0113] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: charging a refillable
reactor with at least one first reactant capable of generating heat
by at least one exothermic chemical reaction with water (as will be
referred to as the "second charging"); the first incorporating;
supplying air containing therein water to the first reactant,
thereby generating the heat (to be referred to as the "sixth
supplying"); removing the first reactant from the reactor after a
preset extent of the reaction; and repeating the charging with
fresh first reactant (to be referred to as the "second
removing").
[0114] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: charging at least one
refillable reactor with at least one first reactant (which will be
referred to as the "third charging"); the first incorporating;
providing at least one second reactant capable of generating the
heat by at least one exothermic chemical reaction with the first
reactant (to be referred to as the "first providing"); supplying
the second reactant to the first reactant, thereby generating the
heat (to be referred to as the "seventh supplying"); the second
removing; and repeating the charging with fresh first reactant.
[0115] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: the first forming;
filling a replaceable cartridge with at least one oxide of at least
one alkali earth metal capable of generating heat by hydration
thereof (to be referred to as the "third filling"); the first
disposing; the first incorporating; the fifth supplying; removing
the cartridge from the reactor after a preset extent of the
hydration (as will be referred to as the "third removing"); and
then reloading a new cartridge into the reactor.
[0116] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, such a method may have the steps of: the first forming;
filling at least one replaceable cartridge with at least one first
reactant which is capable of generating heat by hydration thereof
(to be referred to as the "fourth filling"); the first disposing;
the first incorporating; the sixth supplying; removing such a
cartridge from the reactor after a preset extent of the reaction
(to be referred to as the "fourth removing"); and reloading a new
cartridge into the reactor.
[0117] In another aspect of the present invention, a method may be
provided for generating hot air by a portable hot air generating
system without using electricity and without burning fuel.
[0118] In on exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
a method may include the steps of: the first charging; the first
incorporating; the fifth supplying; generating such hot air by
heating the air inside the reactor by the heat; delivering such hot
air to a target (which will be referred to as the "first
delivering"); the first removing; and repeating the charging with
fresh metal oxide. The generating may be replaced by the steps of:
supplying air to an exterior of the reactor; and generating such
hot air by transferring the heat to the air through the
reactor.
[0119] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: the second charging;
the first incorporating; the sixth supplying; generating such hot
air by heating the air inside the reactor by the heat; the first
delivering; the second removing; and repeating the charging with
fresh first reactant. The generating may be replaced by the steps
of: supplying air to an exterior of the reactor; and generating the
hot air by transferring the heat to the air through the
reactor.
[0120] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: the third charging;
the first incorporating; the first providing; the seventh
supplying; supplying air into such a reactor; generating the hot
air by heating the air inside the reactor by the heat; the first
delivering; the second removing; and repeating the charging with
fresh first reactant. Such supplying and generating may also be
replaced by the steps of: supplying air to an exterior of the
reactor; and generating the hot air by transferring the heat to the
air through the reactor.
[0121] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, a method may include the steps of: the first forming;
the third filling; the first disposing; the first incorporating;
the fifth supplying; generating the hot air by heating the air
inside the reactor by the heat; supplying air to an exterior of the
reactor, the first delivering; the third removing; and repeating
the charging with fresh metal oxide. The generating and supplying
may be replaced by the step of: generating such hot air by
transferring the heat to the air through the reactor.
[0122] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of the
invention, such a method may also include the steps of: the first
forming; the fourth filling; the first disposing; the first
incorporating; the sixth supplying; generating the hot air by
heating the air inside the reactor by the heat; generating the hot
air by transferring the heat to the air through the reactor; the
first delivering; the fourth removing; and repeating the charging
with fresh first reactant. The generating may be replaced by the
step of: supplying air to an exterior of the reactor.
[0123] Embodiments of such method aspects of the present invention
may include one or more of the following features, while
configurational and/or operational variations and/or modifications
of methods also fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0124] Such forming the reactor may include at least one of the
steps of: fabricating the reactor of at least one flexible,
elastic, and/or rigid material; making the reactor as a solid or
porous article; making the reactor as a deformable or rigid
article; making the reactor of a permeable material, and so on. The
forming the reactor may include the step of: arranging dimensions
of the reactor to be incorporated in a globe, a shoe, and cloths.
The forming such a reactor may include the step of: making the
reactor to define a length and/or width which may be less than 30,
25, 20, 17.5, 15.0, 12.5, 10.0, 7.5, 5.0, or 3.0 centimeters, and
the like. The forming the reactor may include the step of: making
the reactor to define a height and/or thickness which may be less
than 10, 7.5, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, or 0.5 centimeters, and the like. Such
forming the reactor may include the step of: making the reactor to
have a weight which may be less than 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.75, 0.5, 0.4,
0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05 kilograms, and the like. The forming the
reactor may include the steps of: forming at least one inner
partition in the reactor; and storing the oxide of the metal and/or
first reactant in the partition. Such forming the reactor may
include one of the steps of: disposing multiple cartridges in the
reactor while generating the heat by at least two of the cartridges
simultaneously; disposing multiple cartridges in the reactor while
generating the heat from each of the cartridges sequentially, and
the like. The disposing the cartridges may include the step of:
providing fluid communication between at least two of the
cartridges in a series, parallel or hybrid mode. Such forming the
reactor may include at least one the steps of: disposing at least
one filter into the reactor for filtering undesirable substances
from getting into and/or out of the reactor, disposing at least one
insulator for minimizing loss of the heat out of the reactor, and
the like.
[0125] The generating the heat may include at least one of the
steps of: delivering the heat to the user by thermal conduction
through (or across) walls of the reactor; and transferring the heat
to the user by forced convection of the heated air. The generating
the heat may include at least one of the step of: releasing the
heat by at least one exothermic chemical reaction between at least
two compounds without producing CO, NO.sub.x, and other toxic
compounds; releasing the heat from the reaction between at least
two compounds while not producing CO.sub.2, and the like. The
generating the heat may include the steps of: generating the heat
by the chemical reaction but without using electricity; and
generating the heat by the chemical reaction without relying on
combustion of inflammable gases, liquids, and/or carbon-containing
fuels.
[0126] Such reacting may include at least one of the steps of:
forming a metal hydroxide from at least one oxide of at least one
metal and water; forming a salt from at least one acid and at least
one base, reacting at least one acid with at least one metal,
hydrating a preset substance, dissolving in a preset solvent a
preset substance, a dilution of a preset substance using another
solvent, a phase change, and so on. The reacting may also include
the step of: hydrating at least one oxide of at least one alkali
earth metal.
[0127] The incorporating the reactor may include one of the steps
of: fixedly attaching the reactor to the system; releasably
disposing the reactor therein; replaceably disposing the reactor
thereinto, and the like. The incorporating the reactor may include
at least one of the steps of: making the reactor as compact as
possible; keeping a profile of the reactor as low as possible;
constructing the reactor to have a length and a width greater than
its height, and the like.
[0128] The forming the cartridge may include at least one of the
steps of: fabricating the cartridge of at least one flexible,
elastic, and/or rigid material; making such a cartridge as a solid
or porous article; making the reactor as a deformable or rigid
article; making the cartridge of a permeable material, and the
like. The forming the cartridge may include the step of: arranging
dimensions of the cartridge to be incorporated into a globe, a
shoe, cloths, and the like. Such forming the cartridge may include
one of the steps of: arranging the cartridge to fixedly attach to
the reactor; and arranging the cartridge to be replaceable. The
forming the cartridge may include the step of making the cartridge
to define a length or a width which may be less than 25, 20, 17.5,
15.0, 12.5, 10.0, 7.5, 5.0, 3.0 centimeters, and the like. The
forming the cartridge may include the step of: making the cartridge
to define a height or thickness which may be less than 10, 7.5, 5,
4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5 centimeters, and the like. The forming the
cartridge may include the step of: making the cartridge to weigh
less than 1.0, 0.75, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05 kilograms, and
the like. The forming the cartridge may include the steps of:
defining at least one inner partition in the cartridge; and storing
the metal oxide and/or first reactant in the partition. The forming
the cartridge may have one of the steps of: disposing multiple
partitions in the reactor and generating the heat from at least two
of the partitions simultaneously; disposing multiple partitions in
the reactor while generating the heat from each of the partitions
sequentially, and so on. The forming the reactor may also include
at least one the steps of: incorporating at least one filter into
the cartridge for filtering undesirable substances from getting
into and/or out of the cartridge; disposing at least one insulator
for minimizing loss of the heat out of the cartridge, and the like.
The forming the cartridge may include one of such steps of:
including multiple reactants which are mixed together; storing each
of multiple reactants in each of multiple partitions which may
either be fluidly coupling with each other or fluidly disconnected
from each other, and the like, where the storing in the partitions
may include the step of: providing at least one fluid communication
between at least two of the partitions in a series, parallel or
hybrid mode.
[0129] Such forming the chamber may include the step of: arranging
dimensions of the chamber to be incorporated into a globe, a shoe,
and cloths. The forming the chamber may include one of the steps
of: arranging the chamber to fixedly retain the reactor; and
arranging the chamber to be replaceable. Such forming the chamber
may include the step of: making the chamber to define a length or a
width which may be less than 25, 20, 17.5, 15.0, 12.5, 10.0, 7.5,
5.0, or 3.0 centimeters, and the like. Such forming the chamber may
include the step of: making the chamber to have a height or
thickness which may be less than 10, 7.5, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, or 0.5
centimeters, and the like. The forming the chamber may include the
step of: defining the chamber to weigh less than 1.0, 0.75, 0.5,
0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, or 0.05 kilograms, and the like. The forming
the chamber may include at least one of the steps of: making the
chamber out of at least one material having high thermal
conductivity; defining multiple holes through the chamber; making
the chamber to be porous, and the like. The forming the chamber may
include at least one of the steps of: providing the chamber as
compact as possible; keeping a profile of such a chamber as low as
possible; constructing the chamber to have a length and a width
greater than its height, and the like.
[0130] The filling and/or charging the reactor and/or cartridge may
include at least one of the steps of: filling only a portion
thereof; filling at least substantial portion thereof; contacting
inner surfaces of the reactor and/or cartridge during the filling
and/or charging, and the like. The filling the storage may also
include the steps of: placing at least one container separating the
reactants from the inner surfaces of the reactor and/or cartridge;
and filling at least a portion of the container.
[0131] Such storing the reactant may include at least one of the
steps of: providing the reactants as solids; providing the
reactants as liquids; providing the reactants as gases; providing
the reactants as a mixture thereof, and the like. The providing the
solid reactants may include at least one of the steps of: forming
the solid in bulks, matrices, particles, granules, and/or powders;
providing the solids into a shape of spheres, rods, and/or pellets,
and the like. The providing the solid reactants may include one of
the steps of performing the forming solely by one of the reactants;
performing such forming by at least two of the reactants; providing
the forming by coating at least one of the reactants over an inert
support, and the like. The coating may include one of the steps of:
providing a porous support while coating at least one of the
reactants into at least one of macroscopic and microscopic pores of
the support; and providing a solid support while coating at least
one of the reactants on a surface of the support. The storing the
reactant may include the steps of: defining macroscopic and/or
microscopic pores in at least one of the reactants; and
facilitating transport of the other of the reactants into the one
of the reactants. The providing the liquid reactants may also
include at least one of the steps of: forming the reactants as a
slurry; forming the reactants as a suspension; forming the
reactants as a sol or gel, and the like.
[0132] The disposing the reactor in the chamber may include at
least one of the steps of: forming the reactor to define as large
an external surface area as possible; placing the reactor in a
center of the chamber, and the like. The supplying the air may also
include at least one of the steps of: providing a single path of
the air through such a reactor; providing multiple air paths having
different resistances; providing multiple air paths at least one of
which bypasses the reactor, and the like. Such supplying the air
may include the step of: manipulating an amount of such air
supplied into the reactor, thereby controlling an amount of the
heat generated in the reactor. The supplying the air may include
the step of: flowing the air in the chamber and reactor in the same
direction, opposite directions, a transverse direction defining an
angle therebetween which is neither 0.degree. nor 90.degree.. Such
supplying the first and/or second reactants may also include at
least one of the steps of: providing a single path for each of the
reactants: and providing multiple paths for at least one of the
reactants defining different resistances, and the like. The
supplying the first and/or second reactants may include also the
step of: controlling amounts of the first and/pr second reactants
supplied to the reactor, thereby manipulating an amount of the heat
generated in the reactor. The method may include at least one of
the steps of: discarding all reaction product from the reaction to
an exhaust; transferring at least a portion of the heat of the
reaction product to the air, first product, and/or second product,
and the like. The method may also include at least one of the steps
of delivering at least a portion of the product to the target;
recycling at least a portion of the product to the reactor;
recirculating at least a portion of the product into the reactor,
and the like.
[0133] In another aspect of the present invention, a portable heat
generator may also be provided for generating heat by at least one
exothermic chemical reaction and delivering the heat to a
target.
[0134] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
a generator may be made by the process including the steps of
portably forming at least one reactor (to be referred to as the
"second forming"); filling at least a portion of such a reactor
with at least one first reactant which is capable of reacting with
water and generating the heat thereby (to be referred to as the
"fifth filling"); providing a first fluid communication between the
reactor and the ambient air with water (to be referred to as the
"first communicating"); and coupling along the first communication
at least one air supplier capable of supplying the air into the
reactor (to be referred to as the "first coupling"), whereby
generating such heat from the reaction between the first reactant
and the water and delivering the heat to the target through the
reactor (to be referred to as the "first generating").
[0135] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process including the
steps of the second forming; filling at least a portion of the
reactor with at least one first reactant (to be referred to as the
"sixth filling"); forming at least one second storage to be
separate from the reactor (to be referred to as the "third
forming"); filling at least a portion of such a second storage with
at least one second reactant capable of reacting with such a first
reactant and generating the heat (to be referred to as the "seventh
filling"); providing a second fluid communication between the
reactor and second storage (to be referred to as the "second
communicating"); and then coupling along the first communication at
least one reactant supplier capable of supplying the second
reactant into the reactor (to be referred to as the "second
coupling"), whereby generating such heat from the reaction between
the first and second reactants and delivering the heat to the
target through the reactor (to be referred to as the "second
generating").
[0136] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process including the
steps of: the second forming; forming at least one first storage
separate from the reactor (to be referred to as the "fourth
forming"); filling at least a portion of the first storage with at
least one first reactant (to be referred to as the "eighth
filling"); the third forming; the seventh filling; providing a
third fluid communication between the reactor and first storage (to
be referred to as the "third communicating"); the second
communication; and then coupling along such first and second
communications at least one reactant supplier capable of supplying
the first and second reactants into the reactor (to be referred to
as the "third coupling"), whereby generating such heat from the
reaction between the first and second reactants and delivering the
heat to the target through the reactor (to be referred to as the
"third communicating").
[0137] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process including the
steps of: the second forming; the first communicating; filling at
least a portion of a cartridge with at least one first reactant
capable of reacting with the water and generating such heat;
replaceably loading the cartridge into the reactor along the first
communication (to be referred to as the "first loading"); and the
first coupling, thereby accomplishing the first generating.
[0138] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process which may
similarly including the steps of: the second forming; filling at
least a portion of a cartridge with at least one first reactant;
the first loading; the third forming; the seventh filling; the
second communicating; coupling along the second communication at
least one reactant supplier which is capable of supplying the
second reactant to the reactor (to be referred to as the "fourth
coupling"), thereby accomplishing the second generating.
[0139] In another aspect of the present invention, a portable hot
air generator may also be arranged to generate heat from at least
one exothermic chemical reaction between at least two substance, to
hear air with the heat, and to deliver heated air to a target.
[0140] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
a generator may be made by the process including the steps of: the
second forming; the first communicating; providing a fourth fluid
communication between such a reactor and target (to be referred to
as the "fourth communicating"); the fifth filling; and coupling
along both of the first and fourth communications at least one air
supplier which is capable of moving the air into and out of the
reactor (to be referred to as the "fifth coupling"), whereby
generating the heat from the reaction between the first reactant
and water and transferring the heat to the air in the reactor, and
discharging the heated air out of the reactor toward the target (to
be referred to as the "third generating").
[0141] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process which includes
the steps of: the second forming; the sixth filling; the first
communicating; the fourth communicating; the third forming; the
seventh filling; the second communicating; the fourth coupling; and
the fifth coupling, whereby generating the heat from the reaction
between the first and second reactants and transferring such heat
to the air in the reactor, and thereafter discharging the heated
air out of the reactor toward the target (to be referred to as the
"fourth generating").
[0142] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process which may include
the steps of: the second forming; the fourth forming; the eighth
filling; the first communicating; the fourth communicating; the
third forming; the seventh filling; the second communicating; the
third coupling; and the fifth coupling, thereby accomplishing the
fourth generating.
[0143] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process which may include
the steps of: the second forming; the first communicating; the
fourth communicating; filling at least a portion of a cartridge
with at least one first reactant which is capable of reacting with
the water and generating such heat; the first loading; and the
fifth coupling; thereby attaining the third generating.
[0144] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process which may include
the steps of: the second forming; the first communicating; the
fourth communicating; the third forming; the seventh filling; the
second communicating; filling at least a portion of a cartridge
with at least one first reactant capable of reacting with the water
and generating such heat; the first loading; the first coupling;
and then the fourth coupling, thereby accomplishing the fourth
generating.
[0145] In another aspect of the present invention, a portable hot
air generator may also be provided for generating heat by at least
one exothermic chemical reaction and generating heated air through
heat transfer.
[0146] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
a generator may be made by the process which may include the steps
of: the second forming; the sixth filling; forming at least one
heat exchanging chamber (to be referred to as the "fifth forming");
disposing at least a substantial portion of the reactor in the
chamber while allowing the heat transfer from the reactor into the
chamber (to be referred to as the "second disposing"); the first
communicating; providing a fifth fluid communication between the
chamber and ambient air including water (to be referred to as the
"fifth communicating"); providing a sixth fluid communication
between the chamber and target (to be referred to as the "sixth
communicating"); the first coupling; and coupling along both of
such fifth and sixth communications at least one air supplier which
is capable of moving the air into and out of the chamber (to be
referred to as the "sixth coupling"), whereby generating the heat
from the reaction between the first reactant and the water in the
reactor, transferring the heat to the air in the chamber, and
discharging the heated air out of the chamber toward the
target.
[0147] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process which includes
the steps of: the second forming; the fourth forming; the eighth
filling; the third forming; the seventh filling; the fifth forming;
the second disposing; the third communicating; the second
communicating; the fifth communicating; the sixth communicating;
the third coupling; and then the sixth coupling, whereby generating
the heat from the reaction between of such first and second
reactants in the reactor, transferring the heat to the air in the
chamber, and discharging the heated air out of the chamber toward
the target.
[0148] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process including the
steps of: the second forming; the first communicating; filling at
least a portion of a cartridge including at least one first
reactant capable of reacting with the water and generating such
heat; the first loading; the fifth forming; the second disposing;
the fifth communicating; the sixth communicating; the first
coupling; and then the sixth coupling, whereby generating the heat
from the reaction between the first reactant in the cartridge and
the water in the reactor, transferring the heat to the air in the
chamber, and discharging the heated air out of the chamber toward
the target.
[0149] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process including the
steps of: the second forming; filling at least a portion of a
cartridge with at least one first reactant which is capable of
reacting with the water and generating the heat; the first loading;
the third forming; the seventh filling; the second communicating;
the fifth forming; the second disposing; the fifth communicating;
the sixth communicating; the fourth coupling; and then the sixth
coupling, whereby generating the heat from the reaction between the
first and second reactants in the cartridge, transferring the heat
to the air in the chamber, and discharging the heated air out of
the chamber toward the target.
[0150] In another aspect of the present invention, a portable heat
generator may also be provided for generating heat by an exothermic
hydration of at least one oxide of at least one alkali earth metal
and delivering the heat to a target.
[0151] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
a generator may be made by the process including the steps of: the
second forming; filling at least a portion of such a reactor with
the oxide of the metal; the first communicating; and the first
coupling, whereby generating such heat from the reaction between
the oxide of the metal and water and delivering the heat to the
target through the reactor.
[0152] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process including the
steps of: the second forming; the fourth forming; filling at least
a portion of such a first storage with the oxide of the metal; the
third forming; filling at least a portion of the second storage
including a second reactant which is capable of reacting with the
metal oxide and generating the heat thereby; the third
communicating; the second communicating; and the third coupling;
whereby generating the heat from the reaction between the metal
oxide and the second reactant and delivering the heat to the target
through the reactor.
[0153] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process including the
steps of: the second forming; the first communicating; filling at
least a portion of a cartridge including the metal oxide capable of
reacting with the water and generating the heat; the first loading;
the first coupling; and the first coupling, whereby generating such
heat from the reaction between the metal oxide in the cartridge and
water from the air and delivering such heat to the target through
the reactor.
[0154] In another aspect of the present invention, a portable hot
air generator may also be provided for heating ambient air by heat
which is released by an exothermic hydration of at leas one oxide
of at least one alkali earth metal and delivering heated ambient
air to a target.
[0155] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
a generator may be made by the process including the steps of: the
second forming; filling at least a portion of such a reactor with
the metal oxide; the first communicating; the fifth forming; the
second disposing; the fifth communicating; the sixth communicating;
the first coupling; and the sixth coupling, whereby generating the
heat from the reaction between the metal oxide and the water in the
reactor, transferring such heat to the air in the chamber, and
discharging the heated air out of the chamber toward the
target.
[0156] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process which includes
the steps of: the second forming; the fourth forming; the eighth
filling; the third forming; the fifth filling; the third
communicating; the second communicating; the fifth forming; the
second disposing; the fifth communicating; the sixth communicating;
the third coupling; and the sixth coupling, whereby generating the
heat from the reaction between the metal oxide and the water in the
reactor, transferring the heat to the air in the chamber, and then
discharging the heated air out of the chamber toward the
target.
[0157] In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the
invention, a generator may be made by the process including the
steps of: the second forming; the first communicating; filling at
least a portion of a cartridge including the metal oxide capable of
reacting with the water and generating the heat; the first loading;
the fifth forming; the second disposing; the fifth communicating;
the sixth communicating; the third forming; the seventh filling;
the second communicating; the fourth coupling; and then the sixth
coupling, whereby generating the heat from the reaction between the
metal oxide and the water in the cartridge in the reactor,
transferring the heat to the air in the chamber, and discharging
the heated air out of the chamber toward the target.
[0158] Embodiments of such process aspects of the present invention
may include one or more of the following features, and
configurational and/or operational variations and/or modifications
of the above processes also fall within the scope of the present
invention.
[0159] More product-by-process claims may be constructed by
modifying the foregoing preambles of the apparatus (or system)
claims and/or method claims and by appending thereto such bodies of
the apparatus (or system) claims and/or method claims. In addition,
such process claims may include one or more of such features of the
apparatus (or system) claims and/or method claims of this
invention.
[0160] As used herein, the term a "chemical reaction" refers to a
reaction through which one or more reactants are chemically
converted to one or more products which are different from those
reactants. It is appreciated that such a "chemical reaction" is to
include various phase changes of the reactants examples of which
may include, but not be limited to, hydration of such reactants,
dissolution of such into various solvents including water,
sublimation, condensation, and so on. In this context, the terms
"reactant" and "product" may also refer to air, water or moist
contained in the air or supplied through a separate storage
therefor, and the like, each of which may be in ambient condition,
may be heated by thermal energy generated by the above "chemical
reaction" which is also exothermic, may change its composition or
concentration while being heated by such thermal energy, and the
like.
[0161] As used herein, various reactants of an exothermic chemical
reaction are distinguished as at least one first reactant and at
least one second reactant. Such a distinction is generally made
herein such that a reactant disposed inside a reactor of a system
is to be referred to as the "first reactant" heretofore and
hereinafter, while another reactant to be supplied into the reactor
is to be referred as the "second reactant" heretofore and
hereinafter. When the reactor is to not contain any reactant a
priori therein, the distinction may not generally apply thereto,
for both of the reactants have to be fed into the reactor
anyway.
[0162] Unless otherwise defined in the following specification, all
technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as
commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which
the present invention belongs. Although the methods or materials
equivalent or similar to those described herein can be used in the
practice or in the testing of the present invention, the suitable
methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent
applications, patents, and/or other references mentioned herein are
incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of any
conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will
control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are
illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
[0163] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0164] FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an
exemplary reactor charged with at least one reactant therein and
including a single inlet according to the present invention;
[0165] FIGS. 1B and 1C are schematic cross-sectional diagrams of
other exemplary reactors similar to that of FIG. 1A but each
including a single inlet and a single outlet according to the
present invention;
[0166] FIGS. 1D to 1F are schematic perspective views and
cross-sectional diagrams of exemplary cylindrical reactors charged
with reactants therein and each including at least one inlet and at
least one outlet according to the present invention;
[0167] FIGS. 1G to 1K are schematic perspective views and
cross-sectional diagrams of exemplary rectangular reactors charged
with reactants therein and each including at least one inlet and at
least one outlet according to the present invention;
[0168] FIG. 1L includes a schematic perspective view and a
cross-sectional diagram of an exemplary tubular reactor charged
with at least one reactant, bent at various locations, and defining
an inlet and an outlet according to the present invention;
[0169] FIGS. 2A to 2F are schematic perspective views and
cross-sectional diagrams of the reactors of FIGS. 1A to 1F,
respectively, and each including at least one cartridge charged
with such reactants according to the present invention;
[0170] FIGS. 2G to 2L are schematic perspective views and
cross-sectional diagrams of the reactors similar to those of the
FIGS. 1G to 1K but each including at least one inlet and/or outlet
disposed along different locations according to the present
invention;
[0171] FIGS. 3A to 3F are schematic cross-sectional diagrams of
other exemplary cylindrical reactors filled with reactants and
enclosed by heat exchanging chambers according to the present
invention;
[0172] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary heating
system including a reactor as well as an air supplier according to
the present invention;
[0173] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary heating
system which is incorporated into a shoe according to the present
invention; and
[0174] FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of an exemplary heating
system which is incorporated into a glove according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0175] The present invention relates to portable heating systems
for generating heat through various exothermic chemical reactions
excluding combustion of inflammable gases and/or liquids and
carbon-containing fossil fuels such as, e.g., natural gas, propane
gas, butane gas, gasoline, kerosene, coal, charcoal, and a mixture
thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to
portable heating systems capable of generating heat by the
exothermic chemical reactions and delivering such heat to a target
by direct thermal conduction and/or forced convection, by indirect
convection alone, and the like. Thus, the present invention relates
to various reactants provided in various shapes and capable of
reacting with each other and generating such heat by such
reactions. The present invention also relates to various portable
heating systems supplying reactants and/or heated air into and/out
of the systems by driving forces which are generated by ordinary
body movements of an user. Therefore, the present invention also
relates to various portable heating systems which are provided as
compact articles and capable of being incorporated into gloves,
shoes, and cloths.
[0176] The present invention also relates to methods of generating
heat and delivering the heat to an user by the above portable
heating systems without generating undesirable substances such as
CO, NO.sub.x, other toxic substances, and the like. More
particularly, the present invention relates to methods of disposing
various reactants into the portable heating systems, methods of
supplying the reactants to various parts of the heating systems for
the exothermic reactions, methods of controlling amounts of the
reactants supplied to various parts of the system and controlling
amounts of the heat generated by the systems, and methods of
delivering the heat to the user by different heat transfer
mechanisms. Therefore, the present invention also relates to
methods of providing the reactants in various shapes and/or
arrangements for maximizing and/or manipulating extents of
generating such heat. In addition, the present invention relates to
various methods of incorporating such portable heating systems into
the gloves, shoes, and/or cloths to provide such heat to the user
wearing such.
[0177] The present invention further relates to processes for
making such portable heating systems capable of generating heat by
the exothermic chemical reactions and delivering such heat to the
user and processes of providing various parts of such systems. More
particularly, the present invention relates to processes of
providing heat generators for generating such heat by the chemical
reactions and delivering such heat to the user by the thermal
conduction and/or forced convection, processes of providing hot air
generators for generating the heat by such reactions and delivering
heated air to the user solely by the force convection, processes of
constructing heat generators for the heating and/or hot air
generators, and the like. Thus, the present invention also relates
to various processes of forming various reactants for such systems.
In addition, the present invention relates to various processes for
making gloves, shoes, and/or cloths incorporating such heating or
hot air generators, various processes for supplying the reactants
into the systems with such generators, and processes for providing
driving forces for transporting such reactants for the systems.
[0178] Various aspects and/or embodiments of various systems,
methods, and/or processes of this invention will now be described
more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings and
text, where such aspects and/or embodiments thereof only represent
different forms. Such systems, methods, and/or processes of this
invention, however, may also be embodied in many other different
forms and, accordingly, should not be limited to such aspects
and/or embodiments which are set forth herein. Rather, various
exemplary aspects and/or embodiments described herein are provided
so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully
convey the scope of the present invention to one of ordinary skill
in the relevant art.
[0179] Unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that
various members, units, elements, and parts of various systems of
the present invention are not typically drawn to scales and/or
proportions for ease of illustration. It is also to be understood
that such members, units, elements, and/or parts of various systems
of this invention designated by the same numerals may typically
represent the same, similar, and/or functionally equivalent
members, units, elements, and/or parts thereof, respectively.
[0180] Unless otherwise specified, various features of one
embodiment of one aspect of the present invention may apply
interchangeably to other embodiments of the same aspect of this
invention and/or embodiments of one or more of other aspects of
this invention.
[0181] In one aspect of the present invention, various reactants
may be selected to generate heat by various exothermic reactions.
Although many exothermic reactions may be adopted in this
invention, it is preferred, however, that such reactions neither
generate toxic products nor involve flame. It is also preferred
that the reactants for such reactions not include any inflammable
gas and fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane gas, butane gas,
gasoline, kerosene, other organic solvents, coal, charcoal, cokes,
and the like.
[0182] In one exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the present
invention, an exothermic chemical reaction may include reactions
between water and various oxides of alkali metals and alkali rare
earth elements which typically correspond to those elements of the
first and second columns of the Periodic Table, respectively. In
general, such reactions may be generalized as one of the following
reactions:
Met.sub.2-O+H.sub.2O->2Met-OH+Q (1a)
Met-O+H.sub.2O->Met-(OH).sub.2+Q (1 b)
where "Met" means such a metal and "Q" means heat released by such
a reaction, where the metals of the first column of the Table
conforms to the reaction (1a), while those of the second column of
the table follows the reaction (1b). More specifically, when the
metal is selected from the alkali rare earth elements such as,
e.g., Ca, the reaction between calcium oxide (or lime) and water
yields heat, while forming calcium hydroxide as a reaction
product:
CaO+H.sub.2O->Ca(OH).sub.2+Q (1c)
Other oxides of the above elements and/or a mixture of two or more
of such oxides may be selected as the exothermic chemical reaction
for various heating systems of this invention, where examples of
the metals may include, but not be limited to, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs,
Fr, Be, MG, Sr, Ba, Ra, and so on, while oxides of the above metals
may respectively include, but not be limited to, Li.sub.2O,
Na.sub.2O, KO, Rb.sub.2O, Cs.sub.2O, Fr.sub.2O, BeO, MgO, SrO, BaO,
RaO, and the like.
[0183] In addition to the above elements, various inorganic and/or
organic chemical compounds which may react with water and release
heat may be employed in the heat or hot air generating systems as
well. Such compounds may be readily found in various chemistry
textbooks and/or references such as, e.g., Perry's Chemical
Engineers' Handbook, CRC Handbook for Physics and Chemistry, and so
on. Thus, choice of suitable metals and/or compounds other than the
hydration of the alkali metals and alkali earth metals and those
reactions described hereinafter is a matter of selection of one of
ordinary skill in the relevant art.
[0184] In another exemplary embodiment of such an aspect of this
invention, an exothermic chemical reaction may include reactions
between various acids and various bases, where such reactions may
be generalized as the following reaction:
acid+base->salt+Q (2a)
acid+base->salt+H.sub.2O+Q (2b)
acid+compound with a base-derivative->product+Q (2c)
compound with an acid-derivative+base->product+Q (2d)
Such reactants may be almost any strong or weak acids and/or bases,
may produce products which may be solids, liquids, and/or gases,
and may be readily found in various chemistry textbooks and/or
references such as, e.g., Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, CRC
Handbook for Physics and Chemistry, and so on and, thus, selecting
suitable acids and/or bases may also be a matter of choice for one
of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
[0185] In further exemplary embodiments of this aspect of the
present invention, exothermic chemical reactions may include
reactions between various acids and metals (and/or their
compounds), dilution reactions, reactions for phase changes, and
the like. Details of such acids, metals, compounds of the metals,
hydration, and/or phase changes may be readily found in various
chemistry textbooks and/or references such as, e.g., Perry's
Chemical Engineers' Handbook, CRC Handbook for Physics and
Chemistry, and so on and, therefore, choice of suitable acids
and/or metal or metal compounds may be a matter of selection of one
of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
[0186] As described above, other exothermic reactions may also be
employed to generate heat or hot air as far as they may not produce
toxic products and may not involve flames and/or excessively high
temperature. It is appreciated that such reactions may be easily
selected from the above references by examining enthalpy of
formation of various compounds, reactivity between such compounds,
and so on. It is specifically appreciated that, unless otherwise
specified, exothermic reactions which may produce toxic compounds
such as, e.g., NO.sub.x and SO.sub.x, are not preferred as such
exothermic reactions for the heating systems of this invention. In
addition, those reactions which may produce CO.sub.2 as their
reaction products may be given less deference when other comparable
reactions without employing CO.sub.2 may be available, for carbon
dioxides have been identified as a main culprit of the global
warming
[0187] Various reactants for the exothermic reaction may be
provided in various states such as, e.g., gases or vapors, liquids,
solids, and/or mixture thereof, where such reactants in their
liquid state may be a sol, a gel, a slurry, a suspension, and the
like, while such reactants in their solid state may be a bulk of a
material, a matrix of a material, particles, granules, powders, and
so on. It is appreciated that at least one reactant may preferably
be provided in its solid state for easy of storage and preparation.
When in its solid state, such a reactant may be formed to have
individual shapes of a sphere, a rod, a cylinder, a pellet, and/or
other suitable shapes. In order to maintain a least reaction
between the solid reactant and the rest of such reactants, it is
preferred that the solid-state reactant define a maximum surface
area. To this end, the solid reactant may be provided in a porous
structure which may define macroscopic and/or microscopic pores
therein and/or therethrough, where a porosity as well as pore
distribution determines diffusion characteristics of other
reactants into the solid reactant. Such a solid reactant may
instead be formed by incorporating at least one support therein.
For example, a binding agent may be added to shape the reactant
into a desirable shape, an inert support may be mixed into the
reactant to improve physical properties of the reactant, and the
like. Such a reactant may also be coated over the support,
impregnated thereinto, absorbed thereinto, and/or adsorbed
thereonto such that a minimum amount of the reactant may be
distributed on a maximum surface area of the support. When
desirable, the support itself may define a porous structure, and
the reactant may be distributed along macropores and/or micropores
of the support.
[0188] It is to be understood that exact shapes and/or sizes of
such solid reactants may be at least in part determined by various
diffusion characteristics of the exothermic chemical reaction
employed by the heating system of this invention so that the
reaction between multiple reactants may proceed and the heat is
released without being hindered or detrimentally controlled by
diffusion of gaseous or liquid reactants into the solid reactants.
The aforementioned porous structure may alleviate some
diffusion-limitations. However, properties of various reaction
products may also determine conversion of such exothermic
reactions, for formation of a diffusion barrier by the reaction
products on a surface of the solid reactant may block further
reaction. Thus, in-depth information of such diffusion
characteristics and reaction kinetics may also be considered in
selecting the exothermic chemical reactions and their reactants,
which may be readily found in various textbooks on chemical
reaction engineering.
[0189] As exemplified in the hydration reactions, one of its
reactants is an oxide of the alkali metal or alkali earth metal,
while the other of its reactants is water. In such an embodiment,
the water may be provided to the metal oxide in various modes such
as, e.g., liquid water, water vaporized into a stream of air, and
the like. In the alternative, ambient air may also be supplied to
the metal oxide, where moist contained in the ambient air may then
serve the role as the reactant. In another alternative, perspired
air may instead be supplied to the metal oxide, where moist carried
by the perspired air may the serve as the reactant.
[0190] In another aspect of the present invention, a heating system
may include at least one reactor, where various reactants are
supplied to such a reactor, react each other in the reactor, and
generate heat by at least one exothermic reaction therebetween.
Following FIGS. 1A to 1L describe exemplary reactors defining
different shapes and/or operating on different mechanisms.
[0191] FIG. 1A describes a schematic diagram of an exemplary
reactor which is charged with at least one (first) reactant and
includes a single inlet according to the present invention. A
reactor 20 defines an inner chamber and is open to its exterior
through a single reactant inlet 21. Thus, the reactor 20 is in
"fluid communication" with, "fluidly connected" to, or "fluidly
coupled" to the inner chamber of such a reactor 20. One or more of
the above reactants 30 is charged into the inner chamber of the
reactor 20, where such reactants 30 may fill an entire portion or
at least a substantial portion of the reactor 20 or, in the
alternative, only a portion thereof.
[0192] In operation, the inner chamber of the reactor 20 is at
least partially filled with the reactant 30 which will be referred
to as the "first reactant." Another gas or liquid reactant which
will be referred to as the "second reactant" is fed into the inner
chamber, reacts with the first reactant, and generates heat by the
exothermic chemical reaction. Such heat is typically transferred to
walls of the reactor 20 by thermal conduction and delivered to an
user, a target or surroundings of the reactor 20 by thermal
conduction. It is appreciated that this reactor 20 does not include
any outlet at all and, accordingly, is suitable for the reaction
with a particular stoichiometry where a volume of reaction products
may be identical to that of the reactants participating in such a
reaction.
[0193] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of another exemplary reactor
which is charged with at least one (first) reactant and includes a
single inlet and a single outlet, and FIG. 1C is a schematic
diagram of yet another exemplary reactor which is similar to that
of FIG. 1B but orients its outlet in a different direction
according to the present invention. A reactor 20 defines an inner
chamber charged with a first reactant 30 and includes a single
inlet 21 as well as a single outlet 22 both of which are to be in
fluid communication with the inner chamber of the reactor 20. More
particularly, the inlet 21 may be used to transport a second
reactant (including, e.g., ambient air or moist contained therein)
into such a reactor 20. In contrary, the outlet 22 may be used to
transport at least one reaction products, excess second reactant,
and/or air out of the reactor 20. It is appreciated that the outlet
22 shown in FIG. 1B is fluidly coupled to ambient air (or
atmosphere) and discharges the reaction products and/or excess
second reactant thereto, while the outlet 22 of FIG. 1C is fluidly
connected to a target and delivers hot reaction product, excess
second reactant, and/or air thereto.
[0194] In operation, the inner chamber of the reactor 20 is at
least partially filled with the first reactant 30. A second gas or
liquid reactant is thereafter supplied to the inner chamber, reacts
with the first reactant, and generates heat through the exothermic
chemical reaction. In the embodiment of FIG. 1B, such heat is
transferred to walls of the reactor 20 by thermal conduction and
delivered to the target solely by the thermal conduction. In the
embodiment of FIG. 1C, however, the reaction heat released by such
reactants through the exothermic reaction is not only delivered to
the walls of such a reactor 20 and to the target by thermal
conduction but also delivered to the target along with heated air
and/or heated second reactant through the outlet 22. When the water
is required as the second reactant of the reaction, the ambient air
may be supplied into the chamber of the reactor so as to supply
thereto the second reactant. Even when the water is not required
for the exothermic reaction, the ambient air may be delivered into
the reactor, heated by the reaction heat, and discharged out of the
reactor 20 to the user in order to deliver the heat by the forced
convection.
[0195] Embodiments of FIGS. 1D to 1L provide more examples of
various reactors of various heating systems of the present
invention. It is appreciated, however, that such embodiments may
correspond to variations and/or modifications of those of FIGS. 1B
and 1C and, therefore, that their outlets may be fluidly coupled to
atmosphere for disposal (or exhaust) or fluidly connected to the
user to deliver such heat contained in the reaction products,
excess second reactants, and/or heated air to the user. It is also
appreciated that various reactors of these embodiments may include
multiple inlets and/or outlets, where some of such inlets and/or
outlets may be for the reactants and others thereof may be for the
reaction products, excess reactants, and/or air. In the
alternative, the reactors of such embodiments may be constructed
without any outlet as exemplified in FIG. 1A. In addition, the
inlets of the reactors may be arranged to supply the reactants
and/or air into the inner chamber of the reactor, where the water
or moist contained in ambient air may participate in the chemical
reaction or where such air may simply be heated to generate "hot
air" (or "heated air" hereinafter) which may then be delivered to
the target or user. Each of FIGS. 1D to 1L includes two panels,
where a top panel is a perspective view of an exemplary reactor,
while a lower panel describes a cross-sectional view thereof.
[0196] FIG. 1D shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary
cylindrical reactor which is charged with a (first) reactant and
includes an inlet and an outlet according to the present invention.
Such a reactor 20 is shaped as a hollow cylinder and includes an
inlet 21 and an outlet 22. More particularly, such a reactor 20
defines a curvilinear side, a proximal end (closer to the inlet
21), and a distal end (closer to the outlet 22), such that the
inlet 21 and outlet 22 are disposed on opposing ends of such a
reactor 20 and also aligned with each other along a longitudinal
axis of the reactor 20. An inner chamber of the reactor 20 may be
at least substantially or partially filled with a first reactant 30
in radial, axial, angular or other arrangements which will be
provided in greater detail below.
[0197] In operation, a second reactant and/or air is supplied to
the inner chamber through the inlet 21, reacts with the first
reactant 30, and generates heat by the exothermic chemical
reaction. The air or any reaction products may be discharged out of
the reactor 20 through the outlet 22 and dispensed to atmosphere or
delivered to the user. As the first reactant 30 is consumed to a
preset extent, the user may remove the (first) reactant 30 from the
reactor 30 and recharge or refill fresh reactant 30 thereto. To
this end, at least one movable cover may be incorporated to the
reactor 20 as will be discussed in greater detail below. Further
configurational and/or operational characteristics of the reactor
of FIG. 1D are similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1A to 1C.
[0198] FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram of another exemplary
cylindrical reactor which is charged with a (first) reactant while
defining a center channel according to the present invention. Such
a reactor 20 is typically similar to that of FIG. 1D, except that
the reactor 20 includes two inlets 21 on its proximal end and that
a first reactant 30 may preferentially be charged angularly around
a side of the reactor 20 while defining an annular center channel
23 along a longitudinal axis of the reactor 20. The outlet 22 is
provided on a distal end of the reactor 20 and in fluid
communication with the center channel 23. A porous or permeable
annular divider (represented by dotted lines) may then be disposed
inside the reactor 20 in order to physically separate the center
channel 23 from the first reactant 30, in order to prevent the
first reactant 30 from entering the center channel 23, and the
like.
[0199] In operation, the first reactant 30 is charged between the
divider and inner walls of the reactor 20 while forming the center
channel 23 as described above. A second reactant and/or air may
then be supplied to the reactor through a pair of inlets 21 both of
which are in fluid communication with the first reactant 30. As the
exothermic reaction proceeds inside the reactor 20, such reactants
begin to generate heat. The reaction products, excess second
reactants, and/or air may move through a layer of the first
reactant 30, seep into the center channel 23 through the divider,
and then be discharged from the reactor 20 through the outlet 22
and delivered to the atmosphere or target. The heat may be
transferred to the user through the wall of the reactor 20 by the
thermal conduction and/or to the user along with the heated
reactants or air by the forced convection. Other configurational
and operational characteristics of the reactor of FIG. 1E are
similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1A to 1D.
[0200] FIG. 1F is a schematic diagram of another exemplary
cylindrical reactor which is charged with a (first) reactant while
defining a peripheral channel according to the present invention. A
reactor 20 is also similar to that of FIG. 1D, except that such a
reactor 20 includes two outlets 22 on its distal end and that a
first reactant 30 is preferentially charged in a center portion of
the reactor 30 while forming an annular peripheral channel 23
angularly along a side of the reactor 30. The outlets 22 are
provided on the distal end of the reactor 20 and in fluid
communication with the peripheral channel 23. Another porous or
permeable divider (denoted by dotted lines) is also disposed to
physically separate the first reactant 30 from the channel 23, to
prevent the first reactant 30 from seeping into the channel 23, and
the like.
[0201] In operation, the first reactant 30 is charged in the
divider while forming the annular channel 23 as described above. A
second reactant and/or air is then supplied to the reactor through
the inlet 21 which is in fluid communication with the first
reactant 30. As the exothermic reaction proceeds, such reactants
release reaction heat, and the reaction products, excess second
reactants, and/or air may then move through the first reactant 30,
seep through the divider into the annular channel 23, and then be
discharged from the reactor 20 through the outlet 22 and delivered
to the atmosphere and/or target. The heat may be transferred to the
user through the wall of the reactor 20 by the thermal conduction
and/or to the user with the heated reactants or air by the forced
convection. Other configurational and/or operational
characteristics of the reactor of FIG. 1F may be similar or
identical to those of FIGS. 1A to 1E.
[0202] It is appreciated in FIGS. 1E and 1F that the second
reactant may be arranged to move through a layer of the first
reactant 30 in various arrangements. As is well known to chemical
engineers, the conversion of the reactants into the reaction
products and release of the reaction heat depend upon a residence
time of a moving reactant (i.e., the second reactant) in a
stationary reactant (i.e., the first reactant). Care should be
taken, accordingly, to maximize the residence time of the second
reactant. One way of achieving this is to regulate a flow rate of
the second reactant through the layer or bed of the first reactant,
although this modality may suffer when the second reactant has to
flow beyond a certain rate. Another way of maximizing the residence
time is to minimize a channeling of the second reactant through
shortcuts which may be formed along the divider. Details modes for
increasing the residence time distribution and minimizing the
channeling are well known in the art and readily obtained in many
textbooks and/or references in chemical engineering or, more
specifically, chemical reaction engineering.
[0203] FIG. 1G is a schematic diagram of an exemplary rectangular
reactor which is charged with a (first) reactant and includes an
inlet and an outlet according to the present invention. A reactor
20 is shaped as a flat and hollow rectangular box and includes a
single inlet 21 and a single outlet 22. More specifically, the
reactor 20 defines a top, a bottom, sides, a proximal end to which
the inlet 21 is fluidly coupled, and a distal end to which the
outlet 22 is fluidly coupled. An inner chamber of the reactor 20 is
charged with a first reactant 30. Therefore, this reactor 20 is
generally identical to that of FIG. 1D, except that the former has
a rectangular cross-section, while the latter defines a circular
one.
[0204] In operation, a second reactant and/or air may be supplied
to an inner chamber of the reactor 20 through its inlet 21, react
with the first reactant 30, and generate heat by the exothermic
chemical reaction. The air, reaction products, and/or excess second
reactants may then be dispensed out of the reactor 20 through the
outlet 22 and to atmosphere or user. As the first reactant 30 is
consumed to a preset extent, the user may dispense the reactant 30
from the reactor 20 and refill fresh reactant 30 thereto through a
movable cover as disclosed hereinabove. Other configurational and
operational characteristics of the reactor 20 of FIG. 1G may be
similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1A to 1F.
[0205] FIG. 1H is a schematic diagram of another exemplary
rectangular reactor which is charged by a (first) a reactant only
in its proximal half according to the present invention. A reactor
20 is typically similar to that of FIG. 1G and includes an inlet 21
and outlet 22, except that a first reactant 30 fills only a
proximal half of the inner chamber of the reactor 30, where a
distal half serves as a gap. Thus, the second reactant or air may
first react with the first reactant 30 as they enter the proximal
half of the reactor 20, and then may be collected in the distal
half before they are discharged out of the reactor 20. Other
configurational and operational characteristics of the reactor 20
of FIG. 1H may be similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1A to
1G.
[0206] FIG. 1I is a schematic diagram of an exemplary rectangular
reactor which is also charged with a (first) reactant but bent at
about 180.degree. in its middle according to the present invention.
A reactor 20 is generally similarly to that of FIG. 1G and includes
a single inlet 21 and a single outlet 22. However, the reactor 30
is bent at about 180.degree. in its middle enough to form a U-shape
cross-section. Therefore, the inlet 21 fluidly coupled to a
proximal end of the reactor 20 and the outlet 22 fluidly coupling
with a distal end thereof are disposed on the same side as
described in the figure. Such a reactor 20 may offer a benefit of
heating the user who may be situated between two halves thereof,
thereby increasing an area through which the reaction heat may be
transferred through conduction. Further configurational and/or
operational characteristics of the reactor 20 of FIG. 1I are
similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1A through 1H.
[0207] FIG. 1J is a schematic diagram of another exemplary
rectangular reactor which is filled with a (first) reactant,
includes an inlet, and forms multiple outlets on a top thereof
according to the present invention. A reactor 20 is generally
similar to that of FIG. 1G, except that the reactor 20 forms
multiple outlets 22 on its top (or bottom). Accordingly, some
portions of the outlets 22 may be disposed closer to the inlet 21
than the rest thereof and special design considerations may have to
be provided so as to prevent the channeling. In addition, such a
reactor 20 may also be deemed similar to that of FIG. 1A which form
multiple outlets therethrough. Other configurational and
operational characteristics of the reactor 20 of FIG. 1J may be
similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1A through 1I.
[0208] FIG. 1K is a schematic diagram of another exemplary
rectangular reactor which is filled with a (first) reactant and
defining an inlet and multiple outlets having different sizes
according to the present invention. A reactor 20 is similar to that
of FIG. 1G, except that the reactor 20 includes multiple outlets 22
of different sizes on its distal end. Thus, such different outlets
22 may deliver different amounts of the reaction products, excess
second reactants, and/or air to different regions of the target,
thereby supplying different amounts of heat thereto. Further
configurational and operational characteristics of the reactor 20
of FIG. 1K may be similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1A through
1J.
[0209] FIG. 1L is a schematic diagram of an exemplary tubular
reactor which is charged with a (first) reactant while defining a
curvilinear path according to the present invention. A reactor 20
is generally shaped as a curved tube into which a first reactant 30
is charged. A single inlet 21 and a single outlet 22 are then
defined on opposing ends thereof. In this context, this reactor 20
resembles a plug-flow reactor as commonly referred to in chemical
reaction engineering.
[0210] In operation, the tubular reactor 20 is charged with the
first reactant and disposed to cover as large a portion of the user
as possible. A second reactant and/or air may be supplied through
the inlet 21, react with the first reactant, and generate heat by
the chemical reaction therewith. When the first reactant 30 is
consumed to a preset extent, the user flushes the tube and
recharges its chamber with fresh first reactant 30 for a next round
of heat generation. Further configurational and/or operational
characteristics of the reactor 20 of FIG. 1L may be similar or
identical to those of FIGS. 1A through 1K
[0211] In another aspect of the present invention, another heating
system may be provided to include at least one reactor in which at
least one reactant is disposed in a replaceable cartridge and to
which at least one another reactant may be supplied. Such reactants
may then react with each other inside or near the cartridge and
generate heat through at least one exothermic chemical reaction.
Following FIGS. 2A to 2L exemplify several reactors including such
cartridges which have different shapes and operate on different
mechanisms.
[0212] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary reactor which
releasably retains at least one cartridge therein and forms a
single inlet according to the present invention. Similar to that of
FIG. 1A, a reactor 20 forms an inner chamber and includes a single
reactant inlet 21 which fluidly couples with the chamber. One or
more of the foregoing reactants 30 may be charged into a
replaceable cartridge 40 which is releasably disposed inside the
chamber of the reactor 20 or, more specifically, in a middle of the
reactor 20.
[0213] In operation, the cartridge 40 is filled with a first
reactant and releasably disposed inside such a chamber of the
reactor 20. A second gas or liquid reactant is fed into the chamber
and reacts with the first reactant. As the exothermic reaction
proceeds, the reactants generates heat which is then transferred to
walls of the reactor 20 by thermal conduction and delivered to the
user. Alternatively, the reaction heat may heat air, reaction
products, and/or excess second reactants which may then transfer
such thermal energy to the walls of the reactor 20 by the
conduction. It is to be understood, similar to that of FIG. 1A,
that the reactor 20 does not include any outlet at all. Thus, such
a reactor 20 is suitable for the reaction with a particular
stoichiometry where a volume of reaction products may be at least
substantially identical to that of the reactants participating in
such a reaction. As such a first reactant 30 is consumed to a
preset extent, the user may access the inner chamber and replace
the consumed cartridge 40 by another cartridge charged with fresh
first reactant 30, thereby generating the heat for an extended
period of time.
[0214] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of another exemplary reactor
retaining a reactant cartridge and having a single inlet and a
single outlet, whereas FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of another
exemplary reactor which is similar to that of FIG. 2B but its
outlet is oriented in an opposite direction according to the
present invention. A reactor 20 similarly forms an inner chamber
and includes a single inlet 21 and a single outlet 22 both of which
are in fluid communication with the inner chamber of the reactor
20. One or more of the above reactants 30 is charged into a
replaceable cartridge 40 which is releasably loaded into the inner
chamber. The inlet 21 may be used to transport a second reactant
and/or air into the reactor 20, whereas the outlet 22 may be used
to transport the reaction products, excess second reactants, and/or
air out of the reactor 20. It is noted that the outlet 22 of FIG.
2B is fluidly coupled to atmosphere and discharges the reaction
product and/or air thereto, whereas the outlet 22 of FIG. 2C is
fluidly connected to the user and delivers such heated air,
reaction product, and/or excess second reactant thereto.
[0215] In operation, the cartridge 40 is filled with a first
reactant and releasably disposed inside such a chamber of the
reactor 20. A second gas or liquid reactant is fed into the
chamber, reacts with the first reactant, and generates heat by the
exothermic chemical reaction. Such heat is then transferred to
walls of the reactor 20 by conduction and delivered to a target
such as surroundings of the reactor 20 in this example. In the
alternative, the reaction heat may heat air, reaction product,
and/or excess second reactant which may transfer thermal energy to
the walls of the reactor 20 by heat conduction. When desirable,
ambient air may be supplied to the inner chamber so as to supply
thereto the second reactant such as water or moist contained in the
air. In the alternative, such air may be delivered into the
reactor, heated by the reaction heat, and dispensed out of the
reactor 20, although the air may not serve as the second reactant.
In this embodiment, such heated air is used as a medium for the
forced convective heat transfer. As the first reactant 30 is
consumed to a preset extent, the user accesses the inner chamber
and replace the consumed cartridge 40 with another cartridge
charged with fresh first reactant, thereby generating the heat for
an extended period of time.
[0216] Embodiments of FIGS. 2D to 2L provide more examples of
various reactors of various heating systems of the present
invention. It is appreciated, however, that such embodiments may
correspond to variations and/or modifications of those of FIGS. 2B
and 2C and, therefore, that their outlets may be fluidly coupled to
atmosphere for disposal (or exhaust) or fluidly connected to the
user to deliver such heat contained in the reaction products,
excess second reactants, and/or heated air to the user. It is also
appreciated that various reactors of these embodiments may include
multiple inlets and/or outlets, where some of such inlets and/or
outlets may be for the reactants and others thereof may be for the
reaction products, excess reactants, and/or air. In the
alternative, the reactors of such embodiments may be constructed
without any outlet as exemplified in FIG. 2A. In addition, the
inlets of the reactors may be arranged to supply the reactants
and/or air into the inner chamber of the reactor, where the water
or moist contained in ambient air may participate in the chemical
reaction or where such air may simply be heated to generate "hot
air" (or "heated air" hereinafter) which may then be delivered to
the target or user. Each of FIGS. 2D to 2L includes two panels,
where a top panel is a perspective view of an exemplary reactor,
while a lower panel describes a cross-sectional view thereof.
[0217] FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram of an exemplary cylindrical
reactor including a circular cartridge in its middle and defining
an inlet and an outlet according to the present invention. Such a
reactor 20 is generally shaped as a hollow cylinder similar to that
of FIG. 1D, and includes an inlet 21 and an outlet 22 in its
proximal and distal ends, respectively. A circular cartridge 40 is
then replaceably disposed in a center of the reactor 20 in an
orientation to divide an inner chamber of the reactor 20 into a
proximal chamber and a distal chamber. A second reactant is
supplied to the proximal chamber of the reactor 20 through the
inlet 21, permeates through the cartridge 40 while reacting with
the first reactant 30 of the cartridge 40 and releasing reaction
heat, proceeds to the distal chamber of the reactor 20, and is then
discharged to the atmosphere and/or target through the outlet 22.
When such a first reactant 30 is consumed to a preset extent, an
user may access the inner chamber of the reactor 20 and replace the
used cartridge 40 by a new cartridge 40, thereby getting ready for
a next round of heating. It is to be understood that the cartridge
40 is disposed in the middle of the reactor 20 so that the proximal
and distal chambers define approximately identical lengths and
volume, although asymmetrical disposition may also be feasible.
Other configurational and/or operational characteristics of the
reactor 20 of FIG. 2D are similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1A
to 1L and FIGS. 2A to 2C.
[0218] FIG. 2E is a schematic diagram of another exemplary
cylindrical reactor including two circular cartridges and having an
inlet and a pair of outlets according to the present invention.
Such a reactor 20 is generally similar to that of FIG. 2D, except
that multiple replaceable cartridges 40 are disposed in multiple
locations inside the reactor 20 and that multiple outlets 22M, 22D
fluidly couple with the reactor 20 in different locations along a
longitudinal axis of the reactor 20. More specifically, such
cartridges 40 are incorporated along the long axis of the reactor
20 in an arrangement to form multiple chambers such as, e.g., a
proximal chamber, a middle chamber, and a distal chamber, where
each chamber has an approximately identical length and volume. In
addition, a middle outlet 22M is fluidly coupled to such a middle
chamber, while a distal outlet 22D fluidly couples with the distal
chamber. It then follows that heated air, reaction product, and/or
excess second reactant discharged out of the middle outlet 22M may
more likely than not reside in the reactor 20 for a shorter period
of time than those discharged out of the distal outlet 22D. By the
same token, the heated air, reaction product, and/or excess
secondary reactant discharged through the middle outlet 22M may
more likely than not have a lower temperature than those dispensed
through the distal outlet 22D. Therefore, such a reactor 20 may
deliver different amounts of heat to different regions of the
target, where the amounts, flow rates, and/or temperature of the
heated air, reaction product, and/or excess secondary reactant may
vary according to detailed locations and configurations of such
middle and distal outlets 22M, 22D. Other configurational and/or
operational characteristics of the reactor 20 of FIG. 2E may be
similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1A to 1L and FIGS. 2A to
2D.
[0219] FIG. 2F is a schematic diagram of another exemplary
cylindrical reactor containing an annular cartridge and including a
pair of inlets and an outlet according to the present invention.
Such a reactor 20 is similar to that shown in FIG. 2D, except that
a replaceable cartridge 40 is shaped as an annular cylinder and
disposed in a center portion of the reactor 20 along its length.
Thus, an inner cylindrical channel 23N is formed inside the
cartridge 40, while an outer annular channel 23U is defined between
the cartridge 40 and a wall of the reactor 20. In addition, two
inlets 21 are fluidly coupled to a proximal end of the reactor 20
to supply a second reactant and/or air to an upper portion and/or a
lower portion of the reactor 20, while a single outlet 22 is
fluidly coupled to the inner channel 23N. Thus, the second reactant
and/or air may be supplied into the outer channel 23U of the
reactor 20 through the inlets 21, seep through the cartridge 40 and
into the inner channel 23N while reacting with the first reactant
30 and generating heat by the reaction. The heated air, reaction
product, and/or excess second reactant may then be discharged out
of the reactor 20 to the atmosphere or user through the outlet 22.
Further configurational and/or operational characteristics of the
reactor 20 of FIG. 2F are similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1A
to 1L and FIGS. 2A and 2E.
[0220] FIG. 2G is a schematic diagram of another exemplary
cylindrical reactor which is similar to that of FIG. 2F but forming
an inlet and multiple outlets on its side according to the present
invention. Such a reactor 20 is similar to that of FIG. 2F in that
an annular cartridge 40 is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the
reactor 20 and divides an inner chamber of the reactor 20 into an
inner channel 23N as well as an outer channel 23U. However, an
inlet 21 fluidly couples to the inner channel 23N in a proximal end
of the reactor, while multiple outlets 22 are defined through a
side of the reactor 20. Thus, the second reactant and/or air may be
supplied into the inner channel 23N of the reactor 20 through the
inlet 21, seep through the cartridge 40 and into the outer channel
23U while reacting with the first reactant 30 of the cartridge 40
and generating heat by the exothermic reaction. The heated air,
reaction product, and/or excess second reactant may then be
discharged out of the reactor 20 to the atmosphere or to the user
through the outlets 22. It is appreciated in FIGS. 2F and 2G that
the annular cartridge 40 may define any shapes and/or sizes as long
as such a cartridge 40 may divide the inner chamber into two
different channels concentrically disposed with respect to each
other. For example, the cartridge 40 may extend along a axial
direction from the proximal end to the distal end, may only extend
a portion of the inner chamber, and the like. Such a cartridge 40
may also be disposed in various locations along a radial direction
from the longitudinal axis to the side wall of the reactor 20 so
that the cartridge 40 may be disposed at an equal distance from the
axis and wall, may be placed closer to one than the other, and/or
may even be misaligned with the longitudinal axis of the reactor
20. Any number of outlets 22 may also be formed in various
locations of the side wall of the reactor 20, extend parallel,
vertical or transverse to the longitudinal axis of such a reactor
20, and the like. Further configurational and/or operational
characteristics of the reactor 20 of FIG. 2G are similar or
identical to those of FIGS. 1A to 1L and FIGS. 2A and 2F.
[0221] FIG. 2H is a schematic diagram of an exemplary rectangular
reactor releasably incorporating a rectangular and upright
cartridge and defining an inlet and an outlet, FIG. 21 is a
schematic diagram of another exemplary rectangular reactor
including a rectangular and horizontal cartridge and defining an
inlet and an outlet, and FIG. 2J shows a schematic diagram of
another exemplary rectangular reactor incorporating a rectangular
and slanted cartridge and defining an inlet and an outlet according
to the present invention. A reactor 20 of each of these embodiments
has a shape of a hollow box or cube and includes a cartridge 40
which is charged with a first reactant and divides an inner chamber
of the reactor 20 into two sections. More particularly, the
cartridge 40 of FIG. 2H is disposed vertically so as to divide the
chamber into a proximal section and a distal section to which an
inlet 21 and an outlet 22 are fluidly coupled, respectively. The
cartridge 40 of FIG. 21 is disposed horizontally and defines an
upper section and a lower section to which the inlet 21 and outlet
22 are fluidly coupled, respectively. In addition, the cartridge 40
of FIG. 2J is disposed at an angle which is neither 0.degree. or
90.degree. with respect to a longitudinal axis of the reactor 20,
and defines an upper proximal section and a lower distal section to
which the inlet 21 and outlet 22 are fluidly coupled respectively.
Thus, the second reactant and/or air may be supplied into the
proximal section of the reactor 20 through the inlet 21, seep
through such a cartridge 40 and into the distal section while
reacting with the first reactant 30 of such a cartridge 40 and
generating heat by the exothermic reaction. The heated air,
reaction product, and/or excess second reactant may be discharged
out of the reactor 20 to the atmosphere or to the user through the
outlets 22. Further configurational and/or operational
characteristics of the reactors 20 of FIGS. 2H to 2J are similar or
identical to those of FIGS. 1A to 1L and FIGS. 2A to 2G.
[0222] FIG. 2K is a schematic diagram of another exemplary
rectangular reactor which may be similar to that of FIG. 21 but
includes multiple supports according to the present invention. In
contrary to that of FIG. 21, such a reactor 20 includes multiple
supports 25 in its upper and lower sections. In general, such
supports 25 may be arranged to abut a cartridge 40 so as to retain
the cartridge 40 in a specific position inside the reactor 20. This
embodiment may be preferable when at least a portion of such a
reactor 20 is arranged to be elastic or deformable and to change
its configuration in response to user input forces. Any number of
such supports 25 may also be incorporated in any other reactors
which have been described heretofore and which will be described
hereinafter. Further configurational and operational
characteristics of the reactor 20 of FIG. 2K may be similar or
identical to those of FIGS. 1A to 1L and FIGS. 2A to 2J.
[0223] FIG. 2L shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary
rectangular reactor which is bent at 180.degree. in its middle,
incorporates two upright and rectangular cartridges, and includes
an inlet and an outlet according to the present invention. Such a
reactor 20 is generally similar to that of FIG. 1I, except that
multiple cartridges 40 are filled with the first reactant and
incorporated in different positions along the longitudinal axis of
the reactor 20, thereby defining multiple sections therealong. Such
cartridges 40 may be disposed at an uniform interval to define
multiple identical or similar sections or, alternatively, may be
disposed in a non-uniform and/or asymmetric arrangement to define
multiple different sections. Further configurational and/or
operational characteristics of such a reactor 20 of FIG. 2L are
similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1A to 1L and FIGS. 2A to
2K.
[0224] In another aspect of the present invention, a hot air
generators may be provided for the above heating system, where such
a generator may include at least one heat exchanging chamber in
which various reactants may react each other, release the reaction
heat by at least one exothermic reaction therebetween, and transfer
such heat by thermal conduction to an air flowing over an exterior
of one or more of such reactors. Following FIGS. 3A to 3C exemplify
heat exchanging chambers defining different shapes and operating on
different mechanisms, where such chambers may include any of such
reactors described in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to 1L and 2A to 2L.
For simplicity of illustration, each exemplary hot air generator of
FIGS. 3A to 3C employs a reactor filled with the first reactant and
including a single inlet and a single outlet. It is appreciated,
however, that any other reactors may also be readily applied to any
of following hot air generators.
[0225] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary hot air
generator including a heat exchanging chamber enclosing therein a
reactor charged with a first reactant, while FIG. 3B shows a
schematic diagram of another exemplary hot air generator including
another heat exchanging chamber enclosing therein another reactor
charged with a first reactant according to the present invention.
Each hot air generator includes a heat exchanging chamber 50 which
forms an inner chamber into which one of the above reactors 20 may
be fixedly and/or releasably disposed. The heat exchanging chamber
50 may include a single inlet 51 and a single outlet 52 both
fluidly coupling with the inner chamber thereof, while the reactor
20 may define a single inlet 21 and a single outlet 22 each of
which fluidly couples with an inner chamber of the reactor 20. In
addition, the inlet 21 and outlet 22 of the reactor 20 may be
arranged to extend through walls of the heat exchanging chamber 50,
while the inner 51 and outlet 52 of the chamber 50 does not
penetrate the reactor 20. Accordingly, any substance flowing into
the reactor 20 must be discharged out of the reactor 20 without
getting into and/or passing through such an interior of the chamber
50. Similarly, any substance flowing into the heat exchanging
chamber 50 must be discharged out of the chamber 50 without getting
into and/or passing through the reactor 20. It is also appreciated
in the embodiment of FIG. 3A that the inlets 21, 51 of the reactor
20 and chamber 50 are disposed in proximal ends thereof, whereas
the outlets 22, 52 of the reactor 20 and chamber 50 are disposed in
distal ends thereof. Accordingly, reactants and/or air may flow
through such inlets 21, 51 and outlets 22, 52 along the same
direction similar to conventional co-current heat exchangers. To
the contrary and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the inlet 21
of the reactor 20 and outlet 52 of the chamber 50 are disposed in
proximal ends thereof, while the outlet 22 of the reactor 20 and
inlet 21 of the chamber 50 are disposed in distal ends thereof.
Accordingly, reactants and/or air may flow through such inlets 21,
51 and outlets 22, 52 along opposite directions similar to
conventional counter-current heat exchangers.
[0226] In operation, the reactor 20 is charged with the first
reactant and releasably disposed inside the inner chamber of the
reactor 20. A second gas or liquid reactant is fed to the reactor
20 through the inlet 21, reacts with the first reactant, and
generates heat by the exothermic reaction. Such heat is then
transferred to walls of the reactor 20 by conduction. At the same
time, ambient air is supplied into the inner chamber of the heat
exchanging chamber 50 through the inlet 51 and passes through a
surface of the reactor 20. Due to temperature gradient, the
reaction heat is transferred to the ambient air. Accordingly, the
room-temperature ambient air is heated by the reactor 20 and
converted into the heated air, and discharged out of the chamber 50
through the outlet 52 to the user, thereby generating a stream of
heated air. When the first reactant 30 is consumed to a preset
extent, the user accesses the inner chamber of the reactor 20
through the heat exchanging chamber 50, replace the consumed first
reactant 30 with fresh first reactant, and closes the access
through the reactor 20 and chamber 50, thereby generating the heat
for an extended period of time.
[0227] FIG. 3C describes a schematic diagram of another exemplary
hot air generator including a heat exchanging chamber enclosing
therein another reactor charged with a first reactant according to
the present invention. A hot air generator includes a heat
exchanging chamber 50 and a reactor 20 both of which are generally
similar to those of FIGS. 3A and 3B and, therefore, the hot air
generator itself is similar to that of FIGS. 3A and 3B. However, an
inlet 51 and an outlet 52 of such a heat exchanging chamber 50 are
disposed normal or transverse to an inlet 21 and an outlet 22 of
the reactor 20. Thus, reactants and ambient air may flow through
such inlets 21, 51 and outlets 22, 52 at least substantially
perpendicular to each other similar to conventional mixed-current
heat exchangers.
[0228] In general, such co-current embodiment of FIG. 3C and
counter-current embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B have their own pros
and cons details of which are readily found in various references
or texts regarding heat transfer mechanisms, whereas the
mixed-current embodiment may supplement advantages of such opposite
embodiments. Therefore, selection of a specific heat exchanging
mode is generally a matter of choice of one skilled in the relevant
art.
[0229] In another aspect of the present invention, a hot air
generators may be provided for the above heating system, where such
a generator may include at least one heat exchanging chamber in
which various reactants may react each other, release the reaction
heat by at least one exothermic reaction therebetween, and transfer
such heat by thermal conduction to an air flowing over an exterior
of one or more of such reactors. Following FIGS. 3D to 3F exemplify
heat exchanging chambers defining different shapes and operating on
different mechanisms, where such chambers may include any of such
reactors described in conjunction with FIGS. 1A to 1L and 2A to 2L
and where such reactors may include any of the above cartridges
described in conjunction with FIGS. 2A to 2L. For simplicity of
illustration, each exemplary hot air generator of FIGS. 3D to 3F
uses a reactor releasably including a cartridge filled with the
first reactant and including a single inlet and a single outlet. It
is appreciated, however, that any other reactors may also be
readily applied to any of following hot air generators.
[0230] FIGS. 3D to 3F represent schematic diagrams of exemplary hot
air generators each of which includes a heat exchanging chamber
which in turn encloses therein a cartridge charged with a first
reactant, where such hot air generators are generally similar to
those of FIGS. 3A to 3C, respectively. Accordingly, each hot air
generator includes a reactor 20 and a heat exchanging chamber 50,
where the former defines a reactor inner chamber and includes a
single reactor inlet 21 and a single reactor outlet 22 both fluidly
coupling with the reactor inner chamber, while the latter defines
an exchanging inner chamber and includes a single exchanging inlet
51 and a single exchanging outlet 52. Therefore, the heat
exchanging chamber 50 provides a path for the ambient air which is
not fluidly connected to another path for various reactants
provided by the reactor 20. In contrary to those of FIGS. 3A to 3C,
however, each reactors 20 of the generators of FIGS. 3D to 3F
releasably or fixedly retains therein a cartridge 40 which is
charged with the first reactant and disposed in a preset location
inside the inner chamber of the reactor 20. Therefore, by supplying
a second reactant into the reactor 20 through the inlet 21, the
first and second reactants react with each other in or near the
cartridge 40 and releases the reaction heat which heats the reactor
20. The ambient air flowing in the heat exchanging chamber 50 picks
up the heat and gets heated while flowing over an exterior wall of
the reactor 20, whereby the hot air generator generates a stream of
heated or hot air and delivers such to the user. Further
configurational and/or operational characteristics of the hot air
generators of FIGS. 3D to 3F are similar or identical to those of
FIGS. 1A to 1L, FIGS. 2A to 2L, and FIGS. 3A to 3C.
[0231] Configurational and/or operational variations and/or
modifications of the above embodiments of the exemplary heating
systems and various generators, reactors, and/or chambers thereof
described in FIGS. 1A through 3F also fall within the scope of this
invention.
[0232] First of all and as depicted in various figures, the above
reactors are arranged to have various shapes and sizes, where
selection of the shapes and/or sizes of the reactors generally
depends on various factors such as, e.g., a shape and/or a size of
the target, a location of the user, an amount of the first and/or
second reactants to be contained therein, types of heat delivering
mechanism such as providing the reaction heat to the user by
thermal conduction or forced convection, and the like. Such
reactors are further constructed as conventional mixed reactors,
conventional plug flow reactors or their hybrids, where selection
of the reactor type primarily depends on various factors such as,
e.g., reaction kinetics of the exothermic reaction between the
reactants, flow rates of such reactants, and the like, where
details of design criteria of such reactors are readily available
in various textbooks and references of chemical reaction
engineering.
[0233] It is appreciated, however, that such heating systems of the
present invention are preferably constructed in portable
configurations. Accordingly, the systems are preferably made to be
compact and light so that the user may carry various articles
incorporating such heating systems without any additional physical
burden and without being bothered in his or her ordinary
activities. For example, the heating system, its reactor, and/or
its heat exchanging chamber preferably defines a length and/or a
width which is less than about 30 cm (centimeters), 25 cm, 20 cm,
17.5 cm, 15.0 cm, 12.5 cm, 10.0 cm, 7.5 cm, 5.0 cm, 3.0 cm, and so
on. The heating system, reactor, and/or heat exchanging chamber may
alternatively have a thickness which may be less than about 15 cm,
12.5 cm, 10 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 6 cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm, 1 cm, and
the like. The heating system, reactor, and/or heat exchanging
chamber may further have a weight which may be less than about
2,000 g (grams), 1,500 g, 1,000 g, 750 g, 500 g, 400 g, 300 g, 200
g, 100 g, 50 g, and the like.
[0234] Various reactors of the heating systems are also preferably
arranged to minimize formation of dead spaces in which the chemical
reaction may not occur or, alternatively, may occur only minimally
due to poor supply of the second reactant caused by channeling of
the second reactant through the reactor. To this end, various
techniques commonly employed in designing various chemical reactors
may be adopted to minimize such channeling, where examples of such
techniques may include, but not be limited to, incorporating the
inlet and outlet of such a reactor generally on opposite sides of
the reactor, contouring the reactor not to form stagnant regions,
and so on. When desirable, conventional residence time distribution
analysis may be applied to analyze performance of such a reactor.
Further details of those techniques for minimizing formation of
dead spaces and channeling and details of the residence time
analysis may also be found in various textbooks and references in
chemical reaction engineering.
[0235] Various reactors of the heating systems of this invention
may also be arranged to be made of and/or include at least one
rigid material so as to hold a preset shape and/or size. When
desirable, the reactors may be made of and/or include at least one
elastic and/or deformable material so that at least portions of
such reactors may also change their shapes and/or sizes in response
to external forces and/or that such reactors may be bent to fit
into and/or to contact as much a portion of the target or user. As
discussed above, the elastic or deformable reactor may also include
one or more supports in order to dispose the first reactant and/or
cartridge in a preset geometric relation with respect to the walls
of the reactor. As also disclosed above, the heating system may
include various suppliers for transporting the reactants and/or
ambient air into and out of various parts thereof. In this respect,
the deformable or elastic reactor may also be used as the supplier
for transporting the reactants thereinto or discharging such
therefrom.
[0236] Similar to such reactors, the foregoing heat exchanging
chambers may similarly be arranged to have various shapes and/or
sizes. Selection of the shapes and/or sizes of such a chamber
generally depends upon various factors such as, e.g., a shape
and/or size of the target or user, a shape and/or size of the
reactor, an amount of such heat to be delivered to the target, a
flow rate of the ambient air, a rate of heat generation, types of
heat exchanging mechanism such as providing the heat by thermal
conduction and/or forced convection, and the like. Such a chamber
may further be constructed as a conventional co-current,
counter-current or mixed current heat exchanger with respect to the
reactor, primarily depending upon reaction kinetics of the
exothermic chemical reaction and a range of heating temperature
inside and/or outside the reactor. Details of such heat exchangers
and design criteria of such heat exchanging chambers may also be
found in various textbooks and references of chemical reaction
engineering, heat transfer, and the like.
[0237] The heat exchanging chamber is preferably constructed to
minimize formation of a dead space in which the heat transfer may
not occur or may only occur in a minimum extent due to the
channeling of air therein or therethrough. Various conventional
techniques employed in designing various heat exchanger may also be
used to minimize such channeling, where examples of such techniques
may include, but not be limited to, disposing the inlet and outlet
of the chamber generally on opposite sides thereof, contouring the
chamber not to form stagnant regions, and so on. More details of
channeling suppressing techniques may also be found in various
textbooks and references in heat transfer and transport
phenomena.
[0238] The heat exchanging chamber may be arranged to be made of
and/or include at least one rigid material to hold a preset shape
and/or size. When desirable, the chamber may also be made of and/or
include at least one elastic and/or deformable material so that at
least a portion of the chamber may be able to change its shape
and/or size in response to external forces and/or that the chamber
may also be bent to fit into and/or to contact as much a portion of
the target. Similar to those reactors, a elastic or deformable
chamber may further include one or more supports in order to
dispose the reactor and various inlets and/or outlets in preset
geometric relations with respect to the walls of the reactor. As
disclosed above, such a heating system may include various
suppliers for transporting the reactants and ambient air into and
out of various parts thereof. In this respect, such deformable or
elastic heat exchanging chambers may further be used as the
supplier for transporting the reactants thereinto or discharging
such therefrom.
[0239] As described herein, the first reactant may be contained
inside the reactor and fill an entire or at least a substantial
portion thereof. Alternatively, the first reactant may also be
arranged to fill only a portion of the reactor, e.g., its proximal
section, distal section or center section or multiple sections. In
such an embodiment, the reactor may define one or more channels or
voids between such sections through which the reactants and/or air
may flow. Such channels may extend along a longitudinal axis of the
reactor, in a direction perpendicular to such an axis, angularly
with respect to the axis, and the like. The first reactant may be
directly filled inside the reactor and, therefore, directly touch
the walls of the reactor in order to increase an efficiency of heat
transfer by conduction. In the alternative, the first reactant may
be filed into a container which is disposed over the walls of the
reactor. In such an embodiment, the first reactant may not be able
to directly touch such walls of the reactor. In addition, the
reactor may define one or more partitions so that the first
reactant is only disposed in the partitions but not in the rest of
the reactor. When the reactor is to retain multiple first
reactants, each reactant may be disposed in a separate section,
void, and/or partition. In the alternative, multiple first
reactants may be disposed inside the reactor as a mixture, as long
as such a mixture does not start the reaction spontaneously. The
reactor may preferably include a movable cover through which a
consumed first reactant may be replaced by a fresh first
reactant.
[0240] In general, such a reactor may contain a single reactant
therein, although it is also possible that the reactor may contain
multiple first reactants each participating in the chemical
reaction. In the latter embodiment, the reactor may include therein
a mixture of multiple first reactants into which the second
reactant is supplied to initiate the reaction. When desirable, the
reactor may contain a mixture of such a first reactant and an inert
support material which may not participate in the reaction but
contribute to the reaction indirectly, e.g., by providing diffusion
path to the second reactant, suppressing formation of aggregates
due to reaction which may degrade diffusion and mixing of the
reactants, and the like.
[0241] Alternatively, the first reactant may be contained in a
cartridge which may be disposed inside the reactor. As described
herein, such a cartridge is preferably arranged to be releasably
disposed into the reactor such that the user may replace the used
cartridge with the new one. In general, such a cartridge may be
made of and/or include at least one porous and/or permeable
material or structure in order to allow the second reactant to
permeate into the cartridge and to react with the first reactant
contained therein. The cartridge may also be made of and/or include
at least one rigid material so that the cartridge may hold a preset
shape and size inside the reactor. When desirable, such a cartridge
may also be made of and/or include at least one elastic or
deformable material or structure so that at least a portion of the
cartridge may change its shape and/or size in response to external
force. Such an embodiment may be useful when the reactor itself is
arranged to change its shape and/or size in response to such
external force. The cartridge is generally arranged to include a
single first reactant, although it is also possible that the
cartridge may contain a mixture of multiple first reactants, that
such a cartridge may have each of multiple first reactants in each
segregated regions thereof, and that the cartridge may also contain
the same or different first reactants in different concentrations
in different regions thereof. Depending on the reaction
stoichiometry, the reactor may include multiple cartridges which
may be releasably incorporated into different parts of the reactor
and include therein different first reactants. Alternatively, the
reactor may instead include multiple identical cartridges in such
an arrangement that the first reactant contained in each cartridge
is to react with the second reactant in a sequential manner. The
latter arrangement allows the user to obtain the reaction heat for
a longer period of time without having to replace the consumed
cartridge. Regardless of the actual number of cartridges used
therein, such a reactor forms multiple sections segregated by the
cartridges. In such an embodiment, the identical or different
second reactants may also be supplied to at least two of the
sections.
[0242] In another alternative, the reactor may be arranged to
define an empty inner chamber without including therein any
reactant at all. In this embodiment, both of the first and second
reactants may be stored away from the reactor and supplied into the
reactor only when they are required to react each other and to
generate the reaction heat. As will be described in detail below,
such first and/or second reactants may be stored in different
storages, may instead be stored in different partitions or regions
of a single storage, and the like. Similarly, such first and second
reactants may also be supplied to the reactor by different
suppliers, by a common supplier, and the like.
[0243] The ambient air may also be supplied to the reactor when the
water or moist contained therein serves as the second reactor
and/or when the air serves as the heating medium to be heated by
the reaction heat and supplied to the user. In either embodiment,
such a reactor may have a separate air inlet or, in the
alternative, may use the reactant inlet as the air inlet as well
(or vice versa). In another alternative, the ambient air may be
supplied to the exterior walls of the reactor when such air is to
be heated by the reaction heat and then supplied to the user. In
this embodiment, a separate air inlet may be incorporated outside
the reactor.
[0244] In general, such a reactor may contain a single reactant
therein, although it is also possible that the reactor may contain
multiple first reactants each participating in the chemical
reaction. In the latter embodiment, the reactor may include therein
a mixture of multiple first reactants into which the second
reactant is supplied to initiate the reaction. When desirable, the
reactor may contain a mixture of such a first reactant and an inert
support material which may not participate in the reaction but
contribute to the reaction indirectly, e.g., by providing diffusion
path to the second reactant, suppressing formation of aggregates
due to reaction which may degrade diffusion and mixing of the
reactants, and the like.
[0245] Similar to the first reactant, a single second reactant may
be supplied to the reactor for such a reaction or, alternatively,
multiple second reactants may be supplied thereto separately or as
a mixture thereof. Such a second reactant may also be a mixture
with at least one inert support.
[0246] The reactor may include multiple reactor inlets, and at
least one of multiple first and/or second reactants may be supplied
into the reactor. When desirable, at least two of multiple reactor
inlets may supply the same first reactant to different regions of
the reactor or, alternatively, may supply different first reactants
to the same or different regions inside the reactor. When the
reactor defines multiple sections by the first reactant segregated
therein and/or by at least one cartridge, the identical second
reactant or different second reactants may be supplied to different
sections thereof. Similarly, such a reactor may include multiple
reactor outlets which may be fluidly connected to the user or
exhaust so as to discharge the air, reaction products, and/or
excess second reactant thereto. The reactor outlet may also be
arranged to recirculate at least a portion of the reaction product
and/or air to the air inlet or the reactant inlet, to the heat
exchanging chamber, and so on. This embodiment may prove useful in
increasing energy efficiency of the reactor and/or heat exchanging
chamber.
[0247] The reactor may include at least one catalyst which may
catalyze the exothermic reaction and increase the conversion of the
reactants into the products and/or an overall efficiency of the
reactor. Such a catalyst may be mixed with the first and/or second
reactants. In the alternatively, the catalyst may be separately
provided in a segregated region of the reactor and/or as a
cartridge which may be releasably or fixedly disposed into the
reactor. Selecting a proper catalyst may typically depend upon the
first and second reactants and the exothermic chemical reaction
therebetween and is generally a matter of choice of one of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0248] Various heating systems of the present invention preferably
incorporates at least one supplier which is capable of supplying
the ambient air, heated air, water, first reactant, and/or second
reactant into and/or out of the reactor and/or heat exchanging
chamber. Any conventional mass and/or volume transporting devices
may then be employed to transport such air, water, and/or reactants
into and out of the reactor and/or chamber. It is appreciated
herein that the heating systems of this invention is to be provided
in portable configurations and, therefore, that such air, water,
and/or reactant suppliers preferably work without relying on
electric energy. For example, various mechanical pumps defining
deformable configurations may be employed to pump such gaseous or
liquid reactants into and out of various positions of the heating
system, where such pumps may be arranged to transport the ambient
air, water, and/or reactants by developing positive (or negative)
pressure gradient with respect to the reactor, heat exchanging
chamber, and the like.
[0249] In general, the heating systems may include as many
suppliers as a total number of reactants required for the
exothermic chemical reaction. Unless otherwise specified, a
specific supplier which is employed for supplying one of the air,
water, and reactants into the reactor and/or heat exchanging
chamber may also be used for discharging such air, water or
reactants out of the reactor and/or heat exchanging chamber. When
such heating systems adopt the convective heat transfer, they may
also require at least one additional supplier for transporting the
ambient into and out of the heat exchanging chamber. It is,
however, almost always feasible to greatly reduce the total number
of such gas, fluid or solid suppliers. For example, at least one
first reactant may be incorporated into the reactor (or its
cartridge), thereby obviating a need to transport the first
reactant into the reactor. In addition, a single supplier may be
employed to move two or more of such ambient air, water, first
reactant, and second reactant when such may be in the same state.
Accordingly, a common supplier may transport the air and at least
one gaseous reactant into the reactor, move the water and at least
one liquid reactant to the reactor, and so on.
[0250] It is appreciated that various suppliers may be constructed
to convert ordinary or normal body movements of at least one body
part of the user into such driving forces for transporting the
ambient air, water, and/or reactants, where examples of such body
parts may include, but not be limited to, a finger, a hand, a
wrist, a lower or upper arm, an elbow, a toe, a foot, an ankle, a
lower or upper leg, a knee, and the like. Details of such
actuator-type suppliers have been provided in a co-pending Utility
Patent Application entitled "Ventilating Gloves and Methods," which
was filed on Oct. 27, 2004 by the same applicant, which bears the
Serial Number of U.S. Ser. No. 10/974,035, and which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
[0251] Various heating systems of this invention may include at
least one storage capable of storing air, water, first reactant,
and/or second reactant therein. In general, such a storage is
spaced away from the reactor, although disposition of the storage
inside the reactor may also be feasible as long as the storage is
fluidly arranged to prevent undesirable contact between a substance
stored in such a storage with another substance which is disposed
inside the reactor but outside the storage. When such a system
includes the storage external to the reactor, the heating system
may have to include at least one supply unit capable of
transporting such air, water, first reactant, and/or second
reactant to and/or out of the storage, reactor, and/or heat
exchanging chamber through various inlets and outlets defined in
various locations of the system. Similar to the reactor, the
storage may also be arranged to fixedly or releasably retain such
air, water, and/or reactants. In addition, the storage may
releasably retain at least one cartridge which is similarly filled
with water and/or reactants, where the consumed cartridge may later
be replaced by a fresh cartridge.
[0252] The system may include at least one filter which may remove
solid or vapor substances from a stream of air or liquid flowing
therethrough by filtration, absorption, and/or adsorption. In one
example, a mesh or screen type filter may be incorporated into the
inlet and/or outlet of the reactor and/or heat exchanging chamber
and remove particles and/or particulates from the stream of air,
reactant, and/or product. In another example, various adsorbents
may be filled into the cartridge which is incorporated into the
inlet and/or outlet of the reactor and/or chamber and remove
certain substances by chemical adsorption. In yet another example,
the cartridge may include a hydrating or dehydrating substance
therein in order to add or to remove water or moist from the air,
reactant, and/or product, respectively. It is appreciated that
various dividers of the reactor may also serve as the filter.
[0253] Such a system may also include at least one insulator
capable of insulating conduction of heat therethrough. The
insulator may be disposed at a preset location in the interior
and/or exterior of the reactor and/or heat exchanging chamber in
order to minimize heat conduction along such a direction. Any
conventional insulating materials may be incorporated into such an
insulator. Accordingly and in one example, the insulator may be
disposed on at least one surface of the reactor through which the
conductive heat transport is not intended. In another example, the
insulator may be disposed around the heat exchanging chamber when
the system is primarily intended to supply the heat by the stream
of the heated or hot air. Conversely, the system may also include
at least one thermal conductor for promoting the thermal conduction
therethrough. Therefore and in one example, the conductor may be
placed on at least one surface of the reactor through which the
conductive heat transfer is desired. In another example, the
conductor may be disposed around the reactor which is disposed
inside the heat exchanging chamber so as to improve the conductive
heat transfer from the reactor to the air in such a chamber.
Various conventional techniques may also be adopted to increase the
conductive heat transfer between the reactor and heat exchanging
chamber, where examples of the techniques may include, not be
limited to, increasing the surface area of the reactor, corrugating
the surface of the reactor, installing fins on the reactor, and the
like.
[0254] It is appreciated that the reactants may be shaped and/or
sized to facilitate and/or maximize the extent of the exothermic
chemical reaction, for immature termination of such a reaction
results in a waste of potential heat-generating capability of the
system. In particular, the solid reactant such as the first
reactant is preferably shaped to ensure proper diffusion of the
second reactant therein or therethrough. To this end, the solid
first reactant is arranged to define macropores and/or micropores
through which the second reactant may freely diffuse and react with
the unconverted first reactant, thereby maximizing the reaction
conversion and yield. Accordingly, such a solid first reactant may
be shaped as a porous particle, a pellet, an annular pellet, and
the like.
[0255] As described hereinabove, the system includes a variety of
paths each of which is designed to transport the ambient air,
water, first reactant, and/or second reactant therethrough. Similar
to the case of various suppliers, at least one of such paths may be
used for at least two of such air, water, first reactant, and
second reactant in order to reduce a total number and/or a total
length of the paths. One example is a single inlet to the reactor
and heat exchanging chamber when the water contained in the ambient
air is not only used as the second reactant but also employed as
the heating medium of the convective heat transfer. Conversely,
multiple paths may also be defined to and/or out of a single
portion of the heating system, where this embodiment offers the
benefit of supplying the user with the reaction heat in different
amounts or in different flow rates, at the cost of additional
paths. Various conventional flow valves may also be incorporated
into various locations of the paths for controlling a flow rate of
the air, water, and/or reactants flowing therein.
[0256] The system may also be arranged to provide the user with
various means to control an extent and/or rate of the chemical
reaction, thereby allowing the user to control an amount of heat
generated by the system and/or a rate thereof. It is generally
preferred that such control may be accomplished by controlling an
amount of the second reactant and/or air supplied to the reactor.
To this end, such a system may include various valves along the air
inlet and/or reactant inlet with which the user may be able to
control the amount and/or rate of the second reactant and/or air
supplied to the reactor. In the alternative, such a system may also
include various valves along the inlets and/or outlets of the heat
exchanging chamber in order to adjust the amount and/or rate of air
supplied to and//or dispensed out of such a chamber. The system may
also include at least one bypass which is arranged to bypass the
reactor so that the user may, e.g., continue to deliver the ambient
air to himself or herself without heating such air.
[0257] In another aspect of the present invention, various heating
systems may also be provided for heating ambient air by reaction
heat released from at least one exothermic chemical reaction
between various reactants and delivering such heated air to the
user.
[0258] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary heating
system including a reactor and an air supplier according to the
present invention. An exemplary system 10 includes a reactor 20 and
an air supplier 60, where the former 20 is fluidly coupled to the
latter through an inlet 21. More specifically, the reactor 20
includes a body 26 with two chambers 28A, 28B which are in fluid
communication with each other and which include individual covers
27 each of which covers and uncovers the chambers 28A, 28B. A
cartridge 40 charged with the first reactant is releasably disposed
into the first chamber 28A of the body 26, whereas another
cartridge which has been exemplified hereinabove may also be
releasably incorporated into the second chamber 28B. The body 26
has three outlets 22 on its distal end which is disposed opposite
to a proximal end in which the inlet 21 is disposed. The air
supplier 60 is generally shapes as a conventional bellow which
forms a top 61, a bottom 62, and multiple bellows 63 on its side.
The air supplier 60 also defines an intake 64 which is to be in
fluid communication with the atmosphere and then fluidly couples to
the inlet 21 of the reactor 20 on its opposite end.
[0259] In operation, the user prepares the cartridge 40 which is
charged with the first reactant. The user then opens the cover 27
of the first chamber 28A, releasably loads the cartridge 40
therein, and closes the cover 27. When desirable, the user may open
the other cover 27 and releasably disposes another cartridge into
the other chamber 28B as well. The inlet 21 of the reactor 20 is
fluidly coupled to the air supplier 60. As the user pushes or
presses the top 61 of the air supplier 60, the bellows 63 are
deformed in response to the force applied thereto by the user. By
incorporating various one-way valves (not included in the figure),
such air trapped in the air supplier 60 begins to be pumped out and
delivered to the reactor 20 through the inlet 21. As the air is
delivered into the first chamber 28A, the water or moist contained
in the air begins to react with the first reactant contained in the
cartridge 40 and to release the reaction heat by the exothermic
chemical reaction between the first reactant and water or moist of
the air. As the reaction proceeds, temperature inside the reactor
20 increases, and the air is also heated. The pressure gradient
across the reactor 20 then pushes the heated or hot air out of the
first chamber 28A to the second chamber 28B, Such heated air may be
filtered, hydrated or dehydrated by another cartridge disposed in
the second chamber 28B and may be discharged out of the reactor 20
through the outlets 22. As the user ceases to presses the top 61 of
the air supplier 60, the elastic bellows 63 gradually return to
their unstressed state while increasing the volume of the air
supplier and lowering the pressure thereinside. The one-way valve
then allows fresh ambient air to seep into an interior of the air
supplier 60 through its intake 64, thereby getting ready for a next
round of compression.
[0260] In another aspect of the present invention, various heating
systems may be incorporated into a conventional shoe to heat
ambient air by a reaction heat released from at least one chemical
reaction between various reactants and to supply the heated air
into an interior of the shoe, thereby keeping a foot of an user
warm. It is appreciated that a target in this aspect of the
invention corresponds to an interior of such a shoe or a foot of
the user.
[0261] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary shoe
incorporated with the heating system of FIG. 4A according to the
present invention. A shoe defines an opening and an interior for
receiving a foot of an user through the opening and to retain the
portion of the foot inside such an interior. Such a shoe also
incorporates a heating system so that a reactor 20 is disposed in
an upper part thereof and that an air supplier 60 is disposed in a
heel thereof. More particularly, such an air supplier 60 includes
an intake 64 which is provided on a rear of the shoe and a
bellow-type pump hidden inside the heel of the shoe. An inlet 21
then extends between the air supplier 60 and reactor 20 in order to
provide fluid communication therebetween. The reactor 20 includes
the first reactant or a cartridge charged with the first reactant
and defines multiple outlets 22 extending to various locations of
the interior of such a shoe. It is appreciated that the bellow-type
pump of the air supplier 60 may be arranged to serve as an actuator
which converts movement of the shoe into driving forces of
supplying air to the reactor.
[0262] In operation, the reactor 20 and air supplier 60 are
incorporated to the shoe and fluidly coupled to each other. The
first reactant or cartridge charged therewith is releasably loaded
into the reactor 20. As the user begins to walk or run, an actuator
of the system is actuated (or bellows of the pump are pushed or
compressed) in response to the external force applied thereonto by
the user and also increases air pressure therein. By incorporating
various one-way valves (not included in the figure), air may be
pumped out from the bellows and delivered to the reactor 20 through
the inlet 21. Such air is then delivered to the reactor 20, where
the water or moist contained in such air reacts with the first
reactant contained in the cartridge 40, while generating heat by
the exothermic reaction between the first reactant and water or
moist of the air. As the reaction proceeds, temperature inside the
reactor 20 increases, and the air is also heated. The pressure
gradient across the reactor 20 pushes such heated or hot air out of
the reactor 20 through the outlets 22 and to the interior of such a
shoe which corresponds to the target. When the user stops to walk
or to run, the actuator (or elastic bellows) gradually return to
their unstressed state while increasing an internal volume of the
air supplier 60 and lowering pressure therein. The one-way valves
allows the ambient air to be sucked into the interior of the air
supplier 60 through its intake 64, thereby getting ready for a next
round of compression.
[0263] Various actuators may be constructed for converting ordinary
and/or normal movements of at least one bodily part of an user into
such driving forces. More details of such actuators may be found in
a co-pending Utility Patent Application entitled "Ventilating
Gloves and Methods," which was filed on Oct. 27, 2004 by the same
applicant, which bears the Serial Number of U.S. Ser. No.
10/974,035, and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference.
[0264] In another aspect of the present invention, various heating
systems may be incorporated into a conventional glove to heat
ambient air by a reaction heat released from at least one chemical
reaction between various reactants and to supply the heated air
into an interior of the glove, thereby keeping a hand of an user
warm. It is appreciated that a target in this aspect of the
invention corresponds to an interior of such a glove or a hand of
the user.
[0265] FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of an exemplary glove
incorporated with the hot air generating system of FIG. 4A
according to the present invention. Such a glove defines an opening
and an interior for receiving a hand of an user through the opening
and retain the portion of the hand inside such an interior. The
glove also incorporates a heating system such that a reactor 20 is
disposed in an upper part thereof and that an air supplier 60 is
disposed in its proximal part. In particular, the air supplier 60
includes an intake 64 provided on a top of the glove and a ball or
bulb-type pump hidden inside the top of the glove. An inlet 21
extends between the air supplier 60 and the reactor 20 so as to
provide fluid communication therebetween. The reactor 20 also
includes the first reactant or a cartridge charged therewith and
defines multiple outlets 22 extending to various locations of the
interior of such a shoe. It is appreciated that the ball or
bulb-type pump of the air supplier 60 may also be arranged to serve
as an actuator which converts movement of the glove into driving
forces of supplying air to the reactor.
[0266] In operation, the reactor 20 and air supplier 60 are
incorporated to the glove and fluidly coupled to each other, and
the first reactant or cartridge charged therewith is loaded into
the reactor. As the user begins to fold, stretch, twist or release
his or her finger and/or wrist, an actuator is actuated (or bellows
of the pump are pushed or compressed) in response to the force
applied thereto by the user and also increases air pressure
therein. By incorporating various one-way valves (not shown in the
figure), air may be pumped out from such bellows and delivered to
the reactor 20 through the inlet 21. Such air is delivered to the
reactor 20, where the water or moist contained in such air reacts
with the first reactant contained in the cartridge 40, while
generating heat by the exothermic chemical reaction between the
first reactant and water or moist of the air. As the reaction
proceeds, temperature inside the reactor 20 increases, and the air
is heated. The pressure gradient across the reactor 20 pushes the
heated or hot air out of the reactor 20 through the outlets 22 and
to the interior of the glove which corresponds to the target. As
the user stops make such movement, the actuator (or elastic
bellows) gradually return to their unstressed state while
increasing the volume of the air supplier and lowering pressure
therein. The one-way valves allows the ambient air to be sucked
into the interior of the air supplier 60 through its intake 64,
thereby getting ready for a next round of compression.
[0267] Configurational and/or operational variations and/or
modifications of the above embodiments of the exemplary systems and
various modules thereof described in FIGS. 1A through 4C also fall
within the scope of this invention.
[0268] The heating system may also incorporate one of the above
heat exchanging chambers so that the ambient air is supplied into
and out of the heat exchanging chamber while being heated by the
heat from the chemical reaction. In this embodiment, the second
reactants other than such water or moist may be used. The foregoing
hot air generating heating system may be modified into one of the
above heating systems in order to transfer heat by conduction.
[0269] The above systems, methods, and/or processes of the present
invention may be applied to or utilized for other purposes as well.
For example, the heating systems may be incorporated into cloths or
suits including space suits and diving suits so that movement of at
least one body part may cause various reactants of the systems to
be mixed with each other, to begin to react, and then to release
the reaction heat, thereby delivering the heated or hot air to the
user by the forced convention and/or transferring such heat itself
to the user.
[0270] It is to be understood that, while various aspects and
embodiments of the present invention have been described in
conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing
description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of
the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended
claims. Other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and modifications
are within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *