U.S. patent application number 12/390209 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for thin film energy fabric.
This patent application is currently assigned to ENERGY INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Wylie Moreshead.
Application Number | 20090151043 12/390209 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37420855 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090151043 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moreshead; Wylie |
June 18, 2009 |
THIN FILM ENERGY FABRIC
Abstract
A material is provided that includes a first section for storing
energy and a second section for releasing energy received from the
first section in which the energy is preferably electrical energy
that is used for one from among heat dissipation, heat generation,
light emission and powering of an electric circuit. Ideally the
material includes a third layer adapted to collect energy and
convert the energy to electrical energy for storage in the first
section. A fourth protection section is provided on at least one
side of the material. The material can be formed of woven strips,
laminated sections, or in coaxial sections that are woven together
to form a flexible fabric material having at least one
characteristic from among breathability, wickability, moisture
resistance, moisture-proof, and stretchability.
Inventors: |
Moreshead; Wylie;
(Bainbridge Island, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP PLLC
701 FIFTH AVE, SUITE 5400
SEATTLE
WA
98104
US
|
Assignee: |
ENERGY INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
Bainbridge Island
WA
|
Family ID: |
37420855 |
Appl. No.: |
12/390209 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11439572 |
May 23, 2006 |
7494945 |
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12390209 |
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60684890 |
May 26, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 ; 139/420R;
2/243.1; 428/221; 428/76; 442/187 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 2307/51 20130101;
Y10T 442/3976 20150401; Y10T 442/3041 20150401; B32B 2307/402
20130101; D10B 2501/00 20130101; Y10T 428/31504 20150401; Y10T
442/3033 20150401; Y10T 442/3049 20150401; A41D 31/125 20190201;
Y10T 428/239 20150115; B32B 5/12 20130101; B32B 7/02 20130101; B32B
2307/20 20130101; Y10T 428/249921 20150401; B32B 2307/202 20130101;
B32B 2437/00 20130101; D10B 2401/16 20130101; A41D 31/185 20190201;
Y02E 10/50 20130101; D03D 15/00 20130101; A43B 3/001 20130101; D03D
1/0076 20130101; H05B 3/347 20130101; H05B 2203/036 20130101; A41D
31/102 20190201; B32B 5/024 20130101; A41D 31/12 20190201; H05B
2203/014 20130101; A41D 13/005 20130101; A43B 7/04 20130101; H02S
99/00 20130101; B32B 2307/7265 20130101; D06N 3/0002 20130101; B32B
5/26 20130101; A41D 1/002 20130101; A41D 31/065 20190201; B32B
2307/546 20130101; Y10T 442/3382 20150401; B32B 2307/724 20130101;
Y10T 442/3854 20150401; A43B 17/00 20130101; B32B 2457/00 20130101;
B32B 2250/20 20130101; B32B 2457/10 20130101; D03D 15/46 20210101;
B32B 2307/302 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 ; 428/76;
428/221; 442/187; 2/243.1; 139/420.R |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00; A41D 27/00 20060101 A41D027/00; D03D 15/00 20060101
D03D015/00 |
Claims
1. A sheet-like material, comprising: a first section configured to
receive and store electrical energy; and a second section
configured to utilize the electrical energy stored in the first
section for use in at least one from among heat dissipation, heat
generation, and light emission, the second section encapsulated
with the first section to form a sheet-like material.
2. The material of claim 1, further comprising a third section
coupled to at least the first section and formed with the first and
second sections to provide a charge from ambient energy to be
stored in the first section or to be used by the second
section.
3. The material of claim 1, further comprising at least one
protective section formed on at least one side of the material.
4. The material of claim 1 wherein the first section is configured
to store electrical energy.
5. The material of claim 1 wherein the first and second sections
are formed to be flexible and to have at least one of the following
characteristics of breathability, moisture wickability, water
resistance, waterproof, and stretchability.
6. The material of claim 5 wherein the first and second sections
comprise first and second layers, respectively, and are arranged
adjacent to one another.
7. The material of claim 1, further comprising means for regulating
at least one of energy storage and energy release in the first and
second sections, respectively.
8. A sheet-like flexible fabric material, comprising: a first layer
adapted to receive and store electrical energy; and a second layer
coupled to the first layer and configured to receive electrical
energy from the first layer and to utilize the electrical energy
for at least one from among heat dissipation, heat generation, and
light emission, the second layer attached to the first layer to
form a multi-layer sheet-like flexible fabric material.
9. The material of claim 8, comprising a third layer electrically
coupled to the second layer and attached to the first and second
layers, the third layer adapted to collect energy and convert the
collected energy to electrical energy for storage by the first
layer for immediate use by the second layer or both storage in the
first layer and use by the second layer simultaneously.
10. The material of claim 9, further comprising at least one
protective layer adapted to protect the first, second, and third
layers without interfering with the collection, conversion,
storage, and use of energy.
11. The material of claim 8, further comprises a control device for
regulating at least one of energy storage and energy utilization by
the first and second layers, respectively.
12. A flexible fabric material adapted to be woven to provide a
thin flexible fabric for use with an electric circuit, the material
comprising: a first flexible filament adapted to receive and store
electrical energy; a second flexible filament coupled to the first
flexible filament and adapted to receive the stored energy from the
first flexible filament for use in at least one from among heat
dissipation, heat generation, and light emission; and electrically
insulating material encapsulating the first and second flexible
filaments with at least one electrical contact at a terminating end
of the material to form a sheet-like flexible fabric material.
13. The material of claim 12, comprising a third flexible filament
adapted to obtain ambient energy and convert the obtained energy to
electrical energy for storage in the first flexible filament, the
third flexible filament formed in the electrically insulating
material and electrically coupled to the first flexible
filament.
14. The material of claim 12 wherein the first and second flexible
filaments are layered with respect to one another.
15. The material of claim 14 wherein the first, second, and third
flexible filaments are in a layered arrangement.
16. The material of claim 12, comprising a regulator for
controlling at least one of energy storage and energy usage in the
first and second flexible filaments, respectively.
17. The material of claim 13 wherein the first, second, and third
flexible filaments are in a coaxial arrangement.
18. The material of claim 12 wherein the first and second flexible
filaments are in a tubular arrangement.
19. A garment or accessory, comprising: a sheet-like flexible
material comprising a first section configured to receive and store
electrical energy and a second section configured to utilize the
electrical energy stored in the first section for use in at least
one from among heat dissipation, heat generation, and light
emission, the second section encapsulated with the first section to
form a sheet-like material.
20. The garment or accessory of claim 19 wherein the material
comprises a third section adapted to obtain ambient energy and
convert the obtained ambient energy to electrical energy for
storage in the second section.
21. The garment or accessory of claim 20, further comprising a
protective layer formed on at least one side of the flexible
material.
22. The garment or accessory of claim 21 wherein the material has
at least one characteristic from among breathability, moisture
wickability, water resistance, waterproof, and stretchability.
23. The garment of claim 19, comprising a device for controlling at
least one of energy storage and energy release in the first and
second sections, respectively.
24. A method of making a sheet-like flexible material, comprising:
providing a first section configured to receive and store
electrical energy; providing a second section coupled to the first
section and adapted to utilize the electrical energy stored in the
first section for use in at least one from among heat dissipation,
heat generation, and light emission, the second section
encapsulated with the first section to form a sheet-like
material.
25. The method of claim 24, comprising forming a third section with
the first and second sections, the third section adapted to collect
ambient energy and convert the ambient energy to electrical energy
for storage in the second section.
26. The method of claim 25, comprising providing at least one
protective section on at least one side of the material.
27. The method of claim 24 wherein the material includes at least
one characteristic from among breathability, wickability, water
resistance, waterproof, and stretchability.
28. The method of claim 24 wherein the first and second sections
are formed as individual plies that are layered together.
29. The method of claim 25 wherein the first, second, and third
sections are formed as flexible filaments layered together to form
a flexible filament, and further comprising weaving the layered
flexible filament to form the flexible material.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention is directed to thin, flexible material
and, more particularly, to a flexible fabric having electrical
energy storage and release capabilities integrally formed
therewith.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] There are currently materials that incorporate energy
releases in the form of light or heat and are powered by some
external, rigid power source.
[0005] For example, Coler et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,023,259,
describes a flexible battery that is designed, in one embodiment,
to wrap around a person under their clothing so that body heat may
be utilized to maintain the electrochemical temperature within a
preferred temperature range. The flexible battery includes a
flexible electrode that incorporates a wire mesh selected of a
metal non-reactive with components of the electrochemical system. A
coating composition is provided that includes an active electrode
material, electrically conductive particles, and a synthetic resin
binder. Coler et al. teach the use of heat to maintain the flexible
battery within a preferred operating temperature range.
[0006] Armbruster, U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,494, illustrates the use of
metal foil material that is flexible and includes a layer of
plastic material and small particles of electrically conductive
material substantially uniformly distributed throughout the layer
of plastic material. A low voltage supply provides electric current
that passes in a direction substantially normal to opposing faces
through the sheet material and in which the sheet material and the
metal foils thereto are sandwiched between a pair of plastic sheets
to form with the latter a flexible heating unit.
[0007] Romaniec, U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,988, describes electrical
heating elements utilizing conducted carded fibrous carbon web
having flexible electrodes and a supporting layer of loosely woven
fabric overlying and united with each face of the web.
[0008] Lehovec et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,263, is entitled
"Peltier-Cooled Garment" that attaches to a garment and having a
cold plate bearing against the skin of a user. Heat collected by
the cold plate is distributed through fins.
[0009] Triplett et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,054, describe electric
devices formed of a fabric prepared from at least one electrode and
a substance of high resistance and to include a conductive polymer.
The positive temperature coefficient of the resistance material has
a resistivity that increases by a factor of at least 2.5 over a
temperature range of 14.degree. C. or by a factor of at least 10
over a temperature range of 100.degree. C., and preferably
both.
[0010] Nagatsuka et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,768, is directed to a
three-dimensional woven fabric for use inside of a battery. The
fabric material itself is not a battery and would be incapable of
storing electricity. It is designed to be used in a seawater
battery containing an electrolyte.
[0011] Schneider et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,368, is directed to a
rechargeable temperature regulating device for controlling the
temperature of a beverage or other object that utilizes fluid
housed in a flexible jacket having an inner chamber. The jacket is
recharged in a freezer or heated in a microwave, depending on the
function to be performed.
[0012] Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,062, describes a heated garment
with a temperature control that is worn on the body of an
individual. The thermal garment includes an interior liner with a
heating element disposed in the interior liner of the garment. The
heating element is disposed within a majority of the area of the
garment, and at least one flexible rechargeable battery is disposed
within the interior liner of the thermal garment. A thermostat
within the outer layer of the thermal garment and in communication
with the heating element regulates the temperature.
[0013] Aisenbray, U.S. Publication No. 2004/0188418, discloses low
cost heating devices manufactured from conductive loaded
resin-based materials. Micron conductor fibers are provided,
preferably of nickel plated carbon fiber, stainless steel fiber,
copper fiber, silver fiber, or the like. Conductive loaded
resin-based heating devices can be formed using methods such as
injection molding, compression molding, or extrusion. The
conductive loaded resin-based material that forms the heating
devices can also be in the form of a thin flexible woolen fabric
that can be readily cut to the desired shape.
[0014] Knoerzer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,906, discloses a flexible
electroluminescent (EL) film that incorporates the battery directly
into the thin film layer structure and would be used for lighted
product packaging. The EL films or thin film electroluminescents
(TFELs) described by Knoerzer are inorganic and consist of phosphor
particles that illuminate when energized by electrical current.
Knoerzer describes an inverter to change DC current from the
battery into AC current which is used to illuminate the EL film.
With the introduction of organic light emitting polymers (LEPs) and
organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), which are organic polymers,
not phosphor films, there is no need for an inverter system, which
is problematic to integrate into a completely flexible system. The
manufacture of the organic polymers also presents several
processing advantages over an inorganic EL film.
[0015] However, there is not currently a single fabric available to
the engineer or designer that has the electrical energy storage
aspect directly integrated into it and is still thin, flexible, and
can be manufactured into a product with the same ease as
conventional fabrics. Hence, there is a need in this day and age
for such a fabric that also has all the normal characteristics of a
modern engineered fabric, such as waterproof, breathability,
moisture wickability, stretch, color and texture choices. So far no
fabric has emerged with all these characteristics.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0016] The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are
directed to a fabric with all the characteristics of a modern
engineered fabric, such as water resistance, waterproof, moisture
wickability, breathability, stretch, and color and texture choices,
along with the ability to store electrical energy and release it to
provide heating, cooling, lighting, and other uses of electrical
energy. In addition, in one form of the invention there is the
option of taking energy from its surroundings, converting it to
electrical energy, and storing it inside the fabric for later use.
With the advent and advancement of thin film deposition technology,
polymer technology, MEMs, and new engineered materials, it is now
possible to produce a fabric with all the above
characteristics.
[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, a material is provided
that includes an energy storage section and an energy release
section. An optional charge section or recharge section can be
provided along with optional treatment and sealing, and optional
protective and decorative section. It should be noted that these
sections can be arranged coplanar or layered as long as the
sections are continually connected or enveloped together.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
the fabric includes one or more properties of semi-flexibility or
flexibility, water resistance or waterproof, and formed as a thin,
sheet-like material or a thin woven fabric.
[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
the fabric is formed from strips of material having the
characteristics described above and that are woven together to
provide a thin, flexible material that can utilized as a
conventional fabric, such as inner or outer clothing worn by a user
or as a component used in footwear such as an insole or a
specialized fabric panel.
[0020] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a
flexible fabric material is provide that includes a first layer
adapted to store electrical energy; and a second layer coupled to
the first layer and configured to receive electrical energy from
the first layer and to utilize the electrical energy for at least
one from among heat dissipation, heat generation, light emission,
and powering an electric circuit. Ideally, a third layer is
provided, the third layer being coupled to the second layer and
adapted to receive or collect energy and convert the received or
collected energy to electrical energy for storage by the second
layer for use by the first layer or both storage in the second
layer and immediate use by the first layer simultaneously.
[0021] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a
garment is provided that includes a flexible material comprising a
first section configured to store energy and a second section
configured to release energy received from the first section.
Ideally, the material of the garment includes a third layer adapted
to obtain energy and convert the obtained energy to electrical
energy for storage in the second section.
[0022] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a
method for forming a flexible material is provided. The method
includes providing a first section configured to store energy; and
providing a second section coupled to the first section and adapted
to release energy received from the first section. Ideally, the
method includes providing a third section adapted to receive or
collect energy and convert energy to electrical energy for storage
in the second section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present invention will be more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a first embodiment of
a material formed in accordance with the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of another embodiment of
a sheet-like material formed in accordance with the present
invention; and
[0026] FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration of a yet a further
embodiment of a thin film fabric formed in accordance with the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is an isometric illustration of yet another
embodiment of the present invention showing energy flow into and
out of the fabric.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Referring initially to FIG. 1, shown therein is a flexible
sheet 10 formed in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
[0029] FIG. 1 serves to diagrammatically illustrate the flexible
sheet form of the finished energy fabric 10 that includes an energy
release section 12 and an energy storage section 14. An optional
charge section 16 or recharge section 18 or combination thereof is
shown along with an optional protective section 20 that can also be
a decorative section. These sections can be manufactured separately
and then laminated together or each section can be directly
deposited on the one beneath it or a combination of both techniques
can be employed to produce the final fabric. These sections can be
arranged in any order including coplanar arrangements, layers,
planes, and other stacking arrangements, and there can be multiple
instances of each section in the final fabric.
[0030] The sections can also have different embodiments on the same
plane. For instance, a section of the charge or recharge plane
16,18 can use photovoltaics while another section can use
piezoelectrics or a section of the energy release plane can produce
light while another section can produce heat. Similarly, one
section of the plane can produce light while another section on the
same plane can use photovoltaics to recharge the energy storage
section. Some sections must be connected electrically to some of
the other sections. This can be done with the contact occurring at
certain points 22 directly between the sections or with the contact
occurring though leads 24 that connect via a remote PCB 26, thus
providing operator input, monitoring, and control capabilities.
Although not required, this PCB 26 can be built on a flexible
substrate as can the leads 24, and the PCB 26 can control multiple
separate fabric instances simultaneously using control methods and
devices known in the art and which will not be described in detail
herein. Briefly, controls such as fixed and variable resistance,
capacitance, inductance, and combinations of the forgoing, as well
as software and firmware embodied in corresponding hardware can be
implemented to regulate voltage and current, phase relationships,
timing, and other known variables that ultimately affect the
output. Regulation can be user controlled or automatic or a
combination of both
[0031] The leads 24 that connect the sections can, but do not have
to be, connected to the remote PCB 26. All lead connections should
be sealed at the point of contact to provide complete electrical
insulation. The flexible PCB 26, which contains circuits,
components, switches and sensors, can also be integrated directly
into the final fabric as another section, coplanar or layered, and
so can the leads.
[0032] One method of manufacturing the individual sections into a
custom, energized textile panel would consist of: 1) locating the
energy storage, energy release and possibly energy recharge
sections adjacent to or on top of one another (depending on panel
layout and functionality) 2) electrically interconnecting the
various sections by affixing thin, flexible circuits to them that
would provide the desired functionality and then 3) laminating this
entire system of electrically integrated sections between
breathable, waterproof films. The preferred materials in the
heating embodiment of a panel would consist of lithium polymer for
the energy storage section, PTC heaters for the energy release
section, piezoelectric film for the recharge section, copper traces
deposited on a polyester substrate for the thin, flexible
electrical interconnects and a high Moisture Vapor Transmission
Rate polyurethane film as the encapsulating film or protective
section. While cloth material can be used, preferably it would be
laminated over the encapsulant film. The cloth could be any type of
material and would correspond to the decorative section as
described herein. The type of cloth would completely depend on the
desired color, texture, wickability, and other characteristics of
the exterior of the panel.
[0033] A thin film, lithium ion polymer battery, such as
manufactured by Gaston Narada, VoltaFlex, Solicore, Sanyo, Cymbet,
Excellatron, Valence, Amperex or Enderel, is an ideal flexible
thin, rechargeable, electrical energy storage section. The
manufacturing details of these batteries are proprietary but each
consists of a thin film anode layer, cathode layer, and
electrolytic layer and each battery forms a thin, flexible sheet
that stores and releases electrical energy and is rechargeable.
Carbon nanotubes are now also being used by Advanced Battery
Technologies, Inc., in conjunction with the lithium polymer battery
technology to increase capacity and would be integrated into the
final fabric in the same manner as would a standard polymer
battery. It should be noted that the energy storage section should
consist of a material whose properties do not degrade with use and
flexing. In the case of lithium polymers, this generally means the
more the electrolyte is plasticized, the less the degradation of
the cell that occurs with flexing.
[0034] Another technology that can be used for the energy storage
section is a supercapacitor or ultracapacitor of the types being
developed and manufactured by Skeleton Technologies, Cooper
Electronic Technology's PowerStor Aerogel, and Telcordia
Technologies. These types of supercapacitors use different
technologies to achieve a thin, flexible, rechargeable energy
storage film and are good examples in the ultra- and
super-capacitor industry as to what is currently available
commercially for integration and use in this invention.
[0035] Thin film micro fuels cells of different types (PEM, DFMC,
solid oxide, MEMS and hydrogen) are also becoming available from
companies such as NEC, Toshiba, Millennium Cell, MTI Micro and
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation that can be laminated
into the final fabric to provide an integrated power source to work
in conjunction with (hybridized), or in place of, a thin film
battery or thin film capacitor storage section.
[0036] In the energy release section there are several embodiments,
including but not limited to heating, cooling and light
emission.
[0037] For the heating embodiment, a normal thin wire or etched
thin film resistance heater as manufactured by Minco, Birk
Manufacturing, Tempco or Q-Foil by ECG Enterprises, Inc., works
well. A PTC or positive temperature coefficient resistive heater as
manufactured by Conductive Technologies, Thermo, or ITW Chronotherm
also works very well for a thin film, self-regulating, heater
section. In the case of the PTC, its heater is built to regulate
itself specifically to a temperature determined before manufacture.
This means that the resistive heating element changes its
resistance depending on the instantaneous temperature of the heater
without the use of sensors and added circuitry. All these heating
elements are deposited on a thin flexible substrate, usually Kapton
or polyester, which can then be laminated with or without an
adhesive to the other fabric sections or the heating elements can
be directly deposited on an adjoining fabric section. For instance
the heater element can be deposited directly on the packaging layer
of a lithium polymer battery and then covered with a thin film of
polyester, Kapton, urethane or some other thin flexible material to
encapsulate and insulate the heating element and/or fabric
section.
[0038] For the cooling embodiment of the energy release section, a
thin film, superlattice, thermoelectric cooling device as being
developed and produced by ITR international is ideal for
integration into the final fabric. Being a thin film device, it can
be deposited using another of the fabric sections as its substrate
or it can be deposited on a separate substrate and then laminated
with or without an adhesive to the other existing fabric
sections.
[0039] For the light emitting embodiment of the energy release
sections, there are many organic polymer based thin film
technologies available for integration into the fabric. Organic
light emitting diodes (OLEDs) manufactured by OSRAM, Cambridge
Display Technologies, and Universal Display Corporation are polymer
based devices that are manufactured in thin, flexible, sheet form
and can be powered directly from a DC power source without an
inverter. Some other examples of applicable organic, flexible,
light emitting technologies that use DC power without an inverter
include, polymeric light emitting diodes (PLEDs) manufactured by
Cambridge Display Technologies, light emitting polymers (LEPs) also
manufactured by Cambridge Display Technologies, Electronic Ink
manufactured by E-Ink and flexible liquid crystal displays (LCDs)
currently being developed and manufactured by Sarnoff, SoftPixel,
Samsung and Toshiba. The light emitting embodiment of the fabric
can be used to display a static lit design or a changing pixilated
display. Being thin film devices, all these technologies can be
deposited using another of the fabric sections as their substrate
or they can be deposited on separate substrates and then laminated
with or without adhesives to the other existing fabric
sections.
[0040] There are many currently available options for the charge
and recharge section in it's several embodiments. In the case that
the embodiment is using light energy to charge or recharge the
energy storage section, several photovoltaic manufacturers such as
ETA Engineering's Uni-Solar, and Iowa Thin Film Technology's
PowerFilm, produce thin, flexible photovoltaic cells.
[0041] In the case that the embodiment is using fabric flexure and
piezoelectric materials to generate electricity for storage in the
energy storage section, companies such as Continuum's PiezoFlex,
Mide's PowerAct, Measurement Specialties' Piezo Film and Advanced
Cerametrics Incorporated produce films that are easily laminated
and electrically integrated into the final fabric
[0042] In the case that the embodiment is using a magnetic,
inductive or wireless charging system to produce electrical energy
for storage, Companies such as Splashpower and Salcomp currently
manufacture technology that can be laminated and electrically
integrated into the final fabric.
[0043] It should also be noted that in the case of a
thermoelectric(Peltier), or photoelectric(photovoltaic) section
that is used as an energy release embodiment, this section can also
be used in a reversible fashion as a energy recharging section for
the energy storage section(s). For example, if a system is
producing a large amount of excess heat energy, say in the case of
a garment used during high aerobic activity, that heat energy can
be converted by the thermoelectric section to electricity for
storage in the energy storage section(s) and can then be used
reversibly back through a thermoelectric section for heating when
there is an absence of heat after the aerobic activity has stopped.
The same sort of energy harvesting technique could be used by the
photoelectric (photovoltaic) sections to produce light when there's
an absence of it and to also transform the light energy to
electrical energy for storage in the energy storage sections when
there is an excess of it. In the case of the piezoelectric
embodiment, electrical energy can be created and stored during
flexing and then used reversibly to stiffen the piezoelectric
section if a stiffening of the fabric is required. This text
describes only a few embodiments of the reversible fabric sections
whereas there are many possible section permutations within the
embodiments described.
[0044] There are many available products that can be used for the
protective and decorative section(s). Malden Mills is a good
example of a supplier that has a broad product line with many
applicable products. For example their product line includes
sections that are engineered for next-to-skin wickability, fibrous,
fleece-type comfort, water repellency, specific color, specific
texture and many other characteristics that can be incorporated by
laminating that section into the final fabric. There are also many
thermoplastic urethanes (TPUs) available for use as sealing and
protective envelopes. These materials exhibit very high Moisture
Vapor Transmission Ratios (MVTRs) and are extremely waterproof
allowing the assembled energy storage, release and recharge
sections to be enveloped in a highly breathable, waterproof
material that also provides a high degree of protection and
durability. Some companies currently manufacturing these TPUs are
American Polyfilm, Inc. (API), Omniflex, and Noveon. In addition to
the TPUs, which are a solid monolithic structure, there are also
microporous materials that are available for use as breathable,
waterproof sealing and protective envelopes. This microporous
technology is commonly found in Gore products and can also be used
in conjunction with TPUs. It should also be noted that when
laminating these breathable waterproof envelopes around the
assembled sections, care must be taken, whether you're using an
adhesive or not, to maintain the breathability of the laminate. If
adhesive is being used, this adhesive must also have breathable
characteristics. The same should be said for a laminate process
that does not use adhesive. Whatever the adhesion process is, it
needs to maintain the breathability and waterproofness of the
enveloping protective section providing these are traits deemed
necessary for the final textile panel.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates the highly flexible woven form of a
finished energy fabric 28 that includes woven strips 30 where each
individual strip contains an energy release section, an energy
storage section and an optional charge\recharge section. The strips
30 would not necessarily need to be constructed with rectangular
sections, they can also be constructed with coaxial sections 32.
The strips 30 can, but would not have to all be, electrically
connected at the edge 34 of the fabric 28 with similar contacts 36
on the warp and weft of the weave being isolated at the same
potential as applicable for the circuit to function. All of the
strips 30 do not necessarily have to have the same characteristics.
For instance, strips with different energy release embodiments can
be woven into the same piece of fabric as shown at 38.
[0046] An optional treatment or sealing section 40 can be deposited
on one or both sides of the final fabric 28 to facilitate the
waterproof and breathability properties of the fabric. This
enveloping section keeps liquid water from passing through but
allows water vapor and other gases to move through it freely. This
type of deposition is well known to those skilled in the art and
will not be described in more detail herein. An excellent example
would be the proprietary layers GORE-TEX.RTM. applies to fabric to
make it waterproof and breathable. It should be noted there are
many alternative coatings to GORE-TEX currently commercially
available, including thermoplastic urethanes such as the ones
manufactured by API, Omniflex or Noveon. An optional protective or
decorative section 42 can also be added to change external
properties of the final fabric such as texture, durability,
stretchability or moisture wickability.
[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates a highly flexible sheet 44 consisting of
an energy storage section 46, an energy release section 48, and an
optional charge or recharge section 50, all patterned with openings
52 to impart traits such as breathability and flexibility to the
final fabric. These openings or holes 52 in the fabric 44 can be
deposited in a pattern for each section, with the sections then
laminated together such that the patterns line up to provide an
opening through the fabric covered only by a treatment or sealing
enveloping section 54, and possibly a decorative or protective
section 56 or the fabric 44 can have holes 52 cut into it after
lamination but before the application of the treatment or sealing
section 54 or the decorative or protective section 56 or both. It
should be noted that these holes 52 can be of any shape.
[0048] The treatment or sealing section (54) can be deposited or
adhered onto and envelope one or both sides of the final fabric 44
to facilitate the waterproof and breathability properties of the
fabric 44. This section keeps liquid water from passing through the
section but allows water vapor and other gases to move through the
fabric section freely. This type of deposition is known to those
skilled in the art and will not be described in detail herein. An
excellent example would be the proprietary layers that the GORE-TEX
company applies to fabric to make it waterproof and breathable. It
should be noted that there are many alternative coatings or films
to GORE-TEX currently commercially available, including
thermoplastic urethanes such as the ones manufactured by API,
Omniflex or Noveon. The optional decorative or protective section
56 can also be added to one or both sides of the fabric 44 to
change external properties of the final fabric such as texture,
durability or moisture wickability. As with the fabric embodiments
in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sections can have different embodiments on
the same plane. For instance, a section of the charge or recharge
section 50 can use photovoltaics while another section can use
piezoelectrics or a section of the energy release plane can produce
light while another section can produce heat. Similarly, one
section of the plane can produce light while another section on the
same plane can use photovoltaics to recharge the energy storage
section. The sections can also be arranged in any order including
coplanar arrangements as well as stacking arrangements and there
can be multiple instances of each section in the final fabric.
[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates a flexible, integrated fabric 58 capable
of receiving surrounding energy 60 from many possible sources,
converting it to electrical energy and storing it integral to the
fabric, and then releasing the electrical energy in different ways
62. This illustration shows only one embodiment of the fabric
sections whereas there are many possible section permutations
within the embodiments described.
[0050] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although
specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. For
example, although a representative embodiment has been described in
terms of "sections," it is to be understood that the present
invention can take the form of layers, plies, filaments, strips,
belts, and the like. Accordingly, the invention is not limited
except as by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.
[0051] The various embodiments described above can be combined to
provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent
application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign
patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications
referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application
Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ
concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to
provide yet further embodiments.
[0052] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in
light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the
following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit
the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the
specification and the claims, but should be construed to include
all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents
to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not
limited by the disclosure.
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