U.S. patent application number 13/661915 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-02 for method and apparatus to affect body-temperature regulation.
The applicant listed for this patent is DOUGLAS P. BALLNIK. Invention is credited to DOUGLAS P. BALLNIK.
Application Number | 20130104569 13/661915 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48168576 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130104569 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BALLNIK; DOUGLAS P. |
May 2, 2013 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS TO AFFECT BODY-TEMPERATURE REGULATION
Abstract
Disrupting an ability to regulate core body temperature of a
human includes a cooling device having various components, and the
cooling device is controlled in various manners to remove heat from
an anatomical region (e.g., distal extremity). The cooling device
might be programmed to maintain a range of temperatures designed to
affect an ability to regulate body temperature. In addition, the
cooling device might be programmed to operate in cycles. By
disrupting core-body-temperature regulation, biological rhythms
(e.g., Circadian) can also be disrupted and sleep induction may be
countered. Countering sleep incidents in an automobile driver might
make it more difficult for the driver to fall asleep or become
drowsy while driving.
Inventors: |
BALLNIK; DOUGLAS P.;
(MILFORD, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BALLNIK; DOUGLAS P. |
MILFORD |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48168576 |
Appl. No.: |
13/661915 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61552491 |
Oct 28, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/3.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2007/0039 20130101;
A61F 2007/0096 20130101; A61F 7/007 20130101; A61F 2007/0075
20130101; A61F 2007/0093 20130101; A61F 2007/0228 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/3.2 |
International
Class: |
F25B 21/02 20060101
F25B021/02 |
Claims
1. A cooling device for affecting core-body-temperature regulation
of a human, the device comprising: a chilling medium that includes
a temperature; a thermoelectric component in communication with the
chilling medium, wherein the thermoelectric component reduces the
temperature of the chilling medium; a controller programmed to
regulate an operation of the thermoelectric component; a power
source that provides power to the thermoelectric component and the
controller; and an attachment component that attaches the device to
a body of the human.
2. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the chilling medium
includes solid state that has an external surface, which faces
outward from the cooling device, and that has an internal surface
that communicates with the thermoelectric component.
3. The cooling device of claim 2, wherein the external surface is
positioned against a body surface of the human when the attachment
component attaches the device to the body of the human.
4. The cooling device of claim 1 further comprising, a
heat-dissipation component that removes heat from the
thermoelectric component.
5. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a
computer memory device storing computer-executable instructions,
and wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed,
regulate the operation of the thermoelectric component.
6. The cooling device of claim 5, wherein the computer-executable
instructions are programmed to maintain the temperature of the
chilling medium within a range of degrees from about 35 degrees
Fahrenheit to about 49 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. The cooling device of claim 5, wherein the computer-executable
instructions are programmed to maintain a cyclic operation of the
thermoelectric component, and wherein the cyclic operations
includes an on state that lasts a first duration of about 30
seconds and an off state that lasts a second duration of about 0.5
seconds.
8. The cooling device of claim 1, wherein the controller includes
an interface component that receives a notification from an
automobile drowsy-driving determiner, and wherein the controller
modifies the operation of the thermoelectric component to reduce
the temperature of the chilling medium when the notification is
received.
9. A cooling device for affecting core-body-temperature regulation
of a human, the device comprising: a solid-state chilling medium
having an external surface that faces outward from the cooling
device and an inward surface that generally opposes the external
surface; a sensor that measures a temperature of the external
surface; a thermoelectric component in communication with the
inward surface of the solid-state chilling medium, wherein the
thermoelectric component modifies the temperature of the chilling
medium; a controller programmed to regulate an operation of the
thermoelectric component, wherein the controller receives a
temperature reading from the sensor; and an attachment mechanism
that attaches the device to a body of the human to position the
outward surface against a body surface of the human when the
attachment mechanism attaches the device to the body of the
human.
10. The cooling device of claim 9 further comprising a switch that
controls an operational state of the cooling device, wherein the
operational state is changeable between an on state and an off
state.
11. The cooling device of claim 10, wherein the switch is in
communication with an ignition of an automobile, and wherein the
operational state is in the on state when the ignition is started
and is in the off state when the ignition is stopped.
12. The cooling device of claim 9, wherein the attachment mechanism
attaches the device to a distal extremity of the human and orients
the outward surface against a surface of the distal extremity.
13. The cooling device of claim 12, wherein the distal extremity
comprises a leg of the human and the surface of the distal
extremity comprises a shin surface of the leg.
14. The cooling device of claim 13, wherein the attachment
mechanism orients the outward surface at a position of the shin
that is within a range of about three inches above an ankle region
of the leg and about two inches below a knee of the leg.
15. The cooling device of claim 9 further comprising, a heat sink
and a fan, wherein the fan blows an air across the thermoelectric
component and through the heat sink to dissipate heat from the
thermoelectric component.
16. The cooling device of claim 9, wherein the controller includes
a computer memory device storing computer-executable instructions,
and wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed,
regulate the operation of the thermoelectric component.
17. The cooling device of claim 16, wherein the computer-executable
instructions are programmed to maintain the temperature of the
external surface within a range of degrees from about 35 degrees
Fahrenheit to about 49 degrees Fahrenheit.
18. The cooling device of claim 16, wherein the computer-executable
instructions are programmed to maintain a cyclic operation of the
thermoelectric component, and wherein the cyclic operations
includes an on state that lasts a first duration of about 30
seconds and an off state that lasts a second duration of about 0.5
seconds.
19. Computer-readable media storing computer-executable
instructions that, when executed, perform a method of controlling
an operation of a cooling device for affecting
core-body-temperature regulation of a human, the method comprising:
receiving from a sensor a first temperature measurement that
indicates a temperature of a cooling medium; comparing the first
temperature measurement to a range of degrees from about 35 degrees
Fahrenheit to about 49 degrees Fahrenheit to determine that the
first temperature is not included in the range of degrees; and
sending an instruction to a thermoelectric component, which is in
communication with the cooling medium, to modify an operation of
the thermoelectric component in a manner that changes the first
temperature measurement to a second temperature measurement, which
is included in the range of degrees.
20. The computer-readable media of claim 19, wherein the method
further comprises: sending the thermoelectric component a first
instruction prompting the thermoelectric component to operate in an
on state, and sending the thermoelectric component a second
instruction prompting the thermoelectric component to operate in an
off state, wherein the on state lasts for a duration of about
thirty seconds and the off state lasts for a duration of about 0.5
seconds.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a nonprovisional application that claims
priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. application Ser. No.
61/552,491, which is a provisional application filed on Oct. 28,
2011, and is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is in the field of body-temperature
regulation. For example, the present invention might be used to
combat microsleep and macrosleep incidents in humans and to
increase alertness in humans.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Humans are typically subject to natural Circadian rhythms,
which often drive the onset of core body temperature changes that
correspond to the onset of drowsiness and sleep. That is, certain
core body temperature changes can facilitate relaxation and
drowsiness and can assist with transitioning into a state of
sleep.
[0004] Drowsy driving is a national health risk and encompasses
various hazards ranging from slowed reaction time to completely
falling asleep. These incidents account for a significant number of
traffic fatalities. Countering sleep incidents of automobile
drivers might include various strategies, such as disrupting the
natural body rhythms that drive sleepiness.
SUMMARY
[0005] In brief, and at a high level, this disclosure describes,
among other things, affecting body-temperature regulation of a
human using a cooling device. The cooling device might be
controlled in various manners to remove heat from various
anatomical regions of the human. In addition, the cooling device
might be programmed to maintain a range of temperatures designed to
affect an ability to regulate body temperature.
[0006] Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims
below, not this summary. This summary provides an overview of the
disclosure and introduces a selection of concepts that are further
described below in the detailed-description section. This summary
is not intended to identify key features or essential features of
the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid
in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are
described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing
figures, which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary cooling device in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary computing environment in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
method in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The subject matter of select embodiments of the present
invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory
requirements. But the description itself is not intended to define
what is regarded as an invention; rather the claims define the
invention. The claimed subject matter might be embodied in other
ways to include different elements or combinations of elements
similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with
other present or future technologies. Terms should not be
interpreted as implying any particular order among or between
various steps or elements herein disclosed unless and except when
the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.
[0012] An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
device that provides a chilling effect, which is applied to a body
of a human to disrupt an ability of the body to regulate core body
temperature. Disrupting the ability to regulate core body
temperature is intended to combat sleep incidents of various
durations, including microsleep incidents, as well as sleep
incidents that last longer in duration than microsleep incidents.
As such, another embodiment of the present invention is directed to
combating sleep incidents of a human driving an automobile by
applying the chilling effect of the device to the body of the
human. The chilling effect might be regulated or controlled to
achieve a desired temperature, which has been found to combat sleep
incidents.
[0013] Referring now to FIG. 1, a generic depiction of a cooling
device 110 is illustrated. The generic depiction of FIG. 1 includes
a schematic representation that is meant to convey the existence of
certain elements, but not necessarily the arrangement, shape, or
other characteristics of the elements. As such, a cooling device
110 might include other elements that are not depicted or might
include elements arranged in a different manner. For example,
although not explicitly depicted in FIG. 1, cooling device might
include a cover that at least partially encases the components
depicted in FIG. 1.
[0014] Cooling device 110 includes a chilling medium 112 that
interacts with a thermoelectric component 114, which reduces a
temperature of the chilling medium 112. In addition, cooling device
110 includes a fan 116 and heat sink 118, which dissipate heat from
the thermoelectric component 114. Cooling device 110 further
includes a controller 120 that regulates various operations of
cooling device 110 and a power source 122 that provides power to
various components of cooling device 110.
[0015] Chilling medium 112 might include one or more various medium
types, such as a liquid medium, a gas medium, a solid medium, a
chemical-mix medium, a gel medium, or a combination thereof. For
example, chilling medium 112 might be air that is transported in an
airflow. Also, chilling medium 112 might be a gel, liquid, or air
that is contained within a chilling-medium enclosure, such as
pouch. In one embodiment, chilling medium 112 includes a solid
plate, such as a plastic wall. In another embodiment, chilling
medium 112 is a cooler region of a solid-state thermoelectric
component (e.g., 114)
[0016] Chilling medium 112 includes an external surface and an
internal surface. An external surface is depicted in FIG. 1 and
interacts with an environment outside of, and external to, chilling
device 110. Examples of an external surface include an outward
facing surface of a solid plate or of a pouch that face away from
an inner compartment of cooling device 110. Other examples of an
external surface might include gas or liquid particle that are
transported away from cooling device, such as by way of blowing a
gas or spraying a liquid.
[0017] An internal surface of chilling medium 12 (not expressly
depicted in FIG. 1) generally opposes an external surface and
interacts with an environment within the internal compartment of
cooling device. For example, an internal surface might interact
with thermoelectric component 114. Examples of an interior surface
include an inward facing surface of a solid plate or pouch that
opposes the external surface. The internal surface and external
surface are coupled, thereby facilitating heat transfer between one
another. For example, cooling of the internal surface might in turn
cause the internal surface to draw heat from the external surface,
thereby cooling the external surface.
[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, chilling medium
112 includes a temperature. In addition, cooling device 110 may
include one or more sensors that measure the temperature of
chilling medium 112 and communicate the temperature measurement to
controller 120.
[0019] Cooling device 110 also includes a thermoelectric component
in communication with the chilling medium 112. In one embodiment,
the thermoelectric component 114 leverages the Peltier effect to
reduce the temperature of the chilling medium. For example, the
thermoelectric component 114 might include a warmer region or side
that generally opposes a cooler region or side. The operations of
the thermoelectric component 114 cause heat to be transferred from
the cooler region to the warmer region. In an embodiment of the
invention, the cooler region communicates with, or is integrated
with, the chilling medium. For example, the cooler region might be
used to cool a fluid flow (e.g, airflow or misted liquid) or might
be used to cool an internal surface of a plate. In addition, the
cooler region and the chilling medium might comprise the same
component, such that the cooler region is the chilling medium
having an external surface. As such, the cooling effect imposed on
the cooler region is transferred to the chilling medium 112. In one
embodiment, thermoelectric component 114 is a solid-state
thermoelectric chiller that leverage the Peltier effect.
[0020] Although not expressly depicted in FIG. 1, thermoelectric
component 114 might also include one or more sensors that measure a
temperature of the cooler region and the warmer region and that
communicate the temperature measurement to controller 120.
[0021] Cooling device 110 also includes a heat sink 118 and a fan
118. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling fan 116
and heat sink 118 function to dissipate heat from the warmer region
of the thermoelectric component 114. For example, the heat sink 118
might include a finned aluminum heat sink.
[0022] Cooling device 110 includes controller 120 that is
programmed to regulate various operations of cooling device 110. In
one embodiment, controller 110 includes a processor or
microprocessor that is coupled with a computer-readable memory
component. The computer-readable memory component stores
information (e.g., computer-executable instructions) that is used
and executed by the controller to regulate operations of cooling
device 110.
[0023] Cooling device 110 also includes a power source 122, which
provides power to various components. In one embodiment, power
source 122 provides DC power. However, an AC power source might
also be used together with an AC to DC converter. Power sources
might include a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery. In
addition, an automotive power point might be leveraged as a power
source, such as a lighter port or a USB port. That is, an
appropriate plug might be provided that is connected to cooling
device 110 and that engages with a respective automotive power
point.
[0024] Although not depicted in FIG. 1, cooling device 110 might
also include a switch that controls power source 112. For example,
the switch might be controlled automatically through being wired
into the ignition start for the automobile. In addition, the switch
might be a manual switch (e.g., single pole, double throw switch)
that requires cooling device to be manually turned on or off. In
another embodiment, a switch is controlled by an automobile
drowsy-driving determiner. For example, controller 120 (or some
other component of cooling device 110) might include an interface
component that receives a notification from an automobile
drowsy-driving determiner, indicating that drowsy driving has been
detected. In response to the notification, various operations might
be triggered. For example, power source might be triggered by the
notification. In addition, an operation of the thermoelectric
component might be triggered to reduce the temperature of the
chilling medium.
[0025] Cooling device 110 might also include an attachment
component (not shown in FIG. 1) that attaches the device to a body
of a human. Examples of attachment components include a straps
having buckles, snaps, hook-and-loop strips, and the like. In one
embodiment an external surface of chilling medium 112 is positioned
against a body surface of a human when the attachment component
attaches the device to the body of the human.
[0026] In one embodiment, cooling device 110 is a type of computing
device. For exemplary purposes, reference is made to FIG. 2 to
describe a general computing device 210, and cooling device 110
might include some or all of the elements depicted in FIG. 2.
Computing device 210 is but one example of a suitable computing
environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the
scope of use or functionality of invention embodiments. Neither
should the computing device 210 be interpreted as having any
dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of
components illustrated.
[0027] Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general
context of computer code or machine-useable instructions, including
computer-executable instructions such as program modules, being
executed by a computer or other machine, such as cooling device
110. Generally, program modules including routines, programs,
objects, components, data structures, etc., refer to code that
perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data
types.
[0028] Computing device 210 includes a bus 212 that directly or
indirectly couples the following devices: memory 214, one or more
processors or microprocessors 216, input/output components 218, an
illustrative power supply 220, sensors 222, and heat dissipater
224. Bus 210 represents what may be one or more busses. Although
the various blocks of FIG. 2 are shown with lines for the sake of
clarity, in reality, delineating various components is not so
clear, and metaphorically, the lines would more accurately be grey
and fuzzy. For example, one may consider a sensor 222 or heat
dissipater 224, such as a heat sink 118 and fan 116, to be an I/O
component 218. Also, processors have memory. We recognize that such
is the nature of the art, and reiterate that the diagram of FIG. 2
is merely illustrative of an exemplary computing device that can be
used in connection with one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0029] Computing device 210 might include a variety of
computer-readable media. By way of example, and not limitation,
computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media or
communications media. Examples of computer storage media include
Random Access Memory (RAM); Read Only Memory (ROM); Electronically
Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); flash memory or
other memory technologies; CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or
other optical or holographic media; magnetic cassettes, magnetic
tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or
any other storage medium that can be used to encode desired
information and be accessed by computing device 210.
[0030] As such, an embodiment of the present invention is directed
to a computer-readable storage memory having instructions stored
thereon that, when executed by a computing device, perform a method
including various operations. Memory 214 includes computer-storage
media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. The memory
may be removable, nonremovable, or a combination thereof. Exemplary
hardware devices include solid-state memory, hard drives,
optical-disc drives, etc. Computing device 210 includes one or more
processors that read data from various entities such as memory 214
or I/O components 218. For example, controller 120 (FIG. 1) might
include a processor and memory, which stores data that dictates
operations of cooling device 110.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an embodiment of the present
invention, controller 120 includes a computer memory device (e.g.,
214) storing computer-executable instructions. The
computer-executable instructions, when executed, regulate the
operation of the thermoelectric component. For example, the
computer-executable instructions are programmed to maintain the
temperature of the chilling medium within an optimal range of
degrees. In an embodiment of the present invention, an optimal
range of degrees include chilling-medium temperatures that disrupt
an ability of a human to regulate core-body temperature when the
chilling medium is in contact with the human. In a further
embodiment of the present invention, the optimal range of degrees
includes a range of about 35 degrees Fahrenheit to about 49 degrees
Fahrenheit.
[0032] A chilling-medium temperature might be maintained in various
manners. For example, in one embodiment controller 120 and other
components of cooling device 110 execute steps that facilitate a
method of maintaining a chilling-medium temperature. For example,
controller 120 initiates or starts operations of cooling device
110. A temperature of the chilling medium is measured (e.g., by a
sensor) at the chilling-medium origin, such as an interface between
the chilling medium 112 and the thermoelectric component 114. As
described in other portions of this description, the
chilling-medium origin may include an internal surface of the
chilling medium. In addition, another temperature is sensed at the
external surface of the chilling medium 112.
[0033] The temperature reading at the chilling-medium origin and
the temperature reading at the chilling-medium external surface are
transmitted to the controller 120. Based on the temperatures,
controller 120 determines an appropriate setting for the pulse
width modulation (PWM) of the thermoelectric component 114. That
is, the controller determines an appropriate PWM setting that is
calculated to achieve an external-surface temperature within a
range of about 35 degrees Fahrenheit to about 49 degrees
Fahrenheit. In addition, controller 120 initiates fan 116 and heat
sink 118 to dissipate heat from thermoelectric component 114.
[0034] In a further embodiment controller 120 is programmed to
maintain a cyclic operation of the thermoelectric component 114,
heat sink 118, and fan 116. For example, the cyclic operations
include an on state that lasts a first duration and an off state
that lasts a second duration. In the on state, the PVM setting is
maintained for the duration in order to achieve the desired
external-surface temperature of the chilling medium. In the off
state, the components of cooling device 110 may reset prior to the
next on-state duration. For example, in the off state, temperatures
measurements of the chilling medium might be sensed to determine if
the PVM setting needs to be modified to achieve the desired
external surface temperature of the chilling medium. In one
embodiment, the first duration of the on date is about 30 seconds,
and the second duration of the off state is about 0.5 seconds.
[0035] Controller 120 might perform other operations as well. For
example, in one embodiment a comparator is used to compare the
incoming chilled medium temperature against a sensor located at the
lower leg. Using the formula:
u ( t ) = Kpe ( t ) + Ki .intg. .tau. = 0 t e ( t ) T + Kd t [ e (
t ) ] ##EQU00001##
where: [0036] u(t) is the control signal; [0037] e(t) is the error
signal; [0038] t is the continuous-time domain time variable;
[0039] T is the calculus variable of integration; [0040] Kp is the
proportional mode control gain; [0041] Ki is the integral mode
control gain; and [0042] Kd is the derivative mode control
gain.
[0043] Various studies were conducted to determine manners in which
cooling device 110 might be controlled to effectively counter sleep
incidents by disrupting an ability of a human body to regulate core
body temperature. For example, EEG, ECG, EOG, lane-tracking, and
behavior performance measures were used to evaluate the effect of
the cooling device on improving driver alertness. That is, example
of complementary measures that were used to test alertness include:
body temperature changes, behavioral performance measures,
subjective assessment of sleepiness and alertness; EEG
physiological measures, and the like.
[0044] Testing confirmed that there is a relationship between core
body temperature and the ability of a human body to experience a
sleep incident that is disrupted by applying the cooling device.
Tests showed that it was possible to chill specific areas of the
body and disrupt the body's ability to regulate core temperature.
Results of tests also indicate that by applying the cooling device
to a human body, alertness levels can be increased. For example,
100% of test subjects showed a core body temperature shift as a
result of the application of the cooling device. In addition, brain
wave analysis via Electroencephalograph showed an increase in Beta
brain waves, which supports corresponding increases in alertness
reported by test subjects. As such, testing supports using the
cooling device in a controlled manner (e.g., timing, temperature,
etc.) as an effective means of disrupting core-body-temperature
regulation and natural Circadian rhythms of the body that
predispose humans to sleep.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 3, a flow diagram is provided that depicts
a set of steps that are carried out in accordance with a method 310
of disrupting core-body-temperature regulation of a human. At least
some of the steps depicted by FIG. 3 might be carried out using a
computer storage memory storing computer-executable instructions
that, when executed by the cooling device, perform the respective
step. In describing method 310, reference might also be made to
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0046] Step 312 includes positioning a cooling device 110 on a
distal extremity of a body of a human. In one embodiment, cooling
device 110 is fixed onto a leg of a human body. In a further
embodiment, cooling device 110 is strapped onto the leg of human
body, such that an external surface of chilling medium 112 is
positioned against a surface of the shin portion of the leg. As
such, a position of the cooling device relative to the leg is
between about three inches above an ankle of the leg and about two
inches below a knee of the leg. In a further embodiment, the human
is operating an automobile.
[0047] In step 314, power is provided to the cooling device 110 by
power source 122. For example, a switch may be integrated with an
ignition of the automobile, such that power is provided to the
cooling device when the ignition is started. In addition, or
alternatively, a manual switch may be provided that is engaged to
manually turn cooling device 110 on and off.
[0048] At step 316, controller 120 initiates or starts operations
of cooling device 110. Step 318 includes sensing a temperature of
the chilling-medium origin and a temperature of the external
surface of the chilling medium 112, the temperatures being
transmitted to the controller 120.
[0049] At step 320, controller 120 determines an appropriate PWM
setting that is calculated to achieve an external-surface
temperature within a range of about 35 degrees Fahrenheit to about
49 degrees Fahrenheit. Step 322 includes operating the
thermoelectric component 114 and heat dissipation component (e.g.,
fan and heat sink) consistent with the PWM setting for a first time
duration (i.e., an on state). Step 324 includes switching to an off
state for a second duration of time during which components of
cooling device 110 might be reset. As indicated in other portions
of this description, in one embodiment the first time duration of
the on state is about 30 seconds and the second duration of the off
state is about 0.5 seconds. Arrow 326 indicates the cyclical nature
of certain steps included in method 310 as the cooling device is
used for a time duration. Each time the PWM setting might be based
on subsequent temperatures of the chilling medium that are
sensed.
[0050] Many different arrangements of the various components
depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without
departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of our
technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative
rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become
apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading
it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be
completed without departing from the scope of the claims below.
Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be
employed without reference to other features and subcombinations
and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *