Thin film energy fabric

• US 20060280948A1
• Filed: 05/23/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABCO Energy, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ABCO Energy, Inc.
• Inventors: Moreshead, Wylie
• Granted Patent: US 7,494,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/411.100
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/005 with controlled temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/065 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/102 Waterproof and breathable
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/12 Hygroscopic; Water retaining
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/125 Moisture handling or wicking function through layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/185 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/00 Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/35 with electric heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/20 All layers being fibrous or filamentary
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/20 having particular electrical or magnetic properties, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/202 Conductive
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/302 Conductive
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/402 Coloured
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/51 Elastic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/546 Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/724 Permeability to gases, adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7265 Non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/00 Clothing anti-ballistic clothing B32B2571/02
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/00 : Electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/10 : Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/024 : Woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/12 : characterised by the relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers, e.g. the fibres or filaments being parallel or perpendicular to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/26 : another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/0076 : Photovoltaic fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/46 : Flat yarns, e.g. tapes or films
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 3/0002 : characterised by the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/16 : antistatic; conductive
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/00 : Wearing apparel
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/014 : Heaters using resistive wires or cables not provided for in H05B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/036 : Heaters specially adapted for garment heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/347 : woven fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 : Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/239 : Complete cover or casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249921 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 : Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3033 : Including a strip or ribbon
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3041 : Woven fabric comprises strips or ribbons only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3049 : Including strand precoated with other than free metal or alloy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3382 : Including a free metal or alloy constituent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3854 : Woven fabric with a preformed polymeric film or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3976 : Including strand which is stated to have specific attributes [e.g., heat or fire resistance, chemical or solvent resistance, high absorption for aqueous composition, water solubility, heat shrinkability, etc.]

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.

Claims

1. A material, comprising:

a first section configured to store energy; and

a second section configured to release energy received from the first section.

2. The material of claim 1 further comprising a third section that obtains a charge to be stored in the first section or to be used by the second section.

3. The material of claim 1 wherein the material is formed of woven strips.

4. The material of claim 1 wherein the material is formed of laminated sections.

5. The material of claim 1 wherein the material is formed from woven coaxial sections.

6. The material of claim 1 further comprising at least one protective section formed on at least one side of the material.

7. The material of claim 1 wherein the first section is configured to store electrical energy.

8. The material of claim 1 wherein the first section is configured to receive ambient energy and to convert the ambient energy into electrical energy for storage in the first section.

9. The material of claim 2 wherein the third section is configured to receive energy and convert the energy into electrical energy for storage in the first section or for use by the second section or both.

10. 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.

11. The material of claim 10 wherein the first and second sections comprise first and second layers, respectively, and are arranged adjacent to one another.

12. 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.

13. A flexible fabric material, comprising:

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.

14. The material of claim 13, comprising a third layer coupled to the second layer and 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.

15. The material of claim 14, 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.

16. The material of claim 13 wherein the first and second layers are coplanar.

17. The material of claim 13, further comprises a control device for regulating at least one of energy storage and energy utilization by the first and second layers, respectively.

18. A flexible fabric material adapted to be woven to provide a thin flexible fabric, the material comprising:

a first flexible filament adapted to store electrical energy; and

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, light emission, and powering of an electric circuit.

19. The material of claim 18, comprising a third flexible filament adapted to obtain energy and convert the obtained energy to electrical energy for storage in the second flexible filament.

20. The material of claim 18 wherein the first and second flexible filaments are layered with respect to one another.

21. The material of claim 19 wherein the first, second, and third flexible filaments are in a layered arrangement.

22. The material of claim 18, comprising a regulator for controlling at least one of energy storage and energy usage in the first and second flexible filaments, respectively.

34. The material of claim 19 wherein the first, second, and third flexible filaments are in a coaxial arrangement.

35. The material of claim 18 wherein the first and second flexible filaments are in a tubular arrangement.

23. A garment or accessory, comprising:

a flexible material comprising a first section configured to store energy and a second section configured to release energy received from the first section.

24. The garment or accessory of claim 23 wherein the material comprises a third section adapted to obtain energy and convert the obtained energy to electrical energy for storage in the second section.

25. The garment or accessory of claim 24, further comprising a protective layer formed on at least one side of the flexible material.

26. The garment or accessory of claim 25 wherein the material has at least one characteristic from among breathability, moisture wickability, water resistance, waterproof, and stretchability.

27. The garment of claim 23, comprising a device for controlling at least one of energy storage and energy release in the first and second sections, respectively.

28. A method of making a flexible material, comprising:

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.

29. The method of claim 28, comprising providing a third section adapted to collect energy and convert energy to electrical energy for storage in the second section.

30. The method of claim 29, comprising providing at least one protective section on at least one side of the material.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein the material includes at least one characteristic from among breathability, wickability, water resistance, waterproof, and stretchability.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein the first and second sections are formed as individual plies that are layered together.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the first, second, and third sections are formed as flexible filaments layered together to form a laminated flexible filament, and further comprising weaving the layered flexible filament to form the flexible material.