Autonomous Garment With Active Thermal Control And Powered By Solar Cells

• US 20070199137A1
• Filed: 10/13/2004
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bruno Numes Ramos De Carvalho, Fernando Dos Santos Simoes, Ricardo Patricio Dias
• Original Assignee: Bruno Numes Ramos De Carvalho, Fernando Dos Santos Simoes, Ricardo Patricio Dias
• Inventors: Dos Santos Simoes, Fernando, Patricio Dias, Ricardo, Numes Ramos De Carvalho, Bruno
• Application Number:
  US10/576,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20070199137A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/458
• 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 13/0051 Heated garments heated divers' suits B63C11/28

Abstract

The invention refers to an autonomous system and to a method that allows the active thermal control of garments using solar cells as the power source. In the simplest configuration, the system includes a piece of clothing with solar cells (1), a thermal module able to generate heat and cold (3, 4, and 5), and a unit for controlling and monitoring the internal environment (6). In order to increase versatility and to optimize operation conditions, the system includes batteries (2) that can be charged by the solar cells or externally, increasing energy autonomy and improving performance in low radiation conditions. Proper distribution of electric resistors (3) and refrigeration pipes (7) allow a fine-tuning regulation of temperature inside the garment. The garment is developed not only for standard conditions but also for extreme heast and cold environments, being optimised wither for standard solar radiation or other relevant spectral source.

Claims

1. An autonomous garment with active thermal control and powered by solar cells, comprising:

a plurality of solar cells;

a plurality of batteries;

a plurality of resistors;

a refrigeration cycle;

a plurality of Peltier cells;

a microcontroller;

a plurality of pipes, an electric bus connector, a plurality of thermal sensors, and a plurality of plugs.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the solar cells are connected to an electric bus connector, are on the outer shell of the garment and include optical parts, a protection layer, and filters.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the batteries are embedded in the garment, and are connected to the electric bus connector.

4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the set of resistors are embedded in the garment and are connected to the electric bus connector, properly and are distributed in the garment for delivery of heat.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the Peltier cells are embedded in the garment and are connected to the electric bus connector, and are distributed in the garment to produce heat and cold.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the refrigerating refrigeration cycle is connected to the electric bus connector, and includes pipes distributed in the garment for cooling.

7. The garment of claim 1, comprising a device connected to the electric bus connector and selected from the group consisting of:

thermal sensors, luminous and sonorous signaling appliances, positioning systems, and power plugs.

8. The garment of claim 1, comprising a microcontroller connected to the resistors, Peliter cells batteries, solar cells, and refrigeration cycle via the electric bus connector, for the active thermal control of the garment.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller includes means to display data and software to control the thermal parameters.

10. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the solar cells are adapted to convert radiation from fire to electric power.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the filters have a geometry optimized for the solar spectrum.

11. (canceled)