Temperature Regulatory Fabrics, Systems and Applications

• US 20150208738A1
• Filed: 08/28/2014
• Published: 07/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Its Kool, LLC
• Original Assignee: Its Kool, LLC
• Inventors: Ganter, William A., Arnold, Anthony Peter, Ortiz, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 10,064,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/005 with controlled temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 9/0215 with cooling or heating means electric blankets H05B3/34
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/02 2 layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/20 All layers being fibrous or filamentary
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/02 on fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/00 Clothing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2479/00 Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2535/00 Medical equipment, e.g. bandage, prostheses or catheter
• 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: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/04 reversible
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/13 characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction

Abstract

A temperature regulating fabric formed from micro porous inner and outer layers of fabric laminated around a plurality of totally independent TE devices together with antennae and energy harvesting electronics within, all deposited upon a flexible substrate to form a thermal module. These completely independent thermal modules are positioned at preselected locations intermediate the laminated inner and outer fabric layers to form the temperature regulating fabric, which is used to construct temperature regulating devices powered by harvested ambient RF energy for both cooling and warming applications.

Claims

1. A temperature regulatory fabric comprising:

an inner micro porous fabric layer;

an outer micro porous fabric layer;

a plurality of independent thermal modules each incorporating a TE device and a plurality of antennae that provide direct current (DC) power by means of harvesting RF radiation;

each independent thermal module being positioned at a preselected location intermediate the inner and outer fabric layers, the inner and outer fabric layers being laminated to one another to form the temperature regulating fabric.

2. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 1 wherein each independent thermal module includes a cool surface and a warm surface, each independent thermal module being optionally coated with a thermal insulating layer that covers the entire module except for the cool and warm surfaces.

3. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 2 wherein each independent thermal module is optionally coated with a heat conductive spreading layer on the cool surface.

4. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 2 wherein each independent thermal module is optionally coated with a heat conductive spreading layer on the warm surface.

5. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 2 wherein each independent thermal module is optionally coated with a heat conductive spreading layer on both the cool and the warm surfaces.

6. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 1 further including at least one thermocouple operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of thermal modules laminated within the fabric, the at least one thermocouple being structured and arranged to convert ambient air heat and heat from a warm surface of the at least one thermal module into DC power.

7. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 1 wherein the TE device and the plurality of antennae and rectification electronic components are formed on a flexible substrate.

8. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 7 wherein the flexible substrate is laminated intermediate the inner and outer micro porous fabric layers.

9. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 8 further including means for operatively connecting each of the flexible substrates to the inner and an outer micro porous fabric layers.

10. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 9 wherein the means for operatively connecting comprises water resistant adhesive.

11. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 1 wherein the fabric is reversible in order to transfer heat in the opposite direction.

12. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 1 wherein the radiation being harvested is in the form of cellular communications radiation.

13. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 1 wherein the radiation being harvested is in the form of Wi-Fi communications radiation.

14. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 1 wherein the radiation being harvested is partially supplied by a plurality of local external oscillators transmitting radiation at frequencies corresponding to at least one antenna within the thermal module.

15. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 14 wherein the radiating oscillators are enclosed in a radio screen cage that surrounds the temperature regulating fabric so as to not cause RF interference to other nearby spectrum uses.

16. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 14 wherein the plurality of oscillators are powered by DC power generated by a dedicated solar array.

17. The temperature regulatory fabric of claim 16 wherein the solar array is not connected to a power grid.

18. A temperature regulating apparatus comprising:

a temperature regulatory fabric, the fabric including

an inner micro porous fabric layer;

an outer micro porous fabric layer;

a plurality of independent thermal modules each incorporating a TE device and a plurality of antennae that provide direct current (DC) power by means of harvesting RF radiation;

each independent thermal module being positioned at a preselected location intermediate the inner and outer fabric layers, the inner and outer fabric layers being laminated to one another to form the temperature regulating fabric.

19. The temperature regulating apparatus of claim 18 wherein the apparatus comprises a wearable garment.

20. The temperature regulating apparatus of claim 19 wherein the plurality of thermal modules are structured and arranged to cool a wearer of the garment, the wearer having a skin, by conducting heat from the wearer'"'"'s skin through the TE device whereupon it is dissipated by convection through the fabric micro pores to the ambient air.

21. The temperature regulating apparatus of claim 19 wherein the plurality of thermal modules are structured and arranged to warm a wearer of the garment, the wearer having a skin, by absorbing heat delivered by convection from the ambient air through the fabric micro pores and the TE device for transfer to the wearer'"'"'s skin.

22. The temperature regulating apparatus of claim 18 wherein the apparatus comprises a bedding article.

23. The temperature regulating apparatus of claim 18 wherein the apparatus comprises a seat back or cushion.

24. The temperature regulating apparatus of claim 18 wherein the apparatus comprises a blanket or a wrap for use in medical or veterinary applications.

25. The temperature regulating apparatus of claim 18 wherein the apparatus comprises an apparatus for preserving food and beverages.

26. The temperature regulating apparatus of claim 18 wherein the apparatus comprises a low-level refrigeration device for use in remote areas and in developing countries where electrical power distribution is limited or intermittent.

27. The temperature regulating apparatus of claim 18 wherein the apparatus comprises a device for either cooling or warming of individuals and/or equipment in earth-orbiting satellite and space station applications and during manned and unmanned space travel.

28. The temperature regulating apparatus of claim 24 wherein the apparatus comprises headwear for relief from hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and migraines.