HEATED GARMENTS

• US 20180103694A1
• Filed: 10/17/2016
• Published: 04/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Fortenbacher
• Original Assignee: David Fortenbacher
• Inventors: Fortenbacher, David
• Granted Patent: US 10,292,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0051 Heated garments heated divers' suits B63C11/28
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/00 Wearing apparel
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0272 For heating of fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/036 Heaters specially adapted for garment heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2214/04 Heating means manufactured by using nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/145 Carbon only, e.g. carbon black, graphite
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/34 flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs

Abstract

Electrically heated, cold weather garments, are provided that include carbon nanotube heating elements. A garment may include a lightweight, stretchable, form-fitting fabric for covering portions of the body of a wearer of the garment; a plurality of flexible, electrical heating element stitched to the fabric by sewing; an electronic controller for controlling current flowing through each of the heating elements in a pulse-width modulated fashion, to thereby independently control the heat generated by each heating element; a plurality of potentiometers for controlling the level of power supplied to each heating wire; and a master power level potentiometer for controlling the power supplied to each of the heating wires in a uniform and simultaneous fashion. A controller may utilize a combination of analog and digital-like signals to control in a pulse-width modulated fashion the current flow through the heating elements. Alternatively, a controller may include a microprocessor which is operable to sense changes in the temperature of the heating wires themselves, and to regulate automatically and independently the power supplied to each of the heating elements.

Claims

1. A heated garment, comprising:

a fabric;

a plurality of heating elements, that include carbon nanotubes, proximate the fabric;

an electronic controller connection for connecting a controller for controlling electrical current flowing through the plurality of heating elements.

2. The heated garment of claim 1, defining a shirt portion that includes a left arm portion having a heating element associated therewith, the first heating element being arranged on the left arm portion to distribute heat generated by the first heating element throughout the left arm portion;

and

a right arm portion having a second heating element associated therewith, the second heating element being arranged to distribute heat generated by the second element throughout the right arm portion, wherein the first and second heating elements are connected in series.

3. The heated garment of claim 2, wherein the shirt portion comprises a front torso portion having a third heating element and a rear torso portions having a fourth heating element associated therewith, wherein the third and fourth heating elements are connected in series.

4. The heated garment of claim 1, wherein direct current (D.C.) electrical power is used as a source of power to the controller and the controller utilizes a combination of analog and digital signals operable to control in a pulse width modulated fashion the direct current flowing through the plurality of heating elements.

5. The heated garment of claim 1, wherein the fabric means is divided into and defines a plurality of independent heating zones;

and wherein the plurality of heating elements are associated with a single such heating zone to thereby heat independently a particular heating zone of the heated garment.

6. The heated garment of claim 1, further comprising:

a second power level selection which includes a manually operable power level selection device to control the controller to increase or decrease current flow through each of the plurality of heating elements.

7. A heated garment as in claim 1, further comprising:

at least an upper body garment portion having at least first and second independent heating zones; and

at least two independent heating elements respectively associated with each such independent heating zone of a respective garment portion, each heating element being operable to generate heat in response to a current flowing therethrough.

8. The heated garment of claim 7, further comprising:

a plurality of power level selection devices, each such power level selection device being independently associated with one such independent heating element, and operable to control current flowing.

9. An electrically heated garment, comprising:

a fabric incorporating carbon nanotubes for generating heat in response to a current flow therethrough, and for distributing heat throughout the fabric;

a controller for controlling in pulse width modulated fashion the current flow through the carbon nanotubes, the controller means further being secured to a portion of the garment;

power level selection for providing manual control over the controller;

a flexible wiring harness having first and second ends, the first end being connectable to the controller; and

an electrical connector securely mounted to a portion of the fabric means for removably connecting the second end of the wiring harness with the conductor.

10. The heated garment system of claim 9, wherein the fabric defines a plurality of independent heating zones, and wherein the flexible conductor means comprises a plurality of electrical conductors, each such conductor being independently associated with a particular such heating zone of the heated garment.

11. The heated garment of claim 9, wherein the controller comprises:

an analog control signal operable to control current flowing through the conductor in accordance with a first power level adjustment; and

a digital control signal for further control of the current flowing through the conductor.

12. The heated garment of claim 9, wherein the fabric defines a plurality of independent heating zones of the heated garment, wherein the conductor comprises a plurality of electrical conductors, each such conductor being independently associated with a particular such heating zone of the heated garment, and wherein the power level selection means comprises a plurality of first power level selection devices and a second power level selection device, each such first power level selection device being independently associated with a particular such electrical conductor and operable to provide manual control of the current flow through its associated electrical conductor.

13. The heated garment of claim 9, wherein the conductor comprises a plurality of electrical conductors.

15. The heated garment of claim 9, wherein the conductor comprises a plurality of independent electrical conductors, and wherein the electrical connector comprises a plurality of electrical connectors, each such connector being independently associated with a particular such conductor and operable to interrupt current flowing through its associated conductor when such current exceeds a predetermined level.

16. The heated garment of claim 15, wherein each electrical connector further comprises a removable fuse for interrupting current flowing through its associated conductor when such current exceeds a predetermined level.

14. The heated garment of claim 14, wherein the fabric comprises:

an independent shirt portion having an independent torso portion and independent sleeve portions, the torso portion being independently associated with at least one such electrical conductor, and the sleeve portions being independently associated with at least one such electrical conductor.

17. An electrically heated wearable garment, comprising:

a fabric including carbon nanotubes; and

a controller connection for connecting a controller for controlling electric current flowing through the carbon nanotubes.

18. The electrically heated wearable garment of claim 17, defining an electrically heated glove, wherein the fabric is operable to wick away moisture.

19. The electrically heated wearable garment of claim 17, further comprising a removable connector assembly operable to connect a battery with the controller to thereby allow the controller to regulate current flow through the nanotubes.

20. The electrically heated wearable garment of claim 17, further comprising a removable connector assembly having at least one wing portion, the connector assembly being operable to connect the conductor means with the controller and the wing portion being operable to help facilitate attachment of the fabric.