Personal temperature control system

• US 4,691,762 A
• Filed: 03/14/1986
• Issued: 09/08/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Life Ehancement Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Life Support Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Elkins, William, Short, Robert E., Connell, Eugene W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cline, William R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cole, Richard R.
• Application Number:
  US06/839,737
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 165/46, 165/103, 128/380, 128/381, 128/400
• US Class Current: 165/46
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0053 Cooled garments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0001 Body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0054 with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0086 with a thermostat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 17/005 Active or passive body temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 165/046 Heat exchange body suit

Abstract

A personal temperature control system including a first heat exchanger adapted to be worn as a garment and a second heat exchanger adapted to interact with a temperature source, the first and second heat exchangers being interconnected through a pump and reservoir unit. The first heat exchanger together with the pump and reservoir are portable and in one embodiment the second heat exchanger is constructed to be fully portable. Specific devices including automatic quick release couplings interconnect the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger through the pump and reservoir. The fabrication of the first heat exchanger in helmet and vest portions is disclosed together with a control display unit housing the pump and reservoir and including an adjustable flow valve connected in parallel with the second heat exchanger. A preferred embodiment of the adjustable flow valve provides non-linear change in rate of flow upon adjustment.

Claims

1. A temperature control system for the human body, adapted to be carried on the body of the user comprising:

a first heat exchanger in the form of a garment including a helmet and a separate body vest adapted to be worn by a user and connected together by a fluid conduit, each of the helmet and the body vest including a body of heat conducting material with an elongated fluid-tight passageway, adapted to conduct heat away from the head and torso of the user when worn thereon in heat-conducting relationship;

a second heat exchanger having means for receiving a source of cooling and including a body of heat conducting material with an elongated fluid-tight passageway, positioned to be in heat-conducting relationship with the source of cooling and being portable and having means for supporting it on the human body;

a first coolant conduit loop within which the first heat exchanger garment is positioned, including outlet conduit means from the heat exchanger garment and inlet conduit means to the heat exchanger garment and a bypass conduit extending between the outlet and inlet conduit means, the helmet being positioned upstream of the vest in the first heat exchange garment, whereby the coolant entering the garment from the inlet conduit means is first directed to the helmet and circulates through a series of channels throughout the helmet and is thereby warmed somewhat by heat exchange in the helmet before passing through the vest, so that the temperature differential between the coolant and the human body is less in the vest than in the helmet;

a pump in the first conduit loop, in one of said outlet conduit means and said inlet conduit means and between the heat exchanger garment and the bypass conduit, positioned to pump coolant liquid through the first heat exchanger garment from the inlet conduit means to the outlet conduit means;

a coolant liquid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet positioned in the first coolant conduit loop and containing coolant liquid;

a second coolant conduit loop within which the second heat exchanger is positioned, including said bypass conduit as part of the second conduit loop;

quick-disconnect means for joining the second heat exchanger into the second conduit loop whereby the second heat exchanger may be easily removed from the loop and replaced by another heat exchanger;

adjustable flow valve means connected in the bypass conduit, for adjusting the proportion of liquid coolant flowing from the outlet conduit means through (a) the second coolant conduit loop and (b) the bypass conduit, such valve being adjustable so that all, none or any proportion of the liquid coolant may be directed through the bypass conduit with the remainder, if any, being directed through the second coolant conduit loop, whereby the setting of the adjustable flow valve means regulates the extent to which coolant liquid warmed in the first heat exchanger garment is cooled in the second heat exchanger for return to the heat exchanger garment, and

portability means for securing the liquid reservoir, the pump, the bypass conduit and the adjustable flow valve means on the body of the user whereby the system is easily carried by the user for movement through hostile, high-temperature environments.

2. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the vest includes series of heat exchange channels running generally horizontally and connected so that coolant entering the vest is directed first to the upper portions of the vest and travels progressively downwardly through the heat exchange channels and ultimately through the lower portions of the vest, so that the temperature differential between the coolant and the human body is less in the lower portions of the vest than in the upper portions of the vest, avoiding vaso-constriction and increasing comfort to the user.

3. The temperature control system of claim 1, further including a flow restrictor in the outlet conduit means, positioned to maintain a higher pressure in the coolant in the first heat exchanger garment than in the second heat exchanger.

4. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the system is sealed and the coolant liquid reservoir comprises a hollow liquid-tight container made of flexible material with a wall thickness selected to provide expansion/contraction flexure of the container when it is subjected to a differential of internal and external pressures of about two pounds per square inch, whereby venting to atmosphere is avoided.

5. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the coolant liquid reservoir, the pump, the bypass conduit and the adjustable flow valve means are contained in a common and portable control housing separate from the garment and the second heat exchanger, the housing providing conduit portions and quick-disconnect coupling means for connecting the pump ultimately to the heat exchanger garment and for connecting the outlet conduit means ultimately to an upstram end of the bypass conduit.

6. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the second heat exchanger comprises a pair of bodies made of thermal insulating material each having a centrally disposed depression formed therein, said pair of bodies and said depression being adapted to cooperate to define a cavity dimensioned to loosely receive a selected temperature source, and a linear interposed between the interior surface of said cavity and said selected temperature source received therein, said linear comprising two overlying panels of plastic film dimensioned to extend over the interior surface of said cavity, the panels being sealed to each other about their sides and ends and along a narrow central portion extending from one of the sealed ends to a point spaced from the other of the sealed ends thereof to provide said elongated fluid-tight passageway of said second heat exchange, whereby the second heat exchanger is light in weight and efficient in operation, enabling the portability of the temperature control system.

7. A method for cooling the human body, with a portable cooling system adapted to be carried on the human body, comprising:

providing a first heat exchanger garment to be worn by a person, including a heat exchanger helmet worn on the head and a separate heat exchanger vest worn on the torso, the two being interconnected in series relationship, the helmet being positioned upstream of the vest in the first heat exchange garment, whereby the coolant entering the garment is first directed to the helmet and circulates through a series of channels throughout the helmet and circulates through a series of channels throughout the helmet and is thereby warmed somewhat by heat exchange in the helmet before passing through the vest, so that the temperature differential between the coolant and the human body is less in the vest than in the helmet;

providing a compact portable housing unit attachable to the person and carried by the person, including a coolant liquid reservoir and a pump connected to the reservoir,

providing a second heat exchanger in a portable form, with means for supporting it on the human body, carried by the person and including means for receiving a source of cooling and for exchanging heat between the source and a fluid-tight passageway within the second heat exchanger,

interconnecting the first heat exchanger garment, the portable housing and the second heat exchanger by conduits with quick-disconnect couplings, so as to establish a first coolant conduit loop within which the first heat exchanger garment is positioned, and the first conduit loop including an inlet conduit to the heat exchanger garment and an outlet conduit from the heat exchanger garment and the reservoir and the pump within the first conduit loop, and also including a bypass conduit extending between the inlet and outlet conduits with the pump between the heat exchanger garment and the bypass conduit, and with an adjustable flow valve connected in the bypass conduit and contained in the portable housing unit to control the flow of coolant liquid through the bypass conduit, and so as to establish a second coolant conduit loop within which the second heat exchanger is positioned, including the bypass conduit as part of the second heat exchanger loop,

the bypass valve being adjustable so that all, none or any proportion of the liquid coolant may be directed through the bypass conduit with the remainder, if any, being directed through the second coolant conduit loop,

providing coolant liquid in the reservoir, the heat exchangers and the conduits,

providing a source of cooling in the second heat exchanger,

circulating coolant liquid with the pump, through the reservoir and the first coolant conduit loop and through the second coolant conduit loop,

adjusting the adjustable flow valve to proportion the amount of coolant which (a) exits the first conduit loop and flows through the second conduit loop to be cooled in the second heat exchanger, and (b) flows through the bypass conduit and returns through the first conduit loop, to thereby regulate the amount of cooling of the coolant in the second heat exchanger and to set the coolant temperature in the helmet and vest at a selectable comfortable level for the person.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the source of cooling is ice.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the system is sealed and the coolant liquid reservoir comprises a hollow liquid-tight container made of flexible material with a wall thickness selected to provide expansion/contraction flexure of the container when it is subjected to a differential of internal and external pressures of about two pounds per square inch, whereby venting to atmosphere is avoided.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein only the head and torso of the person are cooled and wherein the adjustable flow valve is regulated manually to bring and maintain the head and torso temperatures to near normal, causing the person'"'"'s extremities to also be at near normal temperatures.

11. A temperature control system for the human body, adapted to be carried on the body of the user, comprising:

a first heat exchanger in the form of a garment including a body vest adapted to be worn by a user, the body vest including a body of heat conducting mayterial with an elongated fluid-tight passageway, adapted to conduct heat away from the head and torso of the user when worn thereon in heat-conducting relationship;

a second heat exchanger having means for receiving a source of cooling and including a body of heat conducting material with an elongated fluid-tight passageway, positioned to be in heat-conducting relationship with the source of cooling and being portable and having means for supporting it on the human body;

a first coolant conduit loop within which the first heat exchanger garment is positioned, including outlet conduit means from the heat exchanger garment and inlet conduit means to the heat exchanger garment and a bypass conduit extending between the outlet and inlet conduit means;

the vest including series of heat exchange channels running generally horizontally and connected so that coolant entering the vest is directed first to the upper portions of the vest and travels progressively downwardly through the heat exchange channels and ultimately through the lower portions of the vest, so that the temperature differential between the coolant and the human body is less in the lower portions of the vest than in the upper portions of the vest, avoiding vaso-constriction and increasing comfort to the user;

a pump in the first conduit loop, in said inlet conduit means and between the heat exchanger garment and the bypass conduit, positioned to pump coolant liquid through the first heat exchanger garment from the inlet conduit means to the outlet conduit means;

a coolant liquid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet positioned in the first coolant conduit loop and containing coolant liquid, the system being sealed and the coolant liquid reservoir comprising a hollow liquid-tight container made of flexible material with a wall thickness selected to provide expansion/contraction flexure of the container when it is subjected to a differential of internal and external pressures, whereby venting to atmosphere is avoided;

a second coolant conduit loop within which the second heat exchanger is positioned, including said bypass conduit as part of the second conduit loop;

the second heat exchanger comprising a liner of two panels of plastic film sealed to each other along their sides and ends to provide a fluid tight passageway through which the coolant flows, the liner enveloping and contacting a cooling source whereby heat exchange occurs between the coolant and the cooling source;

a flow restrictor in the outlet conduit means, positioned to maintain a higher pressure in the coolant in the first heat exchanger garment than in the second heat exchanger;

adjustable flow valve means connected in the bypass conduit, for adjusting the proportion of liquid coolant flowing from the outlet conduit means through (a) the second coolant conduit loop and (b) the bypass conduit, such valve being adjustable so that all, none or any proportion of the liquid coolant may be directed through the bypass conduit with the remainder, if any, being directed through the second coolant conduit loop;

a portable housing wherein the coolant liquid reservoir, the pump, the bypass conduit and the adjustable flow valve means are contained separate from the garment and the second heat exchanger, the housing providing conduit portions and quick-disconnect coupling means for connecting the pump ultimately to the heat exchanger garment and for connecting the outlet means ultimately to an upstream end of the bypass conduit; and

means for securing the portable housing on the body of the user, whereby the system is easily carried by the user for movement through hostile, high-temperature environments.

12. A temperature control system for the human body, adapted to be carried on the body of the user, comprising:

a first heat exchanger in the form of a garment including a helmet adapted to be worn by a user, the helmet including a body of heat conducting material with an elongated fluid-tight passageway, adapted to conduct heat away from the head of the user when worn thereon in heat-conducting relationship;

a second heat exchanger having means for receiving a source of cooling and including a body of heat conducting material with an elongated fluid-tight passageway, positioned to be in heat-conducting relationship with source of cooling;

a first coolant conduit loop within which the first heat exchanger garment is positioned, including outlet conduit means from the heat exchanger garment and inlet conduit means to the heat exchanger garment and a bypass conduit extending between the outlet and inlet conduit means;

a pump in the first conduit loop, in said inlet conduit means and between the heat exchanger garment and the bypass conduit, positioned to pump coolant liquid through the first heat exchanger garment from the inlet conduit means to the outlet conduit means;

a coolant liquid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet positioned in the first coolant conduit loop and containing coolant liquid;

the system being sealed and the coolant liquid reservoir comprising a hollow liquid-tight container made of flexible material with a wall thickness selected to provide expansion/contraction flexure of the container when it is subjected to a differential of internal and external pressures, whereby venting to atmosphere is avoided;

a second coolant conduit loop within which the second heat exchanger is positioned, including said bypass conduit as part of the second conduit loop;

the second heat exchanger comprising a liner of two panels of plastic film sealed to each other along their sides and ends to provide a fluid tight passageway through which the coolant flows, the liner enveloping and contacting a cooling source whereby a heat exchange occurs between the coolant and the cooling source;

a flow restrictor in the outlet conduit means, positioned to maintain a higher pressure in the coolant in the first heat exchanger garment than in the second heat exchanger;

adjustable flow valve mans connected in the bypass conduit, for adjusting the proportion of liquid coolant flowing from the outlet conduit means through (a) the second coolant conduit loop and (b) the bypass conduit, such valve being adjustable so that all, none or any proportion of the liquid coolant may be directed through the bypass conduit with the remainder, if any, being directed through the second coolant conduit loop;

a portable housing mans wherein the coolant liquid reservoir, the pump, the bypass conduit and the adjustable flow valve means are contained separated from the garment and the second heat exchanger, the housing providing conduit portions and quick-disconnect coupling means for connecting the pump ultimately to the heat exchanger garment and for connecting the outlet means ultimately to an upstream end of the bypass conduit; and

means for carrying the portable housing means and the second heat exchanger on the body of the user, whereby the system is easily carried by the user for movement through hostile, high-temperature environments.