Method and apparatus for measuring heat flow
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for determining caloric expenditure by measuring total heat flow from the skin surface of a wearer of said apparatus, comprising:
- (a) heat flow sensor means for measuring convective, conductive, radiant and evaporative heat flow; and
(b) an overlay material, at least a portion of which contacts said wearer'"'"'s skin surface and another portion of which covers said heat flow sensor means, said overlay material being capable of imbibing a fluid and allowing said fluid to migrate from said skin surface to the portion of said overlay material contacting said heat flow sensor means such that said imbibed fluid can evaporate from said portion of said overlay material covering said heat flow sensor means.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for determining caloric expenditure of a subject. The apparatus includes a modified heat flow sensor having an overlay and/or conductive layer for measuring the evaporative heat loss component, in addition to substantially total heat loss, for the subject.
69 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining caloric expenditure by measuring total heat flow from the skin surface of a wearer of said apparatus, comprising:
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(a) heat flow sensor means for measuring convective, conductive, radiant and evaporative heat flow; and (b) an overlay material, at least a portion of which contacts said wearer'"'"'s skin surface and another portion of which covers said heat flow sensor means, said overlay material being capable of imbibing a fluid and allowing said fluid to migrate from said skin surface to the portion of said overlay material contacting said heat flow sensor means such that said imbibed fluid can evaporate from said portion of said overlay material covering said heat flow sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for measuring heat flow from a surface on which said apparatus is placed comprising:
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(a) heat flow sensor means; (b) an overlay material, at least a portion of which contacts said heat flow sensor means on a surface of said heat flow sensor means exposed to ambient air, said overlay material being capable of imbibing a fluid and allowing said fluid to migrate from said surface on which said apparatus is placed to the portion of said overlay material contacting said heat flow sensor and evaporate therefrom; and (c) a thermally conductive material located between said heat flow sensor and said overlay material to create a substantially uniform heat flow across said surface of said heat flow sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification