Thin film energy fabric

• US 7,494,945 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2006
• Issued: 02/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABCO Energy, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ABCO Energy, Inc.
• Inventors: Moreshead, Wylie
• Primary Examiner(s): TORRES VELAZQUEZ, NORCA LIZ
• Application Number:
  US11/439,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20060280948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 442/228, 442/286, 442/301, 442/185, 442/186, 429/127
• US Class Current: 442/185
• 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 13/005 with controlled temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/065 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/102 Waterproof and breathable
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/12 Hygroscopic; Water retaining
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/125 Moisture handling or wicking function through layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/185 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/00 Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/35 with electric heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/20 All layers being fibrous or filamentary
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/20 having particular electrical or magnetic properties, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/202 Conductive
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/302 Conductive
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/402 Coloured
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/51 Elastic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/546 Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/724 Permeability to gases, adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7265 Non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/00 Clothing anti-ballistic clothing B32B2571/02
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/00 : Electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/10 : Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/024 : Woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/12 : characterised by the relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers, e.g. the fibres or filaments being parallel or perpendicular to each other
• 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: D03D 1/0076 : Photovoltaic fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/46 : Flat yarns, e.g. tapes or films
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 3/0002 : characterised by the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/16 : antistatic; conductive
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/00 : Wearing apparel
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/014 : Heaters using resistive wires or cables not provided for in H05B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/036 : Heaters specially adapted for garment heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/347 : woven fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 : Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/239 : Complete cover or casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249921 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 : Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3033 : Including a strip or ribbon
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3041 : Woven fabric comprises strips or ribbons only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3049 : Including strand precoated with other than free metal or alloy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3382 : Including a free metal or alloy constituent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3854 : Woven fabric with a preformed polymeric film or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3976 : Including strand which is stated to have specific attributes [e.g., heat or fire resistance, chemical or solvent resistance, high absorption for aqueous composition, water solubility, heat shrinkability, etc.]

Abstract

A material is provided that includes a first section for storing energy and a second section for releasing energy received from the first section in which the energy is preferably electrical energy that is used for one from among heat dissipation, heat generation, light emission and powering of an electric circuit. Ideally the material includes a third layer adapted to collect energy and convert the energy to electrical energy for storage in the first section. A fourth protection section is provided on at least one side of the material. The material can be formed of woven strips, laminated sections, or in coaxial sections that are woven together to form a flexible fabric material having at least one characteristic from among breathability, wickability, moisture resistance, moisture-proof, and stretchability.

Claims

1. A laminate sheet-like material, comprising:

a first section configured to receive and store electrical energy; and

a second section configured to utilize the electrical energy stored in the first section for use in at least one from among heat dissipation, heat generation, and light emission, the second section encapsulated with the first section in a laminate to form a sheet-like material.

2. The material of claim 1 further comprising a third section coupled to at least the first section and formed with the first and second sections in the laminate to provide a charge from ambient energy to be stored in the first section or to be used by the second section.

3. The material of claim 1 further comprising at least one protective section formed on at least one side of the material.

4. The material of claim 1 wherein the first section is configured to store electrical energy.

5. The material of claim 1 wherein the first and second sections are formed to be flexible and to have at least one of the following characteristics of breathability, moisture wickability, water resistance, waterproof, and stretchability.

6. The material of claim 5 wherein the first and second sections comprise first and second layers, respectively, and are arranged adjacent to one another.

7. The material of claim 1, further comprising means for regulating at least one of energy storage and energy release in the first and second sections, respectively.

8. A laminate sheet-like flexible fabric material, comprising:

a first layer adapted to receive and store electrical energy; and

a second layer coupled to the first layer and configured to receive electrical energy from the first layer and to utilize the electrical energy for at least one from among heat dissipation, heat generation, and light emission, the second layer laminated to the first layer to form a multi-layer sheet-like flexible fabric material.

9. The material of claim 8, comprising a third layer electrically coupled to the second layer and laminated with the first and second layers, the third layer adapted to collect energy and convert the collected energy to electrical energy for storage by the first layer for immediate use by the second layer or both storage in the first layer and use by the second layer simultaneously.

10. The material of claim 9, further comprising at least one protective layer adapted to protect the first, second, and third layers without interfering with the collection, conversion, storage, and use of energy.

11. The material of claim 8, further comprises a control device for regulating at least one of energy storage and energy utilization by the first and second layers, respectively.

12. A flexible fabric material adapted to be woven to provide a thin flexible fabric for use with an electric circuit, the material comprising:

a first flexible filament adapted to receive and store electrical energy;

a second flexible filament coupled to and laminated with the first flexible filament and adapted to receive the stored energy from the first flexible filament for use in at least one from among heat dissipation, heat generation, and light emission; and

electrically insulating material encapsulating the first and second flexible filaments with at least one electrical contact at a terminating end of the material to form a laminated sheet-like flexible fabric material.

13. The material of claim 12, comprising a third flexible filament adapted to obtain ambient energy and convert the obtained energy to electrical energy for storage in the first flexible filament, the third flexible filament laminated in the electrically insulating material and electrically coupled to the first flexible filament.

14. The material of claim 12 wherein the first and second flexible filaments are layered with respect to one another.

15. The material of claim 13 wherein the first, second, and third flexible filaments are in a layered arrangement.

16. The material of claim 12, comprising a regulator for controlling at least one of energy storage and energy usage in the first and second flexible filaments, respectively.

28. The material of claim 13 wherein the first, second, and third flexible filaments are in a coaxial arrangement.

29. The material of claim 12 wherein the first and second flexible filaments are in a tubular arrangement.

17. A garment or accessory, comprising:

a laminated, sheet-like flexible material comprising a first section configured to receive and store electrical energy and a second section configured to utilize the electrical energy stored in the first section for use in at least one from among heat dissipation, heat generation, and light emission, the second section encapsulated with the first section in a laminate to form a sheet-like material.

18. The garment or accessory of claim 17 wherein the material comprises a third section adapted to obtain ambient energy and convert the obtained ambient energy to electrical energy for storage in the second section.

19. The garment or accessory of claim 18, further comprising a protective layer formed on at least one side of the flexible material.

20. The garment or accessory of claim 19 wherein the material has at least one characteristic from among breathability, moisture wickability, water resistance, waterproof, and stretchability.

21. The garment of claim 17, comprising a device for controlling at least one of energy storage and energy release in the first and second sections, respectively.

22. A method of making a laminated, sheet-like flexible material, comprising:

providing a first section configured to receive and store electrical energy;

providing a second section coupled to the first section and adapted to utilize the electrical energy stored in the first section for use in at least one from among heat dissipation, heat generation, and light emission, the second section encapsulated with the first section in a laminate to form a sheet-like material.

23. The method of claim 22, comprising forming a third section with the first and second sections, the third section adapted to collect ambient energy and convert the ambient energy to electrical energy for storage in the second section.

24. The method of claim 23, comprising providing at least one protective section on at least one side of the material.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the material includes at least one characteristic from among breathability, wickability, water resistance, waterproof, and stretchability.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the first and second sections are formed as individual plies that are layered together.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the first, second, and third sections are formed as flexible filaments layered together to form a laminated flexible filament, and further comprising weaving the layered flexible filament to form the flexible material.