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EP1080648A2 - Système de réfrigération personnel - Google Patents

Système de réfrigération personnel Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1080648A2
EP1080648A2 EP00119204A EP00119204A EP1080648A2 EP 1080648 A2 EP1080648 A2 EP 1080648A2 EP 00119204 A EP00119204 A EP 00119204A EP 00119204 A EP00119204 A EP 00119204A EP 1080648 A2 EP1080648 A2 EP 1080648A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
garment
fluid
cooling system
personal cooling
user
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00119204A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1080648A3 (fr
Inventor
Peter Kenneth Graham
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd
Original Assignee
Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd
Fisher and Paykel Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd, Fisher and Paykel Ltd filed Critical Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd
Publication of EP1080648A2 publication Critical patent/EP1080648A2/fr
Publication of EP1080648A3 publication Critical patent/EP1080648A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/002—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with controlled internal environment
    • A41D13/005—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with controlled internal environment with controlled temperature
    • A41D13/0053—Cooled garments
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B21/00—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
    • F25B21/02—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D15/00—Devices not covered by group F25D11/00 or F25D13/00, e.g. non-self-contained movable devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/26—Refrigerating devices for cooling wearing apparel, e.g. garments, hats, shoes or gloves

Definitions

  • This invention relates to personal cooling system and in particular to a personal cooling garment and associated system for surgeons.
  • the invention consists in a personal cooling system characterised by:
  • This invention consists of three main parts, these are:
  • the cooling unit 1 cools the fluid to be pumped through a cooling garment 2. This fluid is passed through a heat exchanger 4 and then to a reservoir 5. The fluid 6 within the reservoir 5 is next pumped through a tube 7 for delivery to the garment 2. Fluid passes through internal passages of the garment 2 where it increases in temperature before returning to the heat exchanger 4 where it is again cooled before repeating the cycle.
  • the vapour compression type cooler uses a conventional refrigeration cycle where a refrigerant is pumped through a condenser 8, expansion valve 9, evaporator 10 and back to the pump 11.
  • the evaporator 10 is constructed as a heat exchanger 4 which cools the fluid which will be pumped into the jacket 2.
  • thermoelectric version of the cooler relies on several Peltier elements to cool a continuous flow of fluid. This is achieved by passing the fluid through copper blocks which are affixed to the cool sides of Peltier elements. The warm side of the elements are attached to heat sinks where air fans in close proximity allow heat to be dissipated to the room.
  • a central control unit 13 which may for example be an appropriately programmed CPU.
  • This control unit 13 receives inputs from various sensor and switch devices throughout the cooling unit, and in turn controls operation of the cooling side of the heat exchanger (for example time of operation and/or speed of operation of the compressor 11) a fluid circulation pump 16 which pumps fluid from the reservoir 5 through the garment 2 back to the cooling unit, through the heat exchanger 4 and back to the reservoir 5, a bypass valve 15 and audible 23 and visual 24 indicators on the cooling unit.
  • the sensors and switches providing input to the central control unit 13 include a temperature selection switch or device 12, a pressure sensor integrated with the bypass valve 15, a temperature sensor 20 in the fluid reservoir 5 and a temperature level switch 21 also in the fluid reservoir 5.
  • the cooling device preferably has additional heating elements (not shown) which allow the units to be used as heaters of the circulating fluid rather than as coolers.
  • the heating elements also allow the fluid temperature to be raised at a rapid rate to reach a higher desired temperature in a shortened time. These elements may serve a dual purpose in defrosting the evaporator in the vapour compression embodiment.
  • a temperature control system is provided to allow the user to alter the temperature of the fluid being delivered to the garment.
  • a temperature selection device such as rotary control 12 provides input 19 to a central control unit 13. The temperature chosen is that most suitable for the wearer of the garment.
  • One version of this control is located directly on the cooler itself but the selection device may be remotely displaced to a place of greater convenience such as to an outer wall of the room, to an anaesthesia machine or carried by another staff member.
  • Performance of a temperature ramping function may be useful and comfortable when the user first puts the garment on because a gradual temperature change may be more comfortable than a sudden one.
  • each cooling device there is a bypass 14 including a bypass valve 15 downstream from the pump 16 which allows fluid to short-circuit its usual route and pass directly from the pump 16 to the heat exchanger 4.
  • This bypass valve activates if any of the water line connections 17 is disconnected or in the event of some other part of the tubing or garment becoming blocked or partially occluded.
  • a pressure sensor or a flow sensor may be included, with the bypass valve activated on the basis of its output 18.
  • the bypass valve could be mechanical in nature requiring back pressure of a sufficient level to be present from the garment to remain open to the garment.
  • the central controller may also be configured to electrically shut down the system in the event of an overpressure or under pressure within the fluid downstream of the pump on the basis of the output of the pressure sensor.
  • An underpressure could be caused by a fluid leak.
  • each cooling device Within the reservoir of each cooling device is a water level monitor switch. If the water level drops to be below a certain minimum level 22 then on the basis of the output of the switch 21 the central control unit 13 will activate a shutdown of the circulating, cooling and heating functions of the device. Simultaneously a visual and audible indication of the reason for the shutdown will be given through speaker 23 and light 24. A reduction in reservoir water level indicates a fluid loss in the system, probably a leak.
  • Each cooler preferably has several temperature sensing devices located at strategic locations within their interiors.
  • One of these, temperature sensor 20, allows the fluid temperature to be monitored. Others may cause a shutdown in event of excessively high or low temperatures at particular locations.
  • the temperature sensor 20 is located within the reservoirs. Others may be located close to the cooling regions for either cooling device. A shutdown due to over temperature or under temperature would simultaneously activate a visual and audible indication via speaker 23 or light 24 of the reason for the shutdown.
  • the fluid used within the cooler may contain a biocide to keep that fluid free of bacterial and fungal growth.
  • the reservoir used within the cooler has a filling cap which may have a hydrophobic material as part of its construction. This material allows the passage of air to and from the reservoir but will not allow the passage of fluid. Such use of a hydrophobic material prevents fluid from overflowing from the reservoir.
  • the cooler may have a mechanism to retract the tubing leading to the cooling garment so that it is kept off the floor.
  • the fluid-containing garment is adapted to be worn by a user.
  • the garment is in the form of a "poncho" style vest, having a front panel 30 and back panel 31, a head/neck hole 32 and means 33 at the edges 34, 35 of the front and back panels to secure the edges together.
  • Internal pathways exist within the garment through which fluid is able to flow.
  • the fluid pathways are provided in the form of a pair of fluid envelopes 34, one fitted to each of the front and back panel of the garment.
  • the garment has a hole 32 through which a person's head can fit when wearing the garment. When worn the garment is able to simultaneously transfer heat from the front and back of the person's torso.
  • the fluid envelope 34 of the garment is primarily constructed from polymer film. Two sheets of this film are heat sealed in such a way as to provide internal pathways through which fluid can pass. The pathways have parallel circuitry to provide alternate routes for the fluid.
  • the part of the garment formed by the film is flexible.
  • Outer layer 35 of the jacket supports the fluid envelope, provides limited insulation, and protects against fluid sprays if a leak occurs (for example due to inadvertent puncture).
  • the further layer 35 is preferably a cloth layer to which the fluid containing envelopes are stitched or bonded. Referring to Figure 5A it is preferred that a thick layer 36 of soft and resilient material is fixed between the cloth layer 35 and the fluid envelope 34. As indicated in Figure 5B the soft layer 36 compresses in some regions e.g.
  • the soft, resilient material may for example be a polymer foam material such as expanded polyurethane foam which has the additional benefit of providing significant thermal insulation.
  • the foam may be thicker in specific areas or regions, such as that which is expected to be adjacent the small of the user's back.
  • the outer layer such as a cotton fabric layer, has any adjustment straps connected thereto.
  • tubing 41 which may be an integral part of the garment.
  • these tubes are at the top of the garment so that the fluid fills the garment evenly , without airlocks.
  • One tube provides an inlet to the garment and another provides an outlet.
  • This tubing is joined to the fluid envelope in such a way as to provide a good seal and not allow leakage of fluid.
  • Trailing tubes 42 connect to the tubes 41 are attached to the remainder of the garment at about shoulder level when the garment is being worn and are long enough to reach the ankles of the person wearing the garment.
  • the tubing 42 is attached at key points 43 down the back of the garment in such a way as to provide strain relief for the tubing 42 if it is pulled on.
  • the garment has cutouts 44 in the vicinity of the shoulder to allow the free movement of the wearer's arms so that movement should not be restricted, especially when the arms are in front.
  • the garment is made in a poncho style. When initially fitted by the user the front 30 and back 31 of the garment will hang free and there will be no attachment on either side. In order to adjust the garment to suit the wearer and to give better contact between the garment and the wearer, the garment needs to be adjusted.
  • the adjustments 33 consist of straps 45 distributed down both sides of the garment.
  • the adjustments 33 may be in the form of velcro strapping (to connect with receptive pads 46) in combination with elastic or they may take some other form such as a buckle or tie ribbon.
  • the garment may have a quantity of biocide within it. This biocide limits bacterial and fungal growth during storage.
  • the garment is constructed in such a way as to have a low resistance to fluid flow so that low pressures can be used. To do this large diameter tubing is used and there may be parallel pathways within the fluid envelope of the garment itself.
  • connections 47 which can be plugged in and out of the cooler or to the extension tubing which is mentioned below. These connections have an automatic shutoff valve integral to their construction which prevents the flow of fluid after the connectors have been disconnected.
  • the inlet and outlet connections are preferably constructed and held together in such a way that they can both be connected and disconnected with one hand and do not need to be connected or disconnected individually.
  • tubing of the garment can be connected directly to the cooler in use.
  • an additional length of tubing 50 can be connected between the cooler and the garment. This extension allows the wearer to venture further from the cooler unit.
  • This tubing 50 is made of a material with a thickness and stiffness so that it is not easily occluded when stood upon by a person or when other stress or pressure is applied to it.
  • the inlet and outlet tubing are held close together so that they are parallel and move as one.
  • connections on the extension are such that when the tubes are disconnected an automatic shutoff valve integral to that connection prevents the flow of fluid after it has been disconnected.
  • the inlet and outlet connections of both ends of the extension tubing are constructed and held together in such a way that they can be connected and disconnected with one band and do not need to be connected or disconnected individually.
  • the invention provides a garment and associated system for the cooling and warming of people.
  • a person wears a garment to allow the transferal of heat.
  • the device operates by delivering either warm or cold fluid to the garment which will cause that person to either lose or gain heat.
  • a specific application of this device is for use by medical staff within an operating theatre. It can also be used in other situations where medical staff are finding their physical comfort is being compromised by less than ideal working temperatures. In the operating theatre the people of particular interest are the scrub team and the surgeon in particular.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)
EP00119204A 1999-09-06 2000-09-05 Système de réfrigération personnel Withdrawn EP1080648A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ33765999 1999-09-06
NZ33765999 1999-09-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1080648A2 true EP1080648A2 (fr) 2001-03-07
EP1080648A3 EP1080648A3 (fr) 2003-08-13

Family

ID=19927492

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00119204A Withdrawn EP1080648A3 (fr) 1999-09-06 2000-09-05 Système de réfrigération personnel

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1080648A3 (fr)
JP (1) JP2001147063A (fr)
AU (1) AU5647700A (fr)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2433834A (en) * 2005-12-30 2007-07-04 Paul Christopher Monk Closed loop cooling/heating system using Peltier element for garment with self-closing couplings
EP2236048A1 (fr) * 2009-04-04 2010-10-06 Len Loukaides Vêtement de refroidissement
WO2011119338A1 (fr) * 2010-03-25 2011-09-29 Caitin, Inc. Systèmes de refroidissement utilisant un cycle de refroidissement supersonique
US8333080B2 (en) 2009-03-25 2012-12-18 Pax Scientific, Inc. Supersonic cooling system
US8359872B2 (en) 2009-09-04 2013-01-29 Pax Scientific, Inc. Heating and cooling of working fluids
US8505322B2 (en) 2009-03-25 2013-08-13 Pax Scientific, Inc. Battery cooling
CN103735348A (zh) * 2014-01-21 2014-04-23 曾建晖 医用冷敷机
US8820114B2 (en) 2009-03-25 2014-09-02 Pax Scientific, Inc. Cooling of heat intensive systems
CN105943239A (zh) * 2016-05-31 2016-09-21 陈玉科 一种可调节温度的多功能冰枕
US9867405B1 (en) 2013-09-06 2018-01-16 Stuart McFerrin Head cooling apparatus
CN109350220A (zh) * 2018-07-23 2019-02-19 山前（珠海）医疗科技有限公司 一种制冷设备
CN110916262A (zh) * 2019-11-15 2020-03-27 中国电力科学研究院有限公司 一种半导体降温服
CN112971234A (zh) * 2019-12-18 2021-06-18 财团法人纺织产业综合研究所 冷却服饰系统
CN115247908A (zh) * 2021-04-27 2022-10-28 财团法人纺织产业综合研究所 服饰降温系统
CN115900224A (zh) * 2022-10-26 2023-04-04 广东富信科技股份有限公司 制冷组件、设备及降温服

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2008025052A (ja) * 2006-07-20 2008-02-07 Advanced Inst Of Wearable Environmental Information Networks 電子冷暖房服

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1376604A (en) * 1972-03-07 1974-12-11 Secr Defence Liquid cooled suits
EP0076077A3 (fr) * 1981-09-25 1983-08-10 The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Echangeurs de chaleur
GB2121158B (en) * 1981-09-25 1985-06-26 Secr Defence Heat pipe assemblies
JPS59500082A (ja) * 1982-02-01 1984-01-19 ライフ・サポ−ト・システムズ・インコ−ポレイテツド 個人用温度制御装置
US5127896A (en) * 1989-09-05 1992-07-07 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation Anthropomorphic tank suit

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8397517B2 (en) 2005-12-30 2013-03-19 Paul Christopher Monk Heating/cooling system for a motorcycle rider
GB2433834B (en) * 2005-12-30 2008-05-28 Paul Christopher Monk Heating/cooling system for a motorcycle rider
GB2433834A (en) * 2005-12-30 2007-07-04 Paul Christopher Monk Closed loop cooling/heating system using Peltier element for garment with self-closing couplings
US8820114B2 (en) 2009-03-25 2014-09-02 Pax Scientific, Inc. Cooling of heat intensive systems
US8353168B2 (en) 2009-03-25 2013-01-15 Pax Scientific, Inc. Thermodynamic cycle for cooling a working fluid
US8353169B2 (en) 2009-03-25 2013-01-15 Pax Scientific, Inc. Supersonic cooling system
US8505322B2 (en) 2009-03-25 2013-08-13 Pax Scientific, Inc. Battery cooling
US8333080B2 (en) 2009-03-25 2012-12-18 Pax Scientific, Inc. Supersonic cooling system
EP2236048A1 (fr) * 2009-04-04 2010-10-06 Len Loukaides Vêtement de refroidissement
US8359872B2 (en) 2009-09-04 2013-01-29 Pax Scientific, Inc. Heating and cooling of working fluids
US8365540B2 (en) 2009-09-04 2013-02-05 Pax Scientific, Inc. System and method for heat transfer
US8887525B2 (en) 2009-09-04 2014-11-18 Pax Scientific, Inc. Heat exchange and cooling systems
WO2011119338A1 (fr) * 2010-03-25 2011-09-29 Caitin, Inc. Systèmes de refroidissement utilisant un cycle de refroidissement supersonique
US9867405B1 (en) 2013-09-06 2018-01-16 Stuart McFerrin Head cooling apparatus
CN103735348A (zh) * 2014-01-21 2014-04-23 曾建晖 医用冷敷机
CN105943239A (zh) * 2016-05-31 2016-09-21 陈玉科 一种可调节温度的多功能冰枕
CN109350220A (zh) * 2018-07-23 2019-02-19 山前（珠海）医疗科技有限公司 一种制冷设备
EP3827772A4 (fr) * 2018-07-23 2021-07-28 Piedmont Scientific (Zuhai) Co., Ltd. Dispositif de congélation
CN109350220B (zh) * 2018-07-23 2024-10-18 山前（珠海）科技有限公司 一种制冷设备
US12303180B2 (en) 2018-07-23 2025-05-20 Piedmont Scientific (Zhuhai) Co., Ltd. Refrigeration equipment
CN110916262A (zh) * 2019-11-15 2020-03-27 中国电力科学研究院有限公司 一种半导体降温服
CN112971234A (zh) * 2019-12-18 2021-06-18 财团法人纺织产业综合研究所 冷却服饰系统
CN115247908A (zh) * 2021-04-27 2022-10-28 财团法人纺织产业综合研究所 服饰降温系统
CN115247908B (zh) * 2021-04-27 2024-02-02 财团法人纺织产业综合研究所 服饰降温系统
CN115900224A (zh) * 2022-10-26 2023-04-04 广东富信科技股份有限公司 制冷组件、设备及降温服

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU5647700A (en) 2001-03-08
EP1080648A3 (fr) 2003-08-13
JP2001147063A (ja) 2001-05-29

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