US008397518B1
(12) Ulllted States Patent
(10) Patent N0.:
Vistakula
(54)
(45) Date of Patent:
APPAREL WITH INTEGRAL HEATING AND
2 *
,
COOLING DEVICE
Inventor:
Kranthi K. Vistakula, Hyderabad (1N)
(73)
Assignee: Dhama Innovations PVT. Ltd., Andhra
5,532,468 A *
PradeshGN)
gfaden
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 374/164
ayes et a .
5,097,829 A *
(75)
Mar. 19, 2013
5,269,369 A
( * ) Notice:
US 8,397,518 B1
3/1992 Quisenberry ............... .. 607/105
12/1993
'
7/1996 sggliligld " 235/46237
5,720,171 A *
2/1998
5,800,490 A
9/ 1998 PetZ et 31.
5,871,526 A
5,970,718 A
2/1999 GlbbS et a1.
10/1999 Arnold
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent 1s extended or adjusted under 35
Osterhoffet al. .............. .. 62/36
522182135336 et a1
(Continued)
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21)
1 NO _ 13/456 584
pp '
(22)
"
Filed:
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
EP
1411787 A2
Apr. 26, 2012
EP
1679984 A1 _ 7/2006
4/2004
(Cont1nued)
(30)
Foreign Application Priority Data
Feb. 20, 2012
(51)
(IN) ........................... .. 628/CHE/2012
I t Cl
1 -
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
httpM/ideayancom/ideas7163_c0olingiclothesiandiaccesso_
riesibasedionitheipeltierieffectitranslationiofiideaini
-
2762.
F25B 21/02
(2006.01)
(52)
us. Cl. ........................................ .. 62/35; 62/2593
(58)
Field of Classi?cation Search ................... .. 62/3.2,
62/33,3.4,3.5,259.3,259.4; 165/104.26,
165/185
See application ?le for complete search history.
(56)
(Con?rmed)
_
1,
prlmaryExammerflwo mm Al _
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * GoodW1n Procter LLP
(57)
ABSTRACT
References Cited
A device for heating or cooling a body of a user is provided.
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
thermally coupled to the thermoelectric module, a Wetting
The device includes a thermoelectric module, a heat sink
2,938,356 A
3,029,438 A
3,132,688 A
5/1960 McMahon
4/1962 Henschel
5/1964 Nowak
3,289,748 A
12/1966 Jennings
3,314,242 A
3,498,077 A
3,776,304 A
4/1967 Lefferts
3/1970 Gerard et a1.
12/1973 Auerbach
4,130,902 A *
12/1978
4,131,158 A
4,483,021 A
12/1978 Abhat et a1.
11/1984 McCall
4,735,358 A *
D298,458 S
4,920,899 A
4/1988
Mackenroth et a1. ............... .. 2/7
Morita et a1. ................... .. 239/1
11/1988 Margolin et a1.
5/1990 Blundy et al.
material in thermal communication With the heat sink, and a
controller for cycling the thermoelectric module in accor
dance With a duty cycle. Additionally, a method of heating or
cooling a portion of a body of a user is provided. The method
includes cycling electrical poWer to a thermoelectric module
at a duty cycle, transferring heat from the thermoelectric
module to a heat sink, and evaporating a liquid from a Wetting
material disposed on the heat sink. The evaporated liquid
enters the surrounding atmosphere.
30 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
US 8,397,518 B1
Page 2
US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
.
2%?1222 2 * lggggg
1
a1 " 62/35
11/2007 Chiang ....................... .. 361/717
11/2007 Ichigaya
2008/0033518 Al*
2/2008 Ronsso etal. .............. .. 607/112
2008/0040831 A1
2/2008
10/2001 Mathlprakasametal.
Zoos/0125747 A1
500% Prokop
6/2008 Arnold ........................... .. 62/35
6,295,819 B1
2007/0253167 A1*
2007/0271939 A1
NllfOI'uShan et a1.
613411491 B1
V2002 P41neeta1~
2008/0141681 Al*
212231322 5%
$88; 5 etali
2008/0161890 Al* 7/2008 Lafontaine
614951734 B1
12/2002 Fifllcslseital
1111538128 E * 6/2003 G11
t i
67391138 B2
618231678 B1
1
5/2004 Sa 56 a~a1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
0004 L? Set
6265
~
'
607/105
2009/0179042 Al* 7/2009 Milan etal. ............. .. 221/150R
2009/0306748 A1
12/2009 Mollendorfetal.
2009/0308082 A1
12/2009 Monk
2009/0312823 Al*
12/2009 Patience etal. ............. .. 607/104
2010/0005572 A1
1/2010
619151641 B2
619271316 B1
7/2005 Hal.
8/2005 FaneS1Jr~eta1~
2010/0084125 Al*
2010/0107657 Al*
4/2010 Goldstein etal. ........... .. 165/287
5/2010 Vistakula ....................... .. 62/35
619321150 B1
619481322 B1
8/2005 Y?h.eta1'
9/2005 Glblm
2010/0132100 A1
2010/0198322 A1
6/2010 Courtneyetal.
8/2010 Joseph etal.
343%; 5% $5882 121mm ML
711201938 B2
1
g5
2010/0281883 A1 11/2010 Romano
10/2006 115mm
2010/0294455 A1
11/2010 Yangetal.
Pgaya
2011/0079022 Al*
4/2011
Z588; killigavya
2011/0144723 Al*
6/2011 Streeteretal. ................ .. 607/88
7,559,907 B2
7/2009 Krempel et a1.
7,571,615 B1
7,610,775 B2
7,650,757 B2
8/2009 Blkes
11/2009 Tonkovich etal.
1/2010 Bhatti
Maetal. ........................ .. 62/3.2
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
EP
JP
1737052 A1
2047327 A
4209807 A
7,721,349 B1 *
5/2010
Strauss ............................... .. 2/7
JP
7,765,811
7,771,933
7,921,473
7,996,936
8,001,794
8/2010
8/2010
4/2011
8/2011
8/2011
Hershbergeretal.
Arciniegasetal.
Winters
Marquette etal.
Windisch
JP
JP
JP
JP
W0
9327614
2001040512
2009097106
2010018938
VG-0229348
B2
B2
B1
B2
B2
Chaplin
A
A
A
A
A1
12/2006
2/1990
7/1992
12/1997
2/2001
5/2009
1/2010
4/2002
2002/0026226 A1
2/2002 Ein
W0
NO-2004014169 A2
2/2004
2002/0104319 Al*
8/2002 Paine etal. ....................... .. 62/4
W0
VG-2004111741 A1
12/2004
2002/0156509 A1
10/2002 Cheung
W0
NO-2005081679 A2
9/2005
2002/0170309 Al*
11/2002
W0
NO-2006086618 A1
8/2006
W0
VG-2008103742 A2
8/2008
Strauss ......................... .. 62/314
2003/0098143 A1
2003/0110779 A1
5/2003 Winkle
6/2003 Otey et a1.
2003/0128511 A1
7/2003 Nagashima et al.
2005/0000231 A1
1/2005 Lee
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
2005/0011199 A1*
1/2005
Grisham et a1, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,, 62/3,7
2005/0153271 Al*
7/2005
WeIlIiCh .... ..
Zoos/0174737 Al*
8/2005 Meir
[Link]
.. 435/1.1
&t:61242&Start:0,
' 361/697
[Link]
2006/0180466 Al*
8/2006 Dalmia etal. .............. .. 204/400
2006/0191270 A1
8/2006
Warren
clothes html
'
'
2006/0260 183 A1 * 110006 Hockaday 43/129
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2008/
2007/0084496 A1
054438 malled Jul. 17, 2008 (5 pages).
4/2007 Edey
2007/0123758 Al*
5/2007
2007/0193278 A1
8/2007 Polacek et al.
Miesel et a1. ............... .. 600/301
* cited by examiner
US. Patent
Mar. 19, 2013
Sheet 1 0113
FIG. 1
US 8,397,518 B1
US. Patent
Mar. 19, 2013
Sheet 2 0f 13
US 8,397,518 B1
US. Patent
AM
Mar. 19, 2013
Sheet 3 0f 13
US 8,397,518 B1
US. Patent
Mar. 19, 2013
F16. <71
Sheet 4 0f 13
US 8,397,518 B1
US. Patent
Mar. 19, 2013
Fifi
Sheet 5 0f 13
US 8,397,518 B1
US. Patent
Mar. 19, 2013
Sheet 6 0f 13
F1516
US 8,397,518 B1
US. Patent
Mar. 19, 2013
72
ON
QFF
___..._
Sheet 7 0f 13
US 8,397,518 B1
US. Patent
Mar. 19, 2013
[H
46
Sheet 8 0f 13
52
if I I I
58
US 8,397,518 B1
80
XL
1 I
82
US. Patent
91
Mar. 19, 2013
Sheet 9 0f 13
US 8,397,518 B1
US. Patent
Mar. 19, 2013
Sheet 10 0f 13
US 8,397,518 B1
)/lOO
Cycle electrical power to a
TEM
Transfer heat from the
TEM to a heat sink
Evaporate a cooling liquid
from a wetting material
disposed on the heat sink
FIG. 10
US. Patent
Mar. 19, 2013
Sheet 11 0113
US 8,397,518 B1
Tamh : 27C
C}(Wteadmprgtu.e
N) w w
D1
1%
i3
15)
29
$1}
50
66
FIG.11
2?
C}(Wtademprgtu.e
26,8
26.6
26.:
'
26.2
26
2516
23;
25.2
25
{l
10
2Q
awe {mig
FIG. 12
50
10
Y9
US. Patent
263
Mar. 19, 2013
Sheet 12 0f 13
26
29
Z?
'
25
C)(scTtdeima5pr6mgeat.m
23
Z}
19
15
40
time {min}
FIG. 14
60
US 8,397,518 B1
US. Patent
Mar. 19, 2013
Sheet 13 0f 13
C){[Link]
US 8,397,518 B1
W13 layers of tissue
gm gar
8 iayers a? tissusa
pa per
10
26
3E}
time {min}
FIG. 15
lag
US 8,397,518 B1
1
APPAREL WITH INTEGRAL HEATING AND
COOLING DEVICE
SUMMARY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION
regulated apparel for heating and/or cooling at least a portion
The devices and methods described herein provide thermo
of the body of a Wearer. Compared to previous designs, the
devices described herein include a heat sink that is amongst
the lightest of its kindAthickness of the heat sink is optimiZed
This application claims priority to Indian Patent Applica
tion No. 628/CHE/2012, ?led Feb. 20, 2012.
for very high lateral heat transfer, and surface textures on the
heat sink provide optimiZed heat dissipation rates. A Wetting
material disposed on the heat sink is con?gured to hold a
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
desired amount of cooling liquid (e.g., Water), Without adding
an excessive heat transfer resistance or heat capacity. By
This invention relates generally to devices and methods for
heating or cooling an object and, more particularly, to devices
optionally cycling the electrical poWer supplied to the ther
moelectric device, desired rates of heating and/or cooling are
achieved, and the users perception of the heating and/or
cooling is enhanced. The devices and methods described
herein provide ef?cient heating and/or cooling for a Wide
and methods that utiliZe a thermoelectric module to heat or
cool a body part ofa user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Thermo-regulated apparel is apparel that includes a ther
mal device for adding or removing heat from a body of a
Wearer. Thermo-regulated apparel may be implemented in a
Wide-variety of products and has many uses. For example, a
thermo-regulated jacket may keep a person Warm on a cold
day or cool on a hot day. Likewise, a thermo-regulated brace
or bandage may be used to cool a body part (e.g., to reduce
sWelling after an injury) or heat a body part (e.g., to relieve
variety of applications and items of apparel, including jack
ets, boots, helmets, bandages, and braces.
20
module, a heat sink thermally coupled to a surface of the
thermoelectric module, a Wetting material in thermal com
munication With the heat sink, and a controller for cycling the
25
30
tional thermal devices used in active thermo-regulated
apparel include resistive heaters for heating and compressive
35
devices used for passive thermo-regulated apparel include
chemical reaction systems for heating and phase change
surface and/or a contoured surface. The contoured surface
may form a bend having a bend angle in a range from about 0
materials for cooling. Conventional thermal devices for both
40
ment, the Wetting material includes a hydrophilic material. A
thickness of the Wetting material may be from about 1 mm to
about 3 mm. The Wetting material may include tissue and/or
45 cotton.
In certain embodiments, the device includes a battery and a
sWitched electrical connection. The device is typically inte
capable of providing both heating and cooling. To maintain
desired surface temperatures, hoWever, heat must generally
be dissipated from the hot side of the thermoelectric device.
Previous attempts to dissipate heat from thermoelectric
devices in thermo -regulated apparel have been largely unsuc
grated into apparel, such as a neck Wrap, an elboW pack, a
knee pack, a back pack, an ankle pack, a universal pack a
50
anti-bleeding pack, a head band, an abdominal pad, a shoe
embodiment, the thermoelectric module includes a heating
55
electric module must generally placed on an exterior portion
of the apparel, Which may be unattractive, cumbersome, and
unsuitable for active use. Achieving su?icient heat dissipa
tion rates through radiative heat transfer, forced convection,
and/ or phase change materials may not be feasible.
There is a need for thermo-regulated apparel that is capable
of providing suf?cient rates of both heating and cooling. In
particular there is a need for thermo-regulated apparel that
includes a thermoelectric device and is capable of adequately
dissipating heat from the hot side of the device, While remain
ing attractive and suitable for active use.
heating jacket, a cooling jacket, a heating-cooling jacket, an
insole, clothing, footWear, a car seat, and/ or a helmet. In one
cessful. One reason for this dif?culty is that the insulating
properties of apparel make it di?icult to transfer heat through
the apparel to the surroundings. Further, to achieve adequate
heat dissipation by natural or forced convection, the thermo
degrees to about 90 degrees. In one embodiment, the Wetting
material includes an antimicrobial agent. In another embodi
a poWered thermoelectric device. A thermoelectric device is a
heat pump that transfers heat from a cold side of the device to
a hot side of the device, With consumption of electrical
energy. Thermoelectric devices are desirable, because they
alloW precise control over heat transfer rates, and they are
binding layer securing the Wetting material to the heat sink
(e.g., the Wetting material may be disposed betWeen the heat
sink and the binding layer). The binding layer may be
Wrapped around an outer edge of the heat sink.
In certain embodiments, the heat sink includes an etched
maintaining a desired temperature. Conventional thermal
active and passive thermo-regulated apparel are capable of
either heating or cooling, but not both heating and cooling.
One type of thermal device for thermo-regulated apparel is
In certain embodiments, the device includes a supply tank
and a supply line connecting the Wetting material and the
supply tank. The supply line may include a Wicking material
to convey a liquid from the supply tank to the Wetting mate
rial. A thickness of the heat sink may be from about 1 mm to
about 15 mm. In one embodiment, the device includes a
used to maintain a temperature set by the Wearer. Conven
coolers for cooling. By contrast, passive thermo-regulated
apparel is capable of simply adding or removing heat, Without
thermoelectric module in accordance With a duty cycle, for
example, a duty cycle greater than about 10%.
muscle pain).
Thermo-regulated apparel may be categoriZed as either
active or passive. Active thermo-regulated apparel may be
In one aspect, the invention relates to a device for heating or
cooling a body of a user. The device includes a thermoelectric
60
surface area from about 100 mm2 to about 2000 m2.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of
heating or cooling a portion of a body of a user. The method
includes the steps of: cycling electrical poWer to a thermo
electric module at a duty cycle of at least about 10%; trans
ferring heat from the thermoelectric module to a heat sink;
and evaporating a liquid from a Wetting material disposed on
the heat sink, Wherein the evaporated liquid enters the sur
rounding atmosphere.
In certain embodiments, the method includes conveying
the liquid from a supply tank to the Wetting material by, for
65
example, Wicking the liquid through a Wicking material dis
posed Within a supply line. In one embodiment, the method
includes applying the liquid to the Wetting material (e. g., by
US 8,397,518 B1
4
3
spraying or dripping). In another embodiment, cycling elec
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional vieW of an item of
apparel that includes a device for heating or cooling a body of
trical poWer includes a duty cycle from about 30% to about
100%. A cycle time for cycling electrical poWer may be from
about 1 minute to about 10 minutes.
a Wearer, in accordance With an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 9 is a schematic side vieW of a device for heating or
cooling a body of a Wearer that includes a supply tank and a
In certain embodiments, transferring heat from the thermo
supply line, in accordance With an embodiment of the inven
electric module includes a heat transfer rate from about 0.2 W
to about 200 W. Likewise, a heat transfer rate associated With
tion;
FIG. 10 is a ?owchart of a method for heating or cooling a
portion of a body of a Wearer;
FIGS. 11 through 13 are plots of Water temperature versus
time, in accordance With an embodiment of the invention; and
FIGS. 14 and 15 are plots ofa cold side ofa thermoelectric
device versus time, in accordance With an embodiment of the
invention.
evaporating the liquid from the Wetting material may be from
about 0.2 W to about 200 W. A cold side of the thermoelectric
module may have a temperature from about 1 0 degrees C. to
about 30 degrees C. In one embodiment, the heat sink tem
perature is at least about 30 degrees C.
In certain embodiments, the method includes treating a
disorder such as arthritis, tennis elboW, golf elboW, a migraine
headache, menstrual pain, back pain, and/or an ankle sprain.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In one embodiment, the method includes providing electrical
stimulation to a user. The liquid may include a fragrance to
It is contemplated that systems, devices, methods, and
provide aromatherapy.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of
manufacturing a device for heating or cooling at least a por
tion of a body of a user. The method includes the steps of:
providing and etching a surface of a heat sink With an etching
agent to increase an effective surface area thereof; attaching
the heat sink to a thermoelectric module; disposing a Wetting
material over the heat sink; and securing the Wetting material
to the heat sink With a binding layer.
In certain embodiments, the Wetting material is disposed
betWeen the heat sink and the binding layer. The method may
include introducing into the heat sink a bend angle from about
processes of the claimed invention encompass variations and
20
in the relevant art and all are considered to be Within the scope
25
of the invention.
Throughout the description, Where systems are described
as having, including, or comprising speci?c components, or
Where processes and methods are described as having, includ
ing, or comprising speci?c steps, it is contemplated that,
30
10 degrees to about 90 degrees. Securing the Wetting material
may include Wrapping the binding layer around an edge of the
heat sink. In one embodiment, the method includes electri
cally connecting the thermoelectric module to a battery pack.
The thermoelectric module is typically integrated into an item
adaptations developed using information or the teachings
from the embodiments described herein. Adaptation and/or
modi?cation of the devices, systems, methods, and processes
described herein may be performed by those of ordinary skill
additionally, there are systems of the present invention that
consist essentially of, or consist of, the recited components,
and that there are processes and methods according to the
present invention that consist essentially of, or consist of, the
recited processing steps.
35
It should be understood that the order of steps or order for
performing certain actions is immaterial, so long as the inven
of apparel, such as a neck Wrap, an elboW pack, a knee pack,
tion remains operable. Moreover, tWo or more steps or actions
a back pack, a heating jacket, a cooling jacket, a heating
cooling jacket, an anti-bleeding pack, a head band, an
abdominal pad, a shoe insole, clothing, footWear, a car seat,
may be conducted simultaneously.
40
The mention herein of any publication is not an admission
that the publication serves as prior art With respect to any of
the claims presented herein. The Background section is pre
and/ or a helmet.
sented for purposes of clarity and is not meant as a description
of prior art With respect to any claim.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Apparel With heating and cooling capabilities is described
Other features and advantages of the present invention, as
45
054438, ?led Feb. 20, 2008, titled Apparel With Heating and
Cooling Capabilities, and in International Patent Applica
tion No. PCT/IN2011/000438, ?led Jul. 1, 2011, titled
Article of Clothing for Heating or Cooling Body of Wearer,
Well as the invention itself, may be more fully understood
from the folloWing description of the various embodiments,
When read together With the accompanying draWings, in
Which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective vieW of a conventional
thermoelectric module for use With various embodiments of
in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/
50
the disclosures of Which are hereby incorporated by reference
the invention;
herein in their entireties.
Referring to FIG. 1, a thermoelectric module (TEM) 10 is
FIG. 2 is a schematic side vieW of a device for heating or
cooling a body of a Wearer, in accordance With one embodi
a solid-state heat pump that transfers heat from a cold side 12
of the TEM 10 to a hot side 14 of the TEM 10, against a
ment of the invention;
55
module, in accordance With an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective vieW of a heat sink, in
accordance With an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic side vieW of a heat sink having a bend
60
angle, in accordance With an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic side vieW of a heat sink having a bend
With a radius of curvature, in accordance With an embodiment
of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic vieW of a rectangular Waveform
temperature gradient, With consumption of electrical energy,
using the Peltier effect. A standard single-stage TEM can
achieve temperature differentials of up to 700 C.
When the TEM 10 is used for cooling, heat is absorbed at
the cold side 12 by electrons as they pass from a loW energy
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective vieW of a thermoelectric
65
level in a p-type semiconductor element 16 to a higher energy
level in an n-type semiconductor element 18. A supplied
voltage betWeen a positive connector 20 and a negative con
nector 22 provides electrical potential to move the electrons
through the TEM 10. At the hot side 14, energy is expelled to
a heat sink as electrons move from the higher energy level
having a duty cycle, in accordance With an embodiment of the
n-type semiconductor element 18 to the loW energy level
invention;
p-type semiconductor element 16. As depicted, conductive
US 8,397,518 B1
5
layers 24 are placed above and below the semiconductor
elements 16, 18. Electrical insulator layers 26 are placed
outside of the conductive layers 24 and form the cold side 12
and the hot side 14.
TEMs have several advantages over other heating and
about 2 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 15 mm. The
thickness TH of the heat sink 44 may be optimiZed to alloW
e?icient conductive heat transfer in a lateral direction through
the heat sink 44 (i.e., in a direction parallel to the Wet and dry
sides 50, 58). The Wet and dry sides 50, 58 may each have a
surface area AH of, for example, about 2500 mm2, or from
about 100 mm2 to about 10,000 m2. In various embodi
ments, the heat sink 44 is the lightest of its kind, having a
Weight from about 1 g to about 500 g.
The heat sink 44 may be made of any material capable of
cooling devices. For example, TEMs have a solid state con
struction With no moving parts and are therefore generally
more reliable. TEMs are also capable of cooling to Well beloW
ambient temperature (e.g., as loW as minus 100 C., using
multistage TEMs). Further, TEMs may be sWitched from
heating to cooling (or cooling to heating) by simply reversing
providing the desired heat transfer to or from the TEM. In
certain embodiments, the heat sink 44 includes a metal, car
the polarity of the electrical supply. TEMs also may enable
temperatures to be controlled precisely (e.g., Within :0.01
C.) and maintained under steady-state conditions. In a heating
bon ?ber, and/or a polymer. Examples of suitable metals
include magnesium, aluminum, copper, aluminum alloys of
various grades, bonded metals, and/or anodiZed materials.
The heat sink 44 may include, for example, bonded aluminum
mode, TEMs are generally more e?icient than conventional
resistance heaters, because they generate heat from the elec
trical poWer and from the heat pumping action that occurs.
A heat sink is an object that transfers thermal energy from
a higher temperature to a loWer temperature ?uid medium.
The ?uid medium is frequently air, but may also include or be
Water and/or other liquids, such as refrigerants and/or oils.
Well-knoWn examples of heat sinks include car radiators and
With copper. In one embodiment, the heat sink 44 includes
phase change materials and/or solid polymers having hydro
gen bonds that break upon heating and reform upon removal
20
of heat. The heat sink 44 may include one or more ?ns for heat
removal. In certain embodiments, the heat sink 44 is ?lled
With a liquid, such as Water and/ or alcohols.
heat exchangers used in refrigeration and air conditioning
Referring to FIG. 5, the heat sink 44 may be contoured
systems. Heat sinks are often used to cool electronic and
and/or include one or more bends 60. A bend angle 0 of a bend
optoelectronic devices, such as higher-poWer lasers and light
25
60 may be, for example, from about 30 to about 45. In one
embodiment, the bend angle 0 is up to about 90 (or doWn to
about)-90. As depicted, the bend angle 0 alloWs the heat sink
44 to more closely approximate the shape of the body part. In
one embodiment, the bend angle 0 improves heat transfer to
30
TEM 42 using, for example, a conductive grease or adhesive,
or from the heat sink 44. Referring to FIG. 6, a radius of
curvature RH of the bends 60 in the heat sink 44 may be, for
example, from about 0 mm to about 50 mm, or from about 2
such as silver thermal epoxy and/or aluminum thermal epoxy,
mm to about 10 mm.
emitting diodes (LEDs).
Referring to FIG. 2, in certain embodiments, a device 40
for heating and/or cooling an object, such as a body part 41 of
a user, includes a TEM 42, a heat sink 44, a Wetting material
46, and a controller 48 With a poWer source. As depicted, the
heat sink 44 is thermally coupled to a top or hot side 49 of the
and/ or thermal pads. The Wetting material 46 is disposed on or
covering at least a portion of a Wet side 50 of the heat sink 44.
In general, the heat sink 44 is geometrically optimiZed to
35
A binding layer 52 (e.g., an aluminum mesh, a polyester
mesh, and/ or a nylon mesh or the like breathable structure) is
placed over the Wetting material 46 and can be Wrapped
around an edge 54 of the heat sink 44. A poWer supply pro
vides D.C. electrical poWer to the TEM 42. The controller 48
controls the amount of electrical poWer delivered to the TEM
42, according to a desired amount of cooling or heating.
When the device 40 is used for cooling, heat is transferred out
siZe and poWer consumption of the TEM 42. For example, the
heat sink thickness TH and bend angle 0 are optimiZed to
conduct heat in a lateral direction through the heat sink, aWay
40
embodiments, a high thermal conductivity of the heat sink 44
that is nearly uniform (i.e., less than about 1 C. of tempera
ture variation). The heat sink 44 may be of any shape, such as
45
In various embodiments, one or more surfaces of the TEM
42 and/or the heat sink 44 include a surface roughness that
50 promotes heat transfer to and/or from the one or more sur
faces of the TEM 42 and heat sink 44. For example, a surface
roughness Ra of the TEM 42 and/ or the heat sink 44 may be
more closely folloW a surface contour of the body part and/or
provide a desired heat transfer pattern. As depicted, the hot
side 49 and a cold side 56 of the TEM 42 may be approxi
mately rectangular, although the hot and cold sides 49, 56
may have any geometric shape (e. g., circular, triangular, rect
angular, hexagonal, etc.). A surface area AM of each of the hot
from about 10 microns to about 1000 microns. In one embodi
ment, the TEM 42 and heat sink 44 are treated With an etching
55
roughness. The etching agent may also remove undesirable
oxide layers from surfaces of the TEM 42 and/or heat sink 44.
A pH of the etching agent may be, for example, from about 10
m2. In various embodiments, a cooling capacity of the TEM
60
utes, or from about 1 minute to about 100 minutes. The etched
to be achieved. In one embodiment, the TEM 42 includes
44 is a thin sheet or plate having the Wet side 50 and a dry side
58. A thickness TH of the heat sink 44 may be, for example,
to about 12. The TEM 42 and/or the heat sink 44 may be
exposed to the etching agent for, for example, about 15 min
surface area AM and cooling capacity of the TEM 42 are
chosen according to the desired amount of cooling or heating
bismuth telluride pellets and A1203 ceramic cover plates.
Referring to FIG. 4, in certain embodiments, the heat sink
agent, Which may be alkaline or acidic (e.g., sodium hydrox
ide or sulfuric acid), to achieve the desired surface texture or
and cold sides 49, 56 may be, for example, from about 450
mm2 to about 900 m2, or from about 100 mm2 to about 2000
42 is about 25 W, or from about 0.1 W to about 50 W. The
square, rectangular, circular, triangular, hexagonal, etc., or
combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the heat sink is
shaped to conform generally to the body of the Wearer.
from about 1 mm to about 10 mm. In alternative embodi
ments, the TEM 42 is curved (i.e., not ?at) to, for example,
from the TEM 42, even When the TEM surface area AM is
much smaller than the heat sink surface area AH. In certain
results in a temperature distribution Within the heat sink 44
of the body part 41, through the TEM 42, and into the heat
sink 44, Where heat transfer to the surroundings may occur.
Referring to FIG. 3, in certain embodiments, the TEM 42 is
substantially ?at and has a substantially uniform thickness
TM. The thickness TM may be, for example, about 4 mm, or
achieve a desired steady state rate of cooling, based on the
65
surface of the heat sink 44 may improve bonding to the TEM
42, as Well as enhance heat transfer to the liquid in the proxi
mate Wetting material 46.
In certain embodiments, the Wetting material 46 is a mate
rial that absorbs or is Wet by a cooling liquid, such as Water,
US 8,397,518 B1
7
alcohol, or mixtures thereof. The Wetting material 46 may be
Similar bene?ts are achieved When operated in reverse to
a hydrophilic material, such as tissue (e.g., a cellulose or
provide heating comfort to the user.
In addition to controlling the rate of heating and/or cooling,
one advantage of cycling the electrical poWer, as described
above, is that it may enhance the users perception of the
heating and/or cooling. For example, after a feW minutes of
paper-based facial tissue), cotton (e.g., a gauze pad or portion
thereof for Wound dressing), combinations of tissue and cot
ton, cellulo sic materials, foam materials, polymer Water soak
ing materials, and/or Water soaking fabrics. For example, the
Wetting material may include about 10 layers of tissue and/or
steady heating or cooling Without cycling the electrical
cotton, or from about 1 layer to about 20 layers of tissue
and/or cotton. In certain embodiments, each layer of tissue
poWer, the user may not be able to detect that he or she is being
heated or cooled. By contrast, When the electrical poWer is
and/ or cotton has a thickness of about 1 mm, or from about 0.5
cycled at the duty cycle D, the user is more likely to perceive
mm to about 3 mm. The Wetting material is con?gured to hold
the heating or cooling, thereby enhancing the users experi
an optimiZed amount of cooling liquid for evaporative cool
ence With the device. For example, a period T of about 2-4
ing Without acting as a signi?cant thermal insulator or pro
minutes has been found to provide optimal perception of
heating and/ or cooling by the user.
In various embodiments, the device 40 is incorporated into
an item of apparel. The item of apparel may be, for example,
viding a substantial thermal mass or heat capacity. In one
embodiment, the Wetting material 46 is ?rmly attached to the
heat sink using the binding layer 52.
To prevent the groWth of mold or other microbes, the Wet
an item that is Worn by a user and/or an item that may be
attached to the user or otherWise come into contact With the
ting material 46, binding layer 52, and/or other materials or
surfaces of the device may include an antimicrobial agent. In
one embodiment, the antimicrobial agent includes silver
20
(e. g., silver particles) and/or a pyrithione salt (e.g., Zinc
ankle pack, a universal pack, a heating jacket, a cooling
jacket, a heating-cooling jacket, an anti-bleeding pack, a head
band, a helmet, an abdominal pad, a shoe insole, clothing,
footWear (e.g., athletic shoes, and/or boots), a chair, a seat
pyrithione).
In certain embodiments, the controller 48 is used to adjust
the amount of heating or cooling achieved by the TEM 42. In
general, the controller 48 achieves this by increasing or
decrease the electrical energy applied to the TEM 42. For
example, the controller 48 may increase or decrease the
applied electrical current and/or voltage. The electrical cur
rent applied to the TEM 42 may be, for example, about 1.7
Amps, or from about 0.2 Amps to about 5 Amps. The voltage
applied to the TEM 42 may be, for example, about 7.4 V, or
from about 2 V to about 35V. The poWer source may be
25
30
35
40
item of apparel. For example, the device 40 may be positioned
45
such that the cold side 56 of the TEM 42 contacts the user
50
When the apparel 80 is Worn by the user. An inner layer 82 of
fabric (e.g., cotton and/or polyester fabric) or other material
covers the dry side 58 of the heat sink 44 and includes an
opening 84 for the TEM 42. In the depicted embodiment, the
apparel 80 includes an outer layer 86 of fabric covering the
heat sink 44, Wetting material 46, and binding layer 52. The
seconds and a period T of about 35 seconds. In certain
embodiments, the period T may be, for example, about 3
55
outer layer 86 of fabric is preferably porous or breathable to
alloW evaporated cooling liquid to pass through the outer
layer 86 to the surrounding air. In alternative embodiments,
up to about 100%. For example, the duty cycle D may be from
about 10% to about 100%. In one embodiment, the duty cycle
D is about 97%. In general, a higher duty cycle D results in
more electrical energy consumption and therefore more heat
in interior portions of the apparel and/or at one or more outer
surfaces of the apparel. Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodi
ment, the device 40 is positioned Within an item of apparel 80
it may be desirable to use a duration '5 of about 8 seconds and
a period T of about 14 seconds, or a duration '5 of about 30
minutes, from about 2 minutes to about 5 minutes, or from
about 1 minute to about 10 minutes. The duty cycle D may be
riding helmet, an equestrian riding helmet, a fencing mask, a
fencing tunic, a shin guard, a knee pad, a military equipment
hat, a neck Wrap, and a military helmet, among others.
The device 40 may be positioned at any location Within the
to use a duration '5 of about 3 min and a period T of about 3
minutes and six seconds. In a neck scarf cooling application,
headphones, a medallion, a pendant, an item of jeWelry, a
necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, a chemical suit, a bio suit, a
space suit, a space helmet, a bullet-proof vest, a ?re protection
suit, motorcycle leathers, goggles, a hard hat, a construction
helmet, a Welding mask, a motor racing helmet, a motor cycle
helmet, a motor racing suit, motor racing under garments, a
bicycle helmet, a sports helmet, a ski suit, long underWear, a
Waveform 70 oscillates betWeen an on or higher state 72 and
an off or loWer state 74 at a period T. Within each oscillation,
the Waveform 70 is in the on state for a duration "5. In certain
embodiments, a duty cycle D for the Waveform 70 is the ratio
of duration '5 to period T (i.e., DIt/T). The duty cycle D and
period T chosen and implemented by the controller 48 depend
on the particular cooling or heating application. For example,
in knee pack or elboW pack applications, it may be desirable
a top, a shirt, a glove, a shoe, a boot, a ski boot, a roller skate,
an ice skate, a roller blade, a sock, a Wrist band, a heart
monitor, a Wrist Watch, a uniform, a baseball cap, a golf cap,
a visor, a head band, a hat, glasses, sunglasses, a pair of
desired heating or cooling by cycling the electrical current
and/ or voltage on and off (or betWeen higher and loWer val
ues) at a desired duty cycle and period. FIG. 7 is a graphical
depiction of a rectangular Waveform 70, in accordance With
one embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, the
(e.g., a car seat), a steering Wheel, and/or an armrest. In
certain embodiments, the item of apparel is a jacket, a pair of
biking shorts, a biking shoe, a biking jersey, an exercise suit,
a sports bra, spandex pants, under garments, a pair of shorts,
batteries or line poWer conditioned With a suitable trans
former.
In certain embodiments, the controller 48 achieves the
user. For example, the item of apparel may be a neck Wrap
(e.g., a scarf), an elboW pack, a knee pack, a back pack, an
the apparel 80 includes one or more layers of fabric (e.g., the
inner layer 82 of fabric) or other material positioned betWeen
60
ing or cooling. It has been discovered that the highly effective
heat transfer capabilities of the Wetted heat sink and overall
the cold side 56 of the TEM 42 and the user. In one embodi
ment, the apparel 80 does not include the outer layer 86 so that
the binding layer 52 and/ or the Wetting material 46 are
con?guration of the device 40 make higher duty cycles both
directly exposed to the surrounding air. In certain embodi
achievable and bene?cial to the user. The device 40 is not
ments, the item of apparel 80 includes one or more layers of
limited by the ability to reject heat from the heat sink 44 to
ambient, thus providing a much more compact, lightWeight
and energy e?icient device 40 than conventional systems.
65
insulation or padding. Examples of insulating materials
include neoprene, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and foam
materials.
US 8,397,518 B1
10
In certain embodiments, the cooling liquid includes a fra
Referring to FIG. 9, in certain embodiments, the device 40
grance. As the cooling liquid evaporates from the Wetting
material 46, the fragrance may provide aromatherapy.
also includes a supply tank 90 and a supply line 92. The
supply tank 90 is con?gured to contain the cooling liquid,
cooling liquid from the supply tank 90 to the Wetting material
FIG. 10 is a ?owchart ofa method 100 ofcooling a portion
of a body of a user, in accordance With various embodiments
46. The supply line 92 may include or consist of a tube and/or
a Wicking material, such as a hydrophilic fabric or foam. In
electrical poWer to a TEM at a duty cycle of at least about
such as Water. The supply line 92 is con?gured to deliver the
of the invention. The method 100 includes cycling (step 102)
10%. Heat is transferred (step 104) from a hot side of the TEM
certain embodiments, the supply tank 90 and/or the supply
to a heat sink attached to the TEM. Heat from the heat sink
line 92 are secured to one or more surfaces of the item of
causes a cooling liquid to evaporate (step 106) from a Wetting
material disposed on the heat sink, thereby cooling the heat
sink and the TEM. The evaporated cooling liquid enters the
surrounding air. Through the evaporative cooling, a tempera
apparel 80. For example, the supply tank 90 may be secured
to an inner surface of a cooling jacket. Referring again to FIG.
8, the supply line 92 may be disposed betWeen the inner layer
82 and the outer layer 86 of the apparel 80.
ture of the hot side and the cold side of the TEM may be
In alternative embodiments, the cooling liquid is intro
maintained at loWer temperatures and, accordingly, the
duced directly to the Wetting material Without the use of a
supply tank and/or a supply line. For example, the cooling
liquid may be introduced by spraying or dripping the cooling
liquid onto the Wetting material or initially dipping the Wet
ting material into liquid. In an elboW pack or knee pack
device can operate at relatively high duty cycles (e.g., greater
than about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%
application, for example, the cooling liquid may be sprayed
up to about 100%).
In certain embodiments, the hot side of the TEM is main
tained Well beloW 100 C., such that the cooling liquid does
not boil and the corresponding rate of evaporation is not
onto the Wetting material about every 15 minutes.
excessive. Typical evaporation rates for the cooling liquid are
20
from about 1 ml/hour to about 120 ml/hour, or from about 2
ml/hour to about 60 ml/hour. With these rates of evaporation,
In certain embodiments, When a supply tank and/ or a sup
ply line are not utiliZed, a thickness of the Wetting material 46
may be increased so that it may hold an additional amount of
25
the Wetting material may hold enough cooling liquid for
cooling liquid. For example, the Wetting material 46 may
about 10 minutes to about eight hours of evaporative cooling,
include extra layers of tissue paper and/or cotton. In one
depending on the ambient temperature and vapor concentra
tions (e. g., humidity). For example, in one embodiment, a
embodiment, the Wetting material 46 includes a layer of cot
supply tank holding 8 ml of Water provides four hours of
ton on top of layers of tissue paper. The cotton layer is con
?gured to hold additional cooling liquid so that evaporative
30
cooling may occur for a greater length of time after Water has
been applied to the device 40.
(e.g., up to about 30). About 8 ml of cooling liquid may be
During operation of the device 40, electrical current is
introduced to the TEM 42 using the controller 48 and/or a
poWer supply. As electrical energy is consumed in the TEM
42, heat ?oWs from the cold side 56 of the TEM 42 to the hot
side 49 of the TEM 42, thereby creating a temperature differ
ence betWeen the cold and hot sides 56, 49. To provide cold
side temperatures that are suitable for cooling applications, it
is generally necessary or desirable to dissipate heat from the
heat sink 44 attached to the hot side 49 of the TEM 42 using
35
40
about 200 W, or from about 0.5 W to about 50 W. A tempera
ture of a cold side of the TEM may be, for example, from
about 10 C. to about 30 C., or from about 0 C. to about 20
C. In one embodiment, the temperature of the cold side is
about 11 C. For example, in an elboW pack application, a
45
knee pack application, a cooling jacket application, and a
neck Wrap application, the cold side temperature may be
evaporative cooling techniques, rather than relying simply on
remove heat from the hot side 49 of the device 40 by evapo
rating the cooling liquid from the Wetting material 46 dis
posed on the heat sink 44. For example, the Wetting material
46 may be soaked With the cooling liquid, and the cooling
liquid may evaporate from the Wetting material 46. Rates of
50
evaporation of the cooling liquid generally depend on the
temperatures of the heat sink 44 and the cooling liquid, the
concentration of evaporated cooling liquid in the surrounding
air (e. g., relative humidity), and the amount of convection or
air How in the vicinity of the device 40. For example, the rate
55
ent conditions.
In certain embodiments, heat transfer rates due to evapo
rative cooling of the cooling liquid from the Wetting material
are equal to or greater than the heat transfer rates due to either
radiative heat transfer or convective heat transfer. For
60
The cooling liquid may be any liquid capable of providing
the desired rate of evaporative cooling. For example, the
cooling liquid may include or consist of Water, alcohol (e. g.,
ethanol), and/or ammonia. In one embodiment, the cooling
liquid includes DNA and/ or a super polymer having hydrogen
bonds that break With the application of heat, thereby absorb
ing the heat and cooling the device.
maintained from about 10 C. to about 12 C., from about 4
C. to about 6 C., from about 16 C. to about 17 C., and from
about 17 C. to about 18 C. A temperature of the hot side of
the TEM may be, for example, from about 30 C. to about 80
C., or from about 40 C. to about 60 C. In one embodiment,
the temperature of the hot side of the TEM is about 45 C.
TEM surface temperatures may generally depend on the
amount of electrical poWer, the heat sink geometry, and ambi
of evaporation generally increases as the temperature (and
vapor pressure) of the cooling liquid increases. LikeWise, the
rate of evaporation generally increases When the humidity
decreases and/ or When the air How in the vicinity of the device
40 increases.
stored in the Wetting material and/or supply tank for each of
the TEM devices (e. g., about 80 ml stored for 10 TEM
devices). In certain embodiments, 20 ml of Water provides
about 20 minutes of cooling for a knee pack. The Wetting
material may be replenished With cooling liquid, as needed.
In certain embodiments, a heat transfer rate Q associated
With heating or cooling the object is from about 0.2 W to
convective heat transfer mechanisms.
In various embodiments, evaporative cooling is used to
continuous cooling for a single TEM device in a jacket. In
another embodiment, a jacket includes multiple TEM devices
example, in one embodiment, the rate of evaporative cooling
With no forced air How is equal to or greater than the rate of
convective heat transfer With forced air ?oW.
In another implementation, the devices described herein
are used to heat the body of the Wearer. In this embodiment,
65
the hot side of the TEM is positioned toWards the body of the
Wearer, and heat generated by the TEM is transferred to the
body of the Wearer. Evaporative cooling at the heat sink may
