FLEXIBLE FITTING FOR HEAT EXCHANGING GARMENTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fittings and manifolds adapted for heat exchanging garments and more particularly to fittings and manifolds that provide improved flow of heat exchanging liquids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Members of the military, fire fighting personal, and others who are required to operate in extreme temperature environments, for example, in the desert, near fires, or at latitudes approaching the Polar Regions, frequently rely on garments that have heat exchanging liquids flowing therethrough in order to maintain a safe body temperature. In addition, workers in hazardous chemical, thermal and manufacturing environments must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize their exposure to hazardous substances, however, the PPE can limit the body's ability to shed excess heat. Flexible heat exchangers have proven to be one of the most effective methods of adding or extracting heat from the human body. These garments include flexible tubing that is sewn into the garment to carry cooling or heating fluids in close contact with the wearer's body. In general, heating or cooling garments are exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,451,812; 3,425,486; 3,419,702; 4,691,762; 4,718,429; and 4,998,415. Other types of systems for body heating and cooling are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,114,620 and 5,062,424.

Most commonly, the tubing used in heat exchanging garments is standard, rigid PVC, which can be attached to the base fabric using any of three methods. The first and most common uses a standard zig-zag sewing machine with a custom foot to keep the tubing centered. The second method, which was introduced by NASA, uses a base garment formed from a mesh material with the tubing “woven” through the fabric. The third and most current method was developed at the U.S. Army Garrison-Natick. This microclimate cooling garment (MCG), which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,164 of Szczesuil, et al., uses specialty tooling and fabric to create a two layer lamination with the PVC tubing locked between the layers in a complex pattern employing ten separate flow circuits. The Natick technology is the most widely deployed to date.

No matter which construction method is used, all require the use of manifolds or miniature fittings to create individual flow circuits, thus minimizing back pressure and optimizing heat transfer. Manifolds that are currently in use are typically made from rigid polymers, such as polyamides, e.g., NYLON®. Most cooling garments use miniature barbed fittings that are inserted into the ends of the flexible tubing. Examples of the barbed fittings of the type used in the Natick MCG are shown in FIGS. 1a-1c. FIG. 1c illustrates a typical prior art tubing/manifold assembly with two four-port manifolds 2 and 4, for connection to inlet line 14 and outlet line 18, respectively, via barbed fittings 12 and 16. Manifold 2 has four ports 6a-6d, the barbed ends of which insert into tubes 8a-8d, respectively. The outlet ends of tubes 8a-8d are fitted over ports 10a-10d of manifold 4 after which the flexible tubing 8a-8d is secured to the manifold using a cyanoacrylate adhesive and a NYLON® cable tie (not shown). (The soft PVC tubing will not form a watertight seal unless an adhesive or sealant is used when joining the tubing to the manifold. Because there is considerable mechanical stress on the joint, the adhesive/sealant is prone to failure and a secondary clamp, such as a cable tie, must be used to minimize failures.) FIG. 1a illustrates an exemplary MCG rigid manifold which has a barbed inlet/outlet fitting 22, a distribution chamber 20 and a plurality of fittings 24a-24j which are dimensioned for insertion into the ends of flexible tubing (not shown). Whether discrete fittings or complex manifolds are used in heat transfer garments, there are two common issues: both are formed from rigid plastic, and both use hose barbs to secure the tubing. Details of a small section of a prior art rigid manifold are provided in FIG. 1b to illustrate the significant reduction in inner diameter at the hose barbs, which impairs the performance of the garments due to the reduced liquid flow (increased back pressure) at both the input and output manifolds. In the illustrated example, the inner diameter of inlet/outlet fitting 22 is 0.182 in. (4.62 mm) while the supply/return tubing has an inner diameter of 0.1875 in. (4.76 mm). At the tube fittings 24a-24j, each fitting has an inner diameter of 0.070 in. (1.78 mm), while the flexible tubing that runs through the garment has an inner diameter of 0.096 in. (2.4 mm). Thus, the manifold hose barb reduces the cross-sectional area of the supply/return tubing by ˜10% to ˜50% of the garment tubing.

Incompatibility in durometer (hardness) between the rigid manifold material and the flexible PVC tubing can produce a weaker joint. However, if the same fitting configuration were to be fabricated using PVC resin, it would require a thicker cross-section to achieve a strength similar to the current rigid polymer version. Additional drawbacks of such designs include the lack of conformability to the natural curvatures and movements of the human body, which can introduce strain on the tubing due to increased flexing near the manifold connections, increased garment wear near the location of the manifold, and possible discomfort for the user.

Accordingly, the need remains for fittings for effectively and efficiently connecting tubing to and within heat exchanging garments without negatively impacting their comfort and wear. The present invention is directed to such fittings and manifolds formed therefrom.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a flexible fitting for connecting tubing to or within a heat exchanging garment without impairing liquid flow rate and, hence, the efficiency of the garment.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a manifold which incorporates such fittings for distributing heat exchanging liquid through a heating or cooling garment without negatively impacting the garment's comfort and wear.

Still another advantage of the invention is to provide fittings and manifolds that simplify the manufacturing process for heat exchanging garments while providing more reliable and robust connections for increased garment life.

In one aspect of the invention, a fitting for a fluid-circulating heat exchanging garment comprises a cylindrical tube of flexible PVC (normally 60 to 80 durometer Shore A) extending from and integrally formed with a fluid-conducting chamber, the tube having a length, a distal portion with an inner diameter adapted to receive and closely fit a tubing end of a flexible PVC tubing, and a proximal portion with an inner diameter substantially equal to an inner diameter of the flexible PVC tubing, the cylindrical tube having a plurality of spaced apart radially-extending ribs extending the length of the tube and continuing to an outer surface of the fluid-conduction chamber.

In another aspect of the invention, a fitting is a cylindrical tube formed from flexible PVC with at least a portion of its inner diameter adapted to closely fit the outer diameter of flexible tubing. The outer surface of the cylindrical tube has a plurality of axial ribs spaced around the circumference of the cylinder, typically with a uniform spacing, to provide additional rigidity to prevent bending of the fitting. In a preferred embodiment, the fitting will have two inner diameters, where the distal inner diameter matches the outer diameter of the flexible tubing, while the proximal inner diameter matches the inner diameter of the flexible tubing, so that changes in the flow cross-section are minimized, if not eliminated altogether. The junction between the distal inner diameter and the proximal inner diameter defines an insertion stop against which the end of the flexible tubing is pressed to produce a tight fit with uniform flow cross-sections. In one embodiment, the distal inner diameter of the fitting is sized to produce an interference fit with the outer surface of the flexible tubing. The compatibility between the materials of the fitting and the tubing make it possible to solvent bond or ultrasonically weld the components to form a reliable and repeatable liquid tight joint that requires no secondary means of fixation.

In another aspect of the invention, a manifold for a heat-exchanging garment, comprises a central fluid-conducting chamber formed from flexible PVC; an inlet/outlet integrally formed with the fluid-conducting chamber having an inner diameter adapted to receive and closely fit an end of a source/return flexible tubing in communication with a fluid circulating system; a plurality of ports extending from and integrally formed with the fluid conducting chamber, each port comprising: a cylindrical tube of flexible PVC, the tube having a length, a distal portion with an inner diameter adapted to receive and closely fit a tubing end of a flexible PVC tubing, and a proximal portion with an inner diameter substantially equal to an inner diameter of the flexible PVC tubing, the cylindrical tube having a plurality of spaced apart radially-extending ribs extending the length of the tube and continuing to an outer surface of the fluid-conduction chamber.

In an exemplary embodiment, the manifold for heat exchanging garments constructed according to the present invention comprises a central chamber with a plurality of integrally-formed cylindrical ports extending therefrom, where each port comprises a flexible PVC (polyvinylchloride) fitting having a distal end with an inner diameter adapted to receive the end of a circulating tube. The ports may extend at any angle appropriate for the particular garment design. In the preferred embodiment, each port may include axially extending ribs on its outer surface for increased strength to prevent crimping or excessive bending of the port. The inlet/outlet ends of the manifold are dimensioned to fit over the outer diameter of the source/return tubing. The inlet/outlet end includes a distal portion, with an inner diameter adapted to closely fit the outer diameter of the source/return tubing to produce an interference fit, and a proximal portion with an inner diameter that is close to or the same as the inner diameter of the source/return tubing. The junction between the distal portion and the proximal portion defines an insertion stop against which the end of the source/return tubing is pressed to produce a tight fit with uninterrupted flow cross-sections.

The inventive flexible fitting and manifold provide a number of improvements over existing designs including increased conformability, reduced strain in the tubing, reduced back pressure, and reduced wear on the garment near the manifold. Further, assembly of heat exchanging garments is simplified and made more efficient because the extra step of applying a cable tie to each fitting can be eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1
a is a diagrammatic perspective view of a prior art manifold.

FIG. 1
b is a cross-sectional view of a section of a prior art manifold with barbed connections.

FIG. 1
c is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary prior art tubing and manifold assembly.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an 8-port manifold according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a 10-port manifold according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of an inventive manifold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, “fitting” and “port” mean a means for connection of flexible tubing to a fluid-conducting chamber.

As used herein, “fluid-conducting chamber” means any liquid tight hollow body through which a fluid may flow when connected to a fluid source, including but not limited to a manifold, a central distribution pipe, a connector, whether straight, elbow, T-shaped, quad, or other form, which may be used to link one piece of tubing to another piece of tubing, a valve, etc.

As used herein, “manifold” means a fluid-conducting chamber having a plurality of ports extending therefrom and a source/return for connecting the fluid-conducting chamber to a circulating fluid system.

As used herein, “heat exchanging garment” means wearable clothing items, including vests, jackets, sleeves, coats, shirts, suits, pants, coveralls, hoods, boots, gloves and any other type of complete or partial body covering, including blankets or tarps, that may be configured to support tubing in close contact with the body to carry a liquid for controlling body temperature by cooling or heating the body.

Referring first to FIG. 4, a fitting 100 is a generally cylindrical tube formed from flexible PVC having a proximal end 102, which corresponds to the center of a connector, for example, where the fitting is integrally formed with a fluid-conducting chamber 122 to connect one tubing end with another tubing end, or where the fitting corresponds to a port of a manifold, as in the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The distal end 104 of the fitting has a distal inner diameter adapted to receive and closely fit the outer diameter of the end of flexible tubing 50. The outer surface of the cylindrical tube has a plurality of radially extending ribs 110 that run parallel to the tube's axis, spaced around the circumference of the cylinder, typically with a uniform spacing, to provide additional rigidity to prevent bending of the fitting. In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, each fitting (manifold port) has four ribs—one rib located at each 90° around the circumference of the fitting. The ribs 110 may continue from the distal end 104 of the fitting to the other portion of the connector that is connected at its proximal end 102. For example, as illustrated by FIG. 2, the side ribs 210a of port 220a are formed continuously across the central body 222 of the manifold 200 to connect with the ribs of the opposite manifold port 220b, creating a chevron pattern. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, the ribs 310a define a straight line extending from the distal end of port 324b to the distal end of port 324c. The lengths of the ports are selected so that enough of the tubing end is captured to produce a reliable solvent-bonded joint. For example, the length of the distal inner diameter portion 112 of the fitting may be on the order of 0.3 in. to 0.6 in. (7.62 mm to 15.24 mm), while the length of the proximal inner diameter portion 114 may be of approximately equal length or slightly longer, depending on the angle at which the fitting extends from fluid-conducting chamber, e.g., manifold. The outer surface of the distal end 102 of the fitting may include a taper 118 to create a less abrupt transition from the flexible tubing to the fitting to reduce the chance of catching the edges on the garment fabric as the user moves as well as to provide additional strain relief to minimize potential kinking of the tubing.

In the preferred embodiment, a fitting 100 will have two inner diameters, where the distal inner diameter 112 matches the outer diameter of the flexible tubing 50, while the proximal inner diameter 114 matches the inner diameter of the flexible tubing, so that changes in the flow cross-section are minimized, if not eliminated altogether. The junction between the distal inner diameter and the proximal inner diameter defines an insertion stop 116 against which the end of the flexible tubing is pressed to produce a tight fit with uniform flow cross-sections. For a manifold, a junction 126 between inlet/outlet 124 and the central body 122 may perform a similar function. In one embodiment, the distal inner diameter 112 of the fitting is sized to produce an interference fit with the outer surface of the flexible tubing 50. Because of its low glass transition temperature flexible PVC readily bonds to other flexible PVC. This allows the fitting and tubing to be sealed to form a liquid tight joint by known methods, including solvent bonding and radiofrequency or ultrasonic welding. The resulting seal is reliably formed without requiring a secondary means of fixation such as clamps or cable ties.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary construction incorporating the above-described fittings is an 8-port manifold 200 for heat exchanging garments includes a central chamber portion 222 with a plurality of integrally-formed cylindrical ports 220a-220h extending therefrom arranged in a herringbone arrangement, where each port comprises a flexible PVC fitting having a distal end with an inner diameter adapted to receive the end of a circulating tube, which is also flexible PVC. The ports may extend at any angle appropriate for the particular garment design. In the preferred embodiment, each port may include radially extending ribs 210a and 210b on its outer surface for increased strength to prevent crimping or excessive bending of the port. Ribs 210a continue from the distal ends of each port across the chamber portion 222 to connect to the rib 210a of the port on the opposite side. In the illustrated example, ribs 210a define a chevron. Ribs 210b are located 90° from ribs 210a. The proximal ends of ribs 210b intersect with the outer surface of chamber portion 222 to provide additional resistance to bending of the ports toward the chamber portion 222.

The inlet/outlet end 224 of the manifold 200 is dimensioned to fit over the outer diameter of the source/return tubing (not shown). To provide a uniform flow cross-section, the inlet/outlet end 224 has an inner diameter dimensioned to closely fit the outer diameter of the source/return tubing, while the inner diameter of the central chamber portion 222 generally matches the inner diameter of the source/return tubing. The junction between the inlet/outlet end 224 and the central chamber portion 222 defines an insertion stop against which the end of the source/return tubing is butted. As with the fittings, attachment to the flexible source/return tubing at the inlet/outlet end 224 is made liquid tight by way of solvent bonding, ultrasonic or RF welding, or other attachment means that are known in the art.

Using techniques that are well known in the art, PVC is made flexible and softer by adding plasticizer to the PVC resin during the molding process to improve its molecular mobility. Examples of common plasticizers include dioctyl phthalate (DOP), di-iso-octyl phthalates (DIOP) and dialphanyl phthalate (DAP), however other plasticizers are known, and combinations of different plasticizers may be used. In general, the more plasticizer that is used the more flexible the resulting PVC will be. The manifolds and fittings according to the present invention are formed using techniques that are well known in the art, such as blow molding, injection molding, extrusion, etc.

The manifold end that is opposite the inlet/outlet end 224 may optionally have an extension 230 that is integrally formed to provide means for attachment of the manifold to the garment fabric. As illustrated, the manifold 200 may be attached by way of thread, staples, wires or other attachment means that can be inserted through the openings 232. The extensions may be formed at different locations of the manifold depending on the type of garment, orientation of the manifold, and the liquid source location. For example, in an arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 1c, the manifold 200 will typically be oriented vertically with the extension 230 at the top and inlet/outlet end 224 at the bottom when used in a jacket, vest or other upper body garment. As will be readily apparent, the manifold may be located as appropriate for the particular garment in which is it used and the location of the pump and reservoir that circulate the heat exchanging liquid.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary 10-port manifold 300 constructed with using the flexible PVC fittings as ports 324a-j. As above, fittings 324a-j are integrally formed with the central chamber 322 from flexible PVC. In this example, the ports on opposite sides of the central chamber 322 define a straight line. Each port may include radially extending ribs 310a and 310b on its outer surface running the full length of the port for increased strength to prevent crimping or excessive bending of the port. Ribs 310a continue from the distal ends of each port across the chamber portion 322 to connect to the rib 310a of the port on the opposite side, if any. In the illustrated example, the ribs 310a for ports 324b and 324c define a continuous straight line. Ribs 310b are located 90° from ribs 310a. The proximal ends of ribs 310b intersect with the outer surface of chamber portion 322 to provide additional resistance to bending of the ports toward the chamber portion 322.

The inlet/outlet end 324 of manifold 300 is dimensioned to fit over the outer diameter of the source/return tubing (not shown). To provide a uniform flow cross-section, the inlet/outlet end 324 has an inner diameter dimensioned to closely fit the outer diameter of the source/return tubing, while the inner diameter of the central chamber portion 322 generally matches the inner diameter of the source/return tubing. The junction between the inlet/outlet end 324 and the central chamber portion 322 defines an insertion stop against which the end of the source/return tubing is butted. As with the fittings, attachment to the flexible source/return tubing at the inlet/outlet end 324 is made liquid tight by way of solvent bonding, ultrasonic or RF welding, or other attachment means that are known in the art.

The manifolds illustrated in the figures and described herein are provided as examples only. It will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that different size and shape manifolds with different numbers and arrangements of ports may be used in different types of garments or other heat exchanging items, such as blankets or pads that might be used in medical treatment of hypo- or hyperthermia.

The inventive flexible fitting and manifold provide a number of improvements over existing devices that are currently in use in heat exchanging garments. These improvements include increased conformability, reduced strain in the tubing, reduced back pressure, and reduced wear on the garment near the manifold. The inventive manifold may be deployed in any configuration from a simple coupling to a manifold with almost unlimited ports.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.

FLEXIBLE FITTING FOR HEAT EXCHANGING GARMENTS

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