Patent Application
20250228309
The present invention relates to techniques (apparatuses, methods) for cooling a subject, wherein the body cooling apparatuses are portable, and particularly wearable on the subjects. Embodiments of the invention are applicable for cooling subjects performing, or involved with, those kinds of rigorous activities (e.g., construction work, factory work, vehicle repair work, agricultural work, military work, summertime outdoor house work, sports, camping, trekking) that generate, or/and are associated with, excessive body temperatures and perspiration (sweating) of the subjects.
Various different kinds of rigorous activities (e.g., construction work, factory work, vehicle repair work, agricultural work, military work, summertime outdoor house work, sports, camping, trekking, among other types of work) performed by subjects typically generate, or/and are associated with, excessive body temperatures and perspiration (sweating) of the subjects. In order for the subjects to be able to perform such rigorous activities for reasonable durations of time, there is need for real-time preventing, or at least reducing, occurrence of excessive body temperatures and perspiration in the subjects.
Numerous techniques (apparatuses, methods) have been set forth whose main objective is to cool subjects while performing activities accompanied by excessive body temperatures and perspiration. Examples of such techniques are taught about in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2021/01137181 A1; in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,820,637; 9,851,113; 9,308,121; and 6,823,678; and in JP Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2018-135614 A. Despite such attempts, there is an on-going need for developing and implementing new and improved techniques which are applicable for cooling a subject.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooling a subject, and a corresponding method for cooling a subject, wherein the body cooling apparatus is portable, and particularly wearable on the subject. In exemplary embodiments, the body cooling apparatus is compact, made of environmentally friendly lightweight durable materials, and simple to manufacture at low cost. The body cooling apparatus is also simple to wear (e.g., as a length adjustable flexible belt or band) and safe to operate, without use or generation of hazardous materials, and without limiting or interfering with a subject's mobility of arms or hands needed for performing rigorous activities. The present invention is user-friendly and ergonomic, accounting for a subject's physical and mental human factors in relation to design, construction, and operation of the body cooling apparatus.
Implementation of the body cooling apparatus, and corresponding method of cooling a subject, are based on the process of indirect evaporation. In exemplary embodiments, the body cooling apparatus features a channeled assembly that includes a coupled pair of a wettable (for example, outer) channel and a dry (for example, inner) channel longitudinally extending adjacent to each other. The wettable (e.g., outer) channel is connected to a liquid feed input assembly, and both the wettable (e.g., outer) and dry (e.g., inner) channels are connected to a forced air flow assembly.
In such exemplary embodiments, the liquid feed input assembly feeds a liquid (e.g., water) into the wettable (e.g., outer) channel, thereby wetting surfaces of both the inner wall of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel and the outer wall of the dry (e.g., inner) channel. At the same time, the forced air flow assembly generates a forced flow of air inside and through the wettable (e.g., outer) channel, causing the liquid to evaporate from the surfaces of both the wettable (e.g., outer) channel inner wall and the dry (e.g., inner) channel outer wall, thereby cooling (lowering the temperatures of) those surfaces.
Cooling of the dry (e.g., inner) channel outer wall surface leads to cooling (lowering the temperature of) the forced flow of air flowing inside and through the dry (e.g., inner) channel. Additionally, cooling of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel inner wall surface(s) leads to cooling (lowering the temperature of) the forced flow of air flowing inside and through the wettable (e.g., outer) channel, which, in turn, cools (lowers the temperature of) the dry (e.g., inner) channel outer wall surface, which, in turn, also cools (lowers the temperature of) the forced flow of air flowing inside and through the dry (e.g., inner) channel.
The resulting cool air flowing inside and through the dry (e.g., inner) channel exits the dry (e.g., inner) channel and is directed onto a subject wearing the body cooling apparatus, thereby cooling the subject. According to such indirect evaporation process, air flowing through the wettable (e.g., outer) channel is separated from, and does not mix with, air flowing through the dry (e.g., inner) channel, such that air flowing through the dry (e.g., inner) channel is cooled without undesirably increasing its moisture content.
Embodiments of the invention are applicable for cooling subjects performing, or involved with, those kinds of rigorous activities (e.g., construction work, factory work, vehicle repair work, agricultural work, military work, summertime outdoor house work, sports, camping, trekking) that generate, or/and are associated with, excessive body temperatures and perspiration (sweating) of the subjects. Implementation of the invention enables subjects to safely and efficiently regulate their body temperatures while performing numerous rigorous activities. The invention is applicable for preventing, or at least for aiding in preventing, onset of heat illness (hyperthermia) in subjects performing, or involved with, rigorous activities that generate, or/and are associated with, excessive body temperatures and perspiration (sweating) of the subjects.
According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a portable body cooling apparatus, particularly wearable on a subject, the apparatus comprising: a channeled assembly, including a coupled pair of channels longitudinally extending adjacent to each other, and configured for receiving a liquid feed and a forced flow of air, the channeled assembly is wearable along an outer contour of a body part of the subject; a liquid feed input assembly, operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly, and configured for facilitating input of the liquid feed into the channeled assembly; and a forced air flow assembly, operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly, and configured for generating and driving the forced flow of air into and through the channeled assembly. The forced flow of air facilitates indirect evaporation of the liquid feed inside the channeled assembly, and produces a forced flow of cool air exiting from the channeled assembly and directed onto the subject, thereby cooling the subject.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the coupled pair of channels includes a wettable channel and a dry channel, the wettable channel is configured so as to be wetted via the input flow of the liquid feed, and the dry channel is configured so as to be substantially dry.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the wettable channel is configured as an outer channel and the dry channel is configured as an inner channel, with the dry inner channel being positioned inside of, and surrounded by, the wettable outer channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the wettable channel includes at least one wettable channel forced air flow inlet port and at least one wettable channel forced air flow outlet port, and wherein the dry channel includes at least one dry channel forced air flow inlet port and at least one dry channel forced air flow outlet port.
According to some embodiments of the invention, each wettable channel forced air flow outlet port protrudes from a wall of the wettable channel, and each dry channel forced air flow outlet port protrudes from a wall of the dry channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the dry channel includes a plurality of the dry channel forced air flow outlet ports that protrude from a wall of the dry channel, and are positionally aligned relative to each other.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the plurality of said dry channel forced air flow outlet ports protrude from a same wall of said dry channel, and are positionally aligned relative to each other along said same wall of said dry channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the wettable channel is configured as a tube.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the wettable channel can be configured as any other structure other than a tube, having the dry channel positioned within the wettable channel. The dry channel can be configured with a shape similar to that of the wettable channel within the wettable channel, or can be configured as a tube positioned inside the wettable channel and arranged in any manner (such as spiral, loops, curves, continuous rows) so as to have a maximum surface area of the outer walls of the dry channel in contact with the feed liquid.
According to some embodiments of the invention, each wettable channel forced air flow outlet port is located at a position away from each dry channel forced air flow outlet port, such that the forced flow of cool air exiting each dry channel forced air flow outlet port is unaffected by forced flow of air exiting each wettable channel forced air flow outlet port.
According to some embodiments of the invention, each position is partly defined whereby each wettable channel forced air flow outlet port faces away from each dry channel forced air flow outlet port by an angle of at least 45 degrees, and particularly, by an angle equal to or greater than 90 degrees, relative to longitudinal direction of the channeled assembly.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the wettable channel includes therein a liquid absorbent material that extends along, and physically contacts, at least a majority of entire length of the dry channel, wherein the liquid absorbent material is suitable for absorbing the liquid feed input into the channeled assembly. According to some embodiments of the invention, the liquid absorbent material physically contacts at least a majority of surface area of the outer walls of the dry channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the liquid absorbent material is a type of material selected from the group consisting of cloth materials and coating materials.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the wettable channel further includes therein a spacer member that extends along at least a majority of entire length of the dry channel, and is configured to provide spacing between the liquid absorbent material and inner walls of the wettable channel, so as to facilitate unobstructed passage of the forced flow of air inside and through the wettable channel. According to some embodiments of the invention, the spacer member can extend along at least a majority of entire length of the wettable channel to provide spacing between the liquid absorbent material and inner walls of the wettable channel. According to some embodiments of the invention, the spacer member can be arranged according to shape of the wettable channel and/or the dry channel so as to provide spacing between the liquid absorbent material and inner walls of the wettable channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the dry channel is configured as a tube longitudinally extending along at least a majority of entire length of the wettable channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, length of the wettable channel is less than length of the wettable channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the channeled assembly is reversibly deformable and reformable (can be deformed multiple times and fixed in any form). For example, the channeled assembly can be configured to be reversibly (and repeatedly) bendable and reversibly and repeatedly fixable in a bended form, so as to facilitate fitting (for example, firm) thereof along the outer contour of the subject's body part.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the liquid feed input assembly is directly connected to the channeled assembly via a liquid feed input line extending between the liquid feed input assembly and the channeled assembly.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the body cooling apparatus is a self-contained apparatus including a liquid feed reservoir, operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly, and configured for storing a reserve supply of the liquid feed.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the liquid feed reservoir is positioned, and extends, adjacent to the channeled assembly.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the liquid feed reservoir is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly via a liquid feed connector that is configured for facilitating input of the reserve supply of the liquid feed from the liquid feed reservoir into the channeled assembly, via the forced flow of air, according to Bernoulli's principle for liquid flow. In such implementations, the liquid feed connector can constitute a part of the liquid feed input assembly.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the forced air flow assembly is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly, via a wettable channel forced air flow inlet line operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, a wettable channel forced air flow inlet port, and via a dry channel forced air flow inlet line operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, a dry channel forced air flow inlet port. In some examples, the forced air flow assembly can include a single forced air flow assembly operatively connected to the both the wettable and dry channels. In some examples, the forced air flow assembly can include two forced air flow assemblies, each operatively connected to respective one of the wettable and dry channels.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the forced air flow assembly is configured with a power supply operatively connected to a power interface and control device, which is operatively connected to a forced air blower, which, in turn, is operatively connected to the channeled assembly.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the forced air blower is a fan or fan-like device.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the forced air flow assembly is configured with the power supply operatively connected to an integrated assembly configured with the power interface and control device being operatively connected to the forced air blower, and wherein the integrated assembly is operatively connected to the channeled assembly.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the forced air flow assembly is configured with an integrated assembly configured with the power supply operatively connected to the power interface and control device, wherein the integrated assembly is operatively connected to the forced air blower, which, in turn, is operatively connected to the channeled assembly.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the forced air flow assembly is configured with an integrated assembly configured with the power supply operatively connected to the power interface and control device, which, in turn, is operatively connected to the forced air blower, wherein the integrated assembly is operatively connected to the channeled assembly.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is positioned at least partially within a volume defined by the wettable channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, at least a majority of a length of the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is positioned within the volume defined by the wettable channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, at least 60 percent, or at least 70 percent, or at least 80 percent, or at least 90 percent, or at least 95 percent, or at least 100 percent of the length of the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is positioned within the volume defined by the wettable channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line extends at least partially along the dry channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is at least partially surrounded by a liquid absorbent material. The liquid absorbent material can be same as or different from the liquid absorbent material that in some embodiments extends along and physically contacts the dry channel.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is configured to provide a pre-cooled flow of air to the wettable channel forced air flow inlet port. For instance, the flow of air flowing through the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line positioned within the wettable channel gets pre-cooled (in the same manner as the flow of air inside the dry channel gets cooled) prior to entering the wettable channel through the wettable channel forced air flow inlet port, thereby improving the efficiency of the cooling.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the cooling apparatus further comprises a distribution line configured to distribute the forced flow of cool air exiting from the channeled assembly to at least one location remote from the channeled assembly. For example, the distribution line can distribute the flow of cool air to different body parts of the subject.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the distribution line is operatively connectable to, and configured to be in fluid communication with, said at least one dry channel forced air flow outlet port.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the channeled assembly is firmly wearable along the outer contour of the body part of the subject.
According to another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method of cooling a subject, the method comprising: acquiring a portable body cooling apparatus, wherein the apparatus is particularly wearable on the subject. The apparatus comprises: a channeled assembly, including a coupled pair of channels longitudinally extending adjacent to each other, and configured for receiving a liquid feed and a forced flow of air; a liquid feed input assembly, operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly, and configured for facilitating input of the liquid feed into the channeled assembly; and a forced air flow assembly, operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly, and configured for generating and driving the forced flow of air into and through the channeled assembly; placing and wearing the apparatus along an outer contour of a body part of the subject; providing liquid feed to the liquid feed input assembly, so as to facilitate input of the liquid feed into the channeled assembly; and activating the forced air flow assembly. The forced flow of air into the channeled assembly facilitates indirect evaporation of the liquid feed inside the channeled assembly, and produces a forced flow of cool air exiting from the channeled assembly and directed onto the subject, thereby cooling the subject.
According to some embodiments of the invention, placing and wearing the apparatus includes positioning the coupled pair of channels along the outer contour of the body part of the subject, such that the coupled pair of channels is longitudinally aligned with the body part of the subject.
According to some embodiments of the invention, activating the forced air flow assembly is performed in a manner that facilitates controllable adjustment of the indirect evaporation of the liquid feed inside the channeled assembly.
According to some embodiments of the invention, activating the forced air flow assembly includes controllably adjusting a power level thereof, so as to controllably adjust rate of the indirect evaporation of the liquid feed inside the channeled assembly, thereby, facilitating controllable adjustment of the forced flow of cool air exiting from the channeled assembly and directed onto the subject.
According to some embodiments of the invention, placing and wearing the apparatus along an outer contour of a body part of the subject comprises firmly placing and wearing the apparatus along the outer contour of the body part of the subject.
All technical or/and scientific words, terms, or/and phrases, used herein have the same or similar meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains, unless otherwise specifically defined or stated herein. Exemplary embodiments of apparatuses (devices, components thereof), equipment, materials, methods (steps, procedures), illustratively described herein are exemplary and illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting. Although apparatuses, equipment, materials, and methods (steps, procedures) equivalent or similar to those described herein can be used in practicing or/and testing embodiments of the invention, exemplary apparatuses, equipment, materials, and methods, are illustratively described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control.
A more specific description is provided in the Detailed Description whilst the following are non-limiting examples of different embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.
1. A portable body cooling apparatus, particularly wearable on a subject, the apparatus comprising:
2. The apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein said coupled pair of channels includes a wettable channel and a dry channel, said wettable channel is configured so as to be wetted via said input flow of said liquid feed, and said dry channel is configured so as to be substantially dry.
3. The apparatus of embodiment 2, wherein said wettable channel is configured as an outer channel and said dry channel is configured as an inner channel, with said dry inner channel being positioned inside of, and surrounded by, said wettable outer channel.
4. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 2 or 3, wherein said wettable channel includes at least one wettable channel forced air flow inlet port and at least one wettable channel forced air flow outlet port, and wherein said dry channel includes at least one dry channel forced air flow inlet port and at least one dry channel forced air flow outlet port.
5. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 2 to 4, wherein each said wettable channel forced air flow outlet port protrudes from a wall of said wettable channel, and each said dry channel forced air flow outlet port protrudes from a wall of said dry channel.
6. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 2 to 5, wherein said dry channel includes a plurality of said dry channel forced air flow outlet ports that protrude from a wall of said dry channel, and are positionally aligned relative to each other.
7. The apparatus of embodiment 6, wherein the plurality of said dry channel forced air flow outlet ports protrude from a same wall of said dry channel, and are positionally aligned relative to each other along said same wall of said dry channel.
8. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 2 to 7, wherein said wettable channel is configured as a tube.
9. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 4 to 8, wherein each said wettable channel forced air flow outlet port is located at a position away from each dry channel forced air flow outlet port, such that said forced flow of cool air exiting each said dry channel forced air flow outlet port is unaffected by forced flow of air exiting each said wettable channel forced air flow outlet port.
10. The apparatus of embodiment 9, wherein each said position is partly defined whereby each said wettable channel forced air flow outlet port faces away from each said dry channel forced air flow outlet port by an angle of at least 45 degrees, and particularly, by an angle equal to or greater than 90 degrees, relative to longitudinal direction of said channeled assembly.
11. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 2 to 10, wherein said wettable channel includes therein a liquid absorbent material that extends along, and physically contacts, at least a majority of entire length of said dry channel, wherein said liquid absorbent material is suitable for absorbing said liquid feed input into said channeled assembly.
12. The apparatus of embodiment 11, wherein said liquid absorbent material is a type of material selected from the group consisting of cloth materials and coating materials.
13. The apparatus of embodiment 11 or 12, wherein said wettable channel further includes therein a spacer member that extends along at least a majority of entire length of said dry channel, and is configured to provide spacing between said liquid absorbent material and inner walls of said wettable channel, so as to facilitate unobstructed passage of said forced flow of air inside and through said wettable channel.
14. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 2 to 13, wherein said dry channel is configured as a tube longitudinally extending along at least a majority of entire length of said wettable channel.
15. The apparatus of embodiment 14, wherein length of said wettable channel is less than length of said wettable channel.
16. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein said channeled assembly is reversibly bendable, and reversibly fixable in a bended form, so as to facilitate fitting thereof along said outer contour of the subject's body part.
17. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 16, wherein said liquid feed input assembly is directly connected to said channeled assembly via a liquid feed input line extending between said liquid feed input assembly and said channeled assembly.
18. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the body cooling apparatus is a self-contained apparatus including a liquid feed reservoir, operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, said channeled assembly, and configured for storing a reserve supply of said liquid feed.
19. The apparatus of embodiment 18, wherein said liquid feed reservoir is positioned, and extends, adjacent to said channeled assembly.
20. The apparatus of embodiment 18 or 19, wherein said liquid feed reservoir is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, said channeled assembly via a liquid feed connector that is configured for facilitating input of said reserve supply of said liquid feed from said liquid feed reservoir into said channeled assembly, via said forced flow of air, according to Bernoulli's principle for liquid flow.
21. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 2 to 20, wherein said forced air flow assembly is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, said channeled assembly, via a wettable channel forced air flow inlet line operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, a wettable channel forced air flow inlet port, and via a dry channel forced air flow inlet line operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, a dry channel forced air flow inlet port.
22. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein said forced air flow assembly is configured with a power supply operatively connected to a power interface and control device, which is operatively connected to a forced air blower, which, in turn, is operatively connected to said channeled assembly.
23. The apparatus of embodiment 22, wherein said forced air blower is a fan or fan-like device.
24 The apparatus of any one of embodiments 22 or 23, wherein said forced air flow assembly is configured with said power supply operatively connected to an integrated assembly configured with said power interface and control device being operatively connected to said forced air blower, and wherein said integrated assembly is operatively connected to said channeled assembly.
25. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 22 or 23, wherein said forced air flow assembly is configured with an integrated assembly configured with said power supply operatively connected to said power interface and control device, wherein said integrated assembly is operatively connected to said forced air blower, which, in turn, is operatively connected to said channeled assembly.
26. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 22 or 23, wherein said forced air flow assembly is configured with an integrated assembly configured with said power supply operatively connected to said power interface and control device, which, in turn, is operatively connected to said forced air blower, wherein said integrated assembly is operatively connected to said channeled assembly.
27. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is positioned at least partially within a volume defined by the wettable channel.
28. The apparatus of embodiment 27, wherein at least a majority of a length of the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is positioned within the volume defined by the wettable channel.
29. The apparatus of embodiment 28, wherein at least 60 percent, or at least 70 percent, or at least 80 percent, or at least 90 percent, or at least 95 percent, or at least 100 percent of the length of the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is positioned within the volume defined by the wettable channel.
30. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 27 to 29, wherein said wettable channel forced air flow inlet line extends at least partially along said dry channel.
31. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 27 to 30, wherein said wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is at least partially surrounded by a liquid absorbent material.
32. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 31, further comprising a distribution line configured to distribute said forced flow of cool air exiting from said channeled assembly to at least one location remote from the channeled assembly.
33. The apparatus of embodiment 32, when dependent on embodiment 4, wherein the distribution line is operatively connectable to, and configured to be in fluid communication with, said at least one dry channel forced air flow outlet port.
34. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 33, wherein the channeled assembly is firmly wearable along the outer contour of the body part of the subject.
35. A method of cooling a subject, the method comprising:
36. The method of embodiment 35, wherein said placing and wearing said apparatus includes positioning said coupled pair of channels along said outer contour of said body part of the subject, such that said coupled pair of channels is longitudinally aligned with said body part of the subject.
37. The method of any one of embodiments 35 or 36, wherein said activating said forced air flow assembly is performed in a manner that facilitates controllable adjustment of said indirect evaporation of said liquid feed inside said channeled assembly.
38. The method of any one of embodiments 35 to 37, wherein said activating said forced air flow assembly includes controllably adjusting a power level thereof, so as to controllably adjust rate of said indirect evaporation of said liquid feed inside said channeled assembly, thereby, facilitating controllable adjustment of said forced flow of cool air exiting from said channeled assembly and directed onto the subject.
39. The method of any one of embodiments 35 to 38, wherein said placing and wearing said apparatus along an outer contour of a body part of the subject comprises firmly placing and wearing said apparatus along the outer contour of the body part of the subject.
40. A portable cooling apparatus comprising:
41. The apparatus of embodiment 40, wherein said coupled pair of channels includes a wettable channel and a dry channel, said wettable channel is configured so as to be wetted via said input flow of said liquid feed, and said dry channel is configured so as to be substantially dry.
42. The apparatus of embodiment 41, wherein said wettable channel is configured as an outer channel and said dry channel is configured as an inner channel, with said dry inner channel being positioned inside of, and surrounded by, said wettable outer channel.
43. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 41 or 42, wherein said wettable channel includes at least one wettable channel forced air flow inlet port and at least one wettable channel forced air flow outlet port, and wherein said dry channel includes at least one dry channel forced air flow inlet port and at least one dry channel forced air flow outlet port.
44. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 41 to 43, wherein each said wettable channel forced air flow outlet port protrudes from a wall of said wettable channel, and each said dry channel forced air flow outlet port protrudes from a wall of said dry channel.
45. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 41 to 44, wherein said dry channel includes a plurality of said dry channel forced air flow outlet ports that protrude from a wall of said dry channel, and are positionally aligned relative to each other.
46. The apparatus of embodiment 45, wherein the plurality of said dry channel forced air flow outlet ports protrude from a same wall of said dry channel, and are positionally aligned relative to each other along said same wall of said dry channel.
47. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 41 to 46, wherein said wettable channel is configured as a tube.
48. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 43 to 47, wherein each said wettable channel forced air flow outlet port is located at a position away from each dry channel forced air flow outlet port, such that said forced flow of cool air exiting each said dry channel forced air flow outlet port is unaffected by forced flow of air exiting each said wettable channel forced air flow outlet port.
49. The apparatus of embodiment 48, wherein each said position is partly defined whereby each said wettable channel forced air flow outlet port faces away from each said dry channel forced air flow outlet port by an angle of at least 45 degrees, and particularly, by an angle equal to or greater than 90 degrees, relative to longitudinal direction of said channeled assembly.
50. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 41 to 49, wherein said wettable channel includes therein a liquid absorbent material that extends along, and physically contacts, at least a majority of entire length of said dry channel, wherein said liquid absorbent material is suitable for absorbing said liquid feed input into said channeled assembly.
51. The apparatus of embodiment 50, wherein said liquid absorbent material is a type of material selected from the group consisting of cloth materials and coating materials.
52. The apparatus of embodiment 50 or 51, wherein said wettable channel further includes therein a spacer member that extends along at least a majority of entire length of said dry channel, and is configured to provide spacing between said liquid absorbent material and inner walls of said wettable channel, so as to facilitate unobstructed passage of said forced flow of air inside and through said wettable channel.
53. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 41 to 52, wherein said dry channel is configured as a tube longitudinally extending along at least a majority of entire length of said wettable channel.
54. The apparatus of embodiment 53, wherein length of said wettable channel is less than length of said wettable channel.
55. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 40 to 54, wherein said channeled assembly is reversibly bendable, and reversibly fixable in a bended form.
56. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 40 to 55, wherein said liquid feed input assembly is directly connected to said channeled assembly via a liquid feed input line extending between said liquid feed input assembly and said channeled assembly.
57. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 40 to 56, further including a liquid feed reservoir, operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, said channeled assembly, and configured for storing a reserve supply of said liquid feed.
58. The apparatus of embodiment 57, wherein said liquid feed reservoir is positioned, and extends, adjacent to said channeled assembly.
59. The apparatus of embodiment 57 or 58, wherein said liquid feed reservoir is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, said channeled assembly via a liquid feed connector that is configured for facilitating input of said reserve supply of said liquid feed from said liquid feed reservoir into said channeled assembly, via said forced flow of air, according to Bernoulli's principle for liquid flow.
60. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 41 to 59, wherein said forced air flow assembly is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, said channeled assembly, via a wettable channel forced air flow inlet line operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, a wettable channel forced air flow inlet port, and via a dry channel forced air flow inlet line operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, a dry channel forced air flow inlet port.
61. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 40 to 60, wherein said forced air flow assembly is configured with a power supply operatively connected to a power interface and control device, which is operatively connected to a forced air blower, which, in turn, is operatively connected to said channeled assembly.
62. The apparatus of embodiment 61, wherein said forced air blower is a fan or fan-like device.
63. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 61 or 62, wherein said forced air flow assembly is configured with said power supply operatively connected to an integrated assembly configured with said power interface and control device being operatively connected to said forced air blower, and wherein said integrated assembly is operatively connected to said channeled assembly.
64. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 61 or 62, wherein said forced air flow assembly is configured with an integrated assembly configured with said power supply operatively connected to said power interface and control device, wherein said integrated assembly is operatively connected to said forced air blower, which, in turn, is operatively connected to said channeled assembly.
65. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 61 or 62, wherein said forced air flow assembly is configured with an integrated assembly configured with said power supply operatively connected to said power interface and control device, which, in turn, is operatively connected to said forced air blower, wherein said integrated assembly is operatively connected to said channeled assembly.
66. The apparatus of embodiment 60, wherein the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is positioned at least partially within a volume defined by the wettable channel.
67. The apparatus of embodiment 66, wherein at least a majority of a length of the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is positioned within the volume defined by the wettable channel.
68. The apparatus of embodiment 67, wherein at least 60 percent, or at least 70 percent, or at least 80 percent, or at least 90 percent, or at least 95 percent, or at least 100 percent of the length of the wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is positioned within the volume defined by the wettable channel.
69. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 66 to 68, wherein said wettable channel forced air flow inlet line extends at least partially along said dry channel.
70. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 66 to 69, wherein said wettable channel forced air flow inlet line is at least partially surrounded by a liquid absorbent material.
71. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 40 to 70, further comprising a distribution line configured to distribute said forced flow of cool air exiting from said channeled assembly to at least one location remote from the channeled assembly.
72. The apparatus of embodiment 71, when dependent on embodiment 43, wherein the distribution line is operatively connectable to, and configured to be in fluid communication with, said at least one dry channel forced air flow outlet port.
Some embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings and photographs. With specific reference now to the drawings and photographs in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative description of some embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, the description taken together with the accompanying drawings and photographs make apparent to those skilled in the art how some embodiments of the present invention may be practiced.
In the drawings and photographs:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooling a subject (herein, also referred to as the body cooling apparatus), and a corresponding method for cooling a subject (herein, also referred to as the body cooling method), wherein the body cooling apparatus is portable and particularly wearable on the subject. In exemplary embodiments, the body cooling apparatus is compact, made of environmentally friendly lightweight durable materials, and simple to manufacture at low cost. The body cooling apparatus is also simple to wear (e.g., as a length adjustable flexible belt or band) and safe to operate, without use or generation of hazardous materials, and without limiting or interfering with a subject's mobility of arms or hands needed for performing rigorous activities. The present invention is user-friendly and ergonomic, accounting for a subject's physical and mental human factors in relation to design, construction, and operation of the body cooling apparatus.
Implementation of the body cooling apparatus, and corresponding method of cooling a subject, are based on the process of indirect evaporation. In exemplary embodiments, the body cooling apparatus features a channeled assembly that includes a coupled pair of a wettable (for example, outer) channel and a dry (for example, inner) channel longitudinally extending adjacent to each other. The wettable (e.g., outer) channel is connected to a liquid feed input assembly, and both the wettable (e.g., outer) and dry (e.g., inner) channels are connected to a forced air flow assembly.
In such exemplary embodiments, the liquid feed input assembly feeds a liquid (e.g., water) into the wettable (e.g., outer) channel, thereby wetting surfaces of both the inner wall of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel and the outer wall of the dry (e.g., inner) channel. At the same time, the forced air flow assembly generates a forced flow of air inside and through the wettable (e.g., outer) channel, causing the liquid to evaporate from the surfaces of both the wettable (e.g., outer) channel inner wall and the dry (e.g., inner) channel outer wall, thereby cooling (lowering the temperatures of) those surfaces.
Cooling of the dry (e.g., inner) channel outer wall surface leads to cooling (lowering the temperature of) the forced flow of air flowing inside and through the dry (e.g., inner) channel. Additionally, cooling of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel inner wall surface(s) leads to cooling (lowering the temperature of) the forced flow of air flowing inside and through the wettable (e.g., outer) channel, which, in turn, cools (lowers the temperature of) the dry (e.g., inner) channel outer wall surface, which, in turn, also cools (lowers the temperature of) the forced flow of air flowing inside and through the dry (e.g., inner) channel.
The resulting cool air flowing inside and through the dry (e.g., inner) channel exits the dry (e.g., inner) channel and is directed onto a subject wearing the body cooling apparatus, thereby cooling the subject. According to such indirect evaporation process, air flowing through the wettable (e.g., outer) channel is separated from, and does not mix with, air flowing through the dry (e.g., inner) channel, such that air flowing through the dry (e.g., inner) channel is cooled without undesirably increasing its moisture content.
Embodiments of the invention are applicable for cooling subjects performing, or involved with, those kinds of rigorous activities (e.g., construction work, factory work, vehicle repair work, agricultural work, military work, summertime outdoor house work, sports, camping, trekking) that generate, or/and are associated with, excessive body temperatures and perspiration (sweating) of the subjects. Implementation of the invention enables subjects to safely and efficiently regulate their body temperatures while performing numerous rigorous activities. The invention is applicable for preventing, or at least for aiding in preventing, onset of heat illness (hyperthermia) in subjects performing, or involved with, rigorous activities that generate, or/and are associated with, excessive body temperatures and perspiration (sweating) of the subjects.
Implementation of the present invention attempts to address, and overcome, at least some of the on-going limitations and problems associated with techniques (apparatuses, methods) for cooling a subject.
The herein disclosed invention, and aspects thereof (i.e., body cooling apparatus, and body cooling method), include, or, alternatively, consist essentially of, or, alternatively, consist of, the following illustratively described structural and functional (operational) features thereof.
The portable body cooling apparatus, particularly wearable on a subject, in a non-limiting manner, and in some embodiments, includes: a channeled assembly, a liquid feed input assembly, and a forced air flow assembly. In such exemplary embodiments, the channeled assembly includes a coupled pair of channels longitudinally extending adjacent to each other, and is configured for receiving a liquid feed and a forced flow of ambient air. The channeled assembly is wearable (for example, firmly) along an outer contour of a body part of the subject. The liquid feed input assembly is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly, and is configured for facilitating input of the liquid feed into the channeled assembly. The forced air flow assembly is also operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly, and is configured for generating and driving the forced flow of ambient air into and through the channeled assembly. The forced flow of ambient air facilitates indirect evaporation of the liquid inside the channeled assembly, and produces a forced flow of cool air exiting from the channeled assembly and directed onto the subject, thereby cooling the subject.
The method of cooling a subject, in a non-limiting manner, and in some embodiments, includes: (i) acquiring a portable body cooling apparatus, wherein the body cooling apparatus is particularly wearable on the subject; (ii) placing (for example, firmly) and wearing the apparatus along an outer contour of a body part of the subject; (iii) providing liquid feed to the liquid feed input assembly, so as to facilitate input of the liquid feed into the channeled assembly; and (iv) activating the forced air flow assembly, wherein the forced flow of ambient air into the channeled assembly facilitates indirect evaporation of the liquid feed inside the channeled assembly, and produces a forced flow of cool air exiting from the channeled assembly and directed onto the subject, thereby cooling the subject.
In such exemplary embodiments, the body cooling apparatus includes: a channeled assembly, including a coupled pair of channels longitudinally extending adjacent to each other, and configured for receiving a liquid feed and a forced flow of ambient air; a liquid feed input assembly, operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly, and configured for facilitating input of the liquid feed into the channeled assembly; and a forced air flow assembly, operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly, and configured for generating and driving the forced flow of ambient air into and through the channeled assembly.
For purposes of further understanding exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in the following illustrative description thereof, reference is made to the drawings and photographs. Throughout the following description and accompanying drawings and photographs, same reference numbers refer to same components, elements, or features. It is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to particular details of construction or/and arrangement of exemplary apparatus components, or to any particular sequential ordering of exemplary method steps or procedures, set forth in the following illustrative description. The invention is capable of having other exemplary embodiments, or/and of being practiced or carried out in various alternative ways.
In the following description and accompanying drawings, physical orientational (location, position) and directional type terms “back side”, “front side”, “top side”, and “bottom side”, are used for indicating relative orientation (location, position) and direction of the herein disclosed body cooling apparatus (and components thereof), with respect to a subject upon which the body cooling apparatus is worn, and with respect to an observer (or viewer) thereof.
The phrase “front side of the body cooling apparatus”, and the (synonymous) phrase “body cooling apparatus front side”, as used herein, refer to that side, and surface thereof, of the body cooling apparatus which face, and are positioned, outward or away from a subject's body part. The front side of the body cooling apparatus is substantially viewable by an observer (other than the subject) directly facing, and looking at, that side of a subject upon which the apparatus is worn. The front side of the body cooling apparatus is that side which is diametrically opposite to the back side of the body cooling apparatus, as defined hereinbelow. Examples of schematically and photographically showing the ‘front side’ of the body cooling apparatus are set forth in
The phrase “back side of the body cooling apparatus”, and the (synonymous) phrase “body cooling apparatus back side”, as used herein, refer to that side, and surface thereof, of the body cooling apparatus which face, and are positioned, inward or towards a subject's body part. The back side of the body cooling apparatus is non-viewable by an observer (other than the subject) directly facing, and looking at, that side of a subject upon which the apparatus is worn. The back side of the body cooling apparatus is that side which is diametrically opposite to the front side of the body cooling apparatus, as defined hereinabove. An example of photographically showing the ‘back side’ of the body cooling apparatus is set forth in
The phrase “top side of the body cooling apparatus”, and the (synonymous) phrase “body cooling apparatus top side”, as used herein, refer to that (narrower) side, and surface thereof, of the body cooling apparatus which is 90° relative to either the (wider) back side or front side of the body cooling apparatus, as viewed by an observer looking downward upon the (top part of the) body cooling apparatus, when the body cooling apparatus is in its right-side-up position (i.e., correct orientation or configuration) as normally intended to be worn by a subject. An example of photographically showing the ‘top side’ of the body cooling apparatus is set forth in
The phrase “bottom side of the body cooling apparatus”, and the (synonymous) phrase “body cooling apparatus bottom side”, as used herein, refer to that (narrower) side, and surface thereof, of the body cooling apparatus which is 90° relative to either the (wider) back side or front side of the body cooling apparatus, as viewed by an observer looking upward upon the (bottom part of the) body cooling apparatus, when the body cooling apparatus is in its right-side-up position (i.e., correct orientation or configuration) as normally intended to be worn by a subject, or as viewed by an observer looking downward upon the (bottom part of the) body cooling apparatus in its upside-down position. An example of photographically showing the ‘bottom side’ of the body cooling apparatus is set forth in
Additionally, for the objective of showing a ‘normal’ or ‘intended’ physical orientation and direction of the body cooling apparatus, when worn by a subject, in the description the term “L”, and in the drawings the term “L” immediately above which is a double-headed arrow, refer to a reference longitudinal axis that is parallel to the (right-to-left, or left-to-right) longitudinally extending direction of the body cooling apparatus.
The phrase “self-contained” is used herein in the context of exemplary embodiments of the body cooling apparatus constituting a complete and independent unit or apparatus in and of itself. Namely, that any particular exemplary embodiment of the body cooling apparatus that includes a channeled assembly (and components thereof), a liquid feed input assembly (and components thereof), a forced air flow assembly (and components thereof), and a liquid feed reservoir (and components thereof) constitutes a complete and independent unit or apparatus in and of itself. For example, in some implementations, the body cooling apparatus can also include internal power source(s) to operate the liquid feed input assembly and the forced air flow assembly for the body cooling apparatus to be so self-contained and independent that it would not even require any type connection to any external unit.
The phrase “portable” is used herein in the context of an apparatus that can be carried easily, either by way of wearing on the body or by the way of carrying in a suitcase or a bag or being held in the hands of a user, by virtue of its size, shape, dimensions, and weight.
Referring now to the drawings,
The channeled assembly 102 includes a coupled pair of channels, for example, a wettable channel 110 and a dry channel 112, longitudinally extending adjacent to each other, and is configured for receiving a liquid feed 114 (via liquid feed input assembly 104) and a forced flow of ambient air (via forced air flow assembly 106). The wettable channel 110 is configured so as to be wetted via input of the liquid feed 114, which is fed into the wettable channel 110 via the liquid feed input assembly 104. The dry channel 112 is configured so as to be substantially dry during operation of the body cooling apparatus 100.
In exemplary embodiments, the wettable channel 110 is configured as an outer channel, and the dry channel 112 is configured as an inner channel, with the dry inner channel 112 being positioned inside of, and surrounded by, the wettable outer channel 110.
The channeled assembly 102 is configured so as to be wearable (for example, firmly) along an outer contour of a body part (e.g., waist area, chest area, head area) of a subject, for example, as shown in
In exemplary embodiments, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 includes at least one wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet port, for example, a single wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet port 116, and at least one wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow outlet port, for example, a single wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow outlet port 118. In exemplary embodiments, the dry (e.g., inner) channel 112 includes at least one dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow inlet port, for example, a single dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow inlet port 120, and at least one dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow outlet port, for example, a plurality of five dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow outlet ports 122 (122a, 122b, 122c, 122d, 122e). In exemplary embodiments, for example as shown in
In exemplary embodiments, each wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow outlet port protrudes from a wall of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110. For example, as particularly shown in
In exemplary embodiments, all of the plurality of dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow outlet ports are positionally aligned relative to each other along the same wall of the dry (e.g., inner) channel 112. For example, as particularly shown in
In exemplary embodiments, each one of the at least one wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow outlet port is located at a position away from each one of the at least one dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow outlet port, such that forced flow of cool air exiting each dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow outlet port is unaffected by forced flow of air exiting each wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow outlet port. For example, as particularly shown in
In exemplary embodiments, the preceding described position of each wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow outlet port is partly defined whereby each wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow outlet port faces away from each dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow outlet port by an angle of at least 45 degrees, and particularly, by an angle equal to or greater than 90 degrees, relative to the longitudinal direction of the channeled assembly. For example, as shown in
The liquid feed input assembly 104 is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly 102, and is configured for facilitating input of the liquid feed 114 into the channeled assembly 102. In exemplary embodiments, the liquid feed input assembly 104 is directly connected to the channeled assembly 102 (as shown in
The liquid feed 114 is a liquid that readily evaporates when subjected to a forced flow of air (e.g., ambient air) generated by the forced air flow assembly 106. In exemplary embodiments, the liquid feed 114 is user friendly (i.e., environmentally friendly, non-hazardous, non-combustible, non-toxic) and safe to use with the body cooling apparatus 100. In exemplary embodiments, the liquid feed 114 is water, or another type of user friendly liquid, which readily evaporates when subjected to a forced flow of air generated by the forced air flow assembly 106.
The (wettable [e.g., outer] and dry [e.g., inner] channels) forced air flow assembly 106 is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly 102, and is configured for generating and driving the forced flow of (e.g., ambient) air into and through the channeled assembly 102. In exemplary embodiments, the (wettable [e.g., outer] and dry [e.g., inner] channels) forced air flow assembly 106 is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet port 116 of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110, via a wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132. In exemplary embodiments, the (wettable [e.g., outer] and dry [e.g., inner] channels) forced air flow assembly 106 is also operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow inlet port 120 of the dry (e.g., inner) channel 112, via a dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow inlet line 134.
In exemplary embodiments, the forced air flow assembly 106 includes a forced air blower (for example, forced air blower 150, shown in
The forced flow of (e.g., ambient) air facilitates indirect evaporation of the liquid feed 114 inside the channeled assembly 102, and produces a forced flow of cool air 140 that exits (via the dry [e.g., inner] channel forced air flow outlet ports 122) the channeled assembly 102, and is directed onto a subject wearing the body cooling apparatus, thereby cooling the subject.
In exemplary embodiments, the body cooling apparatus further includes a liquid feed reservoir, operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly. The liquid feed reservoir is configured for storing a reserve supply of the liquid feed, which is to be used after the initial supply of the liquid feed is used up.
The body cooling apparatus 200 is configured with all the same components (and functions thereof) as the body cooling apparatus 100 (of
In contrast to the body cooling apparatus 100, wherein the liquid feed input assembly 104 is directly connected, via the liquid feed input line 128, to the channeled assembly 102 (as shown in
The liquid feed connector 206 is configured for facilitating input of the liquid feed 114 from the liquid feed reservoir 206 into the channeled assembly 102. In exemplary embodiments, such facilitation of inputting the liquid feed 114, via the liquid feed connector 206, is effected via the forced flow of (e.g., ambient) air into and through the channeled assembly 102, according to Bernoulli's principle for liquid flow. According to such embodiments, the liquid feed connector 206 operates as a venturi tube through which passes the liquid feed 114 from the liquid feed reservoir 204 into the channeled assembly 102. It is to be understood herein that although the liquid feed connector 206 has been shown as being separate from the liquid feed assembly 104, however since the liquid feed connector 206 co-operate with the liquid feed input assembly 104 for facilitating input of the liquid feed 114r into the channeled assembly 102, and therefore constitute a part of the liquid feed input assembly 104. The liquid feed assembly 104 is to be considered as being constituted by the components that, directly or indirectly, facilitate input of the liquid feed into the channeled assembly, irrespective of the configuration of the components shown and/or described herein. For instance, according to the embodiment shown in
In exemplary embodiments, the liquid feed reservoir 204 is positioned, and longitudinally extends, adjacent to the channel assembly 102. In exemplary embodiments, the liquid feed reservoir 204 is positioned, and longitudinally extends, adjacent to the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 of the channeled assembly 102. In exemplary embodiments, the liquid feed reservoir 204 is physically (mechanically) connected to the channeled assembly 102, for example, via being physically (mechanically) connected to an outer wall of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 of the channeled assembly 102. In exemplary embodiments, the liquid feed reservoir 204 is configured as a pouch, or pouch like, container or receptacle, that holds a specified reserve volume (for example, 5-100 milliliters) of the reserve supply of liquid feed 114r.
In exemplary embodiments, for example, as shown in
In alternative exemplary embodiments, the body cooling apparatus includes two separate individual forced air flow assemblies, operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the channeled assembly, with a first forced air flow assembly operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel, and a second forced air flow assembly operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the dry (e.g., inner) channel.
According to such exemplary embodiments, the body cooling apparatus 300 includes a wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow assembly 106-w, and a dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow assembly 106-d. The wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow assembly 106-w is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet port 116 of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110, via the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132. The dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow assembly 106-d is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow inlet port 120 of the dry (e.g., inner) channel 112, via the dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow inlet line 134.
A possible advantage of the body cooling apparatus 300 including two separate individual forced air flow assemblies 106-w and 106-d, is to provide additional control capability regarding the flow of forced air into and through the channeled assembly 102. For example, according to such an embodiment, although both of the separate individual wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow assembly 106-w and the dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow assembly 106-d are operative relative to each other, in a synchronizable manner, each of the individual forced air flow assemblies 106-w and 106-d is separately operable and controllable, according to the specific operating conditions and requirements of each of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 and the dry (e.g., inner) channel 112, respectively, of the channeled assembly 102.
The body cooling apparatus (100, 200, 300) is configurable with different exemplary embodiments of the forced air flow assembly (and components thereof).
The forced air blower 150 is a fan, or fan-like device, which produces (generates) the forced flow (current) of air that forcibly flows into, and through, the channeled assembly 102. In exemplary embodiments, the forced air blower (e.g., fan) 150 includes, or is operatively connected to, at least one air filter 151, or an air filtering device 151, that is/are configured for filtering air which enters the forced air blower 150, or/and for filtering air which exits the forced air blower 150. The forced air blower (e.g., fan) 150 is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132 and the dry (e.g., inner) channel forced air flow inlet line 134, thereby supplying the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110, and the dry (e.g., inner) channel 112, respectively, with forced air flow. The forced air blower 150 is also operatively connected to the power interface and control device 152.
The power interface and control device 152 interfaces between the forced air blower 150 and the power supply 154, and controls operation (and operational parameters [e.g., on/off conditions, power level, rate of rotation of a motorized drive shaft]) of the forced air blower 150, which then translates to controlling operational parameters (e.g., linear velocity, volumetric flow rate) of the forced air flow, during operation of the body cooling apparatus 100. In exemplary embodiments, the power interface and control device 152 includes a variable frequency drive that facilitates such operational control of the forced air blower 150, by controlling power frequency of the forced air blower 150, and of its motorized drive shaft.
The power supply 154, in exemplary embodiments, is a durable 12 V or 24 V DC battery, having a single life (i.e., being disposable), or having renewable lives (i.e., being rechargeable).
In exemplary embodiments, the forced air blower 150, power interface and control device 152, and the power supply 154, are configured as small (miniaturized), lightweight, components. Such embodiments of the forced air flow assembly contribute to the body cooling apparatus being self-contained, portable, and wearable on the body of a subject.
In the first exemplary embodiment of the forced air flow assembly, namely, forced air flow assembly 106a [
In the second exemplary embodiment of the forced air flow assembly, namely, forced air flow assembly 106b [
In the third exemplary embodiment of the forced air flow assembly, namely, forced air flow assembly 106c [
In the fourth exemplary embodiment of the forced air flow assembly, namely, forced air flow assembly 106d [
In exemplary embodiments, the channeled assembly has a tubular configuration, wherein the wettable (e.g., outer) and dry (e.g., inner) channels are configured as tubes.
In exemplary embodiments of the channeled assembly 402, the tubular dry (e.g., inner) channel 112 longitudinally extends along at least a majority of the entire length of the tubular wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110, and the length of the tubular dry (e.g., inner) channel 112 is more than the length of the tubular wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110. For instance, the dry (e.g., inner) channel 112 is longer than the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 and is positioned in loops within the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110. The dry (e.g., inner) channel 112 is configured and positioned in the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 so as to have a maximum possible surface area of the outer walls thereof to be in contact with the liquid feed water. Such exemplary embodiments ensure that the entire length of the tubular dry (e.g., inner) channel 112 will be subjected to, and benefit from, the cooling of the forced air flowing inside and through the tubular wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110, as a result of the indirect evaporation process taking place, via evaporation of liquid from the wettable (e.g., outer) channel liquid absorbent material 410, inside the tubular wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110.
In exemplary embodiments, the tubular wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 includes therein a liquid absorbent material, for example, liquid absorbent material 410, that longitudinally extends along, and physically contacts, at least a majority of the entire length of the tubular dry (e.g., inner) channel 112. The liquid absorbent material 410 is suitable for being wetted and absorbing the liquid feed 114 input, via the liquid feed input port 130, into the tubular wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 of the channeled assembly 402. In exemplary embodiments, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel liquid absorbent material 410 is a type of material selected from the group consisting of cloth materials and coating materials.
In exemplary embodiments, the tubular wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 includes therein a spacer member 420 that longitudinally extends along at least a majority of the entire length of the tubular dry (e.g., inner) channel 112 and/or the tubular wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110. Wettable (e.g., outer) channel spacer member 420 is configured to provide a passage (passageway) type of spacing (separation) between the liquid absorbent material 410 and inner walls of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel, so as to facilitate unobstructed passage of the forced flow of (e.g., ambient) air inside and through the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110. In exemplary embodiments, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel spacer member 420 is made of a rigid (firm) material.
In exemplary embodiments, the body cooling apparatus further includes arrangement for pre-cooling the forced flow of air prior to the forced flow of air entering into the wettable (e.g., outer) channel. The pre-cooled forced flow of air significantly improves the cooling efficiency of the body cooling apparatus and it is actually possible to lower the air temperature below the temperature of the bulb (wet) thermometer and there is the potential to reach approximately the dew point temperature (dew point).
The body cooling apparatus 100′ is configured with all the same components (and functions thereof) as the body cooling apparatus 100 (of
In exemplary embodiments, the forced air flow assembly 106 is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet port 116 of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110, via the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132 positioned at least partially within a volume defined by the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110. This specific placement of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132 facilitates cooling of the forced flow of air flowing from the forced air flow assembly 106 to the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet port 116 even prior to the forced flow of air entering into the wettable (e.g., outer) channel through the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet port 116. For instance, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132 behaves as another dry (e.g., inner) channel and operates in a similar manner as the dry (e.g., inner) channel 112 for cooling the forced flow of air therewithin. The forced flow of air being pre-cooled increases the cooling efficiency of the body cooling apparatus significantly, at least because the pre-cooled air entering into the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 cools the air inside the dry (e.g., inner) channel 112 (as well as the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132) by heat conduction as well in addition to by indirect evaporation as described herein.
In exemplary embodiments, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132 is implemented as a pipe/conduit/tube positioned within the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 so as to have at least a majority of its length extending inside the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 100. For instance, at least 60 percent, or at least 70 percent, or at least 80 percent, or at least 90 percent, or at least 95 percent, or at least 100 percent of the length of the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132 is positioned within the volume defined by the wettable (e.g., outer) channel. In other words, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132 is so positioned for the forced flow of air to travel a maximum possible distance within the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 before arriving at the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet port 116 and entering into the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110. Accordingly, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132 can enter into the wettable (e.g., outer) channel 110 from a location distant from the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet port 116 (for example, as shown in
In exemplary embodiments, the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132 is at least partially surrounded by a liquid absorbent material (not shown, but in a similar manner as described with respect to the liquid absorbent material 410 described herein). The liquid absorbent material surrounding the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132 can be same as or different from the liquid absorbent material 410 surrounding the dry (e.g., inner) channel 112.
It is to be understood herein that the wettable (e.g., outer) channel forced air flow inlet line 132 is made up of such a material that it does not interfere with the repeatedly bendable and fixable properties of the body cooling apparatus 100′.
The following figures (i.e.,
Hereinabove illustratively described exemplary embodiments of the self-contained and portable body cooling apparatus (100, 200, 300, p200) are suitable for being applied to (via placing and wearing on) different body parts of a subject. Exemplary body parts of a subject upon which the body cooling apparatus is placeable and wearable are the waist area, the chest area, and the head area.
Another aspect of the present invention is provision of a method of cooling a subject (i.e., body cooling method). In a non-limiting manner, and in some embodiments, the body cooling method includes the following steps (procedures).
In exemplary embodiments, the step (procedure) of firmly placing and wearing the body cooling apparatus includes positioning the coupled pair of channels along the outer contour of the body part of the subject, such that the coupled pair of channels is longitudinally aligned with the body part of the subject.
In exemplary embodiments, the step (procedure) of activating the forced air flow assembly is performed in a manner that facilitates controllable adjustment of the indirect evaporation of the liquid feed inside the channeled assembly.
In exemplary embodiments, the step (procedure) of activating the forced air flow assembly includes controllably adjusting a power level thereof, so as to controllably adjust rate of the indirect evaporation of the liquid feed inside the channeled assembly, thereby, facilitating controllable adjustment of the forced flow of cool air exiting from the channeled assembly and directed onto the subject.
Each of the following terms written in singular grammatical form: ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’, as used herein, means ‘at least one’, or ‘one or more’. Use of the phrase ‘one or more’ herein does not alter this intended meaning of ‘a’, ‘an’, or ‘the’. Accordingly, the terms ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’, as used herein, may also refer to, and encompass, a plurality of the stated entity or object, unless otherwise specifically defined or stated herein, or, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the phrases: ‘a unit’, ‘a device’, ‘an assembly’, ‘a mechanism’, ‘a component’, ‘an element’, and ‘a step or procedure’, as used herein, may also refer to, and encompass, a plurality of units, a plurality of devices, a plurality of assemblies, a plurality of mechanisms, a plurality of components, a plurality of elements, and, a plurality of steps or procedures, respectively.
Each of the following terms: ‘includes’, ‘including’, ‘has’, ‘having’, ‘comprises’, and ‘comprising’, and, their linguistic/grammatical variants, derivatives, or/and conjugates, as used herein, means ‘including, but not limited to’, and is to be taken as specifying the stated component(s), feature(s), characteristic(s), parameter(s), integer(s), or step(s), and does not preclude addition of one or more additional component(s), feature(s), characteristic(s), parameter(s), integer(s), step(s), or groups thereof. Each of these terms is considered equivalent in meaning to the phrase ‘consisting essentially of’.
Each of the phrases ‘consisting of’, and ‘consists of’, as used herein, means ‘including and limited to’.
Each of the phrases ‘consisting essentially of’, and ‘consists essentially of’, as used herein, means that the stated entity or item (system, system unit, system sub-unit, device, assembly, sub-assembly, mechanism, structure, component, clement, or, peripheral equipment, utility, accessory, or material, method or process, step or procedure, sub-step or sub-procedure), which is an entirety or part of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed invention, or/and which is used for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed invention, may include at least one additional ‘feature or characteristic’ being a system unit, system sub-unit, device, assembly, sub-assembly, mechanism, structure, component, or element, or, peripheral equipment, utility, accessory, or material, step or procedure, sub-step or sub-procedure), but only if each such additional ‘feature or characteristic’ does not materially alter the basic novel and inventive characteristics or special technical features, of the claimed entity or item.
The term ‘method’, as used herein, refers to a single step, procedure, manner, means, or/and technique, or a sequence, set, or group of two or more steps, procedures, manners, means, or/and techniques, for accomplishing or achieving a given task or action. Any such herein disclosed method, in a non-limiting manner, may include one or more steps, procedures, manners, means, or/and techniques, that are known or readily developed from one or more steps, procedures, manners, means, or/and techniques, previously taught about by practitioners in the relevant field(s) and art(s) of the herein disclosed invention. In any such herein disclosed method, in a non-limiting manner, the stated or presented sequential order of one or more steps, procedures, manners, means, or/and techniques, is not limited to that specifically stated or presented sequential order, for accomplishing or achieving a given task or action, unless otherwise specifically defined or stated herein, or, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Accordingly, in any such herein disclosed method, in a non-limiting manner, there may exist one or more alternative sequential orders of the same steps, procedures, manners, means, or/and techniques, for accomplishing or achieving a same given task or action, while maintaining same or similar meaning and scope of the herein disclosed invention.
Throughout this disclosure, a numerical value of a parameter, feature, characteristic, object, or dimension, may be stated or described in terms of a numerical range format. Such a numerical range format, as used herein, illustrates implementation of some exemplary embodiments of the invention, and does not inflexibly limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, a stated or described numerical range also refers to, and encompasses, all possible sub-ranges and individual numerical values (where a numerical value may be expressed as a whole, integral, or fractional number) within that stated or described numerical range. For example, a stated or described numerical range ‘from 1 to 6’ also refers to, and encompasses, all possible sub-ranges, such as ‘from 1 to 3’, ‘from 1 to 4’, ‘from 1 to 5’, ‘from 2 to 4’, ‘from 2 to 6’, ‘from 3 to 6’, etc., and individual numerical values, such as ‘1’, ‘1.3’, ‘2’, ‘2.8’, ‘3’, ‘3.5’, ‘4’, ‘4.6’, ‘5’, ‘5.2’, and ‘6’, within the stated or described numerical range of ‘from 1 to 6’. This applies regardless of the numerical breadth, extent, or size, of the stated or described numerical range.
Moreover, for stating or describing a numerical range, the phrase ‘in a range of between about a first numerical value and about a second numerical value’, is considered equivalent to, and meaning the same as, the phrase ‘in a range of from about a first numerical value to about a second numerical value’, and, thus, the two equivalently meaning phrases may be used interchangeably. For example, for stating or describing the numerical range of room temperature, the phrase ‘room temperature refers to a temperature in a range of between about 20° C. and about 25° C.’, is considered equivalent to, and meaning the same as, the phrase ‘room temperature refers to a temperature in a range of from about 20° C. to about 25° C.’.
The term ‘about’, as used herein, refers to ±10% of the stated numerical value.
The phrase ‘operatively connected’, as used herein, equivalently refers to the corresponding synonymous phrases ‘operatively joined’, and ‘operatively attached’. These phrases, as used herein, mean that the described or/and shown entities are configured ‘connected’ to each other, in an ‘operative’ (ready-for-operation/ready-for-use) manner. Such operative connection, operative joint, or operative attachment, between or among the entities is according to one type, or a plurality of types, of a mechanical (physical, structural), or/and an electrical, or/and an electronic, or/and an electro-mechanical, connection or connections, involving one or more corresponding type(s) or kind(s) of mechanical (physical, structural), or/and electrical, or/and electronic, or/and electro-mechanical, equipment and components. Optionally, such operative connection, operative joint, or operative attachment, between or among the entities, may include, or may involve, one or more type(s) or kind(s) of computerized hardware or/and software equipment and components.
The phrase ‘operably connectable’, as used herein, equivalently refers to the corresponding synonymous phrases ‘operably joinable to’, and ‘operably attachable to’. These phrases, as used herein, mean that the described or/and shown entities are configured ‘connectable’ to each other (i.e., capable of being connected to each other, having ability to be connected to each other, or having potential to be connected to each other), for subsequently forming an ‘operative connection’, an ‘operative joint’, or an ‘operative attachment’, between or among the entities. Such operable connectability, operable joinability, or operable attachability, between or among the entities is according to one type, or a plurality of types, of a mechanical (physical, structural), or/and an electrical, or/and an electronic, or/and an electro-mechanical, connection or connections, involving one or more corresponding type(s) or kind(s) of mechanical (physical, structural), or/and electrical, or/and electronic, or/and electro-mechanical, equipment and components. Optionally, such operable connectability, operable joinability, or operable attachability, between or among the entities, may include, or may involve, one or more type(s) or kind(s) of computerized hardware or/and software equipment and components.
It is to be fully understood that certain aspects, characteristics, and features, of the invention, which are, for clarity, illustratively described and presented in the context or format of a plurality of separate embodiments, may also be illustratively described and presented in any suitable combination or sub-combination in the context or format of a single embodiment. Conversely, various aspects, characteristics, and features, of the invention which are illustratively described and presented in combination or sub-combination in the context or format of a single embodiment, may also be illustratively described and presented in the context or format of a plurality of separate embodiments.
Although the invention has been illustratively described and presented by way of specific exemplary embodiments, and examples thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, or/and variations, thereof, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that all such alternatives, modifications, or/and variations, are encompassed by the broad scope of the appended claims.
All publications, patents, and or/and patent applications, cited or referred to in this disclosure are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or/and patent application, was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this specification shall not be construed or understood as an admission that such reference represents or corresponds to prior art of the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 291921 | Apr 2022 | IL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IL2023/050343 | 4/2/2023 | WO |
