초록 ▼

A heat transfer fluid pathway is provided driven by a pump which feeds the heat transfer fluid through a vest and cap or other heat transfer garment, where the heat transfer fluid draws heat away from the body of the wearer. A drinkable heat sink material is located within a removable cartridge loca

A heat transfer fluid pathway is provided driven by a pump which feeds the heat transfer fluid through a vest and cap or other heat transfer garment, where the heat transfer fluid draws heat away from the body of the wearer. A drinkable heat sink material is located within a removable cartridge located within a heat exchange pouch. The heat transfer fluid passes from the heat transfer garment to the heat exchange pouch where heat drawn from the wearer is transferred to the heat sink material within the cartridge. A temperature control valve is provided along with a bypass line so that an adjustable amount of the heat transfer fluid is routed to the heat exchange pouch for temperature control. A supply of elevated pressure air is optionally provided to maintain optimal contact for efficient heat transfer within the heat exchange garment and the heat exchange pouch.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A personal cooling and hydration system, comprising in combination: a heat transfer fluid; said heat transfer fluid contained within a heat transfer fluid pathway; said pathway adapted to be located proximate to a body of a person, such that heat can be transferred from the b

What is claimed is: 1. A personal cooling and hydration system, comprising in combination: a heat transfer fluid; said heat transfer fluid contained within a heat transfer fluid pathway; said pathway adapted to be located proximate to a body of a person, such that heat can be transferred from the body to said heat transfer fluid when the body is hotter than said heat transfer fluid; a heat sink material; said heat sink material adapted to be drinkable; a walled enclosure; said walled enclosure adapted to hold said heat sink material within an interior thereof; said pathway adapted to be located proximate to an exterior of said walled enclosure, such that heat can be transferred from said heat transfer fluid to said heat sink material when said heat transfer fluid is hotter than said heat sink material; an outlet for said heat sink material to facilitate drinking thereof; and wherein an elevated pressure air space is located on a side of said pathway opposite said walled enclosure where said pathway is located proximate to said exterior of said walled enclosure, such that said elevated pressure air space applies a force tending to press said pathway against said exterior of said walled enclosure. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said pathway is at least partially configured as a circuit with a pump therein, said pump adapted to circulate said heat transfer fluid within said circuit. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said walled enclosure is configured as a cartridge, said cartridge adapted to be removably replaced from adjacent said pathway, such as for replacement with a new second cartridge colder than said cartridge previously adjacent said pathway. 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said pathway includes a pouch, said pouch having a heat transfer surface inside layer adapted to surround said cartridge and separate said heat transfer fluid pathway and said heat transfer fluid from said walled enclosure of said cartridge. 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said pouch is located within a backpack adapted to be worn by the person. 6. The system of claim 5 wherein said pathway includes a vest adjacent a torso of the person, said vest including an inner layer adapted to separate said heat transfer fluid from the torso of the person, said inner layer adapted to allow heat transfer from the torso of the person to said heat transfer fluid within said pathway within said vest. 7. The system of claim 6 wherein said pathway includes a cap adapted to be worn upon a head of the person, said cap adapted to deliver said heat transfer fluid adjacent the head of the person while keeping said heat transfer fluid from directly contacting the head of the person and allowing heat transfer between said heat transfer fluid and the head of the person. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein an elevated pressure air space is located adjacent said pathway where said pathway is located proximate to the body of the person and with said elevated pressure air space on a side of said pathway opposite said person, such that said elevated pressure air space tends to apply a force on said pathway encouraging said heat transfer fluid within said pathway into intimate contact with the body of the person. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein said pathway includes a hot path and a cold path in parallel with each other, said cold path adapted to give more heat from said heat transfer fluid to said heat sink material than said hot path, and a divider in said pathway, said divider adapted to adjustably split said heat transfer fluid between said hot path and said cold path. 10. An easily and quickly rechargeable personal cooling and hydration system, comprising in combination: a cartridge adapted to be filled with a drinkable heat sink material; a heat sink material outlet coupled to said cartridge; a heat transfer fluid contained within a heat transfer fluid pathway, said pathway routed past and in heat exchange relationship with said cartridge; said pathway also adapted to be routed past and in heat exchange relationship with a body of a person to be cooled; said cartridge adapted to be swapped with another similar cartridge, such as when a first said cartridge is empty or no longer sufficiently cool; wherein said pathway includes a pouch, said pouch sized to receive said cartridge therein, said pouch including an inside layer adapted to reside between the heat transfer fluid and said cartridge, while facilitating heat transfer from the heat transfer fluid to the heat sink material within said cartridge; and wherein said pouch includes an elevated pressure air space on a side of said pathway opposite said cartridge, such that said elevated pressure air space tends to apply a force pressing said pathway and said inside layer against said cartridge, such that heat transfer between said heat transfer fluid within said pathway and the heat sink material within said cartridge is enhanced. 11. The system of claim 10 wherein said pathway includes at least one garment item having an inner layer adapted to be closer to the body of the person, and an outer layer adapted to be further from a body of the person than said inner layer, said inner layer and said outer layer spaced apart by width of said pathway, said inner layer and said outer layer adapted to be suspended upon a portion of the body of the person, such that said pathway is worn by the person. 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said pathway includes a vest portion, said vest portion adapted to be worn upon a torso of the person. 13. The system of claim 12 wherein said pathway includes a cap portion adapted to worn upon a head of the person. 14. The system of claim 10 wherein said pathway includes a hot path and a cold path in parallel with each other on at least a portion of said pathway, said cold path adapted to give more heat from the heat transfer fluid to said heat sink material within said cartridge than said hot path, and a divider in said pathway, said divider adapted to adjustably split the heat transfer fluid between said hot path and said cold path. 15. The system of claim 10 wherein said cartridge includes an air inlet therein, such that as drinkable heat sink material is removed from said cartridge air can enter said cartridge to replace the heat sink material. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein said air inlet includes a nuclear and biological hazardous material filter. 17. The system of claim 10 wherein said cartridge includes a spine passing entirely through a central portion of said cartridge, such that an interior of said cartridge completely surrounds said spine except where said spine joins with walls forming said cartridge, said spine passing from a forward side of said cartridge to a rearward side of said cartridge.