Perforated heat pipes

Abstract

This invention enables broad commercial use of heat pipe technology in designs ranging from traditional outdoor apparel to high-end sport garments and special tasks garments. Heat pipes of popular mesh or velvet patterns provides integrated heat sink functionality that decreases weight, size and cost of thermal designs. Products of the invention are lightweight, flexible and even elastic that provides maximum comfort to their users.

Description

PRIOR ART[0001]Idea of use of heat pipes in conjunction with human wearable apparel was exploited for sake of thermal stress management. Inventors suggested uses of various heat reservoirs to absorb the heat (U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,671). All these ideas provide short term benefits with expense of reduced mobility and added weight.Prior art inventors (U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,369) suggest redistribution of heat between distinct pieces of apparel that creates discomfort in dressing as well as causes faults in practical use of such apparel systems.DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0002]The essence of this invention is to provide completely passive lightweight solution that will be able to reduce thermal stress of wearier and have unlimited operating time. Benefit of this invention is effective combination of natural ability of a body to redistribute / manage heat and efficient heat exchange properties of the apparel system combined with its primary functions.[0003]Each apparel article according to this inve...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]Each apparel article according to this invention is uniquely designed for a specific use scenario. This makes them comfortable, practical, lightweight, and reliable unlike prior art designs. Heat pipes are employed to increase heat exchange between the body surface and a heat source / recipient (in most scenarios ambient air).

[0009]Heat pipes are permanently imbedded into or form by itself the apparel structure. This improves apparel durability and reduces its weight. Preferred liquid of the heat pipes of the invention is medium pressure commercial refrigerants, while low or high pressure refrigerants and other liquids are not excluded. Use of medium pressure refrigerants allows to overcome problem associated with high gas permeability of polymer materials. Preferred shape of the invention is a planar mesh or a planar ribbon with flaps. Spatial mesh structures are also the subject of this invention.

Problems solved by technology

All these ideas provide short term benefits with expense of reduced mobility and added weight.

Prior art inventors (U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,369) suggest redistribution of heat between distinct pieces of apparel that creates discomfort in dressing as well as causes faults in practical use of such apparel systems.

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