Method and Apparatus for Heating or Cooling

Abstract

Embodiments of the subject invention pertain to a method and apparatus for heating or cooling. Embodiments relate to a method and apparatus utilizing a vapor compression cycle to accomplish active heating or cooling. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention relates to a lightweight, compact, reliable, and efficient heating or cooling system for underwater applications. The subject system can provide heating or cooling stress relief to individuals operating under, for example, hazardous conditions, or in low temperature underwater environments where passive protective clothing provides insufficient mitigation of cooling stress. Further embodiments can be utilized to provide heat stress relief to users who are working in thermally encapsulated ensembles that hinder the body's natural ability to expel heat. The subject system can be utilized in other applications that can benefit from this type of heating or cooling system. The performance of this system cannot be matched simply by using smaller versions of currently available designs or technologies.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 056,357, filed May 27, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including any figures, tables, or drawings.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002]The subject invention relates to microclimate heating or cooling, and a miniature heating or cooling system, that can be used for any purpose that requires a compact heating or cooling system. Such applications include, but are not limited to, personal and portable heating or cooling systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]Deep submersion operations performed by free-swimming divers, such as Navy divers, often expose them to extremely cold conditions. Currently, there is no effective and / or efficient method of heating divers during exposure to such conditions. This deficiency can induce cold stress, which in turn impairs diver performance, shortens dive duration, and creates an unnecessary h...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The subject invention is a method and apparatus for heating or cooling using a vapor compression cycle. The invention is designed to be lightweight, compact, reliable, and efficient, and can provide stress relief to individuals operating under hazardous conditions or in low temperature underwater environments. The system can also be utilized in other applications that require heating or cooling. The performance of the system is not matched by other designs or technologies. The heating system has a high coefficient of performance, light and compact design, and can provide between 22 and 40 watts of heating per pound and occupy between 2.4 and 12 cc of volume per watt of cooling. The cooling system can provide approximately 300 watts of heating or 200 watts of cooling for microclimate and other temperature control environments."

Problems solved by technology

The performance of this system cannot be matched simply by using smaller versions of currently available designs or technologies.

Similarly, heating technologies that rely on chemical processes would require a significant amount of large and bulky support equipment

Images