Closed-Loop Diver Warming Garment for Bubble-Free Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional body warmers for divers generate bubbles, making it difficult to remain undetectable underwater, and are not suitable for hostile environments where open combustion systems are not tolerated.
Innovation Solution
An electrically powered system with a closed liquid loop that uses a heat exchanger and catalytic combustion to provide warmth without releasing visible bubbles, comprising a fan, pump, batteries, fuel and oxygen storage, and a heat exchanger with a catalytic member to promote fuel-oxygen reaction, while absorbing combustion by-products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional body warmers use open combustion systems to generate heat, then body heat maintenance is effective, but bubbles are produced making the diver detectable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the combustion process from open environment and confines it within a sealed combustion chamber. The combustion occurs in a controlled, enclosed space where bubbles cannot escape into the surrounding water. The combustion byproducts are contained and managed within the system rather than being released externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary between the combustion process and the diver's body. Heat is transferred from the combustion chamber through the heat exchanger to warm the diver, while the combustion itself occurs in a sealed environment that prevents bubble release. This intermediary allows heat transfer without direct exposure to combustion byproducts.
2Temperature
If open combustion systems are used for body warming, then heat generation is effective, but the system cannot be used in hostile environments with corrosive, poisonous or combustible gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a sealed, controlled environment around the combustion system that isolates it from the external hostile atmosphere. The combustion chamber and associated components are enclosed to prevent interaction with corrosive, poisonous, or combustible gases in the surrounding environment, allowing the system to operate safely in hostile conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the combustion system from direct exposure to the hostile environment by enclosing it in a sealed housing. This separation allows the combustion process to occur in a protected, controlled space while the external environment's hostile conditions cannot affect the system's operation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a sealed combustion system is used to prevent bubble release, then diver stealth is maintained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The combustion chamber serves both as the reaction vessel and the sealed enclosure for preventing bubble release. The heat exchanger integrates heat transfer functionality while also serving as part of the thermal management system. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs components to perform multiple functions. The sealed combustion chamber simultaneously contains the combustion process, prevents bubble release, and facilitates heat transfer. The heat exchanger serves both thermal management and potential fluid circulation functions. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the sealed design requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively maintains body heat for submerged divers without producing visible bubbles, suitable for use in hostile environments by converting chemical energy into heat within a closed system, ensuring user safety and stealth.
Implementation Method 1
a catalytic member received within the interior chamber of the heat exchanger to promote reaction of the fuel and the oxygen to produce heat and combustion by-products
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger having an interior chamber to receive the stream of fuel and the stream of oxygen... wherein the liquid moving through the warming conduit is warmed by the heat produced in the interior chamber
Implementation Method 3
the combustion by-products are moved by the fan into the combustion by-product storage member where the combustion by-products are absorbed
Implementation Method 4
a pump operates to move liquid through the closed loop
Data Source
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AI summary
An embodiment of a submersible warming garment comprises a closed fluid loop including a warming conduit disposed in thermal communication with a chamber containing a catalyst and a cooling conduit disposed within a wearable garment. A pump moves the fluid through the warming conduit, where heat is gained, to the cooling conduit, where heat is surrendered to a human wearing the garment, and back to the pump. An actuated valve on a container of fuel and an actuated valve on a container of oxygen are controlled using a controller to provide a combustible mixture into the chamber where the mixture reacts in the presence of a catalytic member to generate heat and combustion by-products. The combustion by-products, including carbon dioxide and water, are one of adsorbed and absorbed by a carbon dioxide scrubber and a reusable water storage medium. A fan moves the by-products into the scrubber and water storage medium.