US3744555A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic control of liquid cooling garment by cutaneous and external auditory meatus temperatures
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-11-12
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-11-12
Abstract
Abstract Automatic control apparatus for a liquid cooling garment responsive to actual physiological needs during work and rest periods of a man clothed in the liquid cooling garment. Four skin temperature readings and a reading taken at the external portion of the audiotry meatus are added and used as the control signal for a temperaure control valve regulating inlet water temperature for the liquid cooling garment. The control apparatus may comprise electronic circuits to which the temperatures are applied as control signals and an electro-pneumatic transducer attached to the control valve.
Inventors
- 👤 J Fletcher
- 👤 C Fulcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:28
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/20; G05D23/24; G05D23/1927; G05D23/193; G05D23/1931
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for thermal regulation of a man in a closed space environment comprising: a. fluid loop means connected to said environment for circulating fluid through said environment; b. heat exchanger means connected to said loop means for cooling at least a portion of said fluid; c. bypass means in said loop means for allowing a portion of said fluid to bypass said heat exchanger means; d. valve means connected to said loop means and said bypass means for proportioning the flow of said fluid through said heat exchanger means and said bypass means; e. temperature sensing means adapted for connection to the external auditory meatus and the skin of said man and for producing signals indicative of the temperatures sensed; and f. controller means connected to said valve means for receiving said signals and for positioning said valve means in accordance with the core and skin temperatures and the rate of change of temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for thermal regulation of a man in a closed space environment comprising: a. fluid loop means connected to said environment for circulating fluid through said environment; b. heat exchanger means connected to said loop means for cooling at least a portion of said fluid; c. bypass means in said loop means for allowing a portion of said fluid to bypass said heat exchanger means; d. valve means connected to said loop means and said bypass means for proportioning the flow of said fluid through said heat exchanger means and said bypass means; e. temperature sensing means adapted for connection to the external auditory meatus and the skin of said man and for producing signals indicative of the temperatures sensed; and f. controller means connected to said valve means for receiving said signals and for positioning said valve means in accordance with the core and skin temperatures and the rate of change of temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said temperature sensing means is a thermistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said temperature sensing means is a thermocouple.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for controlling the temperature of cooling liquid circulated through a liquid cooling garment worn by a man comprising: a. means connected to said garment for circulating said liquid through said garment; b. means connected to said circulating means for cooling at least a portion of said liquid; c. means connected to said circulating means for bypassing at least a portion of said fluid around said cooling means; and d. control means connected to said circulating means and said bypass means to control the volume of liquid passing through said cooling means and said bypass means, respectively, said control means comprising valve means connected to an electrical circuit including temperature sensing devices adapted to be In contact with the external auditory meatus and skin of said man and responsive to signals therefrom to position said valve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for controlling the temperature of cooling liquid circulated through a liquid cooling garment worn by a man comprising: a. means connected to said garment for circulating said liquid through said garment; b. means connected to said circulating means for cooling at least a portion of said liquid; c. means connected to said circulating means for bypassing at least a portion of said fluid around said cooling means; and d. control means connected to said circulating means and said bypass means to control the volume of liquid passing through said cooling means and said bypass means, respectively, said control means comprising valve means connected to an electrical circuit including temperature sensing devices adapted to be In contact with the external auditory meatus and skin of said man and responsive to signals therefrom to position said valve means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which there are four skin thermoelectric devices attached at the following locations: shoulder, chest, biceps and abdomen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
A process for automatically controlling the temperature of the liquid in a liquid cooled garment to minimize heat stress in the wearer comprising: a. measuring the core and skin temperatures of the wearer; b. producing electrical signals representative of said temperatures; c. producing from said signals a rate of temperature change signal and a temperature proportional signal; and d. using the rate of temperature change signal and the temperature proportional signal to control the proportions of warm and cool liquid flowing through the garment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
A process for automatically controlling the temperature of the liquid in a liquid cooled garment to minimize heat stress in the wearer comprising: a. measuring the core and skin temperatures of the wearer; b. producing electrical signals representative of said temperatures; c. producing from said signals a rate of temperature change signal and a temperature proportional signal; and d. using the rate of temperature change signal and the temperature proportional signal to control the proportions of warm and cool liquid flowing through the garment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as set forth in claim 6 wherein: said core temperature is measured at the external auditory meatus of the wearer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as set forth in claim 7 where more than one skin temperature is measured.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |