Line-tuned compressed gas cooling systems

Abstract

A pressurized gas source feeding an array of exhaust lines or conduits in association with a user-worn or retained garment is provided, thereby offering a portable cooling systems. The system is optionally adapted to provide powered cooling to locations where only very small and portable cooling systems can fit. Various user retainable appliances or articles may have cooling features incorporated therein including helmet and torso garments. The wearer of one such device integrating cooling features as described would experience cooling to the head or chest, respectively. Other user-wearable articles and associated cooling targets are contemplated as well. To provide the intended cooling effect, a conduit system in connection with a pressurized gas source is tuned, without nozzles or orifices, by way of various pipe-flow parameters to deliver a programmed distribution of cooling gas. Greater cooling effect may be targeted toward “hot” spots; alternatively, uniform cooling flow distribution may be achieved.

1 . A personal cooling system, comprising: 
 a user-wearable article carrying a plurality of conduits, each conduit adapted to tolerate pressure between about 50 and about 500 psi, and having a terminal end open to direct a cooling flow at the user,    the conduits alone, together, being tuned to delivery flow in a selected manner.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the selected manner comprises even flow in at least one region.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the selected manner comprises greater flow in at least one region over at least one other region.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conduits are attached to the article.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conduits are formed integrally with the article.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a programmed control system.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the control system is responsive to a measured condition of the user.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the control system comprises a plurality of pre-set programs.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein parameters of the programs including a frequency of flow delivery and a duration of flow delivery are variables.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a user-retainable reservoir and control valve.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control valve is housed with the programmed control system.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control system is remotely located from the reservoir and control valve.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein a radio-frequency link is provided between the control system and control valve.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user-retained article comprises clothing.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the clothing is a form of shirt.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the conduits are tuned to delivery greater cooling flow to a user's underarms.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the conduits are tuned to delivery even cooling flow across at least a portion of a user's chest.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user-retained article is a helmet.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the conduits are tuned to delivery even cooling flow across at least a portion of a user's head.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a helmet-retained reservoir and control valve.  
   
   
       21 . A method of cooling a user, the method comprising: 
 providing a wholly user retained cooling system adapted to direct air at a user via a plurality of conduits from a reservoir; each conduit having a substantially constant cross-sectional area;    introducing pressurized gas into a proximal end of at least some of the conduits;    the gas expanding along the conduit line, dropping is pressure and exiting the conduits without further restriction, and gas contacting the user at a temperature reduced from that of the reservoir.    
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein a user controls a switch to effect the introducing.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein a user sets at least one of a flow pulse duration, intensity or pressure for the system.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the introducing is controlled by a programmed processor.