Portable heating systems and methods

Abstract

The present invention relates to portable heating systems for generating heat through various exothermic reactions excluding combustion of inflammable gases and liquids and carbon-containing fossil fuels. More particularly, the present invention relates to portable air heating systems generating heat by the exothermic chemical reactions and delivering heat to a target by conduction or convection. The present invention also relates to various portable heating systems supplying reactants, air, and/or heated air into and/out of such by a driving force generated by ordinary bodily movement of an user. Thus, the present invention relates to gloves, shoes, and cloths incorporated with the portable heating systems to keeping the user warm in cold weather. The present invention also relates to methods of generating heat by the portable heating systems and methods of applying such systems to the gloves, shoes, and cloths. The present invention also relates to processes for making such portable heating systems and processes of fabricating gloves, shoes, and cloths incorporated with such systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable heat generator for generating heat by an exothermic hydration of at least one oxide of at least one alkali earth metal and delivering said heat to a target comprising:
 at least one portable reactor which is configured to retain therein said oxide of said metal;   at least one air inlet fluidly communicating with said reactor and ambient air with water; and   at least one air supplier which is configured to be in fluid communication with said ambient air and reactor and to supply said ambient air into said reactor through said air inlet;   whereby said metal oxide reacts with said water inside said reactor and generates said heat at least a portion of which is then delivered to said target.   
     
     
         2 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein said generator is configured to have a shape defining a low profile than a length and a width thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein said alkali earth metal includes Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba. 
     
     
         4 . The generator of  claim 3 , wherein said metal is CA and wherein said metal oxide is CaO. 
     
     
         5 . The generator of  claim 3 , wherein said metal oxide is configured to define a shape of at least one of a ball, a pellet, a bar, a fiber, and a powder. 
     
     
         6 . The generator of  claim 5 , wherein said metal oxide is configured to define a porous structure defining therethrough at least one of macroscopic pores and microscopic pores therealong. 
     
     
         7 . The generator of  claim 6 , wherein said structure is also configured to form at least one internal lumen so as to facilitate of mass transport of said second reactant therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein said reactor is configured to releasably receive at least one cartridge incorporating said metal oxide therein and to also dispose said cartridge along said first fluid communication so that said water travels into said cartridge and to react with said metal oxide. 
     
     
         9 . The generator of  claim 1  further comprising a control member which is configured to control said air supplier and to manipulate an amount of said air supplied to said reactor as well as an amount of said heat generated in said reactor. 
     
     
         10 . The generator of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of air paths, wherein at least one of said air paths is configured to be disposed along said first communication, wherein at least another of said air paths is configured to be disposed off from said first communication, and wherein said air supplier is configured to manipulate said air to path through either of said air paths. 
     
     
         11 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein said portion of said heat is delivered to said target through a thermal conduction. 
     
     
         12 . A portable hot air generator for heating ambient air by heat which is released by an exothermic hydration of at leas one oxide of at least one alkali earth metal and then delivering heated ambient air to a target comprising:
 at least one portable reactor which is configured to retain therein said oxide of said metal;   at least one air inlet fluidly communicating with said reactor and ambient air including water;   at least one air outlet fluidly communicating with said reactor and target; and   at least one air supplier which is configured to be in fluid communication with said ambient air, reactor, and target, to supply said ambient air into said reactor through said air inlet, and to discharge said heated ambient out therefrom,   whereby said metal oxide reacts with said water inside said reactor and heats said ambient air therein and whereby said air supplier delivers said heated air to said target through said air outlet.   
     
     
         13 . The generator of  claim 12 , wherein said alkali earth metal includes Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba. 
     
     
         14 . The generator of  claim 13 , wherein said metal is CA and wherein said metal oxide is CaO. 
     
     
         15 . The generator of  claim 12 , wherein said reactor is configured to releasably receive at least one cartridge incorporating said metal oxide therein and to also dispose said cartridge along said first fluid communication so that said water travels into said cartridge and to react with said metal oxide. 
     
     
         16 . The generator of  claim 12  further comprising a heat exchanging chamber which is configured to contain therein at least a substantial portion of said reactor, to receive said air therein, to generate said heated air by flowing said air around said reactor and heating said air by said reactor, and then to discharge said heated air to said target. 
     
     
         17 . The generator of  claim 12 , wherein said metal oxide is configured to define a shape of at least one of a ball, a pellet, a bar, a fiber, and a powder. 
     
     
         18 . A method of generating heat by a portable heating system without using electricity and without burning fuel comprising the steps of:
 charging a refillable reactor with at least one oxide of at least one alkali earth metal capable of generating heat by hydration thereof;   incorporating said reactor into said system;   supplying air containing therein water to said metal oxide, thereby generating said heat;   removing said metal oxide from said reactor after a preset extent of said hydration; and   repeating said charging with fresh metal oxide.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of:
 transferring said heat to said user across said reactor through thermal conduction. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the steps of:
 flowing at least a portion of said air around but not in said reactor; 
 heating said portion of said air by said reactor; and 
 delivering said heated air to target, thereby transferring said heat to said target by convention.