Synergistic pairing convective and conductive cooling system and process

Abstract

This disclosure describes a synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system and process that can include a convective thermal regulating device and a conductive thermal regulating device. The convective thermal regulating device can be configured to induce an artificial temperature change in the conductive thermal regulating device. For example, the convective thermal regulating device can heat or cool the ambient environment to elevate or reduce the temperature of the conductive thermal regulating device to a selected temperature range. The conductive thermal regulating device can initiate rapid heat transfer from a user into the conductive thermal regulating device to achieve and maintain optimal user comfort in a selected temperature range in the conductive thermal regulating device, and concurrently in a microclimate and/or microenvironment. Operation of the convective thermal regulating device can be controlled based on maintaining the selected temperature range, allowing for decreased utilization of the convective thermal regulating device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system for regulating a microclimate within a microenvironment, the synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system comprising:
 a conductive thermal regulating device; and   a convective thermal regulating device configured induce a temperature change in the conductive thermal regulating device.   
     
     
         2 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive thermal regulating device includes a phase change material configured to increase the heat capacity of the conductive thermal regulating device. 
     
     
         3 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more indicators coupled to the conductive thermal regulating device, the one or more indicators configured to indicate the temperature of the conductive thermal regulating device. 
     
     
         4 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more indicators comprise a smart pigment, a temperature indicator strip, or a thermochromatic film. 
     
     
         5 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive thermal regulating device is configured to be in communication with the convective thermal regulating device. 
     
     
         6 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a programmable thermostat, the programmable thermostat including:
 a set point;   a transceiver configured to be in communication with at least one of the convective thermal regulating device or the conductive thermal regulating device;   a temperature sensor configured to identify temperature information associated with conductive thermal regulating device; and   a temperature regulator configured to increase or decrease the thermostat setpoint based on the temperature information associated with the conductive thermal regulating device.   
     
     
         7 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a computing device in communication with at least one of the convective thermal regulating device or the conductive thermal regulating device, the computing device including:
 a memory configured to store one or more modules; and   a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the one or more modules to cause the processor to receive data associated with temperature of the conductive thermal regulating device.   
     
     
         8 . A process comprising:
 operating a convective thermal regulating device to induce a change in temperature in a conductive thermal regulating device;   detecting the temperature of the conductive thermal regulating device;   initiating rapid heat transfer into the conductive thermal regulating device to achieve a selected temperature range in a microclimate; and   controlling the operation of the convective thermal regulating device based on maintaining the selected temperature range.   
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the conductive thermal regulating device includes a phase change material configured to increase the heat capacity of the conductive thermal regulating device. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the temperature of the conductive thermal regulating device is indicated by one or more indicators coupled to the conductive thermal regulating device. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the convective thermal regulating device is controlled by communicating at least one of temperature information or an instruction to the convective thermal regulating device based on temperature information obtained from the one or more indicators. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one of temperature information or an instruction to the convective thermal regulating device is communicated to a programmable thermostat. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the communicating of the at least one of temperature information or an instruction to the convective thermal regulating device further includes using a computing device. 
     
     
         14 . A synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system comprising:
 a conductive thermal regulating device including a phase change material configured to increase the heat capacity of the conductive thermal regulating device; and   a convective thermal regulating device configured induce a temperature change in the conductive thermal regulating device.   
     
     
         15 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 14 , wherein the induced temperature change in the conductive thermal regulating device is approximately in the range of 1 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         16 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more indicators coupled to the conductive thermal regulating device, the one or more indicators configured to indicate the temperature of the conductive thermal regulating device. 
     
     
         17 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more indicators comprise a smart pigment, a temperature indicator strip, or a thermochromatic film. 
     
     
         18 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 14 , further comprising a programmable thermostat, the programmable thermostat including:
 a set point;   a transceiver configured to be in communication with at least one of the convective thermal regulating device or the one or more indicators;   a temperature sensor configured to identify the temperature information from the one or more indicators on the conductive thermal regulating device; and   a temperature regulator that can increase or decrease the thermostat setpoint based on the temperature information obtained from the one or more indicators.   
     
     
         19 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 14 , further comprising a computing device in communication with at least one of the convective thermal regulating device or the one or more indicators, the computing device including:
 a memory configured to store one or more modules; and   a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the one or more modules to cause the processor to receive data associated with temperature of the conductive thermal regulating device from the one or more indicators.   
     
     
         20 . The synergistic pairing convective and conductive thermal regulating system of  claim 19 , wherein the computing device is configured to receive input from the subject.