Garment Pump

Abstract

An active deformable semi-rigid element is combined with a garment and power source to create a pumping action to create a cooling flow of air across a wearer's body.

1 . A garment, comprising:
 a first active deformable semi-rigid element extended between at least a first node and a second node coupled to a garment; and   a power source functionally coupled to the active deformable semi-rigid element; wherein the functional coupled power source causes manipulation of the garment.   
     
     
         2 . The garment in  claim 1  wherein
 the functionally coupled power source includes a controller, the controller controlled by a software program to deliver power to the active deformable semi-rigid element. 
 
     
     
         3 . The garment in  claim 1  wherein
 the controller is functionally coupled to a battery source, the controller delivers power to the first node through a wire conductor. 
 
     
     
         4 . The garment in  claim 1  wherein
 a current return path from active deformable semi-rigid element to the power source is provided by a conductor selected from a wire conductor and a floating ground comprised of a conductive garment material. 
 
     
     
         5 . The garment in  claim 1  wherein
 the active deformable semi-rigid element changes dimensions based on the delivered power to the element. 
 
     
     
         6 . The garment in  claim 2  wherein
 the active deformable semi-rigid element has wirelike properties. 
 
     
     
         7 . The garment in  claim 1  wherein
 the first active deformable semi-rigid element comprises a nickel titanium alloy wire. 
 
     
     
         8 . The garment in  claim 2  wherein,
 a second deformable semi-rigid element extended between a third node and a fourth node on the garment surface and the controller functionally coupled to the semi-rigid element, the controller manipulates both the first and second deformable semi-rigid elements. 
 
     
     
         9 . The garment in  claim 8  wherein,
 the controller program to manipulate the first and second deformable semi-rigid elements applies a pulse width modulated current to the wire. 
 
     
     
         10 . The garment in  claim 9  wherein,
 the controller simultaneously manipulates the first and second deformable semi-rigid elements in manner selected from in-phase, and out-of-phase. 
 
     
     
         11 . The garment in  claim 8  wherein,
 the first node and second node are on an inside garment surface. 
 
     
     
         12 . The garment in  claim 1  wherein,
 the first deformable semi-rigid element extends between the first node and the second node in a shape selected from curved, coiled, helical, and straight. 
 
     
     
         13 . A garment, comprising:
 a first deformable semi-rigid element extended between at least a first node and a second node on a garment surface;   a second deformable semi-rigid element connected between a third node and the first deformable semi-rigid element; and   a controller and power source functionally coupled to the second deformable semi-rigid element, the controller controlled by a software program to apply power to the second deformable semi-rigid element;   wherein application of power to the second deformable semi-rigid element causes manipulation of the first deformable semi-rigid element and thereby the garment surface to undulate.   
     
     
         14 . The garment in  claim 13  wherein,
 the second deformable semi-rigid element is an active deformable semi-rigid element and the first deformable semi-rigid element is a passive semi-rigid element. 
 
     
     
         15 . The garment in  claim 14  wherein,
 a current return path from the active deformable semi-rigid element to the power source is provided by a conductor selected from a wire conductor and a floating ground comprised of a conductive garment material. 
 
     
     
         16 . The garment in  claim 15  wherein,
 the controller applies a pulse width modulated power to the active deformable semi-rigid element. 
 
     
     
         17 . A garment comprising:
 an active deformable semi-rigid element pivotally connected between two nodes, the nodes connected to the inside surface of the garment; and   a controller and battery functionally coupled to the active deformable semi-rigid element to provide power, the active deformable semi-rigid element with a first dimension when power is applied, and having a second dimension when power is removed;   wherein the nodes extend in the first dimension and contract in the second dimension and pump the garment.   
     
     
         18 . The garment in  claim 17  wherein,
 the controller program to manipulate the active deformable semi-rigid element applies a pulse width modulated current. 
 
     
     
         19 . The garment in  claim 17  wherein,
 the active deformable semi-rigid element comprises between 30″ and 60″ of nickel titanium alloy wire.