Patent ID: 6698510
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: A41D,B32B,B63C,C09K,G05D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for controlling the flow of a fluid in a material to maintain the fluid in thermal contact with the material approximately at a predetermined temperature, the method comprising the steps of:providing a layer of the material in thermal contact with the fluid, the material containing particles of a gel embedded therein, the gel having a gel volume phase transition critical temperature (VPTCT) at about the predetermined temperature; and permitting the fluid to flow through the material to regulate a temperature of the fluid, wherein the gel particles in the material absorb the fluid and expand when the temperature of the fluid is below the gel volume phase transition critical temperature, and the gel particles contract and expel the fluid when the temperature of the fluid is above the gel volume phase transition critical temperature.