Patent ID: 7373969
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: A41D,A42B,A42C,A61F,A62B,F28F,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A fluid supply and conditioning system for use in conjunction with a garment having a fluid-impervious bladder with a flow channel having a fluid output port and a fluid input port, the system comprising: a pump having an inlet and an outlet; a cooling/heating source having an input port and an output port; a thermostatic mixing valve having first and second input ports and an output port; and first, second, third, fourth and fifth fluid flow lines; said first fluid flow line extending from the outlet port of the bladder flow channel to the inlet of said pump to convey fluid from the bladder flow channel to said pump; said second fluid flow line extending from the pump outlet to the first input port of said mixing valve; said third fluid flow line extending from the pump outlet to the cooling/heating source input port; said fourth fluid flow line extending from the cooling/heating source outlet port to the second input port of said mixing valve; and said fifth fluid flow line extending from the mixing valve outlet port to the bladder flow channel inlet port; wherein said system further comprises a thermostatic control switch provided with a temperature sensor, wherein said thermostatic control switch is adapted to activate said pump when the temperature sensor detects a temperature outside of a selected range; whereby the bladder fluid flow channel inlet port receives from said mixing valve a mixture of (i) fluid received from said second line and (ii) fluid received from said fourth line, whereby to maintain fluid supplied to said bladder input port at a substantially constant temperature.