Patent ID: 8402579

Claim:
A climate controlled bed assembly, comprising: a mattress configured to support an occupant, said mattress having a top side and a bottom side generally opposite of the top side; at least one fluid distribution member positioned at least partially within the mattress, said at least one fluid distribution member having at least one inlet through which fluids selectively enter the at least one fluid distribution member; at least one fluid module comprising a fluid transfer device and at least one thermoelectric device configured to selectively heat or cool fluids transferred by the fluid transfer device, said at least one fluid module being configured to deliver fluids to the at least one inlet of the at least one fluid distribution member; wherein fluids entering the at least one fluid distribution member are generally distributed therein before exiting through an upper portion of the at least one fluid distribution member; a top layer or pad positioned along the top side of the mattress, said top layer or pad being generally air permeable so that fluids exiting the at least one fluid distribution member pass through the top layer or pad toward an occupant of the bed assembly; a control module configured to control at least one operational parameter of the at least one fluid module according to at least one control scheme; and at least one sensor being in data communication with the control module and configured to provide feedback control for regulating at least one operational parameter of the at least one fluid module; wherein the at least one control scheme comprises a first operational stage and at least a second operational stage; wherein, during the first operational stage, the at least one thermoelectric device of the at least one fluid module is activated to a first activation level to thermally condition fluids being transferred to the at least one fluid distribution member; wherein, during the second operational stage, the at least one thermoelectric device is activated to a second activation level, said second activation level being less than said first activation level such that an amount of heating or cooling of fluids transferred by the fluid transfer device to the at least one fluid distribution member is reduced; and wherein the fluid transfer device of the at least one fluid module is configured to operate consistently during both the first operational stage and the second operation stage so that a flowrate of fluids delivered to the at least one fluid distribution member is generally constant.