Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to improved cooling module of a type for circulating water or other cooling fluid through a tube-lined cooling garment system. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a central shaft for the transmission of rotational power or torque. In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a hydration system which may be employed in connection with the cooling module described herein. In still another aspect, the present disclosure relates to an improved garment pass-through connection system for penetrating one or more garment layers. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or analogous components throughout the several views, are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a cooling module assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the manner of connecting the cooling module to the hydration system. 
       FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the cooling module component of  FIG. 1 , shown in partial cutaway. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the cooling module of  FIG. 1  mounted in place of an air tank in a breathing apparatus. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the hydration module according to an exemplary embodiment, illustrating the power source and mounting foot for the cooling module assembly. 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the hydration module of  FIG. 3 , shown in partial cutaway. 
       FIG. 7  is cross-sectional view of the cooling module component of  FIG. 5 , illustrating the rotational transmission components thereof. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a garment penetration system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  are exploded perspective views illustrating a garment penetration system according to an alternative exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary connection between the outer connector and a connector of the cooling module. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , there appears an exemplary embodiment of a cooling module assembly  100  including a vapor compression cooling device  102  for circulating a cooling fluid and an optional electrically operated hydration system  104  for delivering water or other potable liquid to a user under pressure. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the cooling module  100  is adapted to mount in the place of an air/breathing gas tank  108  of a breathing apparatus  106  such as a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cooling module  100  is adapted to replace a breathing cylinder of a combined SCBA and powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 10/924,281 filed Aug. 23, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   The cooling device  102  includes a housing  110  encasing a motor  112 . The motor  112  is driven by a power supply, which may be a battery, battery pack, or the like, preferably a rechargeable battery or battery pack. The unit may be electrically coupled to an external power source for operation and/or charging of an internal power supply, such as the power supply of the breathing apparatus  106 , a vehicle power supply, AC mains, or the like. 
   The motor  112  drives a compressor  116  which is fluidically coupled to a condenser  118  and an evaporator  120 . The compressor  116 , condenser  118 , and evaporator  120  define a refrigeration loop, through which a refrigerant is circulated, to provide cooling to water or other cooling fluid circulated through a cooling garment to be worn by the user. Exemplary refrigerants include, but are not limited to chlorocarbons (e.g., ethyl or methyl chloride), chlorofluorocarbons (e.g., Freon, Ucon, Genetron, or the like), ammonia, sulfur dioxide, or other known refrigerants. 
   The water or other cooling fluid circulated through the cooling garment is delivered through conduits  122 , which attach to the cooling unit  102  via a connection  124 , which may be a quick connect/disconnect coupler. Cooled fluid is passed through a tube-lined cooling suit, thereby absorbing heat from the user&#39;s body and providing a cooling effect. The warmed cooling fluid is returned to the cooling unit  102  wherein it passes in heat exchange relation to the evaporator  120 , thereby cooling the cooling fluid. The cooled fluid is then returned to the cooling garment, and so forth. 
   The water or other cooling fluid is circulated via a pump  126 , which has an inlet and outlet fluidically coupled to a respective outlet and inlet of the conduits  122 . The pump  126 , in turn, receives rotational power or torque from the motor  112  via a central shaft assembly  128 , as described in detail below. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 7 , the motor  112  includes a stator  130  supported within a housing  132 . The compressor  116  is secured to the housing  132 . The motor  112  electrodynamically drives a rotor  134  and drive shaft  136 . The shaft  136  is coupled at a first end to a drive shaft  138  of the compressor  116 . The shaft  136  is coupled at the opposite end to an internally sealed drive magnet  140 . One or more anti-rotation pins or dowels  142  secure the drive magnet  140  to the rotor  134 . 
   The drive magnet  140  is contained within a non-rotating housing cap  144 , which is formed of a non-magnetically attractable material, such as stainless steel, aluminum, polymer material, or the like. A first end  146  of the housing cap  144  includes an opening or cavity which is secured about the motor housing  132 . A second end  148  of the housing cap  144  opposite the first end  146  defines a tapered, threaded opening  150 . An internal bearing  152  rotatably supports the end of the drive shaft  136 . One or more sealing rings  145  may be provided to prevent entry of moisture or other environmental contamination into the motor  112  and compressor  116 . 
   An external, driven magnet  154  is coaxially received about the housing cap  144  in axial alignment with the drive magnet  140 . The driven magnet  154  is magnetically coupled to the drive magnet  140  and rotates therewith. The driven magnet  154  is contained within an enlarged bell end  157  of a magnet housing  156 . A fan  158  is carried on the magnet housing  156  and rotates with the magnet  154  and magnet housing  156 . 
   In operation, the fan  158  rotates to draw ambient air in through a set of top openings  164  formed in the housing  110  and force it over condenser coil fins  162  and out through a set of lower openings  160 . In operation, the refrigerant gas is liquefied by the increased pressure of the gas created by the compressor  116 . The heat of condensation given up by the refrigerant in its conversion into liquid form is removed by the fan  158 . The liquid refrigerant from the condenser  118  is delivered the evaporator section  120 , e.g., through a pressure restricting device (not shown) for refrigerant vaporization. The cooling fluid carrying heat absorbed from the user is delivered to the evaporator, e.g., via a heat exchanger (not shown), resulting in an increase in temperature of the refrigerant sufficient to cause it to vaporize, thereby cooling the cooling fluid prior to recirculation through the cooling garment. 
   The magnet housing  156  is, in turn, rotatably supported on an external bearing  166  carried on the exterior of the housing cap  144 . The magnet housing  156  includes an axially extending member  168  comprising an internal axial bore  170  and a tapered exterior surface  172 . The internally tapered member  148  of the housing cap  144  is coaxially received within the axial bore  170  of the axially extending member  168 . 
   The rotating magnet housing  156  is rigidly coupled to a second magnet housing  174  having an enlarged bell end  176  and an axially extending member  178 . The axially extending portion  178  includes a tapered and threaded internal surface  180  which is complimentary with the external tapered surface  172  of the first magnet housing  156  to provide a rigid coupling therebetween. 
   The second magnet housing  174  is rotatably supported on a second external bearing  183  which, in turn, is supported on a fixed shaft member  183 . The fixed shaft member includes a tapered and threaded exterior surface  184  which is complimentary and mating with the interior surface of the opening  150  to provide a rigid interconnection therebetween. 
   The bell end  176  of the second magnet housing receives an external water pump drive magnet  186 , which is secured therein rotated by the rotation of the magnet  154  and the rigid coupling between the first and second magnet housings  156  and  174 , respectively. The external drive magnet  186  drives an internal water pump magnet  188 . The internal water pump magnet is sealed within a magnet housing  190  defining an enlarged opening receiving the magnet  188 . In the depicted embodiment, a flange  194  formed on the magnet housing  190  is secured to the water pump  126  via a flange clamp  196  and threaded fasteners or other mechanical fasteners. The internal magnet  188  is rigidly secured to an axial shaft  198  which rotates with the magnet  188  to drive the water or other cooling fluid circulation pump  126 . 
   The rotating housings  156  and  174  may be formed of aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, or the like, and may be formed of the same material as the rotationally immobilized housing members  144  and  182 . The magnets  154  and  186  may be rigidly secured within the sleeve portions of the housing members  156  and  174 , respectively, via a number of methods, including, mechanical fasteners, or more preferably, an adhesive. 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the hydration unit  104  includes an external housing  200  lined with a chemically hardened bladder  202 . In the depicted preferred embodiment wherein the unit  100  approximates the size and shape of an air cylinder for connection to a breathing apparatus, the base of the housing  200  includes a connection shoe  204  for receiving within a complimentary connector located on the breathing apparatus  106 . Openings  206  on the connection shoe  204  align with openings in the breathing unit  106  for receiving retaining pins  208  (see  FIG. 4 ) to prevent inadvertent ejection of the cooling unit  100 . Connection to other types of harnesses, packs, or garments is also contemplated. 
   A fill port  210  is provided to fill the internal bladder  202  with water or other potable liquid. In the depicted embodiment, the fill port  210  includes an extendable tube  212  which is stored within the interior of the hydration unit  212  when the fill port is closed, e.g., via a threaded cover or cap  214 , and which can be slidingly extended therefrom to assist in filling the container. 
   A water pump  216  may be provided within the interior compartment to deliver water/fluid to the user under pressure. The pump includes a pickup tube  218  attached to an inlet of the pump  216  and a conduit  220  coupled to an outlet of the pump  216 . A power supply  222 , such as a battery or battery pack, may be provided to supply electrical power to the pump  216 . Alternatively, the pump may be electrically coupled to a power supply of a powered breathing system or other external power source. 
   In the depicted preferred embodiment, a water pump activation switch  224  is connected to the conduit  220 , preferably within easy reach of the operator. The switch  224  is electrically coupled to the pump  216  via electrical conductors  226 , e.g., passing within the conduit  220 . The conduit  220  includes a drink tube  228  of a type adapted for connection to a standard drink tube fitting on a breathing mask. 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cooling module  102  is connected to the hydration module  104  in the depicted preferred embodiment via a bayonet type mounting system. A plurality of keyhole shaped openings  201  on the hydration module  102  are aligned with a plurality of protrusions  203  on the cooling module. The protrusions  203  are inserted into the openings  201  and the cooling module is rotated relative to the hydration module. Other fastening members or locking devices are also contemplated to prevent the cooling module from becoming disengaged from the hydration unit. It will be recognized that the hydration unit is an optional component. In certain embodiments, the hydration unit may be replaced with a blank member which occupies the same amount of space occupied by the hydration unit and provide a connection foot for securing the unit in place of a breathing gas tank on a breathing apparatus. In other embodiments, the hydration unit may be omitted and the connection foot may be provided directly on the cooling module  102 . 
   With reference now to  FIG. 8 , a penetrator system appears for use with a garment system of a type including an outer protective garment and an inner cooling garment, which is worn under the outer garment. The outer protective garment may be, for example, a heat resistant garment, chemical resistant garment, or a garment otherwise providing a barrier to external contaminants, such as chemical agents or other hazardous materials, extreme environmental conditions, and so forth. Such garments and materials that may be used therefore are generally known to those skilled in the art. The outer garment may be, for example, a coat, parka, one-piece coverall, or the like. Likewise, the depicted embodiment is adapted for a system employing two garment layers. It will be recognized that the penetrator system herein may be readily adapted to garment systems having three or more garment layers by employing additional connector units as necessary. 
   The inner cooling garment is of a type having tubing therein carrying a cooling fluid circulated by the cooling fluid pump  126 . As is generally understood in the art, the tubing carrying the fluid is in close body contact (typically on or in an interior surface of the garment) with the wearer so as to effect the transfer of heat from the wearer. 
   The penetrator system includes an outer connector  230  which provides a flow connection between the cooling fluid conduit  122  with connector  123  and an inner connector assembly  232 . The inner and outer connector assemblies  230  and  232  are positioned on the inner and outer garments so as to come into a generally aligned relationship when both suits are worn as a layered set by the user. In the depicted preferred embodiment, the fluid passageways in the connectors  230  and  232  form right angles, thereby defining a low profile as compared to linear connectors. 
   The outer connector assembly  230  includes an outer block connector  234  which is intended to be located on an exterior surface of the outer protective garment. An outer garment retaining plate  236  is located on an interior surface of the outer garment and is secured to the inward facing surface of the outer block connector  234 , e.g., via one or more fasteners  238 , thereby clamping the outer garment (not shown) therebetween. The garment may be reinforced with additional layers of fabric or other reinforcing material at the location of the connector assembly  230 . 
   The outer block connector  234  includes a fluid inlet valve  240  and a fluid outlet valve  242  for connection to the cooling unit  102 , e.g., via a mating connector  123  attached to the conduits  122 . The conduits  122  terminate at the opposite end at connector  124  on the unit  102 . The outer block connector  234  and retaining plate  236  may be positioned at any desired location on the garment, and is preferably within easy reach of the wearer. In one embodiment, e.g., for military use, the outer block connector  236  may be positioned on or near the shoulder opposite the user&#39;s shooting shoulder, and the invention may be adapted for left or right handed marksmen. Placement of the connector  236  toward the rear of the shoulder is particularly advantageous for use with the breathing apparatus  106  or other portable cooling units of a type adapted to be worn on the user&#39;s back. Other positions of the fluid connectors relative to the body of the wearer are also contemplated. 
   The inner block assembly  232  includes an inner block connector  244  having a fluid inlet  246  and outlet  248 , which may be barbed hose connectors, e.g., for connection to the tubing of a tube lined suit worn beneath a protective outer garment as described above. The inner block connector  244  may be secured about an opening in the cooling suit at a position so that it is generally aligned with the position of the outer block connector  234  when the inner and outer garments are donned by the user. An inner retaining plate  250  is located on an exterior facing surface of the cooling suit and is secured to the inner block connector  244  in clamping fashion, e.g., with one or more threaded connectors  253 . The cooling garment may be reinforced with additional layers of fabric or other reinforcing material at the location of the connector assembly  232 . A chemical or other protective outer garment layer  235  is disposed between the outer block  234  and the plate  236 . A cooling garment layer  245  is disposed between the inner block  244  and the plate  250 . 
     FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate an alternative embodiment substantially as shown in  FIG. 8 , but wherein the connector block  234  includes male and female dripless connectors  240  and  242  so as to ensure proper orientation when connected. Other manners of ensuring consistent orientation include providing a keyed connection, e.g., via the shape or features on the connector housings, markings on the connectors, or the like. The outer block connector  234  includes a dripless outlet valve subassembly  252  which cooperates with an inlet valve subassembly  254  on the inner block connector  244 . Likewise, a dripless outlet valve subassembly  256  on the outer block connector  234  cooperates with a dripless inlet valve subassembly  258  on the inner block connector  244 . By dripless valve is meant self-sealing connectors including a valve movable between an open position when the connectors are in a coupled state and which are self sealing to obstruct flow when the connectors are in an uncoupled or disconnected state. The dripless connectors may be a valve coupling as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,147, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, other fluid connection types, including but not limited to quick connect/disconnect systems and dripless or self-sealing systems as generally known in the art pertaining to the connection of fluid-carrying hoses or tubing, are also contemplated. 
   A threaded fastener  260  is provided on the outer block connector  234  and includes a rod  262  passing through an opening  264  in the block connector  234 . The rod  262  includes helical threads  266  which are complementary with internal helical threads  268  formed in an opening  270  in the inner block connector  244 . Optionally, in a preferred embodiment, the rod  262  additionally includes an unthreaded portion  272  and a portion of the connector block  234  contains internal threads so that the threaded end  266  of the threaded fastener  260  must be threaded through an opening in the outer block portion  234  prior to being threaded into the opening  270 , thereby capturing the threaded fastener  260  and preventing inadvertent removal of the threaded fastener  260  from the outer block connector  234  when disconnected from the inner connector  244 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , and with continued reference to  FIG. 8 , there is illustrated an exemplary connector  123  of the cooling module  102  which is adapted for connection with the outer connector  230 . The inlet valve  240  of the outer connector  230  connects with an outlet valve  274  of the cooling module connector  123 . Likewise, the outlet valve  242  of the outer connector  230  connects with the inlet valve  276  of the cooling module connector  123 . It will be recognized that other arrangements of male and female connectors may also be employed. It will be recognized that the designations of inlet and outlet valves described herein are exemplary only and are preferably selected to provide the most efficient cooling of the wearer. For example, body heat tends to be greatest toward the geometric center of the body to be cooled. Thus, it is generally desirable for the cooling fluid to pass over more central regions, such as the spine area, prior to passing over more peripheral areas. In preferred embodiments, the connectors are configured to fit only in the orientation that provides the desired flow direction, e.g., by providing adjacent male and female connectors (see  FIGS. 9 and 10 ), by keying the connectors, by providing markings or indicia of flow direction, and so forth. 
   In the depicted preferred embodiment, a quick release mechanism includes a latch member  278  having a tapered end which protrudes from the connector block  234  housing and which, in operation, extends into an aligned opening  280  on the connector  123  to provide a latching connection therewith. Once connected, the connectors  230  and  123  may be disconnected via a number of methods. In one method, an optional release button  282  may be provided. For example, a depressible button  282  may be provided on the housing shell  284  of the connector  123  wherein an internal pin  286  or other mechanical coupling or engagement between the button and the tapered latch member  278  may be provided for moving the latch from a latched position to an unlatched position when the button  282  is depressed by a user. A spring member  288  may also be provided to bias the button  282  toward the undepressed position. In an especially preferred embodiment, the button  282  is positioned on an inward facing surface of the connector  123  housing, which is opposite an outward facing surface  290  thereof. Such placement provides easy manipulation of the button  282  with a user&#39;s thumb when the connector unit is located at the user&#39;s shoulder region as described above. However, button placement elsewhere on the unit is also contemplated. 
   In certain embodiments, a lip  292  of the opening  280  and the latching surface of the latch member  278  are configured to disconnect upon the application of some predetermined or preselected degree of force, without the need to depress the release button  282  (if so provided). This would allow the user to readily shed the cooling module, e.g., under emergency conditions, without the need to first locate and manipulate the release button or other mechanism. The inlet and outlet  294  and  296 , respectively, of the connector  123  may be barbed hose connectors for connection to the conduits  122 . 
   The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including these and other modifications and alterations.

Technology Category: 1