TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT LINER SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to systems and methods used for
maintaining temperature of living or non-living things. Particularly, the present invention relates to a temperature management liner system for maintaining temperature of living, non-living objects or any parts thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Performance of nearly every object, living or non living can be affected
due to variation in temperatures. For human beings who are warm-blooded creature, maintaining a comfortable temperature is a must to work efficiently. Accordingly, when the temperature of surrounding is too hot or too cold the temperature of human body changes accordingly.
[0003] Accordingly, to maintain the temperature of the human beings and non-
living things various temperature controlling systems such as, air conditioners, refrigerators, Phase Change Materials (PCMs) and the like are used. Although, PCMs are useful for maintaining temperature of living and non-living thing, the PCMs have various limitations. For example, the PCMs alone are ineffective in maintaining the temperature in desired direction when the temperature prevailing in environment is hostile. Further, exposed PCM surfaces to outside environment may affect the temperature maintaining property of the PCM.
[0004] Accordingly, to alleviate the problems related to the PCM, some of
temperature management systems are disclosed in the prior art. For example, US publication number US20020068152 filed on December 4, 2000 discloses a comfort liner including a sealing layer of material, a plurality of bubble members formed on the sealing layer of material, and a thermal material formed within each of the plurality of bubble members. The thermal material is stated to be a heat absorbing material whose absorption of heat may provide cooling within a range of at least 70 degrees F. to 85 degrees F. However, the comfort liner as described by the US publication number US20020068152 is comparatively complex in construction.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need of a temperature management system that is
effective in maintaining the temperature in desired direction when the temperature prevailing in environment is hostile. Further, there is a need of a temperature management system that is simple in construction. Furthermore, there is a need of a temperature management system that can be used effectively for maintaining temperature of living and non-living things or parts thereof.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a temperature management
liner system that is effective in maintaining the temperature in desired direction when the temperature prevailing in environment is hostile.
[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a temperature
management liner system that is simple in construction.
[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a temperature
management liner system that can be used effectively for maintaining temperature of living and non-living things or parts thereof.
[0009] Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature
management liner system that prevents heat exchange between the surrounding environment and the PCM material.
[0010] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature
management liner system that is comfortable in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In one aspect the present invention provides a temperature management
liner system. The temperature management liner system includes at least one shock absorption layer, at least one soft cushion layer, at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer and

packing means. The at least one soft cushion layer is disposed parallel to the at least one shock absorption layer. The at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer is disposed parallel to the at least one soft cushion layer. The packing means is adapted to functionally dispose the at least one shock absorption layer, the at least one soft cushion layer and at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer together.
[0012] The at least one shock absorption layer may include at least one air
groove.
[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one shock
absorption layer is composed of shock absorption foam.
[0014] The at least one soft cushion layer may be composed of soft cushion foam.
[0015] Typically, the packing means is composed of fabric.
[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one Phase Change
Material (PCM) layer is disposed inside a pouch.
[0017] Alternatively, the at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer is
disposed inside a bag.
[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one Phase
Change Material (PCM) layer is wrapped inside a fabric.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better
understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols. Further, it is to be understood that drawings are to be used for the purposes of exemplary illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention:
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a temperature management
liner system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a head protective device
along with suitably spaced configuration of pad lined with temperature management liner system; and
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a head protective device
with tightly configured pad lined with temperature management liner system.
[0023] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of
several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative
purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present invention is not limited to a particular temperature management liner system, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
[0025] The terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not denote any order,
quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
[0026] The present invention provides a temperature management liner system
for actively maintaining temperature of living, non-living objects or any parts thereof. More specifically, the temperature management liner system of the present invention prevents heat exchange between the surrounding environment and the PCM material. Particularly, the PCM of the temperature management liner system of the present invention is disposed in close proximity with an object whose temperature is to be maintained for facilitating heat exchange between that

object and the PCM and provides heat insulation to any other heat exchange. Accordingly, the temperature management liner system of the present invention is effective and efficient in maintaining temperature of the desired living, non-living objects or any parts thereof.
[0027] Referring to FIG.l, a schematic representation of a temperature
management liner system 100 is depicted, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The temperature management liner system 100 includes at least one shock absorption layer 102, at least one soft cushion layer 104, at least one layer of phase change material 106 and packing means 108.
[0028] The at least one shock absorption layer 102 includes plurality of air
groove, such as air grooves 110. Air in the air grooves 110 acts as an insulator as whatever heat is picked by air in the grove from surroundings is again purged in the surroundings on account of circulation of air. For some application such as helmet for parachute or gliding where air circulation cannot be allowed on account of safety requirement, there also the air acts as an insulating material protecting the PCM from adverse effect of surrounding temperature. In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one shock absorption layer 102 is composed of shock absorption foam. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular material used for composing the at least one shock absorption layer 102.
[0029] The at least one soft cushion layer 104 increases the insulation of the
temperature management liner system 100 keeping the integrity of the system 100. In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one soft cushion layer 104 is composed of soft cushion foam. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular material used for composing the at least one soft cushion layer 104.
[0030] The at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer 106 is the layer of
suitably chosen PCM so that phase change temperature is near about the desired temperature to be maintained. In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer 106 is disposed inside a pouch. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer 106 is disposed inside a bag. Alternatively, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer 106 is wrapped inside a fabric. However, the present invention is

not limited to any particular method of disposing of the at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer 106. The at least one shock absorbing layer 102 and at least one soft cushion layer 104 all together keep the PCM/PCM fabric layer unaffected from the atmospheric temperature.
[0031] The packing means 108 is adapted to functionally dispose the at least one
shock absorption layer 102, the at least one soft cushion layer 104 and at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer 106 together. In one embodiment of the present invention, the packing means is a layer of packing fabric. However, the present invention is not limited to any particular packing means described.
[0032] The temperature management liner system 100 of the present invention
channelizes the maximum utilization of latent heat of PCM contained in the at least one phase change material 106 for maintenance of desired temperature of target object/surface. In one embodiment of the invention in hot climate, when body temperature goes up, heat from the body is absorbed into the Phase Change Material (shown by arrow "A" in Figure 1) and no heat is absorbed in PCM from surroundings and thus desired body temperature is maintained giving coolness to the user (shown by arrow "B" in Figure 1). Similarly in one of the embodiment of the invention in cold climate heat is provided from Phase Change Material (shown by arrow "C" in Figure 1) and coolness is removed from the user (shown by arrow 'D" in Figure 1) as and when temperature of the object falls below the Phase Change temperature.
[0033] In one of the application of the present invention, the temperature
management liner system 100 may be used as the harness system in head protective devices. Now referring to Figure 2, the head protective device consists of a harness system with temperature management modular system 100 with suitably spaced configuration of pads and a plurality of air channels 112. In head protective devices for ground troopers the liner system can be used as modular pad suspension system where pads are packed as per configuration. In such application the liner system is made of shock absorbing foam with air grooves. Air increases the insulating power of the temperature management liner system.
[0034] Further referring to Figure 3, the head protective device consists of
harness system with temperature management modular system with tightly packed pads. In devices like Para Troopers helmets the liner system can be used as modular pad suspension system where pads are packed tightly so that there is no space for air in between the pads. The

invention can be further used in any kind of head protective device which may be ballistic and non-ballistic in nature. The use of such temperature management liner system increases the comfort level of the user by maintaining body temperature effectively in extreme climatic condition.
[0035] Although, the invention is described in conjunction with the head
protective devices. The present invention is not limited to any particular example; the temperature management system 100 of the present invention may be effectively used for maintaining temperature of various living, non-living objects or any parts thereof. For example, the temperature management liner system of the present invention may be effectively used in Body Armor, Helmets, vehicles, electrical & electronic parts/assemblies, and the like.
[0036] Various embodiments of the present invention offer following advantages.
The temperature management liner system, as described herein, is effective in maintaining the temperature in desired direction when the temperature prevailing in environment is hostile. Further, the temperature management liner system of the present invention is simple in construction. Still further, the temperature management liner system of the present invention can be used effectively for maintaining temperature of living and non-living things or parts thereof. Moreover, the temperature management liner system prevents heat exchange between the surrounding environment and the PCM material. Additionally, the temperature management liner system of the present invention is comfortable in use.
[0037] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

We claim:
1. A temperature management liner system, the temperature management liner
system comprising:
at least one shock absorption layer;
at least one soft cushion layer disposed parallel to the at least one shock absorption layer;
at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer disposed parallel to the at least one soft cushion layer; and
packing means adapted to functionally dispose the at least one shock absorption layer, the at least one soft cushion layer and at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer together.
2. The temperature management liner system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one shock absorption layer comprising at least one air groove.
3. The temperature management liner system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one shock absorption layer is composed of shock absorption foam.
4. The temperature management liner system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one soft cushion layer is composed of soft cushion foam.
5. The temperature management liner system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said packing means is a layer of packing fabric.
6. The temperature management liner system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer is disposed inside a pouch.
7. The temperature management liner system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer is disposed inside a bag.
8. The temperature management liner system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one Phase Change Material (PCM) layer is wrapped inside a fabric.