Wearable heat transfer devices and associated systems and methods

A wearable heat transfer device, comprising:

• thermoelectric components arranged in an array and spaced apart from each other, wherein individual thermoelectric components have a first side configured to be thermally coupled to a target area of a mammal and a second side opposite the first side;
• a heat transfer system comprising—
• a heat exchanger,
• a common inlet fluid distribution passage fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger,
• a common outlet fluid distribution passage fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger, and
• an array of fluid distribution networks fluidically coupled in parallel to the common inlet and outlet fluid distribution passages, wherein each of the fluid distribution networks (i) is thermally coupled to the second side of a corresponding one of the thermoelectric components, and (ii) includes an inlet region fluidically coupled to the common inlet fluid distribution passage, and an outlet region fluidically coupled to the common outlet fluid distribution passage;
• and
• a flexible support unit comprising a thermally conductive flexible contact member coupled to the first sides of at least some of the thermoelectric components, wherein the contact member is configured to enhance heat transfer from and/or to the target area of the mammal, and wherein, along an axis extending away from the target area when the device is worn by the mammal, the flexible support unit is inward of the individual thermoelectric components, the individual thermoelectric components are inward of the corresponding fluid distribution networks, and the fluid distribution networks are inward of at least one of the common inlet fluid distribution passage or the common outlet fluid distribution passage,
• wherein a distance between the first side of the individual thermoelectric components and an outermost surface of one of the common inlet fluid distribution passage or the common outlet fluid distribution passage is no more than 30 millimeters.

A method for transferring heat from a mammal to a heat transfer device, the method comprising:

• providing a wearable heat transfer device comprising—
• thermoelectric components arranged in an array and spaced apart from each other, wherein individual thermoelectric components have a first side configured to be thermally coupled to a target area of a mammal and a second side opposite the first side;
• a heat transfer system comprising—
• a heat exchanger,
• a common inlet fluid distribution passage fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger,
• a common outlet fluid distribution passage fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger, and
• an array of fluid distribution networks fluidically coupled in parallel to the common inlet fluid distribution passage and the common outlet fluid distribution passage, wherein—
• each of the fluid distribution networks is thermally coupled to the second side of a corresponding one of the thermoelectric components,
• each of the fluid distribution networks includes an inlet region fluidically coupled to the common inlet fluid distribution passage, and an outlet region fluidically coupled to the common outlet fluid distribution passage, and
• in operation, a working fluid flows from the inlet region to the outlet region and absorbs heat from the fluid distribution network;
• and
• a flexible support unit coupled to the thermoelectric components,
• wherein a distance between the first side of the individual thermoelectric components and an outermost surface of one of the common inlet fluid distribution passage or the common outlet fluid distribution passage is no more than 30 millimeters;
• disposing the heat transfer device over a target area of the mammal such that (i) the flexible support unit is disposed at least partially around the target area and exerts a compressive force on the target area, (ii) the thermoelectric components of the heat transfer device are thermally coupled to the target area, and (iii) along an axis extending away from the target area, the flexible support unit is inward of the individual thermoelectric components, the individual thermoelectric components are inward of the corresponding fluid distribution networks, and the fluid distribution networks are inward of at least one of the common inlet fluid distribution passage or the common outlet fluid distribution passage;
• and
• initiating, via a controller operatively coupled to the thermoelectric components, temperature control of the heat transfer device, thereby causing heat to transfer from the target area of the mammal to the heat transfer device.

A heat transfer device, comprising:

• a first thermoelectric component including a first side configured to be thermally coupled to a target area of a mammal and a second side opposite the first side;
• a second thermoelectric component spaced apart from the first thermoelectric component along a first axis, the second thermoelectric component including a first side configured to be thermally coupled to the target area of the mammal and a second side opposite the first side;
• and
• a heat transfer system comprising—
• a heat exchanger,
• a common inlet fluid distribution passage fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger,
• a common outlet fluid distribution passage fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger,
• a first fluid distribution network thermally coupled to the second side of the first thermoelectric component, first fluid distribution network being fluidically coupled to the common inlet fluid distribution passage via a first inlet region and to the common outlet fluid distribution passage via a first outlet region, and
• a second fluid distribution network thermally coupled to the second side of the second thermoelectric component, the second fluid distribution network being fluidically coupled to the common inlet fluid distribution passage via a second inlet region and to the common outlet fluid distribution passage via a second outlet region,
• wherein—
• the first fluid distribution network is spaced apart from the first thermoelectric component along a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis, by a first distance,
• at least one of the common inlet fluid distribution passage or the common outlet fluid distribution passage is spaced apart from the first thermoelectric component along the second axis by a second distance greater than the first distance, and
• wherein a distance between the first side of the first thermoelectric component and an outermost surface of the common inlet fluid distribution passage or the common outlet fluid distribution passage is no more than 30 millimeters.