Wye connector for a plurality of devices connected to a fluid source
AssigneeSleep Solutions Inc.
InventorsTara Youngblood, Todd Youngblood, Matthew Holling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a wye connector for use in fluidly coupling two or more thermally regulated articles to a fluid source. The wye connector includes quick disconnect elements attachable to a corresponding quick disconnect element attached to the fluid source and/or to the two or more thermally regulated articles, and a plurality of tubes connecting each quick disconnect element. The tubes connecting each quick disconnect element are attached to at least one thermoelectric module capable of heating and/or cooling fluid moving through the tubes.
Claims20
A connector element for connecting a control unit to a plurality of temperature-regulated articles, comprising:
- at least one primary connector configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of at least one control unit;
- a plurality of secondary connectors each configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of one of a plurality of temperature-regulated articles;
- at least one first fluid conduit connecting a fluid outlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid inlet of a first one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
- at least one second fluid conduit connecting a fluid outlet of the first one of the plurality of secondary connectors to a fluid inlet of the second one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
- at least one third fluid conduit connecting a fluid inlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid outlet of a second one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
- and
- at least one heating module configured to heat fluid within the at least one second fluid conduit.
A connector element for connecting a control unit to a plurality of temperature-regulated articles, comprising:
- at least one primary connector configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of at least one control unit;
- a plurality of secondary connectors each configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of one of a plurality of temperature-regulated articles;
- at least one first tube connecting a fluid outlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid inlet of a first one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
- at least one second tube connecting a fluid inlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid outlet of a second one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
- and
- at least one heating module configured to heat fluid within the at least one second tube.
A system for heating or cooling a plurality of temperature-regulated articles with a single control unit, comprising:
- a control unit;
- a plurality of temperature-regulated articles;
- at least one primary connector configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of at least one control unit;
- a plurality of secondary connectors each configured to connect to at least one fluid outlet and at least one fluid inlet of one of a plurality of temperature-regulated articles;
- at least one first fluid conduit connecting a fluid outlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid inlet of a first one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
- at least one second fluid conduit connecting a fluid outlet of the first one of the plurality of secondary connectors to a fluid inlet of the second one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
- at least one third fluid conduit connecting a fluid inlet of the at least one primary connector to a fluid outlet of a second one of the plurality of secondary connectors;
- and
- at least one heating module configured to heat fluid within the at least one second fluid conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.