Fluid-advancing fiber
AssigneeKoninlijke Philips Electronics N.V.
InventorsGeorge Marmaropoulos, Clive R. Van Heerden
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Abstract
There is provided a fluid-advancing fiber capable of being sewn, woven or knitted, using conventional methods, into a conductive mesh for use with various wearable fabrics for making direct contact with the skin. The fluid-advancing fiber has an inner portion and an outer portion, one or more conductive elements adjacent the outer portion, wherein the one or more conductive elements are adapted to constrict when heated by electric current and relax when cooled. The fluid-advancing fiber facilitates comfortable fluid communication between different wearable fabrics and the skin.
Claims20
A fluid-advancing fiber comprising:
- a fiber having an inner portion and an outer portion;
- one or more first conductive elements adjacent said outer portion of said fiber,
- wherein said one or more first conductive elements is/are adapted to constrict when heated by electric current and relax when cooled.
A method for circulating a fluid or substance through a fiber comprising:
- providing a fiber having an inner portion, an outer portion, and one or more first conductive elements adjacent said outer portion, wherein said one or more first conductive elements are adapted to constrict when heated by electric current and relax when cooled;
- advancing said fluid or substance through said inner portion of said fiber by the selectively heating and cooling of said one or more first conductive elements to coordinate said constriction and relaxation thereof.
The method for circulating a fluid or substance through the fiber of claim 19, wherein said one or more second conductive elements is/are adjacent said outer portion along said distance between said one or more undulations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.