Multiple convective cushion seating and sleeping systems and methods

Abstract

A multiple convective cushion seating and sleeping system for providing temperature modified air to multiple surfaces, such as a seating surface and a sleeping surface, with the same air cooling or heating source. The invention includes the use of tubular spacer material including tubular spacer fabric. A power unit including a heat pump and blower is in fluid communication with a first convective cushion by a first duct and with a second convective cushion by a second duct to provide the temperature modified air to both convective cushions for controllably heating or cooling multiple users. A thermoelectric heat pump, a Stirling cycle heat pump or other type of heat pump can be used. The invention includes the use or one or more valves to control the air flow to one or more of the convective cushions and provides for manual operation, electronic control and operation by a remote telecommunications unit. The invention can be utilized in vehicles, such as tractor trailers and recreational vehicles, and in buildings such as apartments, dorm rooms and houses.

1 . A multiple convective cushion system comprising:
 a first plenum defined by a first bottom surface secured around a perimeter to a generally air permeable first top surface and containing a first air flow structure therein, said first top surface adapted for convective air flow delivered from the first air flow structure to the first top surface;   a first air inlet in fluid communication with the first air flow structure;   a second plenum defined by a second bottom surface secured around a second perimeter to a generally air permeable second top surface and containing a second air flow structure therein, said second top surface adapted for convective air flow delivered from the second air flow structure to the second top surface;   a second air inlet in fluid communication with the second air flow structure; and   a power unit having a blower in fluid communication with both the first air inlet and the second air inlet to deliver air of selectively variable temperature and quantity to the first air flow structure through the first air inlet and to the second air flow structure through the second air inlet.   
   
   
       2 . The multiple convective cushion system of  claim 1  wherein the first air flow structure and the second air flow structure comprise tubular spacer fabric. 
   
   
       3 . The multiple convective cushion system of  claim 1  further comprising a first valve to selectively control the flow of the selectively variable temperature and quantity air to the first air flow structure. 
   
   
       4 . The multiple convective cushion system of  claim 3  further comprising a second valve to selectively control the flow of the selectively variable temperature and quantity air to the second air flow structure. 
   
   
       5 . The multiple convective cushion system of  claim 1  wherein the first plenum and the second plenum comprise air outlet vents for the outlet of at least a portion of the selectively variable temperature and quantity air delivered respectively to the first and second plenums. 
   
   
       6 . The multiple convective cushion system of  claim 1  wherein the power unit comprises a thermoelectric heat pump. 
   
   
       7 . The multiple convective cushion system of  claim 1  wherein the power unit comprises a Stirling cycle heat pump. 
   
   
       8 . The multiple convective cushion of  claim 1  wherein the power unit comprises a controller that selectively controls the operation of the blower to control the delivery of the air from the blower to the first and second air inlets. 
   
   
       9 . The multiple convective cushion of  claim 8  wherein the controller is operated by a control signal from a telecommunications unit. 
   
   
       10 . The multiple convective cushion of  claim 1  wherein the first bottom surface of the first plenum is adapted to be placed on a conventional mattress and the second plenum is adapted to be attached to a seat cushion. 
   
   
       11 . A method for delivering temperature modified air using convective cushions, comprising the steps of:
 providing a first plenum structure having a generally air permeable first top surface and containing a first air flow structure therein, said first top surface adapted for convective air flow delivered from the first air flow structure to the first top surface;   providing a second plenum structure having a generally air permeable second top surface and containing a second air flow structure therein, said second top surface adapted for convective air flow delivered from the second air flow structure to the second top surface;   placing a power unit having a blower in fluid communication with the first air flow structure by a first conduit and in fluid communication with the second air flow structure by a second conduit; and   activating the power unit to produce air of selectively variable temperature and quantity and to deliver said air to the first conduit for the first air flow structure and substantially simultaneously deliver said air to the second conduit for the second air flow structure, wherein the first plenum structure and the second plenum structure receive air of a desired temperature and quantity.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first air flow structure and the second air flow structure comprise tubular spacer fabric. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of placing a valve within the first conduit to control the flow of the selectively variable temperature and quantity air to the first air flow structure. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of placing a second valve within the second conduit to control the flow, of the selectively variable temperature and quantity air to the second air flow structure. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of controlling the operation of the first valve and the second valve to adjust the quantity of the air delivered by the power unit to the first air flow structure and the second air flow structure. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of providing air outlet vents for the first plenum structure and the second plenum structure for the outlet of at least a portion of the selectively variable temperature and quantity air delivered respectively to the first air flow structure and the second air flow structure. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of providing a thermoelectric heat pump with the power unit. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of providing a Stirling cycle heat pump with the power unit. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the power unit comprises a controller and further comprising the step of the controller selectively controls the operation of the blower to control the delivery of the air from the blower to the first and second conduits. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  including the step wherein the controller is operated by a control signal from a telecommunications unit. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of the first plenum structure is placed on a conventional mattress and the second plenum structure is attached to a seat cushion. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of installing the first plenum structure, the second plenum structure and the power unit within a vehicle.