Motorcyclist apparel cooling system

Abstract

An apparel liner that includes first and second panels that define a liner interior and an air inlet. The first panel includes a first set of openings defined therethrough that are in communication with the liner interior. A first airflow path is defined between the air inlet, the liner interior and the first set of openings in the inner panel. A volume of air can flow in through the air inlet, through the liner interior and out through any one of the first set of openings in the first panel. The first panel includes a second set of openings and the second panel includes a first set of openings. Each of the second set of openings is communicated with one of the first set of openings in the second panel. A second airflow path is defined in through the second set of openings and out through the first set of openings in the second panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparel liner comprising:
 first and second panels that define a liner interior therebetween, wherein the first panel includes a first set of openings defined therethrough that are in communication with the liner interior, and   an air inlet for receiving a volume of air, wherein a first airflow path is defined between the air inlet, the liner interior and the first set of openings in the inner panel, whereby the volume of air can flow in through the air inlet, through the liner interior, and out through any one of the first set of openings in the first panel,   wherein the first panel includes a second set of openings defined therein and the second panel includes a first set of openings defined therein, wherein each of the second set of openings in the first panel is communicated with one of the first set of openings in the second panel, wherein a second airflow path is defined in through the second set of openings in the first panel and out through the first set of openings in the second panel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparel liner of  claim 1  wherein the first panel has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the second panel has an outer surface and an inner surface, and wherein a first temperature sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the first panel. 
     
     
         3 . The apparel liner of  claim 2  wherein at least one of an airflow sensor and a relative humidity sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the first panel. 
     
     
         4 . The apparel liner of  claim 3  wherein a second temperature sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the second panel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparel liner of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of stitches that connect the first panel to the second panel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparel liner of  claim 1  further comprising a spacer fabric disposed in the liner interior between the first and second panels. 
     
     
         7 . A cooling system for an article of clothing, the cooling system comprising:
 a liner that includes first and second panels that define a liner interior therebetween, wherein the first panel includes a first set of openings defined therethrough that are in communication with the liner interior, and an air inlet for receiving a volume of air, wherein a first airflow path is defined between the air inlet, the liner interior and the first set of openings in the inner panel, whereby the volume of air can flow in through the air inlet, through the liner interior, and out through any one of the first set of openings in the first panel,   an air source in air flow communication with the liner interior via the air inlet, and   a controller for controlling the air source based on communication with a first temperature sensor associated with the liner.   
     
     
         8 . The cooling system of  claim 7  wherein the first panel has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the second panel has an outer surface and an inner surface, and wherein the first temperature sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the first panel. 
     
     
         9 . The cooling system of  claim 8  wherein at least one of an airflow sensor and a relative humidity sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the first panel. 
     
     
         10 . The cooling system of  claim 8  wherein the first panel includes a second set of openings defined therein and the second panel includes a first set of openings defined therein, wherein each of the second set of openings in the first panel is communicated with one of the first set of openings in the second panel, wherein a second airflow path is defined in through the second set of openings in the first panel and out through the first set of openings in the second panel. 
     
     
         11 . The cooling system of  claim 10  wherein a second temperature sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the second panel. 
     
     
         12 . The cooling system of  claim 8  further comprising a duct assembly that provides at least a portion of the air flow communication between the air source and the liner interior, wherein the duct assembly includes an air inlet fitting that is secured to the air inlet, wherein the air inlet fitting includes a switch that is in communication with the controller, wherein the switch is closed when the air inlet fitting is secured to the air inlet, and wherein the switch is open when the air inlet fitting is not secured to the air inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The cooling system of  claim 12  wherein the air inlet fitting is magnetically secured to the air inlet. 
     
     
         14 . A method of controlling a cooling system that includes a liner that defines a liner interior, an air source in air flow communication with the liner interior, and a controller for controlling the air source, wherein the liner is adapted to be positioned between a jacket and a shirt and wherein the liner includes a first outer surface that is adapted to be positioned adjacent the shirt and a second outer surface that is adapted to be positioned adjacent the jacket, the method comprising the steps of:
 determining an apparent jacket temperature associated with the liner, wherein the apparent jacket temperature is determined using at least one of a first temperature sensor positioned on the first outer surface of the liner, an airflow sensor positioned on the first outer surface of the liner, a relative humidity sensor positioned on the first outer surface of the liner, and a second temperature sensor positioned on the second outer surface of the liner,   communicating the apparent jacket temperature to the controller, and   controlling the air source.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the apparent jacket temperature is determined using the first temperature sensor and at least one of an airflow sensor positioned on the first outer surface of the liner, a relative humidity sensor positioned on the first outer surface of the liner, and a second temperature sensor positioned on the second outer surface of the liner. 
     
     
         16 . An air inlet fitting comprising:
 a hollow main body portion that defines an inlet and an outlet,   at least one magnetic body that is adapted to secure the air inlet fitting to a hollow component, and   a magnetically actuated switch, wherein the switch is closed when the air inlet fitting is secured to the hollow component, and wherein the switch is open when the air inlet fitting is not secured to the hollow component.   
     
     
         17 . The air inlet fitting of  claim 16  wherein the main body portion includes a flange extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the magnetic body is mounted to the flange. 
     
     
         18 . The air inlet fitting of  claim 17  wherein the magnetic body is positioned on a first side of the flange and the switch is positioned on a second side of the flange. 
     
     
         19 . The air inlet fitting of  claim 18  wherein the inlet defines an inlet axis and the outlet defines an outlet axis, wherein the inlet axis and outlet axis form an angle of between about 45° and about 135°. 
     
     
         20 . The air inlet fitting of  claim 19  wherein the main body portion includes a stop member extending outwardly therefrom.