COOLPAC: COOLING SLEEVE FOR FIREFIGHTERS

Transcription

1 Sponsor: Createc Consulting LLC Advisors: Hans Almqvist Mike Brookman COOLPAC: COOLING SLEEVE FOR FIREFIGHTERS Team 2: Jaspreet Mankoo Kerri Blanc Sean Meehan Nedim Begovac at Storrs

2 OUTLINE About Createc Statement of Need The Prototype Redesign PCM Research and Selection PCM Reorientation Mechanical Validation Testing Rig Setup Results Human Testing Purpose Procedure Results Conclusion 2

3 CREATEC CONSULTING LLC Sponsor Advisors: Hans Almqvist, Mike Brookman Focused on designing personal safety equipment for firefighters, industrial workers, first responders Main customers are local and federal government Successful designs include S.C.U.B.A. devices, hazmat suits, SCBA faceplates Hoping that CoolPac can be the next big success 3

4 STATEMENT OF NEED 50% of firefighter deaths are field accident related Other 50% caused by heat stress/stroke Protective suits negate ability to thermoregulate Heat stress caused by endemic heat Perspiration is ineffective in cooling inside firefighting suit A 2-3 C increase in body temperature has serious consequences Long and Short term 4

5 COOLPAC PROTOTYPE Worn under suit on active duty Components Sleeve materials Phase-change material (PCM) Fastening device Human Thermoregulation Increased blood flow to appendages Heat flow by conduction (T sleeve < T body ) PCM Melting Point ~ 28 C Shallow blood vessels in arms o Better than Alternatives Current Options are cumbersome, inefficient, or both Works while in the field Normal Conditions 5 Stressed Conditions

6 OUTLINE About Createc Statement of Need The Prototype Redesign PCM Research and Selection PCM Reorientation Mechanical Validation Testing Rig Setup Results Human Testing Purpose Procedure Results Conclusion 6

7 REDESIGN Comfort/Durability PCM Research & Selection PCM Alignment Maximize PCM surface area Original prototype consists of 2x3 blocks of PCM Re-design changed PCM to longer rectangular strips Fastening Easy to put on and take off Compression sleeve allows for easy, comfortable fastening 7

8 PCM RESEARCH & SELECTION Company Product: Working range ( C): Phase change activation temperature (ºC): Maximum temperature (ºC): Storage capacity (W h/kg): Latent heat of fusion (W h/kg): Specific Heat (W h/kg/ C): TST Sweden Comfort Cooling PCM Energy P. Ltd Latest 29T First Line Technology PhaseCore 28 First Line Technology PhaseCore 32 PCP Australia PC N/A N/A N/A N/A Specific gravity: N/A Thermal conductivity University (W/m/ C): of Connecticut N/A

9 REDESIGN SCHEMATIC Note: All dimensions in centimeters 9

10 MATERIAL PROPERTIES Nomex (outer Layer) Thermal Conductivity: 0.13 W/mK Fire Retardant Meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) article of clothing standards Compression sleeve Cotton (skin-contact layer) Comfortable Non-abrasive Nomex Sleeves 10

11 OUTLINE About Createc The Prototype Statement of Need Redesign PCM Research and Selection PCM Reorientation Mechanical Validation Testing Rig Setup Results Human Testing Purpose Procedure Results Conclusion 11

12 MECHANICAL TESTING Purpose Simulate human arm heat transfer Measure the heat absorbed by the PCM No human subjects involved Provides sponsor with proof of concept data Reasoning Inexpensive Provides repeatable data All variables are completely controllable Contrary to human testing Alerts team members to potential issues prior to human testing 12

13 TESTING SETUP 1. Polycarbonate Tubing 2. Fisher Scientific Isotherm Tank 3. Needle Valve 4. Digital Thermometers (2) 5. CoolPac Prototypes/PCM packets 6. Plastic Tubing 7. Rubber Coupling 8. PVC Connectors 9. Labview (not pictured) 13

14 SETUP & SPECIFICATIONS Polycarbonate Tubing 2. Isotherm Tank 3. Flow Regulator (Needle Valve) 4. Thermometer (inlet) 3 2 Specifications Pipe Properties: Length: 2 ft Thermal Conductivity: 0.22 W/mK Blood Flow Rate: At rest: 0.21 L/min During exercise: 4.9 L/min Other Properties Flow Rate Temp. : 37 C Thermal conductivity (skin): 0.37 W/mK 14

15 Temperature ( C) RESULTS PCM Benefit Comparison 41 y = 8E-05x PCM No PCM 37 y = 5E-05x ΔT No PCM = 2.33 C ΔT PCM = 1.47 C Time (minutes) 15

16 OUTLINE About Createc The Prototype Statement of Need Redesign PCM Research and Selection PCM Reorientation Mechanical Validation Testing Rig Setup Results Human Testing Purpose Procedure Results Conclusion 16

17 HUMAN TESTING Validation testing in controlled environment Provide sponsor with proof of concept Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) Human Performance Lab Have necessary exercise equipment Certified professional staff on hand Safety Concerns Testing inherently introduces risk of heat stress Participants monitored closely Testing stopped as necessary to prevent injury 17

18 PROTOCOL Application of core body temperature and heart rate sensors 3 cycles of work on treadmill Walking at 4 mph 5 Incline 20 min active 10 min rest between cycles 4 subjects for initial testing Each subject completes testing with and without CoolPac First round of testing 2 subjects start as a control 2 subjects start wearing CoolPacs 18 Nedim performing testing

19 DATA ACQUISITION VitalSense Integrated Physiological Monitor System Hub Activates sensors Tracks and records sensor data Serves as computer interface Ingestible Capsule Size of a standard vitamin Data transmissions every 15 seconds Accurate to ±0.10 C Disposable, passed in 1-5 days Heart rate monitor Standard chest strap Wrist monitor, computer readout 19

20 Temperature ( C) RESULTS Subject 1: 2: Nedim Sean Sleeves Sleeves Off Off Sleeves Sleeves On On Time (minutes) Time (minutes) Subject 1: 0.37 C benefit from sleeve Subject 2: 0.31 C benefit from sleeve Other subject experienced almost 1.00 C benefit 20

21 SUMMARY New CoolPac Sleeve Designed Improved several aspects of original prototype Mechanical testing Good results Human Testing Worked with SCSU Good results, recommend further testing Clear benefit demonstrated from CoolPac Sleeve 21

22 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hans Almqvist Mike Brookman Dr. Enderle Dr. Thomas Barber Dr. Yen Lin Han Dr. Joan Finn Dr. Robert Axtell Thomas Mealy Max Cutler 22

23 QUESTIONS? 23