NL2011288C2

NL2011288C2 - Thermal system and method for controlling temperature.

Info

Publication number: NL2011288C2
Application number: NL2011288A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Michiel Kleinen; Jeffrey Weber
Original assignee: A C S B V
Priority date: 2013-08-09
Filing date: 2013-08-09
Publication date: 2015-02-10

Description

Title: Thermal system and method for controlling temperature

The invention relates to a thermal system. The system can comprise a heat transferring element or device and be arranged for heat emission to and/or heat absorption form the surroundings of said device and/or an element such as a part of an apparatus or part of a human or animal body in contact with said heat transferring device. Additionally, the system can be arranged for subsequently taking up heat from its surroundings and/or an element in contact with said device. Such systems can for instance be used for therapy, such as contrast therapy or so-called hot/cold therapy, and/or for research, such as bioresearch and/or medical research.

In this disclosure contrast therapy should be understood as a form of treatment wherein a body, body part or other element is exposed to warmth and cold alternatingly. A known system, suitable for contrast therapy, comprises a bath that is filled with relatively warm water to transfer heat to a body part inserted therein and which can be emptied and subsequently filled with relative cool water in which the body part can then be immersed. This procedure may be repeated several times in order to apply contrast bath therapy to said body part.

Another known system for contrast therapy comprises a body wrap in fluid connection to a single fluid tank and coohng and heating means to cool and heat the fluid in the fluid tank. For example, one problem of such a system is that it may take a relatively long time, normally several minutes, to sufficiently change the temperature of the fluid to be fed to the body wrap.

It is noted that a problem of known thermal systems can, among others, be that it may take a relatively long time, normally at least several minutes, to change temperatures of a heat transferring element or device sufficiently. Therefore, when using such conventional thermal systems, it may be impossible to provide for a relative swift temperature change. Besides, such conventional systems may consume relatively much energy for cooling and/or heating the fluid. A further disadvantage of known thermal systems can be that such systems are relatively large and/or heavy and that they therefore may be difficult to handle. This can for instance be a serious problem when the systems are intended to be used for treating animals and/or persons such as sportsmen on location.

One object of the invention can thus be to provide a thermal system and/or a method which can provide for a relative swift temperature change. Another object can be to provide a system and/or a method which uses relatively little energy and/or which is relatively compact and/or light weighted. A further object of the invention is to provide an alternative thermal system and/or an alternative method.

Therefore, the invention provides a thermal system, comprising a fluid circuit connectable to and/or connected to a heat transferring device, a first, reservoir for containing relative cool fluid, a second reservoir for containing relative warm fluid, at least one valve for alternatively connecting the first or second fluid reservoir to the or a heat transferring device such that fluid can be fed through said heat transferring device from the first reservoir and from the second reservoir alternatingly, at least one thermo-electric cooling element for cooling fluid associated to the first reservoir and/or at least one thermo-electric heating element for heating fluid associated to the second reservoir.

By providing two fluid reservoirs, heating and subsequently cooling fluid of a single reservoir in order to enable temperature changes can become superfluous. Hence, a need to heat and subsequently cool a substantial amount of fluid over and over again can be avoided. This can positively impact the energy consumption and/or start-up time and/or change-over time of the thermal system.

Moreover, by providing at least one valve for alternatively connecting the first or second fluid reservoir to the heat transferring device, a supply of warm fluid to the device can rapidly be substituted by a supply of cool fluid to said device. Therefore, a temperature change in the heat transferring device can be arranged relatively quickly, almost instantly. For example, when said heat transferring device is for instance a contrast treatment device, injuries, such as bruises and contusions, or physical problems, such as edema, can be treated effectively due to a very fast change between a relatively warm and a relatively cold temperature. Additionally or alternatively, even new contrast therapy treatments can be considered which may be impossible to be executed with conventional thermal systems. Hence, the use of the thermal system according to the invention may for instance allow that healing periods can be shortened.

Furthermore, by providing the thermo-electric heating element and/or the thermo-electric cooling element, the fluid can be heated and/or cooled relatively efficiently. Besides, use of a thermal system having the thermo-electric elements can be relatively quiet, especially when compared to a system having a conventional cooling compressor. Therefore, the thermal system can for instance be used relatively well for treating nervous people, such as children and/or for treating animals, such as horses and the like. Furthermore, a thermo-electric cooling element can be less harmful for the environment than a cooling compressor using a conventional refrigerant. It is noted that the thermo-electric heating element and/or the thermo-electric cooling element can be a so-called Peltier element.

In an advantageous embodiment, at least two valves are provided, preferably controlled by a controher, wherein at least one supply valve is provided upstream and at least one return valve is provided downstream of the heat transferring device. As a result, the first fluid and the second fluid, preferably a relative cold and a relative warm fluid, can be fed back to the reservoir housing fluid of the most corresponding temperature. Consequently, unintentionally heating the relatively cool fluid in the first reservoir with warm fluid originating from the second reservoir and/or unintentionally cooling the relatively warm fluid in the second reservoir by introducing relatively cool fluid originating from the first reservoir can be counteracted or can at least be heavily reduced with respect to conventional thermal systems.

Advantageously, the thermal system can be arranged such that the at least one supply valve and the at least one return valve can be switched irrespectively of each other. The system can then for instance, by means of the or one of the return valves, feed relatively cool fluid forced out of the heat transferring device back to the first reservoir, while the or one of the supply valves is already blocking supply of relatively cool fluid and feeding relatively warm fluid from the second reservoir towards said heat transferring device.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling temperature.

Advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the appended claims.

By way of non-hmiting example only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a thermal system according to an aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a further thermal system according to the invention; and

Figure 3 shows yet a further embodiment of a thermal system according to the invention.

In this description embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawing by way of example only. These embodiments should by no means be understood as limiting the scope of the disclosure. At least all combinations of elements and features of the embodiments shown and/or described are also considered to have been disclosed herein. In this description the same or similar elements and features will be referred to by the same or similar reference signs.

In this description a heat transfer device should be understood as at least including but not necessarily being limited to a device arranged for heat emission to and/or heat absorption from the surroundings of said device and/or to and/or from an element, for instance a part of an apparatus or part of a human or animal body in contact with said heat transferring device. The heat transferring device may be or comprise a hot/cold therapy treatment element, especially a contrast treatment element such as a cuff or wrap.

In this description, a relative cool fluid should be understood as a fluid having a lower temperature than the relatively warm fluid. In this description, a relative warm fluid should be understood as a fluid having a higher temperature than the relatively cool fluid. The temperature difference between the relatively cool and the relatively warm fluid can for instance be between 1° C and 60° C, preferably between 15° C and 45° C. For example, said difference can be about 10° C, 15° C, 20° C, 25° C, 30° C, or 35° C. It is noted that the relatively cool fluid for instance may have a temperature below about 20° C and/or a temperature between -10° C and 25° C, preferably between -5° C and 20° C, more preferably between 0° C and 15° C. For example, the relatively cool fluid can have a temperature of about 0° C, 5° C, 10° C, 15° C, 20° C, or 25° C. It is noted that the relatively warm fluid for instance may have a temperature above 30° C and/or a temperature between 25° C and 50° C, preferably between 30° C and 45° C, more preferably between 35° C and 43° C. For example, the relatively warm fluid can have a temperature of about 30° C, 35° C, 40° C, 42° C, 43° C, or 45° C. In embodiments, for instance when the thermal system and/or the heat transferring device is for arranged for contrast therapy, the temperature of the relatively cool fluid can be below a body temperature, such as a human body temperature of about 37 ° C, and/or below a skin temperature. In embodiments, for instance when the thermal system and/or the heat transferring device is for arranged for contrast therapy, the temperature of the relatively warm fluid can be above a body temperature, such as a human body temperature of about 37 ° C, and/or above a skin temperature.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a thermal system 1 according to an aspect of the invention and figure 2 shows an embodiment of a further thermal system 1 according to the invention. These thermal systems 1 comprise a fluid circuit 3 connectable to and/or connected to a heat transferring device 2. It is noted that the thermal system 1 can be a thermal treatment system 1, especially a contrast treatment system, and/or that the heat transferring device 2 may be or comprise a hot/cold therapy treatment element 2, especially a contrast treatment element 2 such as a cuff or wrap 2. The heat transferring device 2 can for instance be a heat conducting element arranged to be applied to a human or animal body, such as a body of a pet and/or horse body. For example, the device 2 can be applied to a human or animal body in order to be used for cosmetic and/or medical and/or relaxing purposes. The device 2 can be used for heating and/or cooling parts of a human or animal body, such as for instance subsequent heating and coohng for contrast therapy, or for heating a part of a body, for instance for pain-relief, especially in migraine treatment. Alternatively or additionally, the heat transferring device 2 can be arranged and/or used for other purposes than contrast therapy. The heat transferring device 2 may be arranged for transferring heat to and/or away from another element than a human or animal body. For example, said heat transferring device 2 can be arranged for heating and/or cooling research lab equipment, such as for instance plates for growing bacteria’s.

It is noted that the heat transferring device 2 may comprise at least one fluid channel 8 for guiding fluid fed through said device 2.

Advantageously, the fluid channel 8 can have a meandering shape. Such shape can for instance advance heat transfer to surroundings of the device 2 and/or to an element, such as a body or body part, contacting said device 2.

In the embodiments shown in figures 1 and 2, the heat transferring device 2 comprises a first connector 4 corresponding to an inlet of the heat transferring device 2 and a second connector 5 corresponding to an outlet of said device 2. Said connectors 4, 5 are for releasable connecting the device 2 to the fluid circuitry 3. The thermal system 1, preferably its fluid circuitry 3, can comprise corresponding connector elements 6, 7 for connection to the respective connectors 4, 5. Although the heat transferring device 2 is releasable connectable to the fluid circuitry 3 in the embodiments shown in figures 1 and 2, the device 2 may alternatively be permanently connectable and/or connected to the fluid circuitry 3.

The thermal system 1 comprises a first reservoir 10 for containing relative cool fluid 61, or a so-called cool reservoir 10, and a second reservoir 20 for containing relative warm fluid 62, i.e. a so-called warm reservoir 20. The system 1 further comprises at least one valve 40 for alternatively connecting the first or second reservoir 10, 20 to the or a heat transferring device 2, such that fluid 61, 62 can be fed through said heat transferring device 2 from the first reservoir 10 and from the second reservoir 20 alternatingly. A ratio between a content volume of the cool reservoir 10 or warm reservoir 20 on the one hand and the content volume of the heat transferring device 2 on the other hand can be at least or can be about 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 2:1, 5:2 or 3:1, preferably at most 3:1, 5:2, 2:1, 3:2 or 4:3.

The fluid circuit 3 may be arranged for containing and circulating fluid. For instance, the circuit 3 can comprise piping or so-called fluid channels or fluid lines 11, 21, 33, 101, 102, 201, 202 for circulating fluid 61, 62, 63 and one or multiple reservoirs 10, 20 for at least temporarily storing at least a part of the fluid. The fluid lines can for instance comprise a first supply line 101 for feeding fluid from the first reservoir 10 towards the heat transferring device 2 and/or a second supply line 201 for feeding fluid from the second reservoir 20 towards said heat transferring device 2. Besides, the fluid circuit 3 can comprise one or more return lines, such as a first return line 102 and/or a second return line 202 for returning fluid fed through the heat transferring device back to the respective reservoir 10, 20. Furthermore, other elements, such as the valve 40 or multiple valves, may also be considered part of the fluid circuit 3.

In the embodiments of figures 1, 2 and 3, both the fluid 61 of the first reservoir 10 and the fluid 62 of the second reservoir 20 are formed by liquids, such as for instance a liquid substantially being or comprising water. For example, when the liquid substantially is water, it can substantially be distilled water or demineralized water. Alternatively or additionally, certain substances may be added to the water, such as for instance an antifreeze and/or an antibacterial substance. However, in stead of being a liquid, the fluid of the first reservoir 10 and/or the fluid of the second reservoir 20 may in alternative embodiments be a gaseous fluid, for instance air. Preferably, the fluid in the first reservoir 10 is the same type of fluid as the fluid of the second reservoir 20. As a consequence, mixing of the fluid of both reservoirs may be relatively unproblematic.

Moreover, the thermal system 1 comprises at least one thermoelectric cooling element 31 for cooling fluid 61 associated to the first reservoir 10 and/or at least one thermo-electric heating element 32 for heating fluid 62 associated to the second reservoir 20. It is noted that said at least one thermoelectric cooling element 31 and said at least one thermo-electric heating element 32 can be integrated into a thermo-electric cooling and heating element 34 for cooling fluid of the first reservoir 10 and for heating fluid of the second reservoir 20.

In embodiments, the relatively cool or the relatively warm fluid can be at a room temperature level, enabling embodiments having only one of a cooling or a heating element. However, preferably both are available.

In the embodiment of figure 1, one thermo-electric cooling element 31 and one thermo-electric heating element 32 are integrated into one thermoelectric cooling and heating element 34 and in the embodiment of Figure 2, the thermal system 1 has one separate thermo-electric cooling element 31 and one separate thermo-electric heating element 32. However, the system 1 may alternatively comprise multiple thermo-electric cooling elements 31 and/or multiple thermo-electric heating elements 32 and/or multiple integrated thermo-electric cooling and heating elements 34. Further, it is noted that the number of thermo-electric cooling elements 31 may differ from the number of thermo-electric heating elements 32. Advantageously, the system may comprise more thermo-electric cooling elements 31 than thermo-electric heating elements 32. For example, the number of thermo-electric cooling elements 31 may be 20%-60% larger than the number of thermo-electric heating elements 32. The system can for instance comprise three, four, five or six cooling elements 31 and two, free, four or five heating elements 32.

In preferred embodiments, in use, a cool side 31a, 34b of the thermoelectric cooling element 31 can be in direct contact with the fluid 61 associated to the cool reservoir 10, i.e. so-called cool fluid 61. Additionally or alternatively, in use, a warm side 32a, 34b of the thermo-electric heating element 32 can be in direct contact with fluid 62 associated to the warm reservoir 20, i.e. a so-called warm fluid 62 or relatively warm fluid 62. Therefore, heat transfer between the respective thermo-electric element 31, 32, 34 and the respective fluid 61, 62, preferably water 61, 62, can be relatively efficient. As a consequence, the thermal system 1 can for example be kept relatively small. This may be a huge advantage, for instance when the thermal system 1 is used as a portable system.

It is noted that the thermal system 1 may comprise a housing 45 and/or a frame 47 for keeping the components of the thermal system 1 together. Especially when the thermal system 1 is a portable system 1, the thermal system 1, preferably its housing 45 and/or its frame 47, may provided with wheels, carrying grips and/or handles and/or other means for facilitating transport and handling of the system 1. Advantageously, the connector elements 6, 7 for connection to the respective connectors 4, 5 of the heat transferring device 2 are located at an outer side and/or outer wall 45b of the housing 45. The heat transferring device 2, when connected, can thus be outside 48 the housing 45 and/or frame 47.

Preferably, the connectors 4, 5 and/or the connector elements 6, 7 are self closing, such that spilling of fluid from the thermal system 1 and/or the heat transferring device 2 is counteracted when they are disconnected.

In the embodiments shown in figures 1 and 2, the thermal system 1 comprises a first loop 11 for feeding fluid 61 from the first reservoir 10 via the cool side 31a of the thermo-electric cooling element 31 back to said first reservoir 10. Additionally or alternatively, the system 1 can comprise a second loop 21 for feeding fluid 62 from the second reservoir 20 via the warm side 32a of the thermo-electric heating element 32 back to said second reservoir 20. The thermal system 10 can thus be arranged for circulating the cool fluid 61 and/or the warm fluid 62 in a cooling loop 11 or heating loop 21 respectively, without feeding said fluid 61, 62 to the or a heat transferring device 2, wherein said loop 11, 21 comprises the respective thermo-electric element 31, 32. By providing the cooling element 31 and/or the heating element 32 in a loop which loop 11, 21 is not for feeding fluid 61, 62 through the heat transferring device 2, the fluid can be kept circulating in said loop even when no fluid of said reservoir is fed through the heat transferring device. Hence, the fluid 61, 62 in the respective reservoir 10, 20 can be kept at a desired temperature relatively easily, even when no fluid is fed from said reservoir to the device 2. It is noted, however, that in other embodiments, the thermo-electric element 31, 32 may be provided at alternative places, for instance in the respective supply line 101, 201 and/or in the respective reservoir 10, 20.

As can be seen in the embodiments of figures 2 and 3, the thermal system 1 can comprise a third loop 33 for feeding fluid 63 from a cool side 32b of the thermo-electric heating element 32 via a warm side 3 lb of the thermoelectric cooling element 31 back to said cool side 32b of the thermo-electric heating element 32. Advantageously, said fluid 63, preferably water 63, can be in direct contact with the respective sides 31b, 32b of the respective thermoelectric element 31, 32. This is, fluid 63 fed via the warm side 31b of the thermo-electric cooling element 31 is in direct contact with said warm side 31b and fluid 63 fed along the cool side 32b of the thermo-electric heating element 32 is in direct contact with said cool side 32b.

Preferably the flow direction, indicated by the arrows along the flow channels of the loop, of cool fluid 61 flowing through the thermo-electric cooling element 31 and/or the flow direction of warm fluid 62 flowing through the thermo-electric heating element 32 is substantially opposite to the flowing direction of the neutral fluid 63 flowing through the respective thermo-electric element 31, 32. However, in embodiments, the flow direction of the neutral fluid 63 can at least in one of, and preferably in both, the thermo-electric elements 31, 32 be substantially parallel with the direction of the cool or warm fluid, respectively.

It is noted that instead of providing the third loop 33 as a neutral or intermediate loop 33 between the cool side 32b of the thermo-electric heating element 32 and the warm side 31b of the thermo-electric cooling element 31, the heating element 32 and the thermo-electric cooling element 31 may thus be integrated into a thermo-electric cooling and heating element 34 for cooling fluid of the first reservoir 10 and for heating fluid of the second reservoir 20. Such an embodiment is shown in figure 1. The warm side 34a of said thermoelectric cooling and heating element 34 can be used to heat the warm fluid 62, whereas the cool side 34b of the same thermo-electric cooling and heating element 34 can be used to cool the cool fluid 61. A thermal system 1 according to such an embodiment can be relatively small and/or cheap. In such embodiment, the warm fluid 62 associated to the warm reservoir 20 can become hotter than desired when the cool fluid 61 is brought to or maintained at its desired temperature.

For instance to counteract the above mentioned effect, the intermediate loop 33 of the embodiment shown in figure 2 may be provided.

Said intermediate loop 33 can for instance counteract that the temperature of fluid associated to the first or second reservoir 20, 10 substantially changes when the fluid associated to the other one of said two reservoir 10, 20 is cooled or heated, respectively.

The thermal system 1 can comprise a third reservoir 30 or so-called neutral reservoir 30, as can be seen in figures 2 and 3. Said reservoir 30 can be comprised in and/or connected to the third loop 33.

It is noted that the first, second and/or third reservoir 10, 20, 30 can comprises a tank 10, 20, 30, for instance a tank with a capacity between 50 ml and 5 1, especially between 100 ml and 11, more especially about 500 ml. However, the reservoir and/or tank may have a different size, such as a size having a capacity above 5 1 or below 50 ml. Additionally or alternatively, at least a part of the reservoir 10, 20, 30 can be provided for by a piping, for example piping of the circuitry 3, especially piping of a respective loop 11, 21, 31. For example, the piping 11, 21, 31 or part of it can have a relative wide cross-section for the purpose of serving as a fluid reservoir 10, 20, 30.

In embodiments, the circuitry 3 can additionally comprise an additional cooling element 15 for cooling fluid. In figure 2, the third loop 33 is provided with the additional cooling element 15. The element 15 is arranged for cooling fluid fed from the cool side 32b of the thermo-electric heating element 32 towards the warm side 3 lb of the thermo-electric cooling element 31. Said cooling element 15 can for instance be or comprise a compressor cooler and/or a radiator. Here in figure 2, the additional cooling element 15 comprises a radiator 15a and a fan 15b for cooling said radiator 15a. Alternatively or additionally, an additional cooling element 15 can for example comprise a Peltier element.

Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry 3 can comprise an additional cooling element for cooling fluid 61 associated to the cool reservoir 10 and/or an additional heating element for heating the fluid 62 associated to the warm reservoir 20, such as for example a heating coil. An additional heating element and/or an additional cooling element may for instance be advantageous when a combined thermo-electric cooling and heating element 34 is used as described above.

Moreover, the thermal system 1 may comprise one or more pumps for feeding and circulating at least part of the fluid. For example, the system 1 can comprise a first pump 16 for pumping the cool fluid 61 through the first loop 11, a second pump 26 for pumping the warm fluid 62 through the second loop 21 and/or a third pump 36 for pumping neutral fluid 63 through the third loop 33. Alternatively or additionally, the system 1 can comprise a main pump 46 for pumping fluid from the fluid circuit 3 via the heat transferring device 2 back to said fluid circuit 3.

It is noted that the at least one valve 40 can comprise at least one supply valve 40a for selectively connecting or closing off a first supply line 101 for feeding fluid 61 from the first reservoir 10 and/or first loop 11 to a heat transferring device 2 and for selectively closing off or connecting a second supply line 201 for feeding fluid 62 from the second reservoir 20 and/or second loop 21 to said heat transferring device 2.

In the embodiments of figures 1 and 2, the at least one supply valve 40a comprises a changeover valve 40. In figure 2 said changeover valve 40a is depicted in a first position in which it can allow fluid 61 to flow from the first reservoir 10 towards the heat transferring device 2 and in which it blocks fluid 62 to flow from the second reservoir 20 to said device 2. The changeover valve 40a can be brought into a second position in which it can allow fluid 62 to flow from the second reservoir 20 towards the heat transferring device 2 and in which it blocks fluid 61 to flow from the first reservoir 10 to flow to said device 2.

Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment of figure 3, the at least one supply valve 40 can comprise a first supply valve 140a for selectively connecting or selectively closing off the first supply line 101 and a second supply valve 240b for selectively closing off or connecting the second supply line 201.

Besides, the at least one valve 40 can comprise at least one return valve 40b for selectively connecting or closing off a first return line 102 for feeding fluid from the or a heat transferring device 2 to the first reservoir 10 and/or first loop 11 and/or for selectively closing off or connecting a second return line 202 for feeding fluid from said heat transferring device 2 to the second reservoir 20 and/or second loop 21.

The at least one return valve 40b may comprise a changeover valve 40b as can be seen in figure 2. Alternatively , the at least one return valve 40b can comprise a first return valve 140b for selectively connecting or selectively closing off the first return line 102 and a second return valve 240b for selectively closing off or connecting the second return line 202.

It is noted that the thermal system 1 advantageously may comprise at least two valves 40, i.e. at least one supply valve 40a provided stream upward from the heat transferring device 1 and at least one return valve 40b provided stream downward from the heat transferring device 2, more preferably at least four valves 40, i.e. at least two supply valves 140a, 240a, each provided in the respective supply line 101, 201 stream upward from the heat transferring device 1, and at least two return valves 140b, 240b, each provided in the respective return line 102, 202 stream downward from said heat transferring device 2 . Preferably, the system 1 is arranged such that the at least one supply valve 40a, 140a, 240a and the at least one return valve 40b, 140b, 240b can be switched irrespectively of each other. As a result, the system 1 may, by means of the or one of the return valves 40b, 140b, 240b, be arranged for feeding relatively cool fluid 61 forced out of the heat transferring device 2 back to the first reservoir 10 and/or first loop 11, while the or one of the supply valves 40a, 140a, 240a has already been switched over and is already feeding relatively warm fluid 62 from the second reservoir 20 and/or second loop 21 towards said heat transferring device 2.

In embodiments, the thermal system 1 can further comprise one or more flow sensors 81, 82, 83 for sensing a flow velocity in the circuitry 3. A flow sensor can for example be provided in the first, second and/or third loop 11, 21, 33 and/or in a supply line 101, 201 for feeding fluid to the or a heat transferring device 2 and/or in a return line 102, 202 for feeding fluid from the or a heat transferring device 2 to the first or second reservoir or loop, respectively.

Moreover, the thermal system 1 may comprise one or more temperature sensors 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 for sensing a fluid temperature. A temperature sensor can for instance be provided in the first, second and/or third loop 11, 21, 33 and/or in the first, second and/or third reservoir 10, 20, 30 and/or in a supply line 101, 201 for feeding fluid 61, 62 to the or a heat transferring device 2 and/or in a return line 102, 202 for feeding fluid 61, 62 from the or a heat transferring device 2 to the first or second reservoir or loop, respectively. In an advantageous embodiment, at least a temperature sensor 75 is provided downstream of the heat transferring device 2 and upstream of the return valve 40b or return valves 40b, preferably near said valve or valves. As a result, the return valve or valves can be switched based on data corresponding to the temperature of fluid approaching said return valve or valves 40b.

For example, when the return valve(s) is/are switched such that liquid is directed back to the cold reservoir 10 and for instance a temperature sensor 75 measures that the temperature of fluid 61, 62 leaving the heat transferring device 2 is above a maximum threshold temperature, the return valve(s) can be switched in order to guide the fluid to the warm reservoir 20. Further, when the return valve(s) is/are switched such that liquid is directed back to the warm reservoir 20 and for instance said temperature sensor 75 or another temperature sensor measures that the temperature of fluid 61, 62 leaving the heat transferring device 2 is below a minimum threshold temperature, the return valve(s) can be switched in order to guide the fluid to the cold reservoir 10. It is noted that said maximum threshold temperature and/or said minimum threshold temperatures can be adjustable. Additionally or alternatively, said maximum threshold temperature and said minimum threshold temperatures can be substantially the same threshold temperature. Alternatively, said maximum threshold temperature and said minimum threshold temperatures can be different threshold temperatures, preferably said maximum threshold temperature can be below said minimum threshold temperature, such that excessive switching of the valve(s) can be counteracted when the temperature of the fluid leaving the heat transferring device 2 is near the respective threshold temperature.

It is noted that in advantageous embodiments, the thermal system 1 can comprise a controller 50 for controlling at least the at least one valve 40, the heating element 31, the coohng element 32, the additional cooling element 15 and/or at least one of the pumps 16, 26, 36, 46. Preferably, the thermal system 1 is arranged for providing said controller 50 with data sensed by the temperature sensors 71-75, flow sensors and/or other sensors such as pressure sensors and/or level sensors 65, 66, 67.

For example, at least one level sensor 65-67 can be provided in at least one of the reservoirs 10, 20, 30. Preferably, at least the warm reservoir 20 and the cool reservoir 10 are provided with a level sensor for measuring the level of fluid in the respective reservoir. Additionally, also the neutral reservoir 30 may also be provided with a level sensor. The thermal system 1 and/or the respective level sensor may for measuring the level of content of said respective reservoir and/or for sensing that the content level is below a predefined minimum content level and/or for detecting that the content level is above a predefined maximum content level. The predefined minimum content level may for example be chosen in respect to the content volume of the heat transferring device 2. For example, a ratio between the predefined minimum content level of the cool and/or warm reservoir 10, 20 on the one hand and the content volume of the heat transferring device 2 on the other hand can be at least or about 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 2:1, 5:2 or 3:1, preferably at most 3:1, 5:2, 2:1, 3:2 or 4:3. Alternatively or additionally, the predefined maximum content level may for example be chosen in respect to a content volume of the reservoir or with respect to a maximum volume of liquid that can be contained in the reservoir without flowing over, e.g. via a connection line as discussed below. The thermal system 1 may comprise output means, such as screen and/or a signalling device, for instance for informing a user that the content of one of the reservoirs is getting too low or too high. Additionally or alternatively, the system 1 may be arranged to stop itself or parts of it when a content level becomes too low and/or too high.

In embodiments, the system 1 can comprise a connection line for fluidly connecting the first reservoir 10 with the second reservoir 20. Said connection line can be provided with a connection valve to close off the first reservoir 10 from the second reservoir 20 and/or may be provided with a pump, which valve and/or pump may be controllable by the controller 50. Alternatively, said connection line can be in open connection, but may be provided at a relative high section of the reservoir, such that said connection line can work as an overflow passage when the level in one of the reservoirs 10, 20 reaches a predetermined level.

In the embodiment shown in figure 2, the thermal system 1 comprises at least a first connection line 76 for fluidly connecting the third reservoir 30 with the first reservoir 10 and a second connection line 77 to connect the second reservoir 20 to the third reservoir 30. Here, the connection lines 76, 77 are formed as overflow passages 76, 77, each provided with a respective connection valve 78, 79 for closing off said passage. However, the connection line does not need to be formed as an overflow passage.

Further, the connection line may alternatively be provided without said connection valve and/or it may be provided with a pump. Furthermore, as is shown in figure 3, the thermal system 1 can for instance comprise only one connection line 76 for fluidly connecting the third reservoir 30 with the first reservoir 10 or second reservoir 20.

Due to the connection lines, fluid such as water can be brought from one reservoir to another reservoir 10, 20, 30. This may be advantageously, for example because fluid 62 originating from the warm reservoir 20 can for instance cool down when transferring warmth when fed through the heat transferring device 2. Although originating from the warm reservoir 20, said cooled fluid can then be guided to the cool reservoir 10. As a consequence, the fluid level in one reservoir can increase while the fluid level in another reservoir decreases. For example therefore, it may be advantageous that the first reservoir 10 and the second reservoir 20 do both contain the same type of fluid, the fluid 61, 62 preferably substantially being water.

By transferring fluid not directly between the cool and the warm reservoir 10, 20, but first transferring the fluid to the intermediate reservoir 30 which during use can contain a fluid 63 having a temperature between the hot fluid 62 and the cool fluid 61 and by subsequently feeding fluid from the intermediate reservoir 30 towards the other of the hot and cool reservoir, relatively big temperature changes in the hot and/or cool reservoir can be counteracted. Alternatively, for instance in case the system 1 comprises only one connection line 76 for fluidly connecting the third reservoir 30 with the first reservoir 10, the supply lines 101, 201 and the return lines 102, 202 may for example be used to transfer fluid between the first and second reservoir 10, 20 and/or between the third 30 and second reservoir 20 via the first reservoir 10. As can be seen in figure 3, the supply valves 40a and/or the return valves 40b can be used to transfer the fluid. For instance, these valves may be opened, such that the fluid can balance out to a corresponding level, preferably due to the communication vessels effect. Alternatively or additionally, one or more pumps can be provided for transferring fluid from one reservoir to another reservoir. Besides, it is noted that in embodiments the fluid 63 in the third reservoir 30 may be warmer than the fluid in the warm reservoir 20 or that the fluid 63 in the third reservoir 30 can be cooler than the fluid 61 associated with the cool reservoir 10.

For example in order to facilitate fluid transfer as described above, the first, second and third reservoir 10, 20, 30 can all three contain the same type of fluid 61, 62, 63, the fluid preferably substantially being water.

Additionally or alternatively to the connection line or lines 76, 77, the system 1 can comprise at least one inlet and/or outlet opening for adding fluid to and/or removing fluid from the fluid circuitry 3 and/or at least one of the reservoirs 10, 20, 30. In figures 2 and 3, the intermediate reservoir 30 comprises such inlet/outlet opening 68. However, alternatively or additionally, at least one of the other reservoirs and/or the piping 11, 21, 33, 102, 202 can be provided with an inlet/outlet opening, preferably a closable opening as shown in figure 3.

Advantageously, the third reservoir 30 and/or the third loop 33 may be arranged to form a fluid buffer. For example, in case a heat transferring device 2, such as a body wrap, which contains a part of the fluid 61, 62 associated with the warm reservoir 20 and/or the cold reservoir 10, is replaced by another, normally empty, heat transferring device 2, a part of the fluid 61, 62 associated with the thermal system 1 can be removed from the system 1. Since refilling the respective reservoir 10, 20 can be cumbersome and/or time consuming, supplementing the fluid level in said reservoir 10, 20 from a buffer capacity formed by the third reservoir 30 and/or the third loop 33 can be advantageous. In that case it may also be counteracted that the warm reservoir 20 and/or the cold reservoir 10 will form a relative big buffer capacity for setting off a fluid loss due to for instance heat transferring device 2 replacement. As a result, the volume of fluid in the first reservoir 10 and first loop 11 and/or in the second reservoir 20 and second loop can be kept relatively low, such that the temperature of the fluid in the respective loop and reservoir can be changed relatively fast and/or economically.

As is shown in figure 3, the third, neutral reservoir 30 can be placed higher than the reservoir 10, 20 to which it is connected by means of a respective connection line 76, 77 and/or may be filled to a higher level than said reservoir 10, 20, such that when a respective connection valve 78, 79 is opened fluid can flow from the third reservoir 30 towards said connected reservoir 10, 20, especially forced thereto at least partly by fluid pressure in the third reservoir, preferably without using a pump.

In embodiments, the thermal system 1 and especially the or a controller 50 can be designed such that, when changing over from feeding fluid 61 from the first reservoir 10 through a heat transferring device 2 connected to the fluid circuitry 3 to feeding fluid 62 from the second reservoir 20 through the heat transferring device 2, fluid 61 in the heat transferring device 2 fed thereto from the first reservoir 10 is forced out of the heat transferring device 2 by fluid 62 fed from the second reservoir 20, and such that, when changing over from feeding fluid 62 from the second reservoir 20 through the heat transferring device 2 to feeding fluid 61 from the first reservoir 10 through said device 2, fluid 62 in the heat transferring device 2 fed thereto from the second reservoir 20 is forced out of the heat transferring device 2 by the fluid 61 fed from the first reservoir 10, both preferably substantially without mixing the fluid 61 fed from the first reservoir 10 with fluid 62 fed from the second reservoir 20. For example, the design of the heat transferring device 2 may be specially adapted thereto, for instance by providing said device 2 with fluid guiding paths or channels having a relative small cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal system 1 can be arranged to adapt or maintain flow speed at a relative favourable rate.

It is noted that the controller 50 can thus be arranged for controlling at least one of the valves 40 at least partly based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor or sensors 71-75 and/or based on a change of temperature sensed by said sensor(s). Especially, a return valve 40b can be controlled at least partly based on data provided by a temperature sensor 75 provided downstream of the device 2 and upstream of return valve 40b. Hence, the temperature of fluid that has left the heat transferring device 2 can be sensed, for instance in order to control to where said fluid should be guided by the return valve(s) 40b. For example, when the temperature measured by said sensor 75 is above a maximum threshold temperature, the return valve(s) 40b can be switched to guide fluid back to the warm reservoir 20, and when the temperature measured by said sensor 75 is below a minimum threshold temperature the return valve(s) 40b can be switched to guide fluid back to the cool reservoir 10. Said two threshold temperatures can be the same temperature or can be different threshold temperatures.

It is noted that the controller 50 may preferably be arranged for controlling the supply valve(s) 40a and the return valve(s) 40b independently of each other.

Although the controlhng of said return valve(s) 40b may thus be based at least partly on data of one 75 of the temperature sensors, it may additionally or alternatively be at least partly based on other data, for example a time interval measured upon switching the supply valve(s) 40a and/or data concerning a flow speed or speeds, for example sensed by one or more of the flow sensors or data corresponding to a respective pump 46. It is noted that it is apparent that the thermal system 1 may for instance therefore comprise a timer 55 connected to the controller 50 for facilitating the controller to execute one or more predefined heating and coohng cycles or programmes and/or a cycle or programme set by a user of the thermal system.

For instance therefore, the system 1 may comprise input means 53 for choosing pre-set cycles or programs and/or for setting a desired thermal cycles. For example, the temperature of the cool fluid, the temperature of the warm fluid and interval times may settable. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal system 1 may be arranged for receiving other input such as flow speeds and/or a content volume of a connected heat transferring device 2.

Advantageously, the controller 50 is designed such that, especially by controlling the or at least one of the valves 40, fluid forced from the heat transferring device 2 is guided to the first reservoir 10 when the temperature thereof is below a set threshold temperature and to the second reservoir 20 when the temperature thereof is above said set threshold temperature.

It is further noted that the circuitry 3 may comprises at least two loops 11, 21, whereas the controller 50 can be designed for maintaining, for at least a session such as a body therapy session or a bacterial experiment session, a temperature below a set maximum temperature for the fluid in the first loop 11 and/or first reservoir 10 and for maintaining a temperature above a set minimum temperature for the fluid in the second loop 21 and/or second reservoir 20. Said set maximum temperature in the first loop and/or reservoir should then be below the set minimum temperature in second loop and/or reservoir.

Besides, it is noted that in embodiments, fluid fed to the heat transferring device 2 from one of the fluid reservoirs 10, 20 and/or loops 11, 21 may normally be fed back to the same respective reservoir 10, 20 and/or loop 11, 21. However, for instance when the temperature of said fluid has substantially changed when it was fed through the heat transferring device 2, it may be fed to the other reservoir 20, 10 and/or loop 21, 11 instead of to the reservoir 10, 20 where it came from. For instance therefore, as said before, it may be advantageous when the fluid in the first reservoir 10 is of the same type as fluid in the second reservoir 20, such that undesired mixing of different types of fluid can be counteracted.

Preferably, the pump, at least one of the pumps 16, 26, 36, 46 or each pump can be connected to the controller 50. The controller can be arranged for controlling the pump(s), for instance at least partly based on data obtained from one or multiple flow sensors 81, 82, 83. However, in embodiments, the thermal system 1 may be arranged such that the pump or pumps can during use of the system 1 pump with a substantially constant power or a power controlled by predefined settings of the controller.

In embodiments, the thermal system 1 can be arranged for feeding fluid in a pulsing manner to a connected heat transferring device 2. By supplying the fluid in a pulsing manner to the connected heat transferring device 2, the system 1 and/or the heat transferring device 2 may be used for massaging or kneading a body part to and/or around which said heat transferring device 2 is applied. For example by alternatingly increasing and decreasing a fluid pressure in the connected heat transferring device 2, a massaging effect may be obtained. In embodiments, the controller 50 can be arranged for controlling at least one valve, preferably the supply valve 40a or the respective supply valve 40a, such that it can be opened intermittently in order to provide for a pulsed fluid supply. It is noted that the valve can be opened and at least partly closed alternatingly. Although at least one of the valves 40a, 40b described above, e.g. the supply valve(s) 40a, may be used for this purpose, the system 1 can alternatively or additionally be provided with an additional valve for said purpose. For instance, an additional valve for changing the pressure in a supply line 101, 201 can be provided. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 50 may be arranged for controlling at least one pump 46, preferably the main pump 46, in such a way that fluid can be fed in a pulsing manner to a connected heat transferring device 2. It is noted that said at least one pump 46 may be arranged for providing a pulsed fluid pressure in a line for supplying fluid towards a connected heat transferring device 2.

Moreover, the invention also relates to a method for controlling the temperature of and, especially, changes in the temperature of a heat transferring device 2, such as a hot/cold therapy treatment element 2, especially a cuff or wrap 2. The method comprises the step of feeding a first fluid 61 from a first reservoir 10 through a heat transferring device 2 for a first, period of time. Subsequently, the first fluid 61 is forced from the heat transferring device 2 by feeding a second fluid 62 from a second reservoir 20 through the heat transferring device 2 and said second fluid 62 is then fed through the heat transferring device 2 during a second period of time. By doing so, a relatively sudden temperature change in the heat transferring device 2 can be provided for. This can be highly advantageous, for instance in bioresearch or medical research labs, and may be especially useful for experiments such as certain experiments concerning bacterial growth.

Besides, the method may comprise a subsequent step of forcing the second fluid 62 from the heat transferring device 2 by feeding again first fluid 61 from the first reservoir 10 through said heat transferring device 2.

Preferably, the first fluid 61 is a relative cool fluid 61 which is cooled by means of a thermo-electric cooling element 31 and/or the second fluid 62 is a relative warm fluid 62 which is heated by means of a thermo-electric heating element 32. For example, the difference in temperature between the two fluids 61, 62 can for instance be between about 20 °C and 50 °C, especially between 35 °C and 40 °C, such as for instance about 37 °C. For instance, the relatively cold fluid 61 can be between 0 °C and 10 °C, especially about 5 °C, and the relatively warm fluid 62 can be between 35 °C and 50 °C, such as for instance about 42 °C. However, the fluids may alternatively or additionally differ in other respects than in temperature. For instance, the fluids may be of different types and/or the thermal conductivity of both fluids may differ with respect to each other.

In embodiments, the above method steps can be repeated a number of times. It is noted that the duration of feeding one of the fluids 62, 61 through the device 2 may differ from the duration that the previous fluid 61, 62 was fed through the device 2 and/or may differ from the duration of time that said fluid 62, 61itself was fed through the device 2 even before said previous fluid 61, 62 was fed through. Additionally or alternatively, when the first, or second fluid is fed through the device 2 for a further time, thus as a repeated step of the method, the temperature of said fluid may be different than when it was fed through the device a previous time. For example, in the meantime, when the other fluid was fed through the device 2, the first or second fluid can for instance be cooled or heated. In such cases, relative complex temperature change schemes or cycles can be executed. It is noted that the controller 50 may be arranged to execute such temperature change schemes or cycles.

Moreover, it is noted that the controller 50 may comprise and/or may be connected to a data input device 53 and/or to a memory device 54. The memory device 54 may be arranged for containing certain temperature change schemes or cycles and/or data, for instance data concerning flow speeds, temperatures and/or time intervals relating to specific experiments and/or treatment schemes. Besides, the system 1 may comprise one or more output devices 56, such as a display 56, which in embodiments may be integrated with the input device 53, for instance in the form of a touch screen 53, 56.

It is noted that although the method may start with feeding the relatively cool fluid 61 through the heat transferring device 2, the method may alternatively start with feeding the relatively warm fluid 62 through the heat transferring device 2.

Advantageously, the method can comprise the step of measuring the temperature of fluid 61, 62 leaving the heat transferring device 2, for instance by means of at least one temperature sensor 75, and, depending on the temperature sensed, feeding said fluid 61, 62 towards the first or second reservoir 10, 20, respectively. Thereto, the method may further comprise a step of comparing said sensed temperature with a predefined threshold temperature.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the method can further comprise the steps of circulating the first fluid, preferably a relatively cool fluid, through a first loop 11 and circulating the second fluid, preferably a relatively warm fluid, through a second loop 21. More preferably, the temperature of the fluid 62 circulating in the second loop 21 is maintained above a predefined minimum temperature and the temperature of the cool fluid 61 circulating in the first loop 11 is maintained below a predefined maximum temperature.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above. It will be understood that many variants are possible. At least all combinations of elements and features of the embodiments described above are also considered to have been disclosed herein.

Further, it is noted that the thermal system 1 can be connected to and/or be arranged for connection to multiple heat transferring devices 2. For example, the system 1 and/or its supply valve(s) 40a can be arranged to selectively feed fluid to multiple heat transferring devices 2 simultaneously and/or independently. Additionally or alternatively, the thermal system 1 and/or its return valve(s) 40b can be arranged to selectively allow fluid 61, 62 to flow from one or each of a number of multiple heat transferring devices 2 simultaneously and/or independently towards one or more reservoirs 10, 20 and/or loops 11, 21.

In this context it is noted that although the return lines 102, 202 of the embodiments shown in the figures are arranged for feeding fluid 61, 62 from the heat transferring device 2 towards the reservoirs 10, 20, the system may in an alternative embodiment be arranged for feeding said fluid from said device 2 directly to the respective loop 11, 21, i.e. without feeding it to the corresponding reservoir 10, 20 first.

Further, the heat transferring device 2 may comprise multiple fluid guiding channels 8. It is noted that the device 2, especially when being a hot/cold therapy treatment element such as a cuff or wrap, can be at least partly flexible and/or elastic, for instance in order to apply said device 2 relatively easily to a body part. Additionally or alternatively, the device 2 may comprise connection or attachment means, such as for instance one or more straps, stickers or the like, for instance for temporarily attachment to an animal or human body. It is noted that all kinds of connection or attachment means are possible for connection of attaching the heat transferring device 2 to an element to be cooled and/or heated such as a research tray or container, for instance magnets and/or a recess for receiving another attachment element.

Moreover, it is noted that the thermo-electric cooling and/or heating elements 31, 33, 34 may in embodiments be replaced by other heat pumps and/or by heat exchangers.

These and many such variations will be apparent to the person skilled in the art and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as formulated in the following claims.

Claims

A thermal system comprising a fluid circulation connectable and / or connected to a heat transfer device, a first reservoir for containing relatively cool fluid, a second reservoir for holding relatively warm fluid, at least one valve for alternately connecting the first or second reservoir with the or a heat transfer device such that fluid can be passed alternately from the first reservoir and from the second reservoir through the heat transfer device, at least one thermoelectric cooling element for cooling fluid associated with the first reservoir and at least one thermo -electric heating element for heating fluid associated with the second reservoir.

The thermal system of claim 1, wherein, during use, a cool side of the thermoelectric cooling element is in direct contact with the fluid associated with the first reservoir and / or wherein, during use, a warm side of the thermoelectric heating element is in direct contact with fluid associated with the second reservoir.

The thermal system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first loop for carrying fluid from the first reservoir back to said first reservoir via a cool side of the thermoelectric cooling element.

The thermal system of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a second loop for carrying fluid from the second reservoir through a warm side of the thermoelectric heating element back to said second reservoir.

A thermal system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a third loop for carrying fluid from a cool side of the thermoelectric heating element through a warm side of the thermoelectric cooling element back to said cool side of the thermoelectric electric heating element.

A thermal system according to claim 5, wherein fluid fed through the hot side of the thermoelectric cooling element is in direct contact with said hot side and wherein fluid fed along the cool side of the thermoelectric heating element is in direct contact with said cool side side.

The thermal system of claim 5 or 6, further comprising a third reservoir included in and / or connected to the third loop.

A thermal system according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the third loop is provided with an additional cooling element for cooling fluid which is fed from the cool side of the thermoelectric heating element to the warm side of the thermoelectric cooling element .

A thermal system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a first pump for pumping fluid through the first loop and / or a second pump for pumping fluid through the second loop and / or a third pump for pumping fluid fluid through the third loop and / or a main pump for pumping fluid from the fluid circulation through the heat transfer device back to said fluid circulation.

A thermal system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one valve comprises at least one supply valve for selectively connecting or closing a first supply line for carrying fluid from the first reservoir to a heat transfer device and / or for selective closing or connecting a second supply line for supplying fluid from the second reservoir to said heat transfer device.

The thermal system of claim 10, wherein the at least one supply valve comprises a switch valve or wherein the at least one supply valve comprises a first supply valve for selectively connecting or closing the first supply line and a second supply valve for selectively closing or connecting the second supply line.

A thermal system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one valve comprises at least one return valve for selectively connecting or closing a first return conduit for supplying fluid from the or a heat transfer device to the first reservoir and / or for the selectively closing or connecting a second return line for carrying fluid from said heat transfer device to the second reservoir.

A thermal system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one return valve comprises a switch valve or wherein the at least one return valve comprises a first return valve for selectively connecting or selectively closing the first return line and a second return valve for selectively closing or connecting of the second return line.

A thermal system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two valves are provided, at least one supply valve being provided upstream and at least one return valve being provided downstream of the heat transfer device.

The thermal system of claim 14, wherein the system is arranged such that the at least one supply valve and the at least one return valve can be switched independently of each other.

A thermal system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more flow sensors for measuring a flow rate in the circulation, for example in the first, second and / or third loop and / or in a supply line for supplying fluid to one or the heat transfer device and / or a return line for carrying fluid from the or a heat transfer device to the first or second reservoir, respectively.

A thermal system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more temperature sensors for measuring a fluid temperature, wherein the temperature sensor can be placed in the first, second and / or third loop and / or in the first, second and / or or third reservoir and / or in a supply line for supplying fluid to the or a heat transfer device and / or in a return line for supplying fluid from the or a heat transfer device to the first or second reservoir, respectively.

The thermal system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one level sensor provided in one of the reservoirs.

A thermal system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a connecting conduit for smoothly connecting the first reservoir to the second reservoir.

A thermal system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one connecting line for smoothly connecting the third reservoir to the first and / or second reservoir.

A thermal system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one inlet and / or outlet opening for adding fluid and / or removing fluid from the fluid circulation and / or at least one of the reservoirs.

A thermal system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a controller for controlling at least the at least one valve, the heating element, the cooling element, the additional cooling element and / or at least one of the pumps, the system at is preferably arranged to provide the controller with data which is measured by the temperature sensors, flow sensors and / or level sensors.

A thermal system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal system and in particular the or a controller is designed such that upon transfer of fluid from the first reservoir through a heat transfer device connected to the fluid circulation to the fluid circulation. supplying fluid from the second reservoir through the heat transfer device, fluid in the heat transfer device that has been fed therefrom from the first reservoir is expelled from the heat transfer device by means of fluid supplied from the second reservoir, and is also designed such that upon transition from passing the fluid from the second reservoir through the heat transfer device to passing fluid from the first reservoir through said device, fluid in the heat transfer device that has been transported there from the second reservoir is expelled from the heat transfer device d by means of fluid supplied from the first reservoir, both preferably substantially without mixing the fluid supplied from the first reservoir with fluid supplied from the second reservoir.

A thermal system according to claim 23, wherein the controller is designed such that, in particular by controlling the or at least one of the valves, fluid expelled from the heat transfer device is led to the first reservoir if its temperature is below a set temperature threshold temperature and is directed to the second reservoir if its temperature is above said set threshold temperature.

The thermal system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir contain the same type of fluid, the fluid preferably being substantially water.

The thermal system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first, second, and third reservoirs contain the same type of fluid, the fluid preferably being substantially water.

A thermal system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal system is a thermal treatment system, in particular a contrast treatment system, wherein the heat transfer device can be a heat / cold therapy treatment element, in particular a cover or wrap.

A thermal system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one thermoelectric cooling element and the at least one thermoelectric heating element are integrated in a thermoelectric cooling and heating element for cooling fluid from the first reservoir and for heating fluid from the second reservoir.

A method for controlling the temperature of, and in particular changes in, the temperature of a heat transfer device, such as a heat / cold therapy treatment element, in particular a wrap or wrap, comprising the steps of: feeding a first period of time a first fluid from a first reservoir through a heat transfer device; expelling the first fluid from the heat transfer device by passing a second fluid from a second reservoir through the heat transfer device; passing the second fluid through the heat transfer device for a second period of time, and expelling the second fluid from the heat transfer device by re-feeding the first fluid from the first reservoir through the heat transfer device; repeating the above steps a number of times, wherein the first fluid is a relatively cool fluid that is cooled by means of a thermoelectric cooling element and / or the second fluid is a relatively warm fluid that is heated by means of a thermoelectric heating element.

The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of measuring the temperature of fluid exiting the heat transfer device and, depending on the measured temperature, feeding said fluid to the first or second reservoir, respectively.