Microclimate Cooling Systems: A Shipboard Evaluation of Commercial Models
Abstract
The Navy Clothing & Textile Research Facility (NCTRF), under contract to the Navy Science Assistance Program(NSAP), evaluated the feasibility of using commercial microclimate cooling systems (MCS) in the high heat areas onboard Navy ships by conducting an evaluation aboard the USS LEXINGTON (AVT16) from 30 March to 9 April 1987. The following cooling systems were evaluated: three liquid-cooled MCS - the LSSI Cool Head, the LSSI Portapack, and the ILC Cool Vest; and two air-cooled MCS - the Encon Air System, with and without a vortex tube. Both air systems and the LSSI Portapack MCS were tethered. The remaining two MCS's were portable, battery-operated, backpack systems. A control test with no cooling system was also run. The evaluation consisted of having test subjects wear the MCS during their normal duty and collecting physiological, subjective, and logistical data. During the test period, environmental conditions were relatively mild: the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) did not rise above 34C, and the average WBGT was 24C. Keywords: Microclimate cooling systems; Shipboard testing of microclimate cooling systems; Physiological testing; Heat stress; Commercial microclimate cooling systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA196848
Entities
People
- Barbara A. Avellini
- Carl R. Janik
- Nancy A. Pimental