Microclimate Cooling Systems: A Physiological Evaluation of Two Commercial Systems
Abstract
The Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility (NCTRF) conducted a laboratory evaluation to compare two commercially available, portable, liquid microclimate cooling systems for their effectiveness in reducing heat stress and for their operational characteristics. The systems were the Model 1905 Cool Vest manufactured by ILC Dover, Inc. (ILC), and the Cool Head manufactured by Life Support Systems, Inc. (LSSI). The two systems were evaluated on nine test subjects wearing the Navy utility uniform and performing light-to-moderate exercise for 3 hours in an environment of 43 C dry bulb, 29 C dew point (WBGT 36 C). Compared with a control test with no cooling, use of either cooling system enabled subjects to complete the 3-hour heat exposures. Rectal temperature responses were the same when either cooling system was used. Heart rates were slightly lower with the ILC Dover system compared to the LSSI system. The ILC systems experienced fewer failures, and were easier to operate than the LSSI systems. The ILC system is also lighter, less bulky, and much less expensive than the LSSI system. Based on their similarity in reducing heat stress, and the ILC Dover system's profile, reliability and lower cost, the ILC Dover Model 1905 Cool Vest system is recommended over the Cool Head for Navy use. This report describes the two cooling systems and the results of the heat stress evaluation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA201139
Entities
People
- Barbara A. Avellini
- Carl R. Janik
- Nancy A. Pimental