Body Armor Suite Cooling System

Abstract

A body cooling system is provided for utilization with a protective suit worn by a person. The cooling system includes an external air flow source that produces an air flow and blows it in free atmosphere towards an evaporative cooling apparatus. A fluid volume flows from the cooling apparatus to a conduit contained in an undersuit worn under the protective overcoat. A pump circulates fluid through the conduit. The undersuit includes both an envelope, surrounding an outer surface of the conduit, and a cloth layer, situated closest to the skin, to aid in a transfer of heat from a body to the fluid flowing in the conduit. The evaporative cooling apparatus can include a radiator body having finger-like projections extending therefrom. A fluid channel is formed within the evaporative cooling apparatus for egress of the heated fluid carried away from the undersuit.

1 . A body cooling system for use with an associated protective suit to be worn by a person, the cooling system comprising:
 a cooling apparatus positioned external to the protective suit;   an air flow source positioned external to the protective suit in fluid communication with said cooling apparatus;   a suit positioned between an innermost layer of the protective suit and the person's skin, said suit includes at least one conduit which allows fluid to flow to and from said cooling apparatus;   wherein heat from the person's body transfers to said fluid flowing in said conduit, said conduit then delivers said fluid to said cooling apparatus, wherein said air flow source produces a flow of air directed towards said cooling apparatus, wherein said air flow source blows air into a space, external to both said suit and the protective suit, wherein said fluid in said cooling apparatus evaporates upon contact with said air current.   
     
     
         2 . The body cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein said suit comprises a heat transfer element to aid in transfer of heat from the person's body to said fluid flowing in said conduit, wherein said heat transfer element is a heat conducting envelope surrounding an outer surface of said conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The body cooling system of  claim 2 , wherein said heat conducting envelope comprises a heat conducting metal, selected from a group comprising copper, silver, aluminum and brass. 
     
     
         4 . The body cooling system of  claim 2 , wherein said conduit comprises a supply pump for circulating fluid through said conduit. 
     
     
         5 . The body cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein said suit comprises a heat conducting cloth layer to aid in transfer of heat from the person's body to said fluid flowing in said conduit, said heat conducting cloth layer is positioned adjacent to skin of the person and spaced apart from the protective suit. 
     
     
         6 . The body cooling system of  claim 5 , wherein said heat conducting cloth layer comprises a heat conducting metal, selected from a group comprising copper, silver, aluminum and brass. 
     
     
         7 . The body cooling system of  claim 5 , wherein said heat conducting cloth layer comprises copper. 
     
     
         8 . The body cooling system of  claim 5  further including a layer of biologically inert material interposed between said heat conducting cloth layer and the person's skin, said layer of biologically inert material being in direct contact with the person's skin to minimize any irritative and abrasive contact between said heat conducting cloth layer and the person's skin. 
     
     
         9 . The body cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one conduit comprises portions spaced apart from each other by 5 to 10 centimeters. 
     
     
         10 . The body cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein said cooling apparatus comprises a radiator body having at least two elongate projections extending therefrom. 
     
     
         11 . The body cooling system of  claim 10 , wherein said at least two elongate projections are disposed in parallel to each other in a plane, said plane is transverse to a direction of an air flow path forced from said air flow source, wherein said air flow contacts said at least two elongate projections. 
     
     
         12 . The body cooling system of  claim 10 , wherein said radiator comprises five elongate projections. 
     
     
         13 . The body cooling system of  claim 10 , wherein said radiator body comprises:
 at least one surface fluid channel within the radiator body, wherein a first end of said fluid channel connects to a first end of said conduit contained in said suit and a second end of said fluid channel connects to said opposing end of said conduit.   
     
     
         14 . The body cooling system of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one nozzle formed in said fluid channel provided for egress of fluid carried away from said suit. 
     
     
         15 . The body cooling system of  claim 13  further including a wicking material coating outer surfaces of said at least two elongate projections and crevices formed therebetween, wherein air flow which contacts said wicking material causes said fluid contained therein to evaporate. 
     
     
         16 . The body cooling system of  claim 1  further comprising a power source to push fluid volume through said at least one conduit or to drive said air flow source for production of said air current. 
     
     
         17 . The body cooling system of  claim 1  further comprising a reservoir fluidly communicating with said conduit for supplying fluid to said conduit. 
     
     
         18 . The body cooling system of  claim 9  further comprising a foam pad interposed between said adjacent portions of said at least one conduit on said suit. 
     
     
         19 . The body cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein said air flow source is a mechanical fan or a blower. 
     
     
         20 . A body cooling system for use with an associated protective suit worn by a person, the cooling system comprising:
 a cooling apparatus disposed external to the protective suit;   an air flow source disposed external to the protective suit in fluid communication with said cooling apparatus;   an undersuit positioned between the protective suit and the person's skin, said undersuit comprises at least one conduit for allowing water flow to and from said cooling apparatus and a pump within the conduit to circulate water through the system;   a heat conducting material surrounding said at least one conduit; and,   a layer of material to aid in transfer of heat from the person's body to said water flowing in said at least one conduit, said layer of material is positioned adjacent the person's skin and spaced apart from the protective suit;   wherein heat from the person's body transfers to said water flowing in said at least one conduit, said at least one conduit then delivers said water to said cooling apparatus, wherein said air flow source produces a flow of air directed towards said cooling apparatus, said air flow source blows air into a space near said water resulting in said water in said cooling apparatus evaporating upon contact with said air current.