The lack of air flow under
body armor, helmets, and thick garments can lead to excessive
moisture build up and discomfort on the wearers body due to lack of heat removal and effective
evaporation of sweat. By incorporating wick covered heat pipes or thermal conductors with air flow channels in the apparel contact area between the garments, helmets, and
body armor the effectiveness air flow cooling and
evaporation of sweat can be restored.
Humidity or temperature auto-actuated bi-material valves are used to control this air-
moisture-
heat flow to achieve a controlled comfortable
humidity-temperature environment and avoid
excessive cooling. Supplementary air pumps, filters, dehydrators, fluid pumps, heating fluids, and cooling fluids may be incorporated to enhance the effectiveness. Biocides and hydrophilic materials are also incorporated on the wick coverings to avoid
biological growth and maintain performance to achieve a healthy environment for the wearer.