Kennon makes hot work feel cool
Being too hot is more than just an inconvenience. Heat can be deadly. Stay cool in the hottest environments with the Kennon Advanced Cooling Vest.
Flight line environments can be a lot of things: chaotic, stressful, and dangerous are three of them. What the environment doesn’t have to be is too hot. That’s because Kennon, in conjunction with the United States Air Force, have developed the ACV. The Advanced Cooling Vest maintained its cool during testing at Davis Monthorn AFB, in temperatures up to 109ºF.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Every summer, workers collapse under the hot sun. Being too hot can impact worker focus, leading to mistakes. Defending America won’t wait for a cloudy day.
Utilizing dry ice rice, the Kennon ACV can be customized, both in terms of fit, and the amount of cooling the wearer requires. The ice packs are modular and can be may be filled to just the right amount for each individual.
Kennon held a final report briefing with Col McRae, CMSgt Hunter, and MSgt and TPOC Nelson on 18 September, 2023. All USAF parties were favorably impressed with the outcomes of the ACV project and have expressed enthusiasm and support in helping disseminate information and make referrals and recommendations in preparation for the next hot season.
The ice packs have single insulation on one side and double insulation on the other so that the user can select how cold they would like the packs to be. The vests have size adjustment up to 14 inches, allowing for a wide range of users with just two sizes. Kennons Advanced Cooling Vest offers a simple solution to a dangerous problem.
ACV provides users in 100F temperatures 3-4 hours of cooling while weighing 4.75-6.5 lbs depending on the size of the vest. This is a longer duration of time and lighter weight than the competitive commercial phase change cooling vests.
This product incorporates designs, materials, and components protected by SBIR Data Rights:
Agreement Number: FA864922P0713 Expiration of SBIR Data Rights Period: 6/21/2042
Contractor Name: Kennon Products, Inc. Contractor Address: 1100 Hi Tech Dr, Sheridan, Wyoming USA 82801
The Government’s rights to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose technical data or computer software marked with this legend are restricted during the period shown as provided in paragraph (b)(4) of the Rights in Noncommercial Technical Data and Computer Software–Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program clause contained in the above identified contract. No restrictions apply after the expiration date shown above. Any reproduction of technical data, computer software, or portions thereof marked with this legend must also reproduce the markings.