Abstract: A heat sensor device adapted to provide direct measurements of heat flux to be used for calculating thermal and skin burn predictions. The device comprises a copper disk within a copper thermal guard ring that are supported within a heat insulating disk holder surrounded by a protective housing. A thermocouple is affixed to the back side of the copper disk in a cavity defined within the heat insulating disk holder, and a connector wire extends through the heat insulating disk holder and protective housing.

Abstract: A fluid cooled heat sensor device adapted to provide direct measurements of heat flux to be used for calculating thermal and skin burn predictions. The device comprises a copper disk which is inserted into an aperture in the top of a housing so as to define a fluid reservoir beneath the copper disk and within the housing. The housing further includes a fluid coolant entry port and fluid coolant outlet port for the ingress and egress of a suitable coolant fluid through the sensor device. At least one thermocouple is affixed to the back side of the copper disk and has an electrical connector wire extending therefrom and through the housing. The electrical connector wire is intended to be connected to suitable data collection equipment.

Abstract: Sweating hot plate apparatus simulating the thermoregulatory behavior of human skin and related method for predicting fabric comfort level with the apparatus. Fabric is placed on the top surface of the apparatus, and selected constant inputs of power flux and water flow are supplied to the apparatus, whereby the surface temperature of the apparatus changes and closely approximates the skin temperature of human subjects having levels of heat generation and sweat production corresponding at the same levels of power flux input and water flow input, respectively.