Active Imitative Target System for Night Vision Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing training tools and targets, particularly those used with night vision and thermal cameras, fail to effectively simulate the infrared and heat radiation of a human or other objects, making it difficult for trainees to practice and improve their skills in low-visibility environments.
Innovation Solution
An active imitative target system that includes inflatable training devices coated with thermal heat-radiating and heat-conducting materials, equipped with heating elements powered by batteries or chemical heaters, and designed to mimic the infrared and heat radiation of a person or other objects, allowing trainees to practice with night vision and thermal cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional inflatable targets are used, then the target is visible to the naked eye, but it cannot be detected by night vision or thermal cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the thermal and optical properties of the target surface. The coating materials are designed to have specific infrared reflectivity and thermal conductivity parameters that enable the target to emit and reflect infrared radiation similar to human body temperature, making it detectable by thermal cameras and night vision devices while maintaining inflatable simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of inflatable base structure combined with specialized coating layers. These composite materials include thermal heat-radiating and heat-conducting layers that simulate human body thermal characteristics, allowing the simple inflatable structure to achieve complex thermal radiation properties needed for night vision and thermal camera detection
2Reliability
If simple inflatable targets are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but they lack realistic thermal and infrared characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies physical parameters of the inflatable target by incorporating coatings with specific thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and infrared emissivity values. These parameter changes enable the simple structure to exhibit complex thermal behavior that closely mimics human body heat radiation patterns, achieving realism without complex construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the human target's thermal and infrared characteristics using coating materials that replicate the optical and thermal properties of human skin and body heat. This copying approach allows the inflatable structure to present the same thermal signature as a real human target to night vision and thermal cameras, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving realistic simulation
3Adaptability or versatility
If technologically complex remote control systems are used, then the target can be remotely operated, but the system becomes expensive and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the inflatable target to be automatically inflated and deployed without requiring complex remote control systems. The target can be thrown or dropped and self-inflates using integrated pumps or pressure equalization mechanisms, eliminating the need for expensive wired or wireless management computers while maintaining operational versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements through automatic inflation and deflation capabilities that allow the target to transition between compact storage state and operational state. This dynamic behavior provides adaptability for different operational scenarios without requiring complex control systems, as the inflation/deflation process is automated and responsive to simple triggers
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables trainees to improve their skills in identifying and engaging targets in low-visibility conditions by providing a realistic simulation of human or animal targets, enhancing the quality and speed of their practical skills and reducing the time and resources required for training.
Implementation Method 1
heating elements equipped with battery power (or chemical heaters)
Implementation Method 2
mimic the infrared and heat radiation of a person or other objects
Implementation Method 3
made of (coated with) various thermal heat-radiating and heat-conducting materials
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The object of the invention is an active imitative target system, where the trainee can identify an invisible training tool (active imitative target) during training at night or in low-visibility environments. The system comprises at least one shooting device of the trainee equipped and combined with infrared, heat and light radiation and night observation devices, at least one inflated active training device (active imitative target) made of (covered by) various thermal heat-radiating and heat-conducting materials and the radiation connecting the sighting/shooting device and the training device. An active imitative target can be human-shaped or of another shape (e.g., an animal), and its position can be changed. The active imitative target is inflatable and preferably comprises battery-powered (or chemically heated) heating elements and timers.