IR LED Illumination Device for Munitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional IR illumination flares produce visible light and debris due to pyrotechnic reactions, posing logistics and reliability issues, and have a finite lifetime due to moisture ingress.

Innovation Solution

An IR illumination device using an array of IR LEDs with a power converter and control unit for selective activation, emitting IR radiation in specific wavelengths, eliminating pyrotechnic hazards and providing redundancy and long-term reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If pyrotechnic compositions are used for IR illumination, then IR radiation is emitted, but visible light output and debris are produced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIR radiation emissionVSAvoidvisible light output and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pyrotechnic chemical reaction system with an electrical system comprising IR LEDs and a power converter. This substitution eliminates the combustion process that generates visible light and debris, while maintaining the desired IR radiation emission through electroluminescence of the LED components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental emission mechanism from thermal radiation (pyrotechnic) to electroluminescence (LED). By controlling the electrical parameters of IR LEDs, the system emits radiation specifically in the IR spectrum range while minimizing or eliminating visible light output, thus resolving the contradiction between IR emission and harmful visible light/debris generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If pyrotechnic compositions are used for IR illumination, then IR radiation is emitted, but logistics and handling hazards arise

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIR radiation emissionVSAvoidlogistics and handling hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hazardous pyrotechnic materials with safe electrical components (IR LEDs and power converter). This substitution eliminates the logistics and handling hazards associated with storing and transporting pyrotechnic compositions, while maintaining the IR illumination function through a safe, non-hazardous electrical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If pyrotechnic compositions are used for IR illumination, then IR radiation is emitted, but the device has finite lifetime due to moisture ingress

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIR radiation emissionVSAvoidlifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces moisture-sensitive pyrotechnic compositions with electrical components (IR LEDs and power converter) that are inherently more resistant to moisture ingress. The sealed electrical housing and robust LED components provide long-term reliability without the decomposition issues that plague pyrotechnic materials in humid environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If multiple light emission units with independent control are provided, then redundancy and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveredundancyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the illumination system into multiple independent light emission units, each with its own control circuitry. This segmentation provides redundancy - if one unit fails, others continue to function - while allowing modular design that manages complexity through standardization of individual units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each light emission unit is designed as an independent module with localized control, allowing the system to achieve overall redundancy without requiring complex centralized control. The local quality approach enables each unit to be simplified while the aggregate system gains reliability through multiple independent units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 IR LED-based device emits clean IR radiation with low power consumption, offering flexible wavelength selection and high reliability, reducing visible light output and debris, and avoiding the limitations of pyrotechnic compositions.

Implementation Method 1

an array of IR light emitting diodes (IR LEDs), to emit the IR radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

emits IR radiation in the range of wavelengths of from 750 nm to 900 nm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared Radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11118881B2Electric IR illumination

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 BAE SYSTEMS PLC

AI summary

There is disclosed an IR illumination device and munitions comprising the same. There is provided an IR illumination munition device for selective activation where upon activation the device emits IR radiation in the range of wavelengths of from 750 nm to 900 nm, the device comprising:an electrical power source; an array of IR light emitting diodes to emit the IR radiation.