Thermal Imaging Target with Segmented Heating Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thermal imaging systems struggle to distinguish human targets from other heat-emitting objects and vary significantly with ambient temperature, making it difficult for soldiers to identify friendly and enemy combatants effectively.

Innovation Solution

A thermal imaging target system with a layered structure of corrugated plastic, bifurcated metallic foil, wire grid, carbon tape, and a power lead, which creates distinct heating zones and accommodates varying ambient temperatures, allowing for differentiation between human and non-human heat signatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a thermal imaging target uses a uniform heat emission structure, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot differentiate between human and non-human heat signatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat signature differentiationVSAvoidtarget structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The target is divided into multiple heating zones (head, torso, limbs) with distinct thermal characteristics. Each zone is independently controlled through separate heating elements, allowing the target to emit different heat patterns that mimic human body temperature variations, thereby enabling differentiation from non-human heat signatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the target are assigned different thermal properties to match human body characteristics. The head zone emits less heat than the torso zone, and limb zones have distinct thermal patterns. This local differentiation of heat emission properties allows the target to replicate human heat signatures accurately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the target uses fixed heat emission properties, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying ambient temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveambient temperature adaptationVSAvoidthermal control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The target employs dynamically controllable heating zones that can adjust their thermal output in response to varying ambient temperatures. The control system modulates the heat emission from each zone to maintain realistic human-like thermal patterns regardless of environmental conditions, enabling adaptation from cold to hot environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The target's thermal emission parameters (temperature, heat distribution) are made variable through electronic control. The system can change the thermal characteristics of different zones based on ambient temperature conditions, allowing the target to maintain accurate human heat signature simulation across a wide range of environmental temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the target is made from durable materials to withstand multiple shots, then the reliability is improved, but the thermal imaging functionality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability against fireVSAvoidthermal imaging accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The target uses a flexible, thin-film based thermal emission structure that can withstand ballistic impacts while maintaining thermal imaging functionality. The flexible heating elements and thermal emitters are designed to survive multiple shots without compromising their ability to generate accurate heat patterns, ensuring both durability and functional accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 effectively emulates a human heat signature, enabling soldiers to differentiate between friendly and enemy soldiers, and remains functional even after being shot multiple times, ensuring reliable identification in various conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a wire grid; two strips of carbon tape... wherein the wire grid is situated on top of the layer of clear plastic and comprises a right side and a left side; wherein one strip of carbon tape is adhered to the right side of the wire grid, and the other strip of carbon tape is adhered to the left side of the wire grid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a layer of corrugated plastic; a layer of bifurcated metallic foil... wherein the layer of bifurcated metallic foil is situated on top of the layer of corrugated plastic; wherein the layer of clear plastic is situated on top of the layer of bifurcated metallic foil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS7820969B2Target with thermal imaging system

Publication Date: 2010.10.26 GUINN CHARLIE GRADY

AI summary

A target with a thermal imaging system comprising a layer of corrugated plastic, a layer of bifurcated metallic foil, a layer of clear plastic, a wire grid, two strips of carbon tape, a front cover sheet, and a power lead. The layer of bifurcated metallic foil is situated on top of the layer of corrugated plastic. The layer of clear plastic is situated on top of the layer of bifurcated metallic foil. The wire grid is situated on top of the layer of clear plastic. One strip of carbon tape is adhered to the right side of the wire grid, and the other strip of carbon tape is adhered to the left side of the wire grid. The power lead is connected to the carbon tape. The front cover sheet is adhered to the target so that it covers the wire grid and carbon tape.