Simulated thermal target

• US 4,253,670 A
• Filed: 08/07/1979
• Issued: 03/03/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Moulton, Joseph R., Barr, George R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US06/064,591
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 35/25, 250/503, 273/348, 273/359, 273/360, 273/362, 273/365, 273/407, 273/409
• US Class Current: 273/348.1
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 2/02 Active targets transmitting infrared radiation

Abstract

A low cost, easily assembled simulated thermal target for use as either a aining device or as a target decoy against an enemy. Various simulated thermal targets may be constructed to appear as enemy tactical vehicles when viewed by thermal images.

Claims

1. A simulated field effect thermal target for providing thermal and optical images of selective tactical thermal patterns used in training of friendly personnel and decoy of an enemy when an observer views said images through thermal night viewing sights, said simulated field effect thermal target comprising:

multidimensional target frame constructed of plywood connected to frame struts forming a lower support base and an upper frame that rests on said lower support base, said multidimensional target frame having a selective paint scheme on the outer surface thereof and having internal cavities forming a flue draft feeding to outside vents in which said internal cavities are formed by sheet metal baffles enclosed by wood framing; and

heat generating means positioned in the bottom of said lower support base within said internal cavities to cause heat to emanate from the paint of said selective paint color scheme to simulate said selective tactical thermal patterns.

2. A simulated thermal target as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plywood is from 1/4" to 1/2" and said frame struts are from 2"×

2" to 2"×

4" wherein said lower support base has a sheet metal enclosed area in the lower portion thereof having a heat shield side cover door to the outside where said heat generating means is placed and further having a top plate with a plurality of holes therein to provide a flue draft to support combustion of said heat generating means.

3. A simulated thermal target as set forth in claim 2 wherein the structure of said sheet metal enclosed area is made of 1/32" thick galvanized steel.

4. A simulated thermal target as set forth in claim 3 wherein said heat generating means is a closed metal canister of combustible liquid with a wick extending from said combustible liquid to the outside through an airtight opening in said canister.

5. A simulated thermal target as set forth in claim 4 wherein said combustible liquid is kerosene and said wick is made of 3/8" cotton braided rope.

6. A simulated thermal target as set forth in claim 4 wherein combustible liquid is diesel fuel and said wick is made of 3/8" cotton braided rope.

7. A simulated thermal target as set forth in claim 3 wherein said heat generating means is lighted charcoals in a metal can of at least 12 ounces in size.

8. A simulated thermal target as set forth in claim 7 wherein said selective paint scheme is of entirely black color on a front side of a two dimensional target frame in which said front side is made of one layer of 1/4" plywood covering both upper frame and lower support base and said back side is open other than where said frame struts hold said sheet metal enclosed area on the outer lower extremities of said lower support base and which hold 1/4" plywood on the back side to form two symmetrical internal cavities that narrow at the top portion of said upper frame whereupon two top swing doors provide said outside vents for the flue draft formed by said internal cavities.

9. A simulated thermal target as set forth in claim 8 wherein said frame struts are 2"×

2" with length as appropriate.

10. A simulated thermal target as set forth in claim 9 wherein said multidimensional target frame is three dimensional defining at least two sides of a tactical target.

11. A simulated thermal target as set forth in claim 7 wherein both of said front and back sides have a layer of 1/2" plywood thereon separated 4 inches by 2"×

4" frame struts and wherein said selective paint scheme is a rectangular shaped black color pattern on both the lower outer portions of said front side following around each side to said back side and a black paint circular area in the lower central portion of said front side of said upper frame with a dirt brown painted area in the lower part between the lower outer portion black color and the remainder of said front side and following around each end being painted olive drab color to simulate the front of an enemy tank wherein said layers of 1/2" plywood on both front and back sides form a continuous internal cavity to said outside vents.

12. A simulated thermal target as set forth in claim 11 wherein said outside vents are on the backside of said lower support base.