Thermal camouflage

• US 4,529,633 A
• Filed: 01/06/1984
• Issued: 07/16/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Diab-Barracuda AB Repslagaregatan
• Original Assignee: DIAB Barracuda AB
• Inventors: Karlsson, Lars G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epstein, Henry F.
• Application Number:
  US06/568,606
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 428/919, 428/17, 428/49, 428/102, 428/159, 428/904.4
• US Class Current: 428/17
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/10 on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/205 Metallic coating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0253 Polyolefin fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0261 Polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0276 Polyester fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/106 Carbon fibres, e.g. graphite fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/4026 within the layer by addition of a colorant, e.g. pigments, dyes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/416 Reflective
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2323/043 HDPE, i.e. high density polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2459/00 Nets, e.g. camouflage nets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2556/00 Patches, e.g. medical patches, repair patches
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/16 specially treated, e.g. irradiated
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/20 using fillers, pigments, thixotroping agents
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/022 Non-woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/024 Woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 3/00 Camouflage, i.e. means or methods for concealment or disguise for vessels B63G8/34, B63G13/02 ; sound camouflage, i.e. simulating gun fire noise, F41A33/04; dummy or decoy targets F41J; chaff per se F41J2/00; ammunition for dispensing chaff F42B5/15, F42B12/70; radar absorbing fabrics H01Q17/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/90 Camouflaged
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/919 : Camouflaged article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/166 : Glass, ceramic, or metal sections [e.g., floor or wall tile, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24033 : including stitching and discrete fastener[s], coating or bond
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24504 : Component comprises a polymer [e.g., rubber, etc.]

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal camouflage material comprising a supporting layer (4), e.g. a woven material, on which a polyethylene film layer (1), metallized on one side, has been laminated with the aid of fusion adhesive (3). The exposed surface of the plastic film is embossed to make it matte. Polyethylene is highly transparent to infrared radiation and has low emissivity, self radiation. By means of the metal layer (2) there is also obtained radiation insulation so that the outer layer (1) is in a thermal equilibrium which is hardly affected, e.g. by a warm object which is covered with the material, and the outer layer has a low emission ability of about 0.4-0.95, depending on thickness and pigmentation. By applying further patchy layers (5) patchy images will be obtained in image-forming by infrared sensitive instruments in the wavelength ranges 3-5 μm and 8-14 μm. The camouflage material may also include a layer of plastic foam insulating material arranged inwardly of the supporting layer.

Claims

1. Thermal camouflage laminate material comprising a supporting layer, an outer layer of plastic material and a metal reflection layer arranged between the supporting layer and the outer layer wherein said outer layer comprises a pre-cast film of plastic material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene which is bonded to said supporting layer, the outer surface of said outer layer being matte-finished for reducing its specular reflection and said metal reflection layer being broken up into a mosaic structure for avoiding radar detection.

2. Thermal camouflage as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the plastics material of the outer layer is coloured through with a camouflage pigment which is low-absorbent in the thermal infrared wavelength range.

3. Thermal camouflage as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the supporting layer is a woven material containing conductive fibers for radar camouflage effect.

4. Thermal camouflage as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the metal reflection layer is laid on the inner surface of the outer layer and that a layer of fusion adhesive joins the supporting layer to the metallized side of the outer layer.

5. Thermal camouflage as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that a laminate assembly of metal reflecting layer and outer layer substantially identical to that specified in claim 4 is provided and adhered to the otherwise exposed surface of said supporting layer in mirror image cross section arrangement.

6. Thermal camouflage as claimed in claim 1 and additionally including a layer of plastic foam thermal insulating material secured to the otherwise exposed surface of said supporting layer.

7. Thermal camouflage as claimed in claim 6 and additionally including a protecting web of material covering the otherwise exposed surface of said plastic foam thermal insulating material.

8. Thermal camouflage as claimed in claim 7 wherein said supporting layer, said layer of plastic foam and said protecting web are quilted together.