High speed, inflating bag infrared countermeasure

• US 5,249,527 A
• Filed: 07/01/1992
• Issued: 10/05/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Original Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (Brookfield Asset Management Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schwind, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US07/907,084
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 102/354, 102/348, 102/293, 102/386, 102/530, 102/364, 89/1.11
• US Class Current: 102/354
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 2/00 Reflecting targets, e.g. radar-reflector targets; Active targets transmitting electromagnetic or acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/14 using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel

Abstract

An IR decoy which includes an aerodynamic shell from which is deployable an aerodynamically shaped thin film, high temperature, high strength plastic bag. A first stage of a two stage gas generator initially deploys and inflates the bag while the second stage maintains the bag in its inflated condition and provides IR radiation within a desired wavelength band to which the plastic bag is substantially transparent.

Claims

1. Infrared (IR) decoy apparatus for launching into the atmosphere, comprising:

a) an aerodynamic shell;

b) gas generator means contained within said shell;

c) a thin film, high temperature bag stored within and deployable from said shell;

d) means for initiating said gas generator means after a launch of said decoy, to deploy and inflate said bag with hot gas containing particulates;

e) said bag being substantially transparent to the wavelength of IR radiation produced by said hot gas with particulates, within said bag; and

f) said bag being connected to said shell so as to continually receive said gas during operation, said bag including exit means for allowing said gas to escape from the interior of said bag.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

a) said bag is stored in a rear compartment of said shell.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes:

a) a stopper for initially blocking said exit means when said bag is being deployed and inflated, after which said stopper is ejected by the pressure of gas within said bag.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

a) said shell is comprised of two sections;

b) a first of said sections containing said gas generator means; and

c) the second of said sections being affixed to said first section and containing said bag.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes:

a) a plurality of spring loaded stabilizing fins each of which folds against said shell and held in position against action of said spring prior to decoy launch and being operable, by action of said spring, to deploy into an operating stabilizing orientation after said decoy is launched.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:

a) said shell is comprised of two sections;

b) a first of said sections containing said gas generator means;

c) the second of said sections being affixed to said first section and containing said bag; and

d) said stabilizing fins being connected to said second section.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

a) said gas generator means includes first and second stages;

b) said first stage being operable to supply an initial cooler gas at high mass flow to deploy and inflate said bag without burning the bag; and

c) said second stage being operable to supply the interior of said bag with hot gas with particulates to sustain its inflated condition and to radiate said IR radiation.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein:

a) said first stage is a liquid propellant; and

b) said second stage is a solid propellant.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein:

a) said first stage is a solid propellant; and

b) said second stage is also a solid propellant.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

a) said bag, when inflated, has an aerodynamic generally ellipsoidal forward section and a generally tapered rear section.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein:

a) said exit means is located at the end of said tapered section.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 which includes:

a) a plurality of streamers disposed about said exit means to enhance aerodynamic stability of said bag.