Apparatuses, methods and systems for active counter directed energy platform protection

• US 9,832,850 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2013
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Clemen, Jr., Mark J., Stewart, Alan F., Hull, John R., Davis, Keith J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thienvu
• Assistant Examiner(s): THOMAS, LUCY M
• Application Number:
  US13/932,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20160165706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• Field of Search: 361218, 361212
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2264/105 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/204 Di-electric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/212 Electromagnetic interference shielding
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/416 Reflective
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/732 Dimensional properties
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/10 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2571/00 Protective equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/18 Aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/40 comprising polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/16 characterised by features of a layer formed of particles, e.g. chips, powder or granules layer formed of natural mineral particles B32B19/00; layer being formed of wood fibres, chips or particles B32B21/02
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/08 Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation sound insulating linings for trains B61D17/185; drivers' cabs for load-carrying vehicles insulated against vibrations or noise B62D33/0604; thermal or acoustic insulation of engines F02B77/11; damping of sounds using compensation by electro-acoustic methods G10K11/178
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/02 Lightning protectors; Static dischargers in general H01T
• CPC Class Codes: H05F 7/00 Use of naturally-occurring electricity, e.g. lightning or static electricity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/50 On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the active initiation of incident energy-dissipating material from a structure surface coating as a counter measure response for the protection of a structure surface. The active initiation is triggered at a predetermined area or areas on a targeted structure surface in response to incident directed energy sensed on a target surface.

Claims

1. A method for protecting a structure against damage from incident directed energy comprising:

locating a coating at predetermined locations on a structure surface, the coating comprising a sensing layer comprising an active electronic sensor, and an enclosure, said enclosure further comprising a contained amount of an incident energy-dissipating material, the enclosure in communication with the sensing layer and a triggering mechanism;

sensing incident directed energy at the sensing layer by the active electronic sensor, said active electronic sensor in communication with the triggering mechanism;

activating the triggering mechanism;

actively triggering an amount of the incident energy-dissipating material for release of the amount of incident energy-dissipating material from the enclosure at predetermined locations on the structure surface; and

releasing the triggered amount of the incident energy-dissipating material from the enclosure to a predetermined distance away from the structure surface;

wherein the incident directed energy does not contact the incident energy-dissipating material before release of the incident energy-dissipating material from the enclosure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is selected from the group consisting of an applique, a container, a layer in the coating, and combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises the sensing layer, the triggering mechanism and the amount of incident energy-dissipating material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises layers selected from the group consisting of:

a reflective layer, a base layer, an adhesive layer, a top coat layer, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the incident energy-dissipating material comprises components that are dimensioned to at least partially dissipate incident directed energy wavelengths.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the incident energy-dissipating material comprises materials selected from the group consisting of:

nano-particles, micro-particles, macro-particles, ablative particles, and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is located remotely from a point of sensed incident direct energy on the structure surface.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the structure is selected from the group consisting of a vehicle, an aircraft, and a stationary structure.

9. A system for protecting a structure against damage from incident directed energy, said system comprising:

a coating applied to predetermined locations on a structure surface, said coating comprising a sensing layer, said sensing layer comprising and in communication with at least one sensor;

at least one enclosure containing an amount of incident energy-dissipating material in the enclosure, said enclosure in communication with the sensing layer, and said enclosure located at predetermined locations on the structure surface; and

a triggering mechanism in communication with the sensor and the enclosure, said triggering mechanism configured to activate the amount of incident energy-dissipating material within the enclosure at predetermined locations on the structure surface;

wherein the amount of triggered incident energy-dissipating material is actively released from the enclosure to a predetermined distance away from the structure surface;

wherein the incident directed energy does not contact the incident energy-dissipating material before release of the incident energy-dissipating material from the enclosure.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the enclosure is selected from the group consisting of:

an applique, a container, and combinations thereof.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the coating is applied to the structure surface as an applique.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the coating comprises the sensing layer, the enclosure and the amount of incident energy-dissipating material.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the enclosure comprises layers selected from the group consisting of:

a top coat layer, a base layer, an adhesive layer, a reflective layer, and combinations thereof.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the incident energy-dissipating material comprises material dimensioned to at least partially dissipate incident directed energy wavelengths.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the incident energy-dissipating material comprises materials selected from the group consisting of:

nano-particles, micro-particles, macro-particles, ablative particles, and combinations thereof.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the enclosure releases from the structure prior to activating a predetermined amount of incident energy-dissipating material.

17. The system of claim 9 wherein the enclosure is located remotely from a point of incident direct energy on the structure surface.

18. The system of claim 9, wherein the structure is selected from the group consisting of:

a vehicle, an aircraft, and a stationary structure.