Apparatuses, methods and systems for passive counter-directed energy platform protection

• US 9,820,367 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2013
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• 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:
  US13/932,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20160165707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,597 Days
• Field of Search: 361212, 361218
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/20 comprising aluminium or copper B32B15/016 and B32B15/017 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/205 Metallic coating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/26 Polymeric coating
• 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 2439/00 Containers; Receptacles closures therefor B32B2435/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2571/00 Protective equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/308 comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/38 comprising epoxy resins
• 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

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the passive initiation and release of incident energy-dissipating material from locations on an incident energy target surface as a counter measure response for the protection of a platform. The response is activated over a predetermined area or areas on an incident energy target surface in response to an incident directed energy sensed on a target surface.

Claims

1. A method for protecting a structure surface against damage from incident directed energy, the structure surface comprising a coating and at least one enclosure, the coating comprising a sensing layer, and the enclosure further comprising a contained amount of an incident energy-dissipating material in the enclosure, the enclosure in communication with the sensing layer, the method comprising the steps of:

locating the coating at predetermined locations on the structure surface;

locating the enclosure at predetermined locations on the structure surface;

sensing incident directed energy at the sensing layer;

activating a predetermined amount of the contained amount of the incident energy-dissipating material at a predetermined locations on the structure surface; and

releasing incident energy-dissipating material from the coating, said incident energy-dissipating material released from the coating to at least a predetermined distance 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, container, a layer in the coating, and combinations thereof.

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

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a top coat layer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises at least one layer selected from the group consisting of:

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. A system for protecting a structure against damage from incident directed energy, said incident directed energy having at least one wavelength, said system comprising:

a coating comprising a sensing layer, wherein said sensor layer comprises at least one sensor, said coating located at a predetermined location on the structure surface;

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 a predetermined location on the structure surface;

wherein incident directed energy is sensed at the sensing layer;

wherein incident energy-dissipating material is activated within the enclosures at predetermined locations on the structure surface; and

releasing incident energy-dissipating material from the coating, said incident energy-dissipating material released from the coating to at least a predetermined distance 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.

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

a layer of an applique, a container, and combinations thereof.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the coating is applied to the structure surface as an applique.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the coating comprises the sensing layer, the enclosure, and a predetermined amount of the contained amount of the incident energy-dissipating material.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the enclosure comprises layers selected from the group consisting of:

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

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the incident energy-dissipating material comprises material dimensioned to at least partially dissipate incident directed energy wavelengths.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the incident energy-dissipating material comprises materials selected from the group consisting of:

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

17. The system of claim 10, wherein incident directed energy is sensed at a sensing layer at a predetermined location on a structure surface, and said sensing layer in communication with an enclosure activates a predetermined amount of incident energy-dissipating material.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the enclosure releases from the structure prior to activating a predetermined amount of incident energy-dissipating material.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the enclosure is located remotely from a point of incident direct energy on the structure surface.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein the structure is selected from the group consisting of aircraft, vehicles and stationary structures.