US3986384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable contrast passive infrared target
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1976-02-04
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Granted: 1976-10-19
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Expires: 1996-02-04
Abstract
Abstract An incrementally controllable, variable contrast, passive, infrared targetnit comprised of a sandwich of three plates. The center plate is incrementally slidable between the front and rear plates and has at least a perforation pattern therein which is disposed behind at least a cut-out in the front plate. The front and center plates are painted with high emissivity paint and the rear plate has a low emissivity front surface except for at least a pattern of high emissivity areas painted thereon identical to the perforation pattern. By adjusting the position of the center plate the unit can be incrementally controlled from maximum contrast where none of the high emissivity area of the pattern on the rear plate is behind the perforations on the center plate to zero contrast where only the high emissivity areas are behind the perforations.
Inventors
- 👤 Colin M. Giorgi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K15/00; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/52; G01J5/53
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An incrementally controllable variable contrast passive infrared target unit comprising stationary front and rear plane members and a center plane member sandwiched therebetween, said front member having at least one cut-out therein, said center member having a pattern of openings disposed behind each said cut-out, the front surfaces of said front and center members being of a relatively high infrared emissivity and the front surface of said rear member behind said at least one cut-out varying between relatively high and relatively low infrared emissivities and means for incrementally sliding said center member between said front and rear members, whereby higher or lower emissivity surface is exposed behind said openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An incrementally controllable variable contrast passive infrared target unit comprising stationary front and rear plane members and a center plane member sandwiched therebetween, said front member having at least one cut-out therein, said center member having a pattern of openings disposed behind each said cut-out, the front surfaces of said front and center members being of a relatively high infrared emissivity and the front surface of said rear member behind said at least one cut-out varying between relatively high and relatively low infrared emissivities and means for incrementally sliding said center member between said front and rear members, whereby higher or lower emissivity surface is exposed behind said openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
The target unit of claim 1 wherein said front surface of said rear member is of a relatively low infrared emissivity except for a pattern of relatively high emissivity areas behind said at least one cut-out, said pattern being the same as said pattern of openings in said center member and each of said relatively high emissivity areas being approximately the same size as each of said openings, whereby said center member can be incrementally positioned by said means for sliding from a position where there is a high emissivity area behind each opening to a position where all of said high emissivity areas are covered by said center member and there is a relatively low emissivity surface area behind each opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The target unit of claim 2 wherein said pattern of openings comprises a row and column matrix of round openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The target unit of claim 2 wherein said pattern of openings comprises a pattern of elongated slit-like openings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The target unit of claim 4 wherein said pattern comprises a series of adjacent columns of said openings with the positions of the openings being staggered in adjacent columns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The target unit of claim 2 wherein besides said at least one cut-out said front member has at least one control cut-out, said center member being arranged so that only its relatively high emissivity front surface portion is exposed behind said at least one control cut-out over the entire range of operating movement of said center member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The target unit of claim 2 wherein said cut-outs are rectangular in shape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-19 | 1980-04-19 | 1980-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-19 | 1984-04-19 | 1984-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-19 | 1988-04-19 | 1988-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |