US4142015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal camouflage
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
•
Filing: 1977-05-04
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Granted: 1979-02-27
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Expires: 1997-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A thermal and visible camouflage is provided for military equipment and theike, which consists of a layer of foamed plastic that varies randomly in its insulating effect as a function of its position on the surface and may also include uniform coatings under the layer on the hottest portions of the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl F. Bienz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:03
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41H; F41H3/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/919; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24496; Y10T428/24504; Y10T428/24512; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249987; Y10T428/24999
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
Camouflage means to disguise the infrared signature of a target device having a recognizeable pattern of relatively hot portions on the surface thereof compared to the temperature of its natural background comprising: a surface layer of foamed plastic substantially covering said device, said surface layer varying in heat insulating effect as a random function of position on said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
Camouflage means to disguise the infrared signature of a target device having a recognizeable pattern of relatively hot portions on the surface thereof compared to the temperature of its natural background comprising: a surface layer of foamed plastic substantially covering said device, said surface layer varying in heat insulating effect as a random function of position on said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Camouflage means according to claim 1 wherein: at least the hottest portions of said surface are coated with a uniform coating of foamed plastic; and said layer covers said coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
Camouflage means according to claim 1 where said target is silhouetted against a background of having a cooler temperature than said target, wherein: a maximum thickness of said layer is sufficient to reduce the temperature of the hottest part of said target to said cooler temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Camouflage means according to claim 1 wherein: different portions of said layer have different colors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Camouflage means according to claim 1 wherein: said foam layer has a substantially uniform density and varying thickness
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Camouflage means according to claim 1 wherein: said foam layer has a varying density.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Camouflage means according to claim 1 wherein: said foam layer and coating are formed from polystyrene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Camouflage means according to claim 1 wherein: said foam layer and coating are formed from polyurethane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3870540A
Cited
US3963847A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-02-26 | 1982-08-28 | 1983-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-26 | 1986-08-28 | 1987-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-26 | 1990-08-28 | 1991-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |