Infrared emitter

Abstract

An infrared emitter for use with self-propelled aerial targets used to simulate jet aircraft for use as a target for anti-aircraft missile systems. The emitter provides an infrared source that simulates the infrared energy produced by an aircraft. The emitter incorporates a network of platinum beads that are arranged along and between a plurality of parallel stainless steel screens. The network is contained in a heating conduit that is secured to a housing. The housing is provided with an opening to allow for attachment to the exhaust ports of a self-propelled aerial target's engine. Combustion gases produced by the aerial target's engine are expelled through the exhaust port and pass through to the emitter. The gases heat the network of beads and screens thereby causing the network to emit an infrared signature such that the heat seeking/sensing mechanisms of anti-aircraft missiles systems are able to locate and direct the missile to the target. The technology is also applicable to surface targets for both marine and land applications.

1 . An infrared emitter for producing a target signal, comprising:
 a. a housing;   b. a network of screens and heat-resistant beads retained in said housing; and   c. means for attaching said housing to an exhaust port of an engine whereby said beads are heated from the heat produced from said exhaust port of said engine.   
     
     
         2 . The infrared emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said housing is comprised of a high temperature resistant material. 
     
     
         3 . The emitter of  claim 2 , wherein said beads are coated with metals from the platinum group. 
     
     
         4 . The infrared emitter of  claim 1 , wherein said network of screens and beads includes:
 a. a plurality of parallel vertically extending screens, and   b. a plurality of platinum coated beads, disposed along and between said plurality of parallel vertically extending screens.   
     
     
         5 . The infrared emitter of  claim 4 , wherein each said bead of said plurality of beads is positioned to be in contact with a different bead. 
     
     
         6 . The infrared emitter as recited in  claim 5  wherein said housing and said screens are made of stainless steel. 
     
     
         7 . An infrared emitter for generating a target signal:
 a. a hollow housing comprised of high temperature resistant material;   b. at least one heating conduit attached to said housing, said heating conduit having a plurality of high temperature resistant beads, disposed along and between a plurality of parallel screens, and   c. means for attaching said housing to an engine having at least one engine exhaust port for producing a flow of heated air through said heating conduit whereby said beads are heated in the range of 750 degrees Centigrade to 800 degrees Centigrade from said heated air.   
     
     
         8 . The infrared emitter of  claim 7 , wherein said beads are coated with metals selected from the group consisting of platinum and palladium. 
     
     
         9 . The infrared emitter of  claim 7 , wherein said beads are ceramic beads coated with a metal selected from the platinum group. 
     
     
         10 . The infrared emitter of  claim 7 , wherein each said bead of said plurality of beads is a platinum coated bead positioned to be in contact with a different platinum coated bead. 
     
     
         11 . The infrared emitter of  claim 10 , wherein said engine is the engine of a target vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The infrared emitter of  claim 11 , wherein said target vehicle is an aerial target. 
     
     
         13 . The method of generating an infrared signal for a target comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a housing having at least one inlet port and at least one exit port;   b. providing a network of screens and heat-resistant beads at said exit port of said housing;   c. providing a target having an engine that generates heated exhaust gases through an exhaust system;   d. attaching said housing to said engine exhaust system of said target whereby said beads of said network of screens and beads are heated by said exhaust gases so as to generate an infrared signal capable of detection by a weapon guidance system.   
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13  wherein said beads are heated to a temperature in the range of about 750 degrees Centigrade to about 800 degrees Centigrade. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14  wherein said beads are beads comprising platinum. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15  wherein said housing and said screens are stainless steel. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16  wherein said target is unmanned self-propelled aircraft. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 14  wherein said network of screens and beads includes a plurality of beads coated with a metal selected from the platinum group disposed along and between a plurality of parallel screens. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18  wherein said screens of said plurality of parallel screens are stainless steel screens. 
     
     
         20 . The method of generating an infrared signal for an aerial target for missile systems comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a target having an engine having an exhaust system the expels heated gases;   b. providing an emitter comprised of an housing having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet, said exhaust outlet having a network of screens and heat-resistant beads;   c. attaching said exhaust inlet of said emitter to said exhaust system of said aerial target engine whereby said exhaust gases are disposed through said emitter through said system of screens and beads to heat said beads in a manner sufficient to cause said beads to generate energy in the infrared spectrum; and   d. providing detecting means on an aerial missile for detecting said infrared spectrum generated by said system of screens and beads whereby said missile is guided to said target.   
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 20  wherein, said network of screens and heat-resistant beads includes a plurality of beads having a coating comprised of metals selected from the platinum group disposed along and between a plurality of parallel screens. 
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 21  wherein, said housing is constructed of stainless steel and said screens of said plurality of parallel screens are stainless steel screens. 
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 22  wherein, each said bead of said plurality of beads is positioned to be in contact with a different bead. 
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 20  wherein said beads are heated in the range of about 750 degrees Centigrade to about 800 degrees Centigrade. 
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 20  wherein said energy density generated is in the midrange of the infrared spectrum. 
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 20  wherein said beads are coated with a metal comprising platinum. 
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 21  wherein said engine is the engine of a self-propelled aerial target. 
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 21  wherein said engine is the engine of a self-propelled surface target. 
     
     
         29 . The method as recited in  claim 21  wherein said beads generate an energy density in the range of about fifteen watts per steradian to about twenty watts per steradian.