Thermal target apparatus

Abstract

A thermal target apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides at least one target body. An electrically conductive target material is positioned on a front surface of the target body. At least one length of electrically conductive delivery material is also positioned on the front surface of the target body in contact with the target material, the delivery material configured for delivering an electrical current to the target material. A power source is in electrical communication with the delivery material for selectively providing an electrical current thereto which, in turn, delivers the electrical current to the target material. A controller is in electrical communication with the power source for selectively adjusting the electrical current produced by the power source. During use, the electrical energy in the target material is converted into heat which creates a thermal target that is visible to thermal optics.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermal target apparatus comprising:
 an at least one target body;   an electrically conductive target material positioned on a front surface of the at least one target body;   an at least one length of electrically conductive delivery material positioned on the front surface of the at least one target body in abutting contact with the target material, the delivery material configured for delivering an electrical current to the target material;   an at least one power source in electrical communication with the delivery material for selectively providing an electrical current thereto which, in turn, delivers the electrical current to the target material; and   an at least one controller in electrical communication with the at least one power source for selectively adjusting the electrical current produced by the at least one power source;   whereby, the electrical energy in the target material is converted into heat which creates a thermal target that is visible to thermal optics.   
     
     
         2 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one target body is constructed out of a relatively rigid but lightweight material. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the target material is a volume of graphite infused conductive paint. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the conductive paint has a sheet resistance of about 55 ohms per square millimeter at a thickness of about 0.005 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the target material is shaped and configured as a plurality of separate target strips arranged on the front surface of the at least one target body so as to form a target shape. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the target strips are substantially concentrically arranged on the front surface of the at least one target body. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of the target strips has a surface area that is substantially equal to a surface area of each of the other target strips. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the delivery material is in contact with opposing ends of each of the target strips so as to separately delivery an electrical current to the target strips in parallel. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery material has a resistance that is less than a resistance of the target material. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery material is an at least one strip of electrically conductive tape. 
     
     
         11 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery material is positioned between the target material and the front surface of the at least one target body. 
     
     
         12 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the target material is positioned between the delivery material and the front surface of the at least one target body. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the target material is capable of reaching a temperature of about 98 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         14 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an at least one cover layer positioned overtop of the target material so as to substantially sandwich the target material between the cover layer and the front surface of the at least one target body. 
     
     
         15 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one cover layer is constructed out of a thermally conductive material so as to allow heat from the target material to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one power source is connected to the delivery material via an at least one electrical wire and an at least one electrical connector. 
     
     
         17 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an at least one temperature sensor in electrical communication with the at least one controller and configured for monitoring the temperature of the target material. 
     
     
         18 . The thermal target apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one power source is an at least one battery. 
     
     
         19 . A thermal target apparatus comprising:
 an at least one target body;   an electrically conductive target material comprising a plurality of separate target strips positioned on a front surface of the at least one target body and arranged so as to form a target shape, each of the target strips having a surface area that is substantially equal to a surface area of each of the other target strips;   a first length of electrically conductive delivery material positioned on the front surface of the at least one target body in abutting contact with a first end of each of the target strips;   a second length of electrically conductive delivery material positioned on the front surface of the at least one target body in abutting contact with an opposing second end of each of the target strips;   the first and second lengths of delivery material configured for delivering an electrical current to the target strips in parallel and having a resistance that is less than a resistance of the target strips;   an at least one power source in electrical communication with the first and second lengths of delivery material for selectively providing an electrical current thereto which, in turn, delivers the electrical current to the target strips; and   an at least one controller in electrical communication with the at least one power source for selectively adjusting the electrical current produced by the at least one power source;   whereby, the electrical energy in the target strips is converted into heat which creates a thermal target that is visible to thermal optics.   
     
     
         20 . A thermal target apparatus comprising:
 an at least one target body;   an electrically conductive target material comprising a plurality of separate target strips positioned on a front surface of the at least one target body and arranged so as to form a target shape, each of the target strips having a surface area that is substantially equal to a surface area of each of the other target strips;   a first length of electrically conductive delivery material positioned on the front surface of the at least one target body in abutting contact with a first end of each of the target strips;   a second length of electrically conductive delivery material positioned on the front surface of the at least one target body in abutting contact with an opposing second end of each of the target strips;   the first and second lengths of delivery material configured for delivering an electrical current to the target strips in parallel and having a resistance that is less than a resistance of the target strips;   an at least one cover layer positioned overtop of the target strips so as to substantially sandwich the target strips between the cover layer and the front surface of the at least one target body;   an at least one power source in electrical communication with the first and second lengths of delivery material for selectively providing an electrical current thereto which, in turn, delivers the electrical current to the target strips; and   an at least one controller in electrical communication with the at least one power source for selectively adjusting the electrical current produced by the at least one power source;   whereby, the electrical energy in the target strips is converted into heat which creates a thermal target that is visible to thermal optics.