# US 10,767,966 B2 · Camouflage laminate with field-adaptable visual and IR signature management

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- Number: US 10,767,966 B2
- Document ID: US10767966B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/698,134
- Filed: 2017-09-07
- Published: 2018-03-08
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2016-09-07
- Assignees: Warwick Mills, Inc.
- Applicants: Warwick Mills Inc.
- Inventors: Charles A Howland
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767966B2

## CPC

- B32B 3/08: characterised by added members at particular parts {(layer formed of separate pieces of material which are juxtaposed side-by-side B32B3/14, B32B3/18)}
- F41H 3/02: {Flexible, e.g. fabric} covers, e.g. screens, nets {characterised by their material or structure}(making thereof, see the relevant classes, e.g. D04)
- B32B 3/02: characterised by features of form at particular places, e.g. in edge regions {(non-uniform thickness B32B3/263)}
- B32B 3/085: {spaced apart pieces on the surface of a layer}
- B32B 3/20: of hollow pieces, e.g. tubes; of pieces with channels or cavities
- B32B 3/266: {characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12}
- B32B 3/28: characterised by a layer comprising a deformed thin sheet {, i.e. the layer having its entire thickness deformed out of the plane}, e.g. corrugated, crumpled (B32B29/08 takes precedence)
- B32B 5/022: {Non-woven fabric}
- 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)}
- B32B 5/26: another layer {next to it} also being fibrous or filamentary {(relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12)}
- B32B 5/30: one layer {being formed of particles, e.g. chips,} granules, powder
- B32B 7/02: Physical, chemical or physicochemical properties
- B32B 7/09: by stitching, needling or sewing (by {mechanically connecting} fibrous layers {to another layer} B32B5/06)
- B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
- B32B 21/04: comprising wood as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/042; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/042; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/10; next to a metal layer B32B15/10; next to a glass layer B32B17/062; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/042; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/044)}
- B32B 21/08: of synthetic resin
- B32B 23/10: next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B 27/08: of synthetic resin
- B32B 27/12: next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B 27/14: next to a particulate layer
- B32B 27/16: specially treated, e.g. irradiated
- B32B 27/34: comprising polyamides
- B32B 27/36: comprising polyesters
- B41M 3/06: Veined printings; Fluorescent printings; Stereoscopic images; Imitated patterns, e.g. tissues, textiles
- B32B 2250/03: 3 layers
- B32B 2250/05: 5 or more layers
- B32B 2255/02: on fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B 2255/10: on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer
- B32B 2255/205: Metallic coating
- B32B 2255/24: Organic non-macromolecular coating
- B32B 2260/025: Particulate layer
- B32B 2260/04: Impregnation, embedding, or binder material
- B32B 2262/0261: Polyamide fibres
- B32B 2262/0284: Polyethylene terephthalate [PET] or polybutylene terephthalate [PBT]
- B32B 2262/04: Cellulosic plastic fibres, e.g. rayon
- B32B 2262/062: Cellulose fibres, e.g. cotton
- B32B 2262/067: Wood fibres
- B32B 2307/212: Electromagnetic interference shielding
- B32B 2307/302: Conductive
- B32B 2307/40: having particular optical properties
- B32B 2307/4023: on the layer surface, e.g. ink
- B32B 2307/4026: within the layer by addition of a colorant, e.g. pigments, dyes
- B32B 2307/41: Opaque
- B32B 2307/412: Transparent
- B32B 2307/724: Permeability to gases, adsorption
- B32B 2307/726: Permeability to liquids, absorption
- B32B 2307/7265: Non-permeable
- B32B 2367/00: Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
- B32B 2459/00: Nets, e.g. camouflage nets
- B32B 2571/00: Protective equipment
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
- B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P)

## Abstract

A camouflage system adaptively matches the visible and IR spectrum of surrounding vegetation. A bio-chromophore dye solution circulated through an upper channel and distributed by a pulp or fabric matches the visible and biological IR spectrum, while water evaporated from the upper channel or from a separate lower channel matches the water IR spectrum. Dye can be retained in the pulp or continuously circulated. Permanently printed colors and/or patterns can also be included. Petalation cooperative with a channel flow pattern can release evaporated water and inhibit LiDAR detection. An upper waxy layer and surface embossing can avoid specular reflections. The camouflage signature can be compared with the environment and automatically adjusted as needed. Embodiments include thermal management, electromagnetic shielding, and/or radar scattering/absorbing subsystems. An airbag ground plane can match a terrain contour and avoid LiDAR detection. Multiple zones can provide adaptive display of visible and IR patterns.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A camouflage system suitable for protecting an asset from detection, the system comprising a camouflage cover configured to match a spectral signature of surrounding vegetation, the camouflage cover including:
a plurality of boundary layers comprising a first boundary layer, and a second boundary layer below the first boundary layer;
at least one circulating channel formed between said boundary layers, said at least one circulating channel including a liquid-circulating channel formed between the first and second boundary layers through which a circulating liquid can be circulated, the liquid-circulating channel being visible through the first boundary layer; and
a first liquid distribution medium located within the liquid-circulating channel and configured to distribute the circulating liquid throughout the liquid-circulating channel by absorption, wicking, or a combination of absorption and wicking of the circulating liquid;
said liquid-circulating channel including a liquid feed in liquid communication with the first liquid distribution medium;
a bottom-most of said plurality of boundary layers being a water-permeable boundary layer configured to enable water that is circulated through a lowest of the circulating channels to evaporate from below the camouflage cover;
the camouflage cover being configured to present a visible and IR spectral signature that approximates a visible and IR spectral signature of surrounding vegetation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second boundary layer is the water-permeable boundary layer, and wherein the first boundary layer is impermeable to water, so that water that is circulated through the liquid-circulating channel is able to evaporate from below the camouflage cover through the second boundary layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein:
the water-permeable boundary layer is a third boundary layer of the plurality of boundary layers, said third boundary layer being located below the second boundary layer; and
said at least one circulating channel further includes a water-transporting channel formed between the second boundary layer and the third boundary layer,
water that is circulated through the water-transporting channel being able to evaporate from below the camouflage cover through the third boundary layer;
a second liquid distribution medium being located within the water-transporting channel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a layer of a wax applied on an outward-facing surface of the camouflage cover.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the layer of wax is embossed.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the boundary layers is a layer of poly-ethylene terephthalate (“PET”).

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first liquid distribution medium includes a liquid distributing fabric.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the liquid distributing fabric includes at least one of staple and filament cellulosic yarns.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first liquid distribution medium includes a cellulosic fiber.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first liquid distribution medium includes a super-absorbent polymer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid feed includes liquid-permeable tubing.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first liquid distribution medium includes at least a first liquid distribution layer and a second liquid distribution layer, said first liquid distribution layer being configured to retain the circulating liquid more strongly than said second liquid distribution layer.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising petalation of the camouflage cover.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid-circulating channel is partitioned by seams between the first and second boundary layers, the seams being configured to direct the circulating liquid when circulating through the liquid-circulating channel to follow a circuitous path.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, further comprising cuts made through the first and second boundary layers that are coordinate with the seams, so as to cause petalation of the first and second boundary layers that is coordinate with the circuitous path.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising visible printing applied to at least one of the first boundary layer and the second boundary layer.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a textile support layer attached beneath the water permeable boundary layer, said textile support layer being permeable to water.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a first liquid delivery system in liquid communication with the liquid feed of the liquid-circulating channel.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature control system configured to control a temperature of a liquid delivered to the camouflage cover.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a signature management system including an automatic or semi-automatic sensing system that is able to measure the visible and IR spectral signatures of the camouflage cover and of a surrounding environment, and to compare the visible and IR spectral signature of the camouflage cover with the visible and IR spectral signature of the surrounding environment.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The system of claim 20, wherein the signature management system further includes a circulating liquid supply system that is able to make automatic adjustments that improve a match between the spectral signatures of the camouflage cover and the surrounding environment, said adjustments including at least one of:
adjusting a rate of water evaporation by adjusting a rate and/or pressure at which a liquid is delivered to the camouflage cover; and
adjusting a formulation of a dye solution that is delivered as the circulating liquid to the camouflage cover.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of color modification containers filled with pre-measured liquid colorants: and
a mixing apparatus configured to mix a carrier liquid with a selected combination of the liquid colorants from the plurality of color modification containers, so as to form the circulating liquid for delivery thereof to the liquid-circulating channel.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the camouflage cover is divided into a plurality of zones, and is configured such that separate circulating liquids from separate reservoirs can be delivered to each of the plurality of zones, thereby enabling variation of a visible pattern displayed by the camouflage cover.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a layer below the camouflage cover that is substantially opaque to thermal radiation and has a low thermal emissivity, thereby being configured to conceal thermal emissions arising from the protected asset.

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising conductive materials included within the camouflage cover, said conductive materials being configured to block electromagnetic emissions from the asset and/or to absorb and/or deflect radar waves.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a reverse osmosis filtration system that is able to accept circulating liquid that has been flushed from the liquid-circulating channel and to separate water included in the flushed circulating liquid from colorants dissolved therein.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ultraviolet reflectors.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The system of claim 27, further comprising a ground plane layer having a geometry that does not comprise any LiDAR Geometric Identification Triggers.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The system of claim 28, wherein the ground plane is supported by at least one air bag that is inflated to a pressure of less than 25 iwg.

### Claim 30 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a radar protection layer located beneath the camouflage cover.

### Claim 31 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising an EMI shielding layer located beneath the camouflage cover and configured to block electromagnetic emissions from the asset.

### Claim 32 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured so as to maintain a temperature of an upper surface of the camouflage cover at a temperature that is within two degrees centigrade of a temperature of the vegetation environment.

### Claim 33 (depends on 1)

A method for protecting an asset by controlling a spectral signature so as to match a surrounding vegetation environment, the method comprising:
providing a camouflage cover as described in claim 1 and a first liquid delivery system in liquid communication with the liquid feed of the liquid-circulating channel;
preparing a colorizing solution comprising a solvent and a colorizing agent, said colorizing solution having an IR signature that approximates a bio-chromophore IR signature of the vegetation environment, said colorizing solution being configured, either alone or in combination with other visible elements of the camouflage cover, to provide a visible match to the visible signature of the vegetation environment;
causing the first liquid delivery system to deliver the colorizing solution to the first channel; and
causing water to be evaporated from the camouflage cover so as to approximate a water transpiration IR signature of the vegetation environment.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The method of claim 33, further comprising responding to a change in the surrounding vegetation environment by:
causing the liquid delivery system to flush the colorizing agent from the liquid-circulating channel; and
causing the liquid delivery system to deliver a reformulated colorizing solution into the liquid-circulating channel.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

The method of claim 34, wherein flushing the colorizing agent from the liquid-circulating channel includes causing the liquid delivery system to deliver an oxidizing solution into the liquid-circulating channel.

### Claim 36 (depends on 33)

The method of claim 33, wherein the colorizing solution is delivered to the liquid-circulating channel only when adjustment of the spectral signature of the camouflage cover is required.

### Claim 37 (depends on 33)

The method of claim 33, wherein the colorizing solution is continuously delivered to the liquid-circulating channel.

### Claim 38 (depends on 33)

The method of claim 33, wherein the liquid-circulating channel is the only circulating channel, the second boundary layer is permeable to water, and the method further comprises:
calculating a rate of water transpiration of the vegetation environment; and
causing the first liquid delivery system to deliver the colorizing solution to the liquid feed of the liquid-circulating channel at a rate and pressure that provides evaporation of water from the colorizing solution through the second boundary layer at a rate that matches the water transpiration rate of the vegetation environment.

### Claim 39 (depends on 3)

A method for protecting an asset by controlling a spectral signature so as to match a surrounding vegetation environment, the method comprising:
providing a camouflage cover as described in claim 3;
providing a first liquid delivery system in liquid communication with the liquid feed of the liquid-circulating channel of the camouflage cover;
providing a second liquid delivery system in liquid communication with the water-transporting channel of the camouflage cover;
measuring visible and IR signatures of the surrounding vegetation environment;
preparing a colorizing solution that emulates a bio-chromophore component of the IR signature of the vegetation environment, said colorizing solution being further configured, either alone or in combination with other visible elements of the camouflage cover, to match the visible signature of the surrounding vegetation;
calculating a rate of water evaporation that will match a water transpiration component of the IR signature of the vegetation environment;
causing the first liquid delivery system to deliver the colorizing solution to the liquid-circulating channel; and
causing the second liquid delivery system to deliver water to the water-transporting channel at a rate and/or pressure that will cause water to evaporate from the camouflage cover at the calculated rate.

### Claim 40 (depends on 39)

The method of claim 39, wherein the first boundary layer includes visible printing through which the colorizing solution in the liquid-circulating channel is visible, said colorizing solution being configured to match the visible signature of the surrounding vegetation when viewed through the first boundary layer.

### Claim 41 (depends on 39)

The method of claim 39, wherein the visible printing on the first boundary layer includes a printed pattern that emulates a patterned appearance of the vegetation environment.