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US 8,985,585 B2Granted
Thermal target system
OwnerBruce Hodgeinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermal signal generating device, including at least two parallel buss bars operable for carrying a current and a heating element having at least a first region and a second region. The heating element includes a plurality of horizontal traces and a plurality of vertical traces. Widths of each of the plurality of horizontal and vertical traces may be greater in a first region of the heating element than in a second region of the heating element, allowing for a gradient heat differential to be emitted by the heating element.
Claims32
A thermal target system comprising:
- a first conductive, resistive portion comprising first traces of conductive, resistive ink connected to a first electrical buss and a second electrical buss coupled to a source of electrical current to produce a first thermal image, each of said first traces spaced from each of said other first traces and each of said first traces extending from said first buss to said second buss;
- a second conductive, resistive portion comprising second traces of conductive, resistive ink connected to said first electrical buss and said second electrical buss coupled to the source of electrical current to produce a second thermal image, each of said second traces spaced from each of said other second traces and each of said second traces extending from said first buss to said second buss;
- and
- said first traces and said second traces having different thicknesses relative to each other such that said first conductive, resistive portion and said second conductive, resistive portion have different resistances relative to each other and such that said first thermal image is different from said second thermal image, wherein a combined first thermal image and second thermal image mimics a desired thermal signature;
- said first conductive, resistive portion and said second conductive, resistive portion bonded to a sheet to form a target to be releasably connected to an object.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- printing a first conductive, resistive portion comprising first traces of conductive, resistive ink on a sheet to connect said first conductive, resistive portion to a first electrical buss and a second electrical buss coupled to a source of electrical current to produce a first thermal image, each of said first traces spaced from each of said other first traces and each of said first traces extending from said first buss to said second buss;
- printing a second conductive, resistive portion comprising second traces of conductive, resistive ink on the sheet to connect the first electrical buss and the second electrical buss coupled to the source of electrical current to produce a second thermal image, each of said second traces spaced from each of said other second traces and each of said second traces extending from said first buss to said second buss;
- said first traces and said second traces having different thicknesses relative to each other such that the first conductive, resistive portion and the second conductive, resistive portion have different resistances relative to each other and such that the first thermal image and second thermal image are different relative to each other and produce a combined thermal image to mimic a desired thermal image on the object;
- and
- releasably attaching the sheet to an object to form a target on said object.
2 more elements
A thermal target system comprising:
- a first conductive, resistive portion comprising a first plurality of conductive, resistive ink traces having a first thickness and connected to a first electrical buss and a second electrical buss coupled to a source of electrical current such that said first conductive, resistive portion produces a first thermal image on a sheet;
- a second conductive, resistive portion comprising a second plurality of conductive, resistive ink traces having a second thickness and connected to the first electrical buss and the second electrical buss coupled to the source of electrical current such that said second conductive, resistive portion produces a second thermal image on said sheet;
- and
- said first thickness and said second thickness being different relative to each other such that said first conductive, resistive portion and said second conductive, resistive portion have different resistances relative to each other and such that said first thermal image is different from said second thermal image, wherein a combined first thermal image and second thermal image mimics a desired thermal signature on a target formed by said sheet attached to an object.
1 more element
A thermal target system comprising:
- a first conductive, resistive portion connected to a first electrical buss and a second electrical buss coupled to a source of electrical current to produce a first thermal image on an object;
- a second conductive, resistive portion connected to the first electrical buss and the second electrical buss coupled to the source of electrical current to produce a second thermal image;
- said first conductive, resistive portion formed of first conductive, resistive ink traces and said second conductive, resistive portion formed of second conductive, resistive ink traces, said first conductive, resistive ink traces and said second conductive, resistive ink traces having different thicknesses relative to each other such that said first conductive, resistive portion and said second conductive, resistive portion have different resistances relative to each other and such that said first thermal image is different from said second thermal image;
- and
- said second conductive, resistive portion superimposed on said first conductive, resistive portion such that said second thermal image is superimposed on said first thermal image, wherein a combined first thermal image and second thermal image mimics a desired thermal signature on said object.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.