AUTOMATICALLY DEPLOYABLE VEHICLE CAMOUFLAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

A camouflage system for concealing or obscuring a vehicle includes a camouflage cover attached at spaced apart locations to a plurality of inflatable support beams. The support beams can extend from a central hub. Deployment and stowing, of the camouflage cover by inflation and deflation of the support beams can be controlled from within the vehicle. Stowing can include fan-folding of the support beams and retraction of guide cords attached to distal ends of the support beams, or the deflated support beams can be wound around one or more spools when stowed. Embodiments include a plurality of inflatable bladders within each support beam, enabling a plurality of deployed states. The radar signature of the vehicle can be obfuscated by adding metallic layers to the camouflage cover, the support beams, and/or to separate inflatable radar reflection beams. Additional layers of conductive fabric can be included within inflatable beams.

Claims

1. A camouflage system configured to avoid or confuse detection of a mobile asset by automatically deploying and retracting a camouflage cover over and around the mobile asset under control of an operator located within the mobile asset, the camouflage system comprising: a plurality of inflatable support beams that, when inflated, radiate outward from the mobile asset in a deployed configuration and, when deflated, can be stowed in or on the mobile asset in a stowed configuration; and a camouflage cover attached at separated attachment points to tops of the support beams.

2. The camouflage system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable support beams are mounted to the mobile asset as separate units.

3. The camouflage system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable support beams radiate outward from a central hub.

4. The camouflage system of claim 3, wherein during deflation thereof, the support beams are fan-folded so as to compress them near or into the central hub.

5. The camouflage system of claim 1, wherein inflation and deflation of the support beams is controllable from within the mobile asset.

6. The camouflage system of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a deployed area of the camouflage cover to a stowed area of the camouflage cover, as viewed from above, is at least 10:1.

7. The camouflage system of claim 1, wherein retraction of the support beams includes winding of retraction straps or cords around at least one strap spool, the retraction straps or cords being attached to the support beams proximal to distal ends thereof.

8. The camouflage system of claim 7, wherein the retraction cords or straps are directed through guides that extend from the support beams.

9. The camouflage system of claim 1, wherein the support beams include pleats that govern a folding of the support beams as they are retracted.

10. The camouflage system of claim 1, wherein retraction of the support beams includes winding of the support beams, in a deflated state, around at least one beam spool.

11. The camouflage system of claim 1, further comprising a radar absorbing and/or scattering layer applied to the camouflage cover.

12. The camouflage system of claim 1, further comprising an additional layer of fabric that is extended and retracted together with the camouflage cover.

13. The camouflage system of claim 12, wherein the additional layer of fabric is an additional upper layer that is attached beneath the camouflage cover to the tops of the support beams.

14. The camouflage system of claim 12, wherein the additional layer of fabric is attached to bottoms of the support beams.

15. The camouflage system of claim 14, wherein an air-filled gap between the camouflage cover and the additional layer of fabric reduces a transfer of heat from the mobile asset to the camouflage cover.

16. The camouflage system of claim 12, wherein a radar absorbing and/or scattering layer is applied to the additional layer of fabric.

17. The camouflage system of claim 1, wherein each of the support beams includes therein a plurality of inflatable bladders that can be separately inflated so as to transition the camouflage cover between its stowed configuration and a plurality of deployed configurations having different deployed areas as viewed from above.

18. The camouflage system of claim 17, wherein the mobile asset is able to move while the camouflage cover remains deployed in at least one of the deployed configurations.

19. The camouflage system of claim 1, further comprising an inflatable radar reflection arm having at least one of a partial metallized coating, a fully metallized coating, and a separate internal radar reflection fabric layer, inflation of the radar reflection arm causing it to extend outward from the mobile asset so as to distort a radar reflection signature of the mobile asset and camouflage system.

20. The camouflage system of claim 19, wherein a degree of inflation of the inflatable radar reflection arm can be controlled from within the mobile asset, thereby varying the radar reflection signature of the mobile asset and camouflage system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment shown in a stowed configuration in which, when stowed, the support beams are fan-folded and retracted by guide straps;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a side view of the central hub and one support beam of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in an extended configuration

[0038] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the support beams of FIG. 2, shown without the guide straps;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, shown without the camouflage cover;

[0040] FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the camouflage cover included;

[0041] FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 4, but in which all of the guide straps are wound around a single spool;

[0042] FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment, shown without the camouflage cover, in which the support beams are wound around spools when stowed;

[0043] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional side view of the central hub and one inflated guide beam in an embodiment where the support beams include a plurality of separately inflatable bladders;

[0044] FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional side view of a support beam in an embodiment that includes a plurality of additional radar absorption or reflection fabric layers attached to the tops and bottoms of the support beams, as well as a metallized coating applied to a lower, inner surface of the support beam; and

[0045] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional side view of a support beam in an embodiment similar to FIG. 9A that includes radar-reflective fabric sheets within the support arms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The present invention is a camouflage system that is mechanically simple, light in weight, and highly compact when stowed in or on a vehicle, and which can be quickly and automatically deployed and stowed from the vehicle as needed

[0047] With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention employs a camouflage cover 100 supported by inflatable air beams 102. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the air beams 102 radiate from a central hub 104 and are compressed onto or into a stowage platform 106 when not in use. Deployment of the camouflage system is accomplished by inflating the air beams 102, while recovery of the camouflage system is accomplished by deflation of the air beams 102. In some embodiments, vacuum apparatus is used to accelerate the deflation of the air beams 102. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, deflation of the air beams is accompanied by mechanical windup up of recovery cords or straps 108 that pass through guides 110 provided on the air beams 102 and are fixed to ends of the air beams 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide straps 108 are wound onto guide spools 114 during deflation of the air beams 102. In some embodiments the recovery cords or straps 108 also pass through loops (not shown) that are fixed to the camouflage cover 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, vacuum apparatus is not needed for deflation of the air beams 102, because the winding up of the cords or straps 108 is sufficient by itself to force the inflating gas out of the air beams 102.

[0048] In various embodiments the camouflage system includes 4, 6 or 8 air beam “arms” 102 radiating from the central hub 104, with more inflatable arms 102 being preferred for larger camouflage covers 100. The air beams 102 have very large ratios of collapsed length vs expanded length. In embodiments, this expand/collapse length ratio is 6:1 or greater.

[0049] The camouflage cover 100 is mounted to the inflatable air beams 102 at regular, spaced-apart attachment points 112, in much the same way that a rain-shedding textile is mounted to a conventional umbrella frame. There must be sufficient attachment points 112 to ensure that the camouflage cover 100 is recovered fully onto the stowage platform 106 when retracted, so that any interference with vehicle operation is avoided.

[0050] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the arms 102 are retracted by accordion folding thereof, and the attachment of the camouflage cover is at the accordion fold points 112 of the inflatable arms 102. In these embodiments, the cords or straps 108 are free to retract, but are constrained by the guides 110 to remain aligned with the accordion folds of the collapsing beams 102.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion of an inflated air beam 102 extending from a hub 104 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. It can be seen in the figure that pleats 200 are provided in the air beam 102 so as to control and optimizing the fan-folding of the air beam 102 as it is deflated. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of one of the air beams 102 of FIG. 1, shown without the guide straps 108, so that the guides 110 can be more easily seen.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, shown with the air beams 102 deflated and compressed, and the camouflage cover 100 removed so that the underlying elements can be seen. It can be seen in FIG. 4 that, in the illustrated embodiment, a pair of guide straps 108 is provided along the sides of each of the air beams 102, and during deflation are wound up on corresponding pairs of spools 114. FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, shown with the camouflage cover installed.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment that is similar to FIG. 4, except that during deflation of the air beams 102 the guide straps 108 for all of the air beams 102 pass through pairs of rollers 600 and are wound about a single, central spool 602.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment that is similar to FIG. 4, except that during deflation of the air beams 102, the air beams themselves 102 are wound about spools 700 in their flat, deflated configurations, and during deployment the air beams 102 are unwound from the spools 700. In the illustrated embodiment, all of the spools 700 are driven by a single stepper motor 702 via a drive belt 704.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a top view of the hub 104 and a portion of one air beam 102 in an embodiment wherein, during deflation of the air beams, the air beams themselves pass through pairs of rollers 600 and are wound about a single, central spool 602.

[0056] In some embodiments the inflatable camouflage system has a single expansion range that is adequate to cover the asset. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the inflatable air beams 102 have internal bladders 800, 802 that can be separately pressurized so as to provide a plurality of selectable expansion ranges. The illustrated embodiment provides first and second expansion ranges of deployment of a camouflage cover 100 that are controlled by including two expansion bladders 800, 802 in each of the air beams 102, and by controlling the two bladders 800, 802 using separate inflation hoses 804, 806.

[0057] When only the first expansion bladder 800 of FIG. 8 is inflated, the camouflage cover 100 does not extend to the ground, thereby permitting low speed movement of the vehicle, while still providing concealment from overhead detection. When both of the expansion bladders 800, 802 are inflated, deployment of the camouflage cover 100 is extended to the ground, and provides full concealment of the vehicle from both overhead and ground-based detection. In the illustrated embodiment, when movement of the vehicle is required, the camouflage cover 100 can be retracted from the second extension range to the first extension range so as to allow low speed movement of the vehicle, and then re-expanded to the second extension range when a new stationary location is reached.

[0058] Embodiments further integrate RCS and radar signature management (RCS/RSM) with the camouflage system. In some of these embodiments, the camouflage is designed to closely match the background radar signature of the surrounding terrain. In these embodiments, the camouflage system's radar reflection can be minimized because, unlike the prior art, the camouflage cover is supported by non-metallic, inflatable beams or arms. Moreover because the camouflage system is mounted on a vehicle and deployed by inflation of air beams 102, it is more compact and lighter than conventional approaches, such that it is possible, in embodiments to include sufficient radar absorbing material and thickness in the coatings to fully suppress the RCS and signature of the protected vehicle. In some of these embodiments the camouflage cover 100 is designed for high radar absorption and/or scattering, and the radar reflection arms 900 are made from a coated textile that is also non-metallic, and is coated in some embodiments with one or more absorbent and/or scattering coatings.

[0059] In some embodiments there is only a single layer of camouflage 102 that is attached to the tops of the air beams 102. In the embodiments of FIGS. 9A and 9B, there are additional layers of fabric 906 attached beneath the camouflage layer 102 to the tops of the air beams 102, as well as additional layers 908 attached to the bottoms of the air beams 102. This multilayer approach can be very useful for increasing radar absorption, in that the spacing between adjacent layers can be approximately ¼ of the radar wavelength, or slightly greater. In combination with radar active coatings applied to the fabric layers 102 906, 908, this can be a useful geometry for reducing the radar cross section of the system. Application of conductive carbon black and ferrite coatings can also be useful for increasing radar absorption. In addition, petalization (not shown) of the camouflage cover 100 can be helpful to increase scattering and to provide a better radar match to background foliage.

[0060] In other embodiments where the radar signature of the vehicle is very high, such that it cannot be sufficiently attenuated by the camouflage system to match the background radar signature, the camouflage system is configured to disguise or obfuscate the radar signature of the protected asset. Some of these embodiments include inflatable radar reflection arms 900 that are distinct from the air beams 102 that support the camouflage cover 100. With reference to FIG. 9A, in some embodiments the inside bottom faces of some, or all, of the inflatable radar reflection arms 900 are coated with a metallic reflector material 902, so that the radar reflection arms 900 function as variable radar signature elements of the system that change and obfuscate the normal, unprotected radar signature of the vehicle.

[0061] With reference to FIG. 9B, in similar embodiments additional layers of metallic fabric 904 (or a metal coated fabric) are included within the radar reflection arms 900. In some of these embodiments, as shown in the figure, the metallic fabric layers 904 can form flat surfaces and/or corners within the radar reflection arms 900, thereby providing strong but confusing radar reflections that can be varied as the radar reflection arms 900 are extended and retracted to variable degrees.

[0062] By providing separate radar reflection arms 900 in addition to the camouflage support air beams 102, the radar reflection arms 900 can be selectively inflated and deflated while the camouflage cover remains deployed, such that the radar signature of the camouflage system is constantly varied and changed, thereby making it very difficult to identify the protected asset.

[0063] In some of these embodiments, internal bulkhead panels of the vehicle are also used to increase the radar signature even further (not shown).

[0064] For short stops, even with main engines shut down, vehicles are often hot relative to their surroundings. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide thermal concealment as part of the overall camouflage solution.

[0065] In embodiments similar to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the double layers of fabric on both the top 100, 906, and bottom 908 of the inflatable radar reflection arm 900 provide insulation and a cool air gap 910 that are intervened between the heat of the vehicle and the top face 100 of the camouflage system, such that the camouflage layer 100 can be maintained close to ambient temperature.

[0066] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Each and every page of this submission, and all contents thereon, however characterized, identified, or numbered, is considered a substantive part of this application for all purposes, irrespective of form or placement within the application. This specification is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure.

[0067] Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, the scope of the invention is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications. The disclosure presented herein does not explicitly disclose all possible combinations of features that fall within the scope of the invention. The features disclosed herein for the various embodiments can generally be interchanged and combined into any combinations that are not self-contradictory without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the limitations presented in dependent claims below can be combined with their corresponding independent claims in any number and in any order without departing from the scope of this disclosure, unless the dependent claims are logically incompatible with each other.