Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Methods – Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-15
2001-10-09
Ball, Michael W. (Department: 1733)
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Methods
Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
C156S275500, C428S323000, C428S327000, C428S343000, C428S3550EP
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299716
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to material and methods of using a composite stock material structurally defined sheet, with a continuous and non-uniform surface embedded with and enveloping low signature particulate material which conforms to the contour of a non-planar surface. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermo-mechanically-worked composite polymeric matrix sheet embedded with and enveloping low signature functional material and transfer coated with adhesive for the permanent retrofitting attachment onto vehicles.
b) Description of the Prior Art
It is advantageous for modern military vehicles to be afforded a facile method and means for reducing and eliminating both radar and optical signatures to avoid detection. A low signature response, for purposes of this invention, is defined as a contrary indication of and the minimum possible spectral signature of vehicle presence when subjected to radio-frequency signals and optical detection. Radio-frequency signals (RF), for the purpose of this invention, includes signals in the range between the UHF band (30 to 300 MHz) and Ku band (26 to 40 Ghz) inclusive.
The problem with utilizing paint on military vehicles to minimize visual detection is that it is too thin to contain an effective quantity of low signature RF material.
The prior art on vehicle coating teaches about polymeric films with pigment. Dobashi, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,676, disclose a coating of a colored polyolefin film and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. This non-shrink film is but a temporary coating for protection during vehicle transit.
The prior art on vehicle coating teaches about thermally deformable and thermoforming polymeric films with paint/pigment. Hartman, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,030,513, 5,030,514, and 5,242,751, discloses paint composite articles comprising thermally and vacuum deformable carrier films having an adhesive layer on one surface and a paint layer on the other surface. Knop, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,576, disclose a paint carrier film with an adhesion enhancer applied during original equipment manufacturing of the vehicle body part. Berner, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,304, disclose a carrier film, coated on one side with paint and on the other with an adhesive, applied by thermoforming to the automotive body part. Pata, U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,077, and Benson, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,760, disclose paint-coated polymeric films which are applied by vacuum thermoforming the films to the vehicle body part. The problem with this prior art is that the polymeric film must be applied to the vehicle body part using molds and under vacuum at the factory.
In the prior low signature art a paint additive and component was disclosed by Hubbard, U.S. Pat. No. 5,506,053. Hubbard is only a component of paint, and paint is too thin to contain an effective quantity of low signature RF material.
The RF coatings disclosed in the prior art do not all function to reduce the RF signature. Munro, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,824, disclose an RF-transparent blanket. Amore, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,306, Bogorad, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,592, and Lepore, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,305, disclose RF-transparent sunshield films. The polyimide film being utilized is not a shrink-film.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies and problems in the prior art, this invention teaches the utilization and installation method of a conformable coating composite, comprising a heat shrink polymeric substantially transparent matrix sheet embedded with and enveloping low signature functional material and coated with an adhesive layer, used for the retrofitting permanent attachment to the surface of a vehicle. This conformable coating composite, which can also function as a permanent protective coating for the vehicle, is installed by means of shrinking this matrix sheet onto the vehicle.
1. Objects of the Invention
A general object of this invention is to provide a means for vehicles to be afforded a variety of low signature functional materials for reducing and eliminating radar and optical signatures to avoid detection.
Another general object of this invention is to facilitate a method of utilization of liquid crystal materials for gray scale matching in order to minimize visual identification.
An additional general object of this invention is to disclose methods in order to economically produce a prefabricated, pre-wired, optically active low signature coating for vehicles.
2. Features of the Invention
In keeping with these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in the ease of retrofitting permanent attachment of the coating to the vehicle surface.
An additional feature of the present invention is that this conformable coating composite can also function as a permanent protective coating for the vehicle.
The composition of the conformable coating composite comprises:
a) a heat shrink polymeric substantially transparent matrix sheet having first and second major surfaces;
b) wherein said polymeric matrix sheet is embedded with and envelopes low signature functional material within the polymer matrix;
c) wherein said first surface of said polymeric matrix sheet possesses a transfer coated permanent adhesive layer.
In the prior art of packaging, Nowicki, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,155, disclose a heat shrink-film coated with adhesive for applying to beverage containers. Nowicki is an original equipment manufacturing (OEM) process for small scale surfaces. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is as a coating of vehicle body parts ranging in size from 2-3 square feet up to 1000 square feet. The vehicle substrate is an automobile, ground vehicle, marine vessel and aerospace body part.
The low signature functional material comprises fine diameter carbon-containing material filaments, LCD light-shutter packets, metallic pigment, and nonmetallic colored pigment. Multiple pigments of different shades and coloration are utilized to achieve low optical signature.
In order to minimize visual identification a vehicle must be matched and contrasted to its background. The closer an objects color is to the hue of its background, the more difficult it is to perceive. Therefore LCD light-shutter packets with wiring means are applied to the vehicle to achieve this chameleon scheme. The LCD packets open or close as a shutter to show forth the pigment underneath.
A facile means of retrofitting the conformable coating composite onto a vehicle substrate comprises the steps of:
a) applying said polymeric matrix sheet on its first surface to said vehicle substrate body part;
b) subjecting said polymeric matrix sheet to heat to shrink said sheet so as to conform to said vehicle substrate body part; and
c) effecting the activation and curing of said adhesive with heat and UV light so as to affix it permanently thereto.
Drawing Description:
REFERENCES:
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Ball Michael W.
Musser Barbara J.
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