Retroreflective heater

摘要

An apparatus for directing thermal infrared energy toward or away from a target is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a covering having a plurality of retroreflective elements. The plurality of retroreflective elements are configured to retroreflect electromagnetic beams primarily at thermal infrared wavelengths, receive the electromagnetic beams from the target along beam reception paths, and reflect the electromagnetic beams back toward the target along beam reflection paths. The beam reflection paths have substantially the same elevation angle and/or azimuth angle as their respective beam reception paths.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a covering having a plurality of retroreflective elements configured to retroreflect electromagnetic beams primarily at thermal infrared wavelengths, wherein the plurality of retroreflective elements are configured to receive electromagnetic beams from a target along beam reception paths and to reflect the electromagnetic beams back toward the target along beam reflection paths, wherein the beam reflection paths have substantially the same elevation angle and/or azimuth angle as their respective beam reception paths, and wherein the plurality of retroreflective elements includes a plurality of infrared transparent fibers, wherein each fiber comprises a first side and a second side, said first side coated with an infrared reflective coating, said second side not coated.