Jul 29, 2025

US12370777 - Aircraft seeker windows and aircraft window systems including the same

An approach to seeker windows for aircraft comprises a window layer comprising an IR transparent material, the window layer comprising a first side and a second side substantially opposite the first side; and a heating layer on the first side or the second side of the window layer, the heating layer configured to apply a heating profile to the window layer to reduce thermal shock imparted to the window layer when the seeker window is exposed to hypersonic flight conditions.

Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
Inventors: Steven M. Risser, Amy Marie Heintz, Rachel M. Thurston, John Bartholomew, Erica Howard, Richard G. Rateick, Jr., Ian Haggerty
Filing date: 2022-07-25

The patent describes a seeker window for aircraft that features a window layer made of infrared transparent material and a heating layer designed to mitigate thermal shock during hypersonic flight. This innovative design aims to enhance the durability and performance of aircraft windows under extreme conditions.

Claim 1

A seeker window for an aircraft, comprising: a window layer comprising an IR transparent material, the window layer comprising a first side and a second side substantially opposite the first side; and a heating layer on the first side or the second side of the window layer, the heating layer configured to apply a heating profile to the window layer to reduce thermal shock imparted to the window layer when the seeker window is exposed to hypersonic flight conditions. a window layer comprising an IR transparent material, the window layer comprising a first side and a second side substantially opposite the first side; and a heating layer on the first side or the second side of the window layer, the heating layer configured to apply a heating profile to the window layer to reduce thermal shock imparted to the window layer when the seeker window is exposed to hypersonic flight conditions.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12370777

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12370777