Adjustable Pressure Regulator for Tranquilizer Dart Delivery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current tranquilizer dart delivery systems lack the fine control necessary for safely administering chemical immobilizers to human subjects, as they are designed for non-human animals and can cause unintended harm due to varying clothing thickness and force requirements.

Innovation Solution

A dart delivery apparatus with an adjustable pressure regulator system, including a gas conduit, trigger valve, and pressure display, allows for precise control of pneumatic force for dart ejection, featuring a frame with gaskets for secure dart placement and a shot volume modification apparatus to optimize gas pressure and volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed-pressure pneumatic system is used for dart delivery, then the system structure is simple, but the force control is insufficient causing potential injury to human subjects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of dart deliveryVSAvoidcomplexity of pressure control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the pressure regulator adjustable, allowing the operator to dynamically change the pneumatic pressure according to the subject's needs and clothing thickness. This transforms a static fixed-pressure system into a dynamic adjustable one, enabling fine control of dart ejection force to prevent injury while maintaining reasonable system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the operator to adjust the pressure regulator to different pressure levels. This changes the physical parameter of gas pressure to adapt to different scenarios (different clothing thickness, different subjects), thereby achieving reliable and safe dart delivery without causing injury

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If higher gas pressure is used to ensure dart penetration through clothing, then the dart can penetrate various clothing types, but the risk of injuring the subject increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to penetrate different clothingVSAvoidinjury risk to subject
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable pressure regulator allows the operator to dynamically adjust the gas pressure based on the clothing thickness and type. For thin clothing like linen, lower pressure is used; for thick clothing like jeans or leather, higher pressure is applied. This dynamic adjustment ensures adaptability to different clothing while preventing injury from excessive pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter to match the required penetration force for different clothing types. By adjusting the pressure regulator, the operator can set the appropriate pressure level for each situation, achieving versatile penetration capability without causing harmful effects from consistently high pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables safe and controlled delivery of darts with precise pneumatic force, reducing the risk of injury to human subjects by accommodating varying clothing thickness and ensuring accurate dart ejection.

Implementation Method 1

Pneumatic tranquilizer dart delivery systems are known in the art. For instance, US 2011/232618 A1 describes an apparatus adapted to deliver dart which comprises a pressure control apparatus with an adjustable pressure regulator.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic force: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a gas conduit in fluidic communication with a distal end of the dart chamber, a gas entry chamber in fluidic communication with the gas conduit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure control: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4127595B1Tranquilizer dart and delivery system for same
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 KALMANSON MITCHEL
  • EP4127595B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4127595B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4127595B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A dart delivery apparatus (100) including a handle (102), trigger (104), barrel (108), and frame (112) comprising a dart chamber (116), a pressure control apparatus (140) including a gas source port (144), an adjustable pressure control apparatus chamber (145), a gun port (146) configured to attach to the frame (112), an expansion chamber (148), an adjustable pressure regulator (150) configured to be actuated by a user to permit pressurized gas to flow from the gas source port (144), through the pressure control apparatus chamber (145), and into the gun port (146) and the expansion chamber (148), and a shot volume modification apparatus (170) configured to change the volume of the expansion chamber (148) into which pressurized gas may expand.