CEW Charge Calibration via Voltage Measurement and Load Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) require periodic calibration to ensure they deliver a consistent and predetermined amount of charge per pulse of the stimulus signal, which is essential for effectively inhibiting locomotion by locking up skeletal muscles, but existing calibration methods are inefficient and lack precision.

Innovation Solution

A system where a CEW cooperates with a tester to calibrate the amount of charge provided by each pulse of the stimulus signal, involving the CEW producing a single pulse, measuring the voltage representing the charge, and the tester presenting different loads to verify the charge delivery, allowing the CEW to adjust its circuits to meet the predetermined charge requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a CEW delivers a higher amount of charge per pulse to improve muscle lockup effectiveness, then the operational effectiveness is improved, but the risk of excessive force and potential harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle lockup effectivenessVSAvoidexcessive force risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements precise control of electrical charge parameters (voltage, current, pulse duration) through calibrated circuits and feedback mechanisms. The system adjusts charge delivery parameters to maintain effectiveness while preventing excessive force, using measured charge amounts as feedback to regulate subsequent pulses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the CEW measures the charge delivered in previous pulses and uses this information to adjust subsequent charge delivery. The system incorporates feedback from the target's physiological response to modulate charge amount, ensuring effectiveness while preventing harmful excessive force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If existing calibration methods are used for CEW, then the calibration process can be completed, but the calibration is inefficient and lacks precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration efficiencyVSAvoidcharge delivery precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual, mechanical calibration methods with automated electronic calibration systems. The system uses electronic circuits to generate, measure, and adjust charge pulses, substituting manual procedures with automated electronic control and measurement mechanisms for improved precision and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-calibration capabilities where the CEW measures its own charge delivery and automatically adjusts its circuits to maintain predetermined charge amounts. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment, eliminating the need for frequent external calibration interventions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the CEW delivers consistent predetermined charge per pulse, then the operational effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to calibration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge consistencyVSAvoidcalibration system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the calibration functions with the operational circuits of the CEW. The measurement and adjustment circuits are integrated into the existing charge delivery system, combining calibration and operational functions into a unified circuit architecture to minimize additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs calibration circuits that serve multiple functions: they measure charge delivery, adjust circuit parameters, and verify performance across different operating conditions. The same circuits used for operational charge delivery are also utilized for calibration purposes, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This method ensures that each pulse of the stimulus signal delivers a consistent and effective amount of charge, improving the CEW's ability to lock up skeletal muscles and impede locomotion, thereby enhancing the weapon's operational effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

measuring a voltage that represents the amount of charge provided by the pulse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

adjusting the charge delivered by one or more pulses of the stimulus signal, including adjusting a charge on the capacitor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11248880B2Systems and methods for calibrating a conducted electrical weapon

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 AXON ENTERPRISE INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for calibrating a conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) to provide a predetermined amount of current for each pulse of the stimulus signal. Providing the predetermined amount of current, close thereto, increases the effectiveness of the stimulus signal in impeding locomotion of a human or animal target. The calibration process enables a CEW to calibrate the amount of charge in a pulse of the stimulus signal in the environmental conditions where the tester operates and also in the field where the environmental conditions may be different from the environmental conditions during calibration.