Conducted Electrical Weapon Current Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) face challenges in effectively delivering a current through targets using electrodes from different deployment units, as they often result in all launched electrodes electrically coupling to the target, making it difficult to control the current path and impede locomotion efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The CEW system selectively controls the electrical coupling of electrodes to the target, allowing current delivery through a specific pair of electrodes regardless of their deployment unit, by using a signal generator that coordinates the voltage polarity and transformer selection to establish a controlled current path through target tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple electrodes are launched from different deployment units, then the coverage area and potential for current delivery increase, but the control precision over the current path decreases because all electrodes electrically couple to the target
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode system into multiple deployment units, each capable of independently launching electrodes. The signal generator is segmented into multiple channels, each controlling a specific deployment unit. This segmentation allows selective activation of specific electrode pairs while keeping others inactive, enabling precise control over the current path despite having multiple electrodes available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making each deployment unit and its associated electrode pair have distinct control characteristics. Each deployment unit can be independently controlled to establish electrical coupling with the target at specific locations. This allows the system to create different current paths through different regions of the target, providing both broad coverage and precise local control.
2Reliability
If all launched electrodes electrically couple to the target, then the reliability of current delivery increases, but the ability to control the current path through specific tissue regions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control by allowing the signal generator to selectively activate different deployment units and electrode pairs based on real-time operational requirements. The system can dynamically switch between different electrode pairs, adjusting the current path dynamically to pass through specific tissue regions of interest, while maintaining reliable electrical coupling through the selected electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system detects whether electrodes have successfully established electrical coupling with the target. Based on this feedback, the signal generator adjusts its operation to ensure reliable current delivery through the selected electrode pair while maintaining control over the current path. The feedback allows the system to confirm successful coupling before initiating current delivery.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the current path is made longer to enhance incapacitation effectiveness, then the incapacitation capability improves, but the control difficulty increases because it requires selecting specific electrode pairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the signal generator universal by designing it to control multiple deployment units and electrode pairs through a unified control architecture. The signal generator can be configured to work with any combination of deployed electrodes, providing the capability to create various current paths of different lengths. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve enhanced incapacitation effectiveness through longer current paths while using a single, versatile control device rather than multiple specialized controllers.
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 approach enables more precise control over the current delivery, potentially increasing the effectiveness in impeding target locomotion by allowing the current to travel through a longer path, thereby enhancing the weapon's incapacitation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A signal generator may provide a signal (e.g., current, pulses of current) at a high voltage, in the range of 40,000 to 100,000 volts, to ionize the air in the clothing or the gap that separates the terminal or electrode from target tissue.
Implementation Method 2
A transformer may be used to convert the power from the power supply into a high voltage that is sufficient to ionize gaps of air to establish an electrical coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
A conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) launches wire-tethered electrodes from multiple cartridges to provide a current through a human or animal target to impede locomotion of the target. The CEW may detect when the electrodes launched from the cartridges may provide the current through more than one target. The CEW may detect when electrodes launched from the cartridges may provide the current through the same target. The CEW may set the pulse rate of the current based on detecting the launch of electrodes from more than one cartridge, detecting that electrodes may provide the current through two or more targets, and/or detecting that two or more pairs of electrodes may deliver the current through the same target.