CEW Deployment Sequencing for Energy-Efficient NMI Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) face inefficiencies in delivering stimulus signals to targets, particularly in inducing neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) while conserving battery power and ensuring effective muscle locking without excessive energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The CEW employs a combination of electrode spacing, pulse rate, and charge per pulse to optimize the delivery of stimulus signals, using high voltage for ionization and low voltage for charge transfer, with a controlled pulse rate and electrode spacing to enhance NMI induction while conserving energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high voltage and high charge per pulse are used to induce NMI, then neuromuscular incapacitation effectiveness is improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed electrical signals instead of continuous high voltage. The signal generator delivers controlled pulses with specific rates (e.g., 1-100 Hz) and durations, allowing the system to achieve NMI effectiveness through repeated stimulation while conserving battery power by maintaining zero current between pulses. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient cumulative stimulus for muscle locking without sustained high energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts multiple parameters including pulse rate, charge per pulse, and electrode spacing to optimize the balance between NMI effectiveness and energy consumption. By changing these parameters based on operational requirements, the system can achieve reliable incapacitation at lower energy costs rather than relying solely on high voltage, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and power consumption.
2Reliability
If electrode spacing is increased to improve NMI induction, then muscle locking effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrical stimulation system into multiple independent electrodes that can be positioned at different locations on the target. This segmentation allows the system to create effective current paths through strategic spacing without requiring a single complex electrode structure. Each electrode can be independently controlled, simplifying the overall device design while achieving reliable muscle locking through optimized spacing arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable electrode positioning capabilities, allowing the spacing between electrodes to be dynamically modified based on the specific application requirements. This dynamic adjustment enables optimal NMI induction for different target sizes and anatomical locations without permanently increasing device complexity, as the configuration can be adapted rather than requiring multiple fixed complex structures.
3Reliability
If pulse rate is increased to enhance NMI induction, then neuromuscular incapacitation effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes periodic pulsing with optimized rates to achieve cumulative neuromuscular incapacitation effectiveness. By delivering pulses at controlled frequencies (1-100 Hz) with appropriate inter-pulse intervals, the system accumulates sufficient stimulus effect for reliable muscle locking while allowing energy recovery during the intervals, thus resolving the contradiction between pulse rate effectiveness and overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous neuromuscular stimulation through optimized pulse trains, where the cumulative effect of multiple pulses at appropriate rates achieves sustained muscle locking. This continuous useful action ensures reliable NMI induction without requiring excessively high energy consumption at any single moment, as the effect builds progressively through the pulse sequence rather than requiring peak power at all times.
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 effectively induces NMI with controlled energy consumption, ensuring efficient battery usage and reliable muscle locking through optimized electrode placement and signal delivery.
Implementation Method 1
In response to receiving the control signal, the signal generator may be configured to provide an ignition signal to the propulsion module. The ignition signal may cause ionization of a propellant of the propulsion module to deploy the electrode from the cartridge
Implementation Method 2
The stimulus signal may be provided at a second voltage lower than the first voltage and a second current higher than the first current. In response to deploying the electrode, the signal generator may provide the stimulus signal from the deployed electrode to a target
Data Source
AI summary
A conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) may distribute deployments from the CEW across a same activation event and across different activation events. The system may distribute deployments based on a deployment list. The deployment list may define a sequential deployment order for a deployment connections of the CEW. The system may determine a next deployment connection and activate the next deployment connection based on the deployment list. The system may update the deployment list responsive to activations of deployment connections such that the deployment list is sequentially maintained between activation events.