Conducted Electrical Weapon Distance Calculation via Pulse Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) face challenges in accurately determining the distance between the weapon and a target, which affects the effectiveness of the stimulus signal in impeding locomotion, and there is a need for reliable methods to record this distance for evidential purposes.
Innovation Solution
A CEW system that includes a processing circuit, signal generator, and wire-tethered electrodes, where the electrodes are launched towards a target, and the system provides a series of current pulses at different rates to determine the distance by counting pulses and calculating the time of flight, allowing for accurate separation measurement and stimulus signal delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wire-tethered electrodes are launched toward a target to deliver stimulus signal, then the effectiveness of impeding locomotion is improved, but the ability to accurately determine distance between weapon and target deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by counting stimulus pulses at a first rate before the electrodes establish a circuit through the target. This preliminary pulse counting occurs during the flight time of the electrodes, allowing distance calculation to be performed in advance of actual target contact, thereby resolving the contradiction between delivering effective stimulus and accurately measuring distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by monitoring when the electrodes establish a circuit through the target (detected via capacitance discharge or current flow). This feedback signal triggers the transition from preliminary pulse counting at the first rate to stimulus delivery at the second rate, enabling accurate distance measurement to be correlated with the moment of target contact.
2Measurement precision
If pulse rate is increased to improve distance measurement resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using two different pulse rates depending on the operational phase. During the preliminary measurement phase (before target contact), a first pulse rate is used for distance calculation. Upon detecting target contact, the system dynamically switches to a second, higher pulse rate for stimulus delivery. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both measurement precision and energy efficiency by using higher pulse rates only when necessary for effective stimulus delivery.
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 precise determination of the distance between the CEW and the target, enhancing the effectiveness of the stimulus signal in immobilizing the target and providing unbiased evidence of the event.
Implementation Method 1
the at least two wire-tethered electrodes have established a circuit through the target
Implementation Method 2
provides a second series of current pulses at a second pulse rate, the second series for impeding locomotion of the target
Data Source
AI summary
The number of pulses of a stimulus signal provided by a conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) between launch and establishing an electrical circuit with a human or animal target may be counted to determine the distance between the CEW and the target and the distance between electrodes launched by the CEW toward the target while positioned in or near target tissue.