CEW Electrode Control via Segmented Spark Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) face challenges in effectively delivering a current through targets using electrodes launched from different deployment units, as they often result in all electrodes being electrically coupled to the target, limiting control over which electrodes form the current path and impeding locomotion.
Innovation Solution
The CEW system selectively controls which electrodes couple to the target by using a signal generator that applies high voltages to transformers, allowing only specific electrodes to ionize and form a current path, enabling the delivery of a current through target tissue via a chosen pair of electrodes, regardless of their deployment unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional CEWs launch electrodes from multiple deployment units, then the quantity of electrodes available to form current paths increases, but all electrodes become electrically coupled to the target which limits control over current path formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode system into independently controllable segments by associating each electrode with its own spark gap. This segmentation allows selective electrical coupling of individual electrodes to the target, enabling control over which electrodes form current paths while maintaining the ability to launch multiple electrodes from different deployment units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spark gaps as intermediary elements between the signal generator and each electrode. These spark gaps act as controllable switches that mediate the electrical connection, allowing the system to selectively couple specific electrodes to the target based on ionization conditions rather than coupling all electrodes simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the signal generator applies high voltage to all electrodes, then all electrodes can ionize and couple to the target, but this reduces precision in selecting which electrodes form the current path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing each electrode with its own dedicated spark gap and allowing the signal generator to apply high voltage selectively to specific spark gaps rather than uniformly to all electrodes. This enables precise local control over which electrodes ionize and couple to the target, improving both reliability and selection precision.
3Device complexity
If electrodes are launched from a single deployment unit, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to deliver current through target tissue is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the signal generator to universally interface with multiple deployment units through standardized spark gap connections. Each deployment unit can be independently launched, and the signal generator can selectively activate electrodes from any combination of deployed units, allowing the system to adapt to various deployment scenarios while maintaining current delivery effectiveness.
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 allows for controlled delivery of a current through target tissue, improving the ability to impede locomotion by selectively using electrodes from different deployment units, enhancing the effectiveness of the CEW system.
Implementation Method 1
apples high voltages to transformers in an effort to ionize air gaps between the electrodes and the target
Implementation Method 2
provides a current through tissue of a human or animal target
Data Source
AI summary
A conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) launches wire-tethered electrodes from one or more 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 one or more cartridges, 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.