Narrowband Microwave Vehicle Disabling Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for remotely disabling vehicles, such as mechanical devices and high-power microwave pulses, pose risks to bystanders and occupants due to lack of directivity and specificity, and may cause collateral damage.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle disabling apparatus that generates a high frequency signal modulated with a non-vehicle specific effects signals package, comprising pulse trains, to disrupt the engine management system of vehicles, allowing for remote engine disruption without prior knowledge of the vehicle type or model, using a narrow band microwave system to minimize harm to occupants and bystanders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a high power broadband microwave/VHF source is employed to direct an electromagnetic pulse at a target vehicle, then the vehicle can be remotely disabled, but the broadband nature of the signal causes damage to vehicle and danger to occupants and bystanders

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle disabling effectivenessVSAvoiddanger to occupants and bystanders
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using a narrowband microwave signal with specific frequency (e.g., 2.45 GHz) and controlled pulse characteristics that are tailored to interfere with electronic control units. The signal is localized in frequency spectrum and spatially directed using antenna arrays, affecting only the target vehicle's electronics while minimizing exposure to surrounding areas and protecting occupants from harmful broadband radiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters of the electromagnetic signal from broadband to narrowband, controlling frequency, pulse width, repetition rate, and power level. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves reliable vehicle disabling through ECU interference while reducing harmful effects on occupants and bystanders. The signal parameters are optimized to target electronic systems specifically without causing thermal or physiological damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a mechanical device is deployed in the path of a target vehicle to damage its tyres, then the vehicle can be stopped, but it is dangerous for personnel and difficult to position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stopping capabilityVSAvoidpersonnel safety and positioning difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical device approach with an electromagnetic signal-based system. Instead of deploying physical objects that require positioning in the vehicle's path, the system uses directed microwave signals that can remotely disable the vehicle's engine through ECU interference. This eliminates the need for personnel to position themselves in dangerous locations and removes the complexity of mechanical deployment while maintaining effective vehicle stopping capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a high power broadband microwave/VHF source is employed to direct an electromagnetic pulse at a target vehicle, then the vehicle can be remotely disabled, but collateral damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote vehicle disablingVSAvoidcollateral damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using a narrowband microwave signal with specific frequency and controlled pulse characteristics that are tailored to interfere with electronic control units. The signal is localized in frequency spectrum and spatially directed using antenna arrays, affecting only the target vehicle's electronics while minimizing exposure to surrounding areas and protecting occupants from harmful broadband radiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of electromagnetic radiation into a beneficial targeted effect by using narrowband signals that specifically interfere with electronic control units. The controlled pulse parameters and frequency selection ensure that the electromagnetic energy affects only the intended target's electronics while minimizing collateral damage to surrounding vehicles, infrastructure, and the environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The apparatus effectively disables vehicles with an 80% success rate, minimizing risk to bystanders and occupants by targeting the engine management system with a controlled, non-vehicle specific effects signals package, reducing collateral damage and allowing for safe operation in various scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

a source of high frequency energy for generating a high frequency signal; an antenna for directing the effects signal package modulated signal at a remote vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a modulator for modulating the high frequency signal by applying an effects signals package, the effects signal package comprising a plurality of respective different effects signals and each effects signal comprising a pulse train

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP3116756B1Method and apparatus for remotely disabling vehicles
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 TELEDYNE UK LTD
  • EP3116756B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3116756B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(d)
  • EP3116756B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle disabling apparatus for remotely disabling a vehicle having an engine comprises a source (4) of high frequency energy for generating a high frequency signal and a modulator (1) for modulating the high frequency signal by applying an effects signals package. The effects signal package comprises a plurality of respective effects signals and each effects signal comprises a pulse train, the effects signals package being non-vehicle specific. An antenna (6) directs the effects signal package modulated signal at a remote vehicle to disrupt the vehicle engine by affecting the target vehicle engine management system.