Pulse Delivery System Feedback Control for Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic weapons deliver non-uniform pulses to loads, leading to inefficiencies in energy use and reduced effectiveness in interfering with voluntary locomotion, as the amount of charge delivered varies due to manufacturing tolerances and changing load conditions.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a transformer, capacitance, detector, and processor to charge and discharge energy in a controlled manner, monitoring the current and adjusting the goal to ensure uniformity of pulse delivery, thereby improving the consistency and effectiveness of the pulses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional electronic weapons deliver pulses without monitoring or adjustment, then the device complexity is low, but the uniformity of pulse delivery deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances and load variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of pulse deliveryVSAvoidcomplexity of monitoring and adjustment system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a detector monitors the actual charge delivered to the load and feeds this information back to a processor. The processor compares the monitored charge with the desired charge and adjusts the capacitance charging goal for subsequent pulses to compensate for deviations, thereby achieving uniform pulse delivery despite manufacturing tolerances and load variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically modifying its own operating parameters (capacitance charging goal) based on real-time monitoring of pulse delivery. The processor uses the monitored charge information to autonomously recalibrate the charging goal without external intervention, enabling the system to maintain uniformity while adapting to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Duration of action of moving object

If energy is not conserved through monitoring and adjustment, then the operational duration of the electronic weapon is limited, but implementing monitoring and adjustment increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational duration of electronic weaponVSAvoidcomplexity of energy management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback to monitor the actual charge delivered and adjust the capacitance charging goal accordingly. This ensures that each pulse delivers the intended amount of charge to the load, preventing energy waste from over-delivery and ensuring consistent effective energy utilization, thereby extending operational duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The processor dynamically changes the operating parameter (capacitance charging goal) based on monitored performance. By adjusting this parameter in response to actual delivery conditions, the system optimizes energy utilization efficiency, ensuring that energy is conserved and operational duration is extended without requiring excessive energy reserves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the capacitance charging goal is not adjusted based on monitored charge, then the ease of operation is high, but the accuracy of stimulus delivery deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of stimulus deliveryVSAvoidsimplicity of control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detector monitors the actual charge delivered to the load and provides feedback to the processor. The processor uses this information to automatically adjust the capacitance charging goal for subsequent pulses, ensuring accurate stimulus delivery without requiring manual calibration or complex user intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically adjusting its charging goal based on monitored performance. The processor autonomously modifies operating parameters to compensate for deviations, enabling the system to maintain high measurement precision without requiring complex manual control mechanisms or user expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 system achieves more uniform and predictable pulse delivery, reducing energy waste and enhancing the effectiveness of pulse-based interventions by compensating for variations in load conditions and component properties, thereby extending the operational time of electronic weapons.

Implementation Method 1

The transformer has a secondary winding coupled to the target to provide the current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

charging a capacitance in accordance with a goal; discharging the capacitance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2137480B1Systems and methods for pulse delivery
Publication Date: 2015.08.05 TASER INT INC
  • EP2137480B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2137480B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2137480B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An apparatus (100) for interfering with locomotion of a target (1 14) by conducting a current through the target includes according to various aspects of the present invention a transformer, a capacitance, a charge detector (120), and a processor (102). The transformer has a secondary winding that is coupled to the target to provide the current. The capacitance is in series with the secondary winding and is charged to a voltage. The charge detector detects a charge provided through the target by the capacitance and the secondary winding. The processor sets the voltage (e.g., for charging for a next pulse) responsive to the charge detected by the charge detector.