Vehicle Engine Disruption via Targeted RF Frequency Dwelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for stopping vehicles safely and effectively, such as roadblocks and electromagnetic pulses, pose safety risks and are difficult to deploy, often affecting non-targeted vehicles and requiring significant resources and planning.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a transmit antenna to disrupt a vehicle's engine control unit (ECU) by identifying and dwelling on a specific frequency that disrupts engine operation, allowing for quick and safe vehicle disablement without affecting nearby vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic pulse or high power microwaves are used to disable a moving vehicle, then electronic components of the vehicle can be disabled, but high energy levels are required that are difficult to deploy in the field and may be unsafe for people in the area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of electromagnetic frequency from high power microwave frequencies to radio frequencies (RF) that are more easily generated and deployed. The system transmits RF signals that interfere with the engine control unit's operation, causing the vehicle to shut down without requiring the high energy levels of traditional EMP or microwave systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical approach of high power microwave transmission with an electronic/electromagnetic approach using radio frequency signals. Instead of using high power microwaves to physically disrupt electronics, the system uses RF signals to electronically interfere with the ECU's processing, achieving vehicle disablement with lower energy requirements
2Reliability
If high power microwaves are directed toward a specific vehicle to disable its electronic components, then the targeted vehicle can be stopped, but all or many vehicles in the vicinity may also be disabled creating a hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by targeting a specific frequency that is unique to or characteristic of the targeted vehicle's engine control unit. The receiver monitors engine parameters to identify the specific frequency being used, and the transmitter then sends signals at that same frequency to interfere with only that particular vehicle's ECU, leaving other vehicles unaffected
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback by using a receiver to monitor engine parameters of the targeted vehicle and identify its operating frequency. This information is fed back to the transmitter, which then adjusts its transmission frequency to match and interfere with the specific vehicle's ECU operations, ensuring precise targeting without affecting surrounding vehicles
3Reliability
If roadblocks and barricades are used to stop vehicles, then vehicle operators with bad intentions can be confronted, but dangerous conditions are created if drivers escalate the situation by speeding through barricades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical roadblocks and barricades with an electromagnetic system. Instead of physical obstacles that can be driven through or escalated against, the system uses RF signals to electronically disable the vehicle's engine control unit, causing the vehicle to shut down without requiring physical confrontation or creating dangerous escalation scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary - the radio frequency signal - between the law enforcement system and the vehicle. Rather than direct physical confrontation with roadblocks or high-power electromagnetic pulses, the RF signal acts as a mediator that communicates with and disrupts the vehicle's electronic systems, achieving vehicle stoppage without direct physical harm or danger to personnel
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 the rapid and safe disablement of targeted vehicles by disrupting their ECUs, minimizing energy usage and avoiding harm to law enforcement and the public, while maintaining the ability to restart the vehicle without damage.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a range of frequencies targeting a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a receive antenna and a signal processor to process information from the receive antenna to identify a frequency transmitted by the transmit antenna that disrupts operation of an engine
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to transmit a range of frequencies targeting a vehicle, monitoring performance of an engine of the vehicle, determining a first frequency in the range of frequencies that disrupts operation of the engine, and dwelling on the first frequency to disrupt the engine, reducing power and continuing to dwell at the first frequency to maintain disruption of the engine.