Underwater Electrocution Device with Frangible Insulating Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of effective underwater weapons for divers and military personnel poses a significant threat in underwater operations, as existing options like spear guns are cumbersome and difficult to reload, and there is a need for a more humane and efficient method to neutralize aggressive marine life.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held underwater electrocution device with a watertight compartment housing a motor and electric generator, connected to a spear tip with an insulating cover that breaks upon impact, allowing an electric current to be conducted through a wire to the target, providing a humane and efficient means to neutralize threats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a spear gun is used as an underwater weapon, then it can penetrate and injure targets, but it is cumbersome and difficult to reload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spear gun system with an electrocution-based weapon system. Instead of using mechanical force to penetrate and injure, the system uses electrical energy delivered through a conducting spear tip to electrocute targets, eliminating the need for multiple spears and complex reloading mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of weapon action from mechanical penetration to electrical electrocution. The spear tip serves as an electrical conductor rather than just a mechanical penetrator, and the weapon system transitions from storing multiple physical projectiles to generating electrical energy on-demand through a motor-driven generator.
2Ease of operation
If a hand-held knife is used as an underwater weapon, then it is simple to operate, but it lacks stopping power against aggressive marine life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the simplicity of a hand-held knife with the stopping power of an electrical weapon. The device maintains the simple hand-held form factor and ease of operation of a knife, but incorporates a motor, generator, and electrical delivery system to provide lethal electrocution capability against aggressive marine life.
3Power
If paired electrodes are used to electrocute underwater life, then electric shock can be delivered, but the device cannot be used by submerged divers holding the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts one electrode from the traditional paired electrode system, using only a single conducting spear tip as the active electrode. The water itself serves as the return path to the device housing, eliminating the need for a second electrode and enabling use by submerged divers holding the device like a spear gun or knife.
4Power
If bang sticks are used to kill aggressive sea creatures, then they can deliver both mechanical impact and electric shock, but they have aiming difficulties and accidental discharge risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a frangible insulating cover that must be broken before the conducting spear tip can deliver electrical shock. This preliminary action requires the diver to actively break the cover upon targeting, providing a safety mechanism that prevents accidental discharge while the spear is being handled or aimed, yet still allows rapid delivery of lethal electric shock once the target is acquired.
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 device offers a versatile, humane, and efficient means to neutralize both human and marine life threats, providing a new array of defensive and offensive capabilities, enhancing safety for divers and military personnel, and can be integrated into various underwater equipment.
Implementation Method 1
A watertight compartment within the frame houses a motor that can be activated by the diver. The motor turns an electric generator also within the watertight compartment.
Implementation Method 2
A frangible cover over the spear tip electrically insulates the spear tip, and breaks upon impact to expose the spear tip.
Implementation Method 3
An electrical conducting wire is attached to the trailing end of the spear tip so as to electrically connect the spear tip to the terminal of the electric generator.
Implementation Method 4
The electric generator is connected to a ground plate in contact with the water when the device is being used.
Data Source
AI summary
An underwater electrocution device may be used by a diver as a weapon to electrocute sharks or other underwater predators. It has a frame that defines a watertight compartment to house a motor and a generator. The motor when activated runs the generator. The electric generator is connected to a ground plate in contact with the water when the device is being used. A power supply device, such as a battery, provides power to run the motor. A spear tip is made of an electrically conducting metal. A frangible cover over the spear tip electrically insulates the spear tip, and breaks upon impact to expose the spear tip. An electrical conducting wire is attached to the trailing end of the spear tip so as to electrically connect the spear tip to the terminal of the electric generator. A spear gun ejection mechanism may be included to shoot the spear tip.