Vehicle Engine Disruption via Resonant Frequency Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for stopping unsafe or malicious vehicle operation, such as roadblocks and electromagnetic pulses, are either ineffective, pose safety risks, or have limitations in deployment and targeting, leading to potential hazards for law enforcement and the public.
Innovation Solution
A system that disrupts a vehicle's engine control unit (ECU) by transmitting specific frequencies detected through monitoring engine parameters, using a transmit antenna to identify and dwell on the disruptive frequency, allowing for quick and safe vehicle disablement without affecting non-targeted vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If roadblocks and barricades are used to stop unsafe vehicles, then vehicle operators can be intercepted, but dangerous conditions are created and safety issues arise if operators escalate the situation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stopping methods (roadblocks, barricades, physical obstacles) with an electromagnetic field-based system that disrupts vehicle electronics remotely. The transmit antenna generates electromagnetic pulses that interfere with the vehicle's control systems, causing shutdown without physical contact, thereby eliminating safety hazards associated with escalated confrontations at roadblocks.
2Reliability
If EMP or high power microwaves are used to disable vehicle electronics, then electronic components can be disrupted, but high energy levels are required that are difficult to deploy in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the parameters of electromagnetic radiation by using frequency modulation tailored to specific vehicle models. Instead of requiring high power levels across all frequencies, the system identifies and transmits at specific resonant frequencies of the target vehicle's electronics, achieving effective disruption with lower power requirements and simpler deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters based on real-time detection of vehicle presence and type. The controller modifies frequency, duration, and intensity of electromagnetic pulses according to the detected vehicle model, optimizing effectiveness while minimizing power consumption and simplifying field deployment compared to static high-power systems.
3Reliability
If high power microwaves are directed at a targeted vehicle to disable electronic components, then the specific vehicle can be stopped, but all or many vehicles in the vicinity may also be disabled creating hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing electromagnetic energy precisely at the targeted vehicle using directional antennas and frequency-specific modulation. Each vehicle model has unique electronic resonant frequencies, and the system transmits only at those specific frequencies, creating a localized effect that disables only the target vehicle while leaving surrounding vehicles unaffected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the electromagnetic spectrum into vehicle-specific frequency bands. By identifying the make and model of the target vehicle and transmitting at its unique resonant frequency, the patent divides the overall disruption effect into vehicle-specific segments, ensuring that only the targeted vehicle's electronics are affected while non-targeted vehicles operate normally.
4Reliability
If microwave radiation is transmitted to disable a particular vehicle's electronic components, then the vehicle can be stopped, but it is difficult to direct the microwave energy directly against a single vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the directionality and focus of electromagnetic energy transmission based on real-time vehicle detection and tracking. The controller modifies antenna orientation and beam direction to maintain precise targeting of moving vehicles, making the system as easy to deploy as standard microwave transmission while achieving accurate single-vehicle targeting.
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 a targeted vehicle by disrupting its ECU, minimizing power requirements and avoiding damage, while ensuring that nearby vehicles remain unaffected, thus reducing risks to personnel and the public.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a frequency... using a transmit antenna to identify and dwell on the disruptive frequency
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to transmit a range of frequencies (402) targeting a vehicle (10), monitoring performance (404) of an engine of the vehicle, determining (406) 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.