U.S. patent application number 12/473080 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-17 for electronic disabling device having a non-oscillating output waveform.
This patent application is currently assigned to Defense Technology Corporation of America. Invention is credited to Michael Kramer, Corey Rutz.
Application Number | 20090231776 12/473080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41062795 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090231776 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kramer; Michael ; et
al. |
September 17, 2009 |
ELECTRONIC DISABLING DEVICE HAVING A NON-OSCILLATING OUTPUT
WAVEFORM
Abstract
A system and/or an associated method for providing an electronic
disabling device with an output having an output waveform other
than a sinusoidal waveform (e.g., a non-oscillating output
waveform). In one embodiment, the method includes: producing an
energy to have a first energy portion with a first polarity and a
second energy portion with a second polarity opposite the first
polarity; charging the first energy portion with the first polarity
into a high voltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output
waveform with a pulse having the first polarity; blocking the high
voltage capacitor from being charged by the second energy portion
with the second polarity; recycling the second energy portion
having the second polarity; and adding the recycled second energy
portion back into the pulse having the first polarity to produce an
increase in pulse width of the pulse having the first polarity.
Inventors: |
Kramer; Michael; (Casper,
WY) ; Rutz; Corey; (Casper, WY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Assignee: |
Defense Technology Corporation of
America
|
Family ID: |
41062795 |
Appl. No.: |
12/473080 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11359251 |
Feb 21, 2006 |
7554786 |
|
|
12473080 |
|
|
|
|
60655145 |
Feb 22, 2005 |
|
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60657294 |
Feb 28, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05C 1/06 20130101; F41H
13/0012 20130101; H05C 1/04 20130101; G05F 1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/232 |
International
Class: |
F41B 15/04 20060101
F41B015/04 |
Claims
1. A method of producing a non-oscillating output waveform from an
electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target, the method
comprising: producing an energy to have a first energy portion with
a first polarity and a second energy portion with a second polarity
opposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion with
the first polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce the
non-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first
polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by
the second energy portion with the second polarity; recycling the
second energy portion having the second polarity; and adding the
recycled second energy portion back into the pulse having the first
polarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse having
the first polarity.
2. A method of producing a non-oscillating output waveform from an
electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target, the method
comprising: providing an energy from a battery to a power supply to
provide the energy with a first energy portion having a first
polarity and a second energy portion having a second polarity
opposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion
having the first polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce
the non-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first
polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by
the second energy portion having the second polarity; recycling the
second energy portion having the second polarity; and adding the
recycled second energy portion back into the pulse having the first
polarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse having
the first polarity.
3. A method of producing a non-oscillating output waveform from an
electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target, the method
comprising: providing an energy from a battery to a power supply to
provide the energy with a positive polarity energy portion and a
negative polarity energy portion; charging the negative polarity
energy portion into a high voltage capacitor to produce the
non-oscillating output waveform with a positive polarity pulse;
blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the
negative polarity energy portion through a full-wave bridge
rectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the
high voltage capacitor; recycling the negative polarity energy
portion through the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled
between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor; and adding
the recycled energy portion back into the positive polarity pulse
through the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between
the power supply and the high voltage capacitor to produce an
increase in pulse width of the positive polarity pulse.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/359,251, filed Feb. 21, 2006, which
claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/655,145, filed on Feb. 22, 2005, and U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/657,294, filed on Feb. 28, 2005. The entire
content in each of the above-referenced applications is
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of an
electronic disabling device for immobilizing a live target. More
specifically, the present invention is related to an electronic
disabling device having a non-oscillating output waveform and a
method for providing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An electronic disabling device can be used to refer to an
electrical discharge weapon or a stun gun. The electrical discharge
weapon connects a shocking power to a live target by the use of
darts projected with trailing wires from the electrical discharge
weapon. The shocks debilitate violent suspects, so peace officers
can more easily subdue and capture them. The stun gun, by contrast,
connects the shocking power to the live target that are brought
into direct contact with the stun gun to subdue the target.
Electronic disabling devices are far less lethal than other more
conventional weapons such as firearms.
[0004] In general, the basic idea of the above described electronic
disabling devices is to disrupt the electric communication system
of muscle cells in a live target. That is, an electronic disabling
device generates a high-voltage, low-amperage electrical charge.
When the charge passes into the live target's body, it is combined
with the electrical signals from the brain of the live target. The
brain's original signals are mixed in with random noise, making it
very difficult for the muscle cells to decipher the original
signals. As such, the live target is stunned or temporarily
paralyzed. The current of the charge may be generated with a pulse
frequency that mimics a live target's own electrical signal to
further stun or paralyze the live target.
[0005] To dump this high-voltage, low-amperage electrical charge,
the electronic disabling device includes a shock circuit having
multiple transformers and/or autoformers that boost the voltage in
the circuit and/or reduce the amperage. The shock circuit may also
include an oscillator to produce a specific pulse pattern of
electricity and/or frequency.
[0006] Current electronic disabling devices take the lower voltage,
higher current of a battery or batteries and convert it into a
higher voltage, lower current output. This output must contact an
individual in two places to create a full path for the energy to
flow. For stun guns, this output is provided to two metal contacts
on the contacting side of the device that are a short distance
apart. On the electronic discharge weapons, this output is provided
to two metal darts (or probes) that are propelled into the live
target (or individual). The distance between the probes is normally
larger than the stun gun contacts to allow for a greater effect of
the live target. The metal probes are connected to the electrical
circuitry in the device by thin conducting wires that carry the
energy from/to the device and from/to the metal probes.
[0007] Typically, an electronic disabling device produces an output
having an oscillating or sinusoidal output waveform with positive
and negative amplitudes in the one output waveform as shown in FIG.
1. This indicates that the electrons will first flow in a first
(e.g., positive) direction, and a substantial number of the
electrons will then flow in a second, opposite (e.g., negative)
direction. That is, the negative (or opposite) amplitude in the
sinusoidal output waveform shown in FIG. 1 is mainly caused by the
electrons flowing in the opposite direction for a part of the cycle
of the waveform. Therefore, a larger than necessary amount of
electrons flowing in the opposite direction may be used on a person
that could have been sufficiently immobilized by the electrons
flowing in the first direction.
[0008] In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to create an
electronic disabling device for immobilization and capture of a
live target having a non-oscillating pulse output waveform as shown
in FIG. 2 and/or having an output waveform other than a
non-oscillating or sinusoidal output waveform (or a non-sinusoidal
output waveform) as, e.g., shown in FIGS. 2 and 10. In addition, it
would be desirable to provide an electronic disabling device that
can selectively apply an oscillating or sinusoidal output waveform
and a non-oscillating waveform such that the electronic disabling
device does not apply an output waveform to a live target that
might possibly be unsafe to that particular individual.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An aspect of the present invention is directed toward a
system and/or an associated method for providing an electronic
disabling device with an output having an output waveform other
than an oscillating or sinusoidal waveform (e.g., a non-oscillating
(or non-sinusoidal output waveform) and/or for providing the
electronic disabling device that can selectively apply the
non-oscillating output waveform and a sinusoidal output waveform in
one device package. This would allow a user of the electronic
disabling device to start with the non-oscillating output waveform
and if the non-oscillating output wave was not effective, change to
the sinusoidal output waveform. This adds a level of safety such
that the user does not apply an output waveform to a live target
that might possibly be unsafe to that particular individual.
[0010] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an
electronic disabling device for producing a non-sinusoidal output
waveform to immobilize a live target is provided. The electronic
disabling device includes a battery, a power supply, a final
step-up transformer, a first electrical output contact, a second
electrical output contact, and a bridge rectifier. The power supply
is coupled to receive an initial power from the battery. The final
step-up transformer is adapted to provide an output power having
the non-sinusoidal output waveform. The first electrical output
contact is coupled to receive the output power having the
non-sinusoidal output waveform from the final step-up transformer.
The second electrical output contact is coupled to receive the
output power having the non-sinusoidal output waveform from the
first electrical output through the live target. In addition, the
bridge rectifier is coupled between the initial step-up voltage
circuit and the final step-up transformer to produce the
non-sinusoidal output waveform.
[0011] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
method provides an electronic disabling device with a
non-sinusoidal output waveform to immobilize a live target. The
method includes: providing an input power from a battery to a power
supply; stepping-up a voltage of the input power through the power
supply; rectifying and transforming the input power to an output
power through a bridge rectifier and a final step-up transformer to
produce the non-sinusoidal output waveform; and providing the
output power having the non-sinusoidal output waveform to an
electrical output contact.
[0012] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
method provides an electronic disabling device with an output
waveform to immobilize a live target. The method includes:
selecting a non-oscillating waveform or a sinusoidal waveform as
the output waveform of the electronic disabling device; providing
an input power from a battery to a power supply; stepping-up a
voltage of the input power through the power supply; rectifying and
transforming the input power to an output power through a bridge
rectifier and a final step-up transformer to produce the selected
output waveform; and providing the output power having the selected
output waveform to an electrical output contact.
[0013] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
method produces a non-oscillating output waveform from an
electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. The method
includes: providing an energy from a battery to a power supply to
provide the energy with a first energy portion having a first
polarity and a second energy portion having a second polarity
opposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion
having the first polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce
the non-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first
polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by
the second energy portion having the second polarity; recycling the
second energy portion having the second polarity; and adding the
recycled second energy portion back into the pulse having the first
polarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse having
the first polarity.
[0014] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
method produces a non-oscillating output waveform from an
electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. The method
includes: producing an energy to have a first energy portion with a
first polarity and a second energy portion with a second polarity
opposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion with
the first polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce the
non-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first
polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by
the second energy portion with the second polarity; recycling the
second energy portion having the second polarity; and adding the
recycled second energy portion back into the pulse having the first
polarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse having
the first polarity.
[0015] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
method produces a non-oscillating output waveform from an
electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. The method
includes: providing an energy from a battery to a power supply to
provide the energy with a positive polarity energy portion and a
negative polarity energy portion; charging the negative polarity
energy portion into a high voltage capacitor to produce the
non-oscillating output waveform with a positive polarity pulse;
blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the
negative polarity energy portion through a full-wave bridge
rectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the
high voltage capacitor; recycling the negative polarity energy
portion through the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled
between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor; and adding
the recycled energy portion back into the positive polarity pulse
through the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between
the power supply and the high voltage capacitor to produce an
increase in pulse width of the positive polarity pulse.
[0016] A more complete understanding of the electronic disabling
device having a non-sinusoidal or non-oscillating output waveform
will be afforded to those skilled in the art and by a consideration
of the following detailed description. Reference will be made to
the appended sheets of drawings which will first be described
briefly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings, together with the specification,
illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary sinusoidal output
waveform.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary non-oscillating output
waveform.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling
device.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device
using a relaxation oscillator.
[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device
using an independently driven oscillator.
[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device
for producing a sinusoidal output waveform.
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device
for producing a non-oscillating output waveform.
[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary electronic disabling
device for producing a non-oscillating output waveform.
[0026] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device
for producing a sinusoidal output waveform and a non-oscillating
output waveform.
[0027] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary non-sinusoidal output
waveform having a main uni-polar half-cycle pulse followed by an
opposite polarity secondary uni-polar half-cycle pulse.
[0028] FIG. 11 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block)
versus time (.mu.S block) produced by the circuit shown in FIG. 5
of U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,048.
[0029] FIG. 12 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block)
versus time (.mu.S block) produced by a circuit similar to the
circuit shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,048 with the pair of
diodes (i.e., diodes D4 and D5) removed.
[0030] FIG. 13 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block)
versus time (.mu.S block) produced by a circuit built with a
full-wave bridge diode circuit as shown in FIG. 8 and pursuant to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram on a method of producing a
non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device
to immobilize a live target pursuant to an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] In the following detailed description, only certain
exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown and
described, by way of illustration. As those skilled in the art
would recognize, the described exemplary embodiments may be
modified in various ways, all without departing from the spirit or
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not
restrictive.
[0033] There may be parts shown in the drawings, or parts not shown
in the drawings, that are not discussed in the specification as
they are not essential to a complete understanding of the
invention. Like reference numerals designate like elements.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, an example of an electronic disabling
device is shown to include a battery 10, an initial step-up voltage
circuit 20, a trigger (not shown), a final step-up transformer 30,
a first electrically conductive output contact (or probe) 50, and a
second electrically conductive output contact (or probe) 60. Each
of the contacts 50, 60 can be connected to the housing of the
electronic disabling device by electrically conductive wires.
[0035] In operation, an electrical charge which travels into the
contact 50 is activated by squeezing the trigger. The power for the
electrical charge is provided by the battery 10. That is, when the
trigger is turned on, it allows the power to travel to the initial
step-up voltage circuit 20. The initial step-up voltage circuit 20
includes a first transformer that receives electricity from the
battery 10 and causes a predetermined amount of voltage to be
transmitted to and stored in a storage capacitor. Once the storage
capacitor stores the predetermined amount of voltage, it is able to
discharge an electrical pulse into the final step-up transformer 30
(e.g., a second transformer and/or autoformer). The output from the
final step-up transformer 30 then goes into the first contact 50.
When the first and second contacts 50, 60 contact a live target,
charges from the first contact 50 travel into tissue in the
target's body, then through the tissue into the second contact 60,
and then to a ground. Pulses are delivered from the first contact
50 into target's tissue for a predetermined number of seconds. The
pulses cause contraction of skeletal muscles and make the muscles
inoperable, thereby preventing use of the muscles in locomotion of
the target.
[0036] In one embodiment, the shock pulses from an electronic
disabling device can be generated by an oscillator such as a
classic relaxation oscillator that produces distorted saw-tooth
pulses. An electronic disabling device having the relaxation
oscillator is shown as FIG. 4.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, power is supplied to the relaxation
oscillator from a battery source 160. The closure of a switch SW1
connects the battery source 160 with an inverter transformer TI. In
FIG. 4, a tickler coil 110 of the inverter transformer T1 between
PAD1 and PAD2 is used to form the classic relaxation oscillator. A
primary coil 100 of the inverter transformer T1 is connected
between PAD3 and PAD4. Upon closure of the power switch SW1, the
primary coil 100 of the inverter transformer T1 is energized as a
current flows through the coil 100 from PAD3 to PAD4 as the power
transistor Q1 is turned ON. The tickler coil 110 of the inverter
transformer T1 is energized upon closure of the power switch SW1
through a resistor R8 and a diode D3. The current through the
tickler coil 110 also forms the base current of the power
transistor Q1, thus causing it to turn ON. Since the tickler coil
110 and the primary coil 100 of the inverter transformer T1 oppose
one another, the current through power transistor Q1 causes a flux
in the inverter transformer T1 to, in effect, backdrive the tickler
coil 110 and cut off the power transistor Q1 base current, thus
causing it to turn OFF and forming the relaxation oscillator.
[0038] In addition, a secondary coil 120 of the inverter
transformer T1 between PAD5 and PAD6 is connected to a pair of
diodes D4 and D5 that form a half-wave rectifier. The pair of
diodes D4 and D5 are then serially connected with a spark gap 130
and then with a primary coil 140 of the output transformer T2. The
primary coil 140 of the output transformer T2 is connected between
PAD7 and PAD8. The spark gap 130 is selected to have particular
ionization characteristics tailored to a specific spark gap
breakover voltage to "tune" the output of the shock circuit.
[0039] In more detail, when sufficient energy is charged on a
storage capacitor, a gas gap breaks down on the spark gap 130 such
that the spark gap 130 begins to conduct electricity. This energy
is then passed through the primary coil 140 of output or step-up
transformer T2, which typically has a turn ratio of 1:35 to 1:37
primary coil 140 to secondary coil 150.
[0040] However, the present invention is not limited to the above
described exemplary oscillator embodiment. For example, an
embodiment of an electronic disabling device can include a digital
oscillator coupled to digitally generate switching signals or an
independent oscillator 210 as shown in FIG. 5.
[0041] In the disabling device of FIG. 5, a power is supplied from
a battery source 230 to an inverter transformer TI'. In FIG. 5, a
primary coil 240 of the inverter transformer T1' is connected
between PAD10 and PAD11. A power switch 250 is connected between
the inverter transformer T1' and a ground. The power switch 250 (or
a base or a gate of the power switch 250) is also connected to the
independent oscillator 210.
[0042] In more detail, the primary coil 240 of the inverter
transformer T1' is energized as current flows through the coil 240
from PAD10 to PAD11 as the switch (or transistor) 250 is turned ON.
The independent oscillator 210 is coupled to the switch 250 (e.g.,
at the base or the gate of the switch 250) to turn the switch 250
ON and OFF. A secondary coil 260 of the inverter transformer T1'
between PAD12 and PAD13 is connected to a full-wave rectifier 270.
The full-wave rectifier 270 is then serially connected with a spark
gap 280 and then with a primary coil 290 of the output transformer
T2'. The primary coil 290 of the output transformer T2' is
connected between PAD14 and PAD15.
[0043] In operation, the oscillator 210 creates a periodic output
that varies from a positive voltage (V+) to a ground voltage. This
periodic waveform creates the drive function that causes current to
flow through the primary coil 240 of the transformer T1'. This
current flow causes current to flow in the secondary coil 260 of
the transformer T1' based on the turn ratio of the transformer T1'.
A power current from the battery source 230 then flows in the
primary coil 240 of the transformer T1' only when the switch 250 is
turned on and is in the process of conducting. The full wave bridge
rectifier 270 then rectifies the voltage from the power source 230
when the switch 250 is caused to conduct.
[0044] In view of the foregoing, electronic disabling devices with
high powered sinusoidal output waveforms can be formed. However,
the propriety of forming weapons capable of producing such high
powered sinusoidal output waveforms may be in question because the
sinusoidal output waveforms may increase the weapons lethality,
especially where a circuit operating at an output waveform other
than an sinusoidal output waveform (e.g., a non-oscillating output
waveform) can completely disable most test subjects. In addition,
some seventy deaths have occurred proximate to use of such weapons.
As such, using these weapons at only sinusoidal output waveforms
may run contrary to the idea that electronic disabling devices are
intended to subdue and capture live targets without seriously
injuring them.
[0045] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
an electronic disabling device produces an output waveform other
than a sinusoidal output waveform (e.g., a non-oscillating output
waveform) and/or can selectively apply the non-oscillating output
waveform and a sinusoidal output waveform in one device package.
This would allow a user of the electronic disabling device to start
with the non-oscillating output waveform and if the non-oscillating
output wave was not effective, change to the sinusoidal output
waveform. This adds a level of safety such that the user does not
apply an output waveform to a live target that might possibly be
unsafe to that particular individual.
[0046] FIG. 6 shows a view into an initial step-up circuit of an
electronic disabling device connected with a final step-up
transformer of the electronic disabling device. The initial step-up
circuit includes a power supply 585 having an oscillator (e.g., the
oscillator shown in FIGS. 4 or 5 for providing a pulse rate), a
bridge rectifier 580, a spark gap SG1, and a storage capacitor C1.
Here, the storage capacitor C1 is connected to a primary coil 570
of the final step-up transformer in series, and the spark gap SG1
is connected to the storage capacitor C1 and the primary coil 570
in parallel. As such, the spark gap SG1 and the storage capacitor
C1 are positioned to provide a sinusoidal output waveform as shown
in FIG. 1.
[0047] In more detail, an energy from the bridge rectifier 580 of
the initial step-up voltage circuit (e.g., a full-wave bridge
rectifier circuit having at least four diodes) is initially used to
charge up one plate of the storage capacitor C1. The spark gap SG1
fires whenever the voltage of the storage capacitor C1 reaches a
fixed breakdown voltage of the spark gap SG1, and the stored energy
discharges through the primary coil 570. In addition, because the
storage capacitor C1 and the primary coil 570 are connected to
create a tank circuit, as the capacitor C1 discharges, the primary
coil 570 will try to keep the current in the circuit moving, so it
will charge up the other plate of the capacitor C1. Once the field
of the primary coil 570 collapses, the capacitor C1 has been
recharged (but with the opposite polarity), so it discharges again
through the primary coil 570. As such, the sinusoidal output
waveform as shown in FIG. 1 is provided by the electronic disabling
device of FIG. 6.
[0048] Alternatively, referring to FIG. 7, an electronic disabling
device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
includes a battery 610, an initial step-up voltage circuit 620, a
trigger (not shown), a final step-up transformer 630, a first
electrically conductive output contact (or probe) 650, and a second
electrically conductive output contact (or probe) 660. Also, in
FIG. 7, the initial step-up circuit includes a spark gap SG1', a
storage capacitor C1', a power supply 685 having an oscillator, and
a bridge rectifier 680. Here, the spark gap SG1' is connected to a
primary coil 670 of the final step-up transformer 670 in series,
and the storage capacitor C1' is connected to the spark gap SG1'
and the primary coil 670 in parallel. As such, the spark gap SG1'
and the storage capacitor C1' are positioned to provide the
non-oscillating output waveform as shown in FIG. 2.
[0049] In more detail, the spark gap SG1' and the storage capacitor
C1' of FIG. 7 are positionally switched as compared to the spark
gap SG1 and the storage capacitor C1 to remove the tank circuit and
to produce the non-oscillating output waveform as shown in FIG. 2.
As such, the electronic disabling device of FIG. 7 produces a
mostly positive pulse waveform or a mostly negative pulse waveform.
Also, this indicates that electrons flow mainly in one direction
with fewer electrons flowing in the opposite direction. That is, as
described above, the opposite amplitude in the sinusoidal output
waveform of FIG. 1 is caused by the electrons flowing in the
opposite direction for part of the cycle.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 8, an electronic disabling device
according to a more specific embodiment of the present invention
includes a secondary coil 625' of an initial step-up voltage
circuit 620. The secondary coil 625' is connected to a first pair
of diodes D2 and D4 and a second pair of diodes D1 and D3. The
first and second pairs of diodes D1, D2, D3, and D4 form a
full-wave rectifier 680'. The bridge rectifier 680' is then
serially connected with a spark gap SG1'' and then a primary coil
670' of a final step-up transformer 630'. Here, a resistor R1 and a
capacitor C1'' are also connected to the spark gap SG1'' and the
primary coil 670' in parallel. As such, the bridge rectifier 680',
the spark gap SG1'' and the storage capacitor C1'' are positioned
to provide the non-oscillating output waveform as shown in FIG.
2.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 9, an electronic disabling device in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention
includes a battery 710, a power supply 785, a bridge rectifier
circuit 780, a primary coil 770 of a final step-up transformer, and
a control logic 790. In addition, the electronic disabling device
of FIG. 9 includes a spark gap SG, a storage capacitor C, first
electrical switching devices U1 and U3, and second electrical
switching devices U2 and U4 to allow on-the-fly changing of the
output waveform. That is, the electronic disabling device of FIG. 9
outputs the sinusoidal output waveform (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1)
when the first electrical switching devices U1 and U3 are switched
on (to create a closed circuit) and the second electrical switching
devices U2 and U4 are switched off (to create an opened circuit).
By contrast, the electronic disabling device of FIG. 9 outputs the
non-oscillating output waveform (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2) when the
first switching devices U1 and U3 are switched off and the second
switching devices U2 and U4 are switched on.
[0052] In more detail, when the first electrical switching devices
U1 and U3 are switched on (i.e., closed) and the second electrical
switching devices U2 and U4 are switched off (i.e., opened), the
device of FIG. 9 has a configuration that is substantially the same
as the device shown in FIG. 7. That is, the spark gap SG1 is
connected to the primary coil 770 in series, and the storage
capacitor C is connected to the spark gap SG and the primary coil
770 in parallel to provide the non-oscillating output waveform. By
contrast, when the second electrical switching devices U2 and U4
are switched on (i.e., closed) and the first electrical switching
devices U1 and U3 are switched off (i.e., opened), the device of
FIG. 9 has a configuration that is substantially the same as the
device shown in FIG. 6. That is, the storage capacitor C is
connected to the primary coil 770 in series, and the spark gap SG
is connected to the storage capacitor C and the primary coil 770 in
parallel to provide the sinusoidal output waveform. In FIG. 9, the
control logic 790 is added to control the switching devices U1, U2,
U3, and U4 to allow a control input from a user. This control logic
790 would also provide an input to the power supply 785 including
an oscillator to keep the same output pulse rate. As such, the
electronic disabling device of FIG. 9 can selectively apply the
non-oscillating output waveform and the sinusoidal output waveform
in one device package.
[0053] FIG. 10 shows another output waveform other than a
sinusoidal output waveform according to an embodiment of the
present invention. Here, the output waveform of FIG. 10 includes a
first (or main) uni-polar half-cycle pulse followed by an opposite
polarity second (or secondary) uni-polar half-cycle pulse. That is,
the entire output waveform of FIG. 10 has a first (or peak)
amplitude A.sub.1 and a second amplitude A.sub.2 having an opposite
polarity with the first amplitude A.sub.1. The second amplitude
A.sub.2 has an amplitude that is equal to or less (i.e., not
greater) than 25 percent of the first (or peak) amplitude A.sub.1.
In FIG. 10, the first amplitude A.sub.1 can be a positive voltage
amplitude or a negative voltage amplitude as long as the second
amplitude A.sub.2 oscillates in the opposite polarity at an
amplitude not greater than 25 percent of the first (or peak)
amplitude A.sub.1.
[0054] The output waveform of FIG. 10 can be formed by removing 75
percent or more of the amplitude opposite the peak amplitude. By
removing more than 75 percent of peak opposite amplitude from the
waveform, a mostly positive or mostly negative half-cycle waveform
is formed. Furthermore, this indicates that electrons flow mainly
in one direction with fewer electrons flowing in the opposite
direction. This is because, referring now also to FIG. 1, the
opposite amplitude in the sinusoidal pulse output waveform is
caused mainly by the electrons flowing in the opposite direction
for a part of the cycle of the sinusoidal pulse output
waveform.
[0055] In one embodiment, the first (or peak) amplitude A.sub.1 is
at positive 620 volts and the second amplitude A.sub.2 is at 40
volts to produce a half-cycle uni-pulse output waveform with an
opposite polarity of about 7 percent.
[0056] In view of the foregoing, an electronic disabling device
according to an embodiment of the present invention utilizes a
rectifier and a non-tank circuit to produce a non-oscillating
output waveform. Here, the majority of electrons traveling in the
opposite polarity of the peak amplitude are in essence filtered or
redirected
[0057] Further, an electronic disabling device according to another
embodiment of the present invention can selectively apply a
non-oscillating output waveform and a sinusoidal output waveform in
one device package. This would allow a user of the electronic
disabling device to start with the non-oscillating output waveform
and if the non-oscillating output wave was not effective, change to
the sinusoidal output waveform.
[0058] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, an electronic
disabling device according to an embodiment of the present
invention outputs: (1) a half-cycle uni-polar pulse, followed by a
slow uni-polar pulse of the opposite polarity; (2) a half-cycle
uni-polar pulse waveform in which amplitude oscillates to peak in
one direction and exhibits a uni-polar pulse of the opposite
polarity with less than 25% of the peak amplitude; (3) a half-cycle
uni-polar pulse, followed by a slow uni-polar pulse of the opposite
polarity through a 1000 OHM load to produce a total pulse width
between 3 and 50 micro seconds, a peak voltage between 2000 and
20000 volts, between 5-25 pulses per second, between 0.05 and 1
watt contained in a single pulse peak amplitude (joules per pulse),
or between 1 and 20 watts per second (joules); or (4) a
non-oscillating that does not have a uni-polar pulse of the
opposite polarity (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2) with a total pulse
width between 3 and 50 micro seconds, a peak voltage between 2000
and 20000 volts, between 5-25 pulses per second, between 0.05 and 1
watt contained in a single pulse peak amplitude (joules per pulse),
or between 1 and 20 watts per second (joules).
[0059] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment of the present
invention provides an electronic disabling device that produces a
non-oscillating, increased pulse width, non opposite polarity
output waveform to immobilize a live target. Here, the electronic
disabling device includes a battery, an initial step-up transformer
(e.g., 620' in FIG. 8) coupled to receive an initial power from the
battery, having one output directly coupled between two switching
devices, and a second output directly coupled between an additional
two switching devices, and a spark gap directly coupled to a first
input of a second step-up transformer (final step-up transformer),
in parallel with a high voltage (HV) capacitor that is directly
coupled to a second input of the second (or final) step-up
transformer (e.g., 630' in FIG. 8).
[0060] The non-oscillating, increased pulse width, non opposite
polarity output waveform produced by the above described disabling
device and pursuant to an embodiment of the present invention is
described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 as
follows.
[0061] FIG. 11 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block)
versus time (.mu.S block) produced by the circuit shown in FIG. 5
of U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,048, the entire content of which is
incorporated herein by reference. Here, the output waveform has a
positive pulse width (Delta) of 4.5 .mu.S and shows that the
circuit just clamps or blocks the negative cycle from passing
through as the output waveform.
[0062] FIG. 12 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block)
versus time (.mu.S block) produced by a circuit similar to the
circuit shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,048 with the pair of
diodes (i.e., diodes D4 and D5) removed. The first part of the sine
wave produced is the same as the pulse produced in FIG. 11 with a
positive pulse width (Delta) of 4.5 .mu.S. Therefore, as can be
derived from FIGS. 11 and 12, the pair of diodes D4 and D5 appears
to only remove the negative pulse and ringing.
[0063] FIG. 13 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block)
versus time (.mu.S block) produced by a circuit built with a
full-wave bridge diode circuit as shown in FIG. 8 and pursuant to
an embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is shown that the
circuit in FIG. 8 does not block the negative part of the waveform
from being recycled (recovered) and then utilizing the recovered
energy by converting it to positive energy and passing it with the
initial pulse. That is, the output waveform as shown in FIG. 13
with the full-wave bridge diode circuit (e.g., the full-wave bridge
rectifier 680' unexpectedly results in a positive pulse width
(Delta) of 13.4 .mu.S, which is about three times wider than the
output waveform shown in FIG. 11.
[0064] Here, Joule output at 19 HZ of the output waveform shown in
FIG. 11 is 5.47, and Joule output at 19 HZ of the output waveform
shown in FIG. 13 is 15.49. The increased Joule output is desired
for the following two reasons. First it allows for much smaller
electronics such as capacitors, output transformers, and spark
gaps. By stretching the pulse width the electronic disabling device
can use a much lower voltage. Lower voltage electronics are much
smaller. This will allow for a much smaller end product. Second,
smaller components or components with smaller voltage ratings are
much cheaper and more readily available to the industry, thus
providing cost benefits for both the manufacturer and end user.
[0065] The operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 8 pursuant to an
embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail as
follows.
[0066] Referring now back to FIG. 8, the full wave diode bridge
620' across the high voltage (HV) capacitor C1'' blocks (or
prevents) the HV capacitor C1'' from recharging in the opposite
direction. As such, the full wave bridge rectifier 620' recycles
the negative energy and adds it to the positive pulse shown, e.g.,
in FIG. 13. The full wave bridge rectifier 620' causes the flow to
lock-up in the reverse direction producing an exponential decay of
current and produces a DC like increased pulse width on the output
waveform (see FIG. 13) produced by the circuit shown in FIG. 8.
That is and referring now also to FIG. 13, at time Stop, the full
bridge rectifier 620' across the capacitor C1'' will not allow the
capacitor C1'' to recharge in the opposite direction from the
revised current, and causes the flow to lock-up in the reverse
direction producing the exponential decay of current and produces
the DC like increased pulse width on the output waveform (see FIG.
13). The exponential decay of current is represented as e.sup.-t/T,
where the time constant T=L/R and where L is the inductance of the
primary coil 670' and the secondary coil 625' and R is the primary
resistance, the secondary resistance (transformed) and core
losses.
[0067] As such and in view of the foregoing, a method according to
an embodiment of the present invention produces a non-oscillating
output waveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a
live target. The method includes: providing an energy from a
battery to a power supply to provide the energy with a first energy
portion having a first polarity and a second energy portion having
a second polarity opposite the first polarity; charging the first
energy portion having the first polarity into a high voltage
capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with a
pulse having the first polarity; blocking the high voltage
capacitor from being charged by the second energy portion having
the second polarity; recycling the second energy portion having the
second polarity; and adding the recycled second energy portion back
into the pulse having the first polarity to produce an increase in
pulse width of the pulse having the first polarity.
[0068] A method according to another embodiment of the present
invention produces a non-oscillating output waveform from an
electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. The method
includes: producing an energy to have a first energy portion with a
first polarity and a second energy portion with a second polarity
opposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion with
the first polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce the
non-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first
polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by
the second energy portion with the second polarity; recycling the
second energy portion having the second polarity; and adding the
recycled second energy portion back into the pulse having the first
polarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse having
the first polarity.
[0069] A method according to yet another embodiment of the present
invention produces a non-oscillating output waveform from an
electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. The method
includes: providing an energy from a battery to a power supply to
provide the energy with a positive polarity energy portion and a
negative polarity energy portion; charging the negative polarity
energy portion into a high voltage capacitor to produce the
non-oscillating output waveform with a positive polarity pulse;
blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the
negative polarity energy portion through a full-wave bridge
rectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the
high voltage capacitor; recycling the negative polarity energy
portion through the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled
between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor; and adding
the recycled energy portion back into the positive polarity pulse
electrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltage
capacitor to produce an increase in pulse width of the positive
polarity pulse.
[0070] In more detail and as illustrated in FIG. 14, an embodiment
of the present invention provides a method of producing a
non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device
to immobilize a live target. In step 310 of the method, an energy
is provided from a battery to a power supply to provide the energy
with a positive polarity energy portion and a negative polarity
energy portion. The negative polarity energy portion is charged
into a high voltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output
waveform with a positive polarity pulse in step 320. The high
voltage capacitor is blocked from being charged by the negative
polarity energy portion through a full-wave bridge rectifier
electrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltage
capacitor in step 330. The negative polarity energy portion is
recycled through the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically
coupled between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor in
Step 340. Then, in step 350 of the method, the recycled energy
portion is added back into the positive polarity pulse through the
full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between the power
supply and the high voltage capacitor to produce an increase in
pulse width of the positive polarity pulse.
[0071] While the invention has been described in connection with
certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood by those
skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the
disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover
various modifications included within the spirit and scope of the
appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *