Vehicle disabling device and method

• US 5,503,059 A
• Filed: 01/03/1995
• Issued: 04/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David R. Pacholok
• Original Assignee: David R. Pacholok
• Inventors: Pacholok, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wesson, Theresa M.
• Application Number:
  US08/367,581
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 89/1.1, 89/1.11, 244/3.12, 180/167, 180/169, 180/279
• US Class Current: 89/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/12 for forcibly arresting or disabling vehicles, e.g. spiked mats
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/30 Arrangements interacting with transmitters or receivers otherwise than by visible means, e.g. using radar reflectors or radio transmitters E01F11/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0031 for remote electrical discharge by means of a wireless projectile
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0093 Devices generating an electromagnetic pulse, e.g. for disrupting or destroying electronic devices

Abstract

A vehicle disabling device is positioned under a vehicle desired to be stopped, sends a capacitive discharge therethrough, and disables at least one electric system of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle disabling device capable of contacting a pursued vehicle, sending an electrical discharge therethrough, and disabling at least one electric system of a vehicle;

the vehicle disabling device including a platform and a disabling circuit mounted thereon;

the vehicle disabling device further including;

(a) the disabling circuit including a electromagnetic pulse generating device;

(b) a positioning means for placing the vehicle disabling device under the pursued vehicle;

(c) a discharge means for activating the vehicle disabling device under the pursued vehicle;

(d) the discharge means providing sufficient power with low to moderate energy levels to disable only the pursued vehicle; and

(e) a coupling means delivering the energy levels from the electromagnetic pulse generating device to the pursued vehicle.

2. The vehicle disabling device of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) the discharge means providing about 30 to about 400 kilo volts to the vehicle;

(b) the discharge means including a bonding wire, a contact block, and a feeder cable inductance;

an arc resistance; and

the electromagnetic pulse generating device being a capacitor equivalent series resistance; and

a capacitance for an energy storage capacitor; and

(c) a current flow from the discharge means to the vehicle being based on the formulas;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">Z=(L/C).sup.0.5 +R

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">I=V/Z

with L being is the sum of the inductance for the bonding wire, the contact block, and the feeder cable inductance;

R being the sum total of the arc resistance and the capacitor equivalent series resistance;

C being the capacitance of the energy storage capacitor, I being the current in amps, and V being the voltage.

3. The vehicle disabling device of claim 2, further comprising:

(a) the discharge means further providing up to about 5 microfarads of capacitance limited by about a 1 to about 2 ohm resistance, which result in less than about 1000 Joules of energy with current limited to up to about 150,000 amperes; and

(b) the discharge means further providing an electromagnetic field strength of about 150 to 800 volts per meter.

4. The vehicle disabling device of claim 3, further comprising:

(a) a pursuit vehicle carrying the vehicle disabling device;

(b) a launching means for the vehicle disabling device mounted on the pursuit vehicle;

(c) the launching means cooperating with the vehicle disabling device and the pursuit vehicle in order to position the vehicle disabling device under the pursued vehicle; and

(d) a firing means for activating the vehicle disabling device under the pursued vehicle.

5. The vehicle disabling device of claim 4, further comprising:

(a) the positioning means including a wire guidance system;

(b) the wire guidance system being connected at a first wire end to the pursuit vehicle and a second wire end to the platform; and

(b) the wire guidance system providing the pursuit vehicle the means for positioning the vehicle disabling device under the pursued vehicle.

6. The vehicle disabling device of claim 5, further comprising:

(a) the wire guidance system including a first guide wire and a second guide wire; and

(b) the capacitor discharge device being dischargeable a plurality of times while under the pursued vehicle.

7. The vehicle disabling device of claim 6, further comprising:

(a) the first guide wire and the second guide wire each forming an arm of an isosceles triangle as the platform is launched from the pursuit vehicle;

(b) the pursuit vehicle forming a base of the isosceles triangle; and

(c) the platform forming a vertex of the isosceles triangle.

8. The vehicle disabling device of claim 6, further comprising:

(a) a first guide wire and the second guide wire each forming opposing parallel sides of a parallelogram as the platform is launched from the pursuit vehicle;

(b) the platform including a bar substantially parallel to a front bumper of the pursuit vehicle; and

(c) the bar and the front bumper each forming opposing parallel sides of a parallelogram as the platform is launched from the pursuit vehicle.

9. The vehicle disabling device of claim 6, further comprising:

(a) the capacitor discharge device being connected to a first electrode and a second electrode; and

(b) the first electrode and the second electrode serving to contact an undercarriage of the pursued vehicle and discharge the capacitor discharge device the plurality of times to disable at least one electrical system in the pursued vehicle.

10. The vehicle disabling device of claim 9, further comprising a remote control activation means.

11. The vehicle disabling device of claim 9, further comprising an automatic activation means.

12. The vehicle disabling device of claim 9, further comprising:

(a) the capacitor discharge device having a means to discharge the capacitor device and set up a damped wave current oscillation; and

(b) the capacitor discharge device having a means to set up a current in the pursued vehicle body by transformer action.

13. The vehicle disabling device of claim 12, further comprising an activation means being at least one selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and a pneumatic sensor.

14. The vehicle disabling device of claim 13, further comprising:

(a) a high voltage potential being conveyed to the pursued vehicle by the first electrode and the second electrode; and

(b) the pursued vehicle contacting the first electrode and the second electrode and causing at least one of high energy discharge pulses to be coupled to an engine, a transmission, an oil pan, and a frame of the pursued vehicle to thereby create a high electrical potential between the engine and the frame.

15. The vehicle disabling device of claim 14 further comprising:

(a) the discharge pulse having a rise and fall time ranging from about 30 nanoseconds to about 3 microseconds;

(b) the discharge pulse having a peak power level in excess of 1 megawatt;

(c) the discharge pulse having a total energy delivered to the pursued vehicle of 100 Joules at peak currents exceeding 5,000 amperes; and

(d) the discharge pulse causing a combined inductance and capacitance of the engine compartment structure resulting secondary waveforms to be coupled to the at least one electrical system.

16. The vehicle disabling device of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) a light-weight, high-strength synthetic resin low-profile case housing the vehicle disabling device;

(b) the low-profile case having a concealing color and shape in order to appear non-threatening to the pursued vehicle; and

(c) the vehicle disabling device being activated by an arming command upon approach of the pursued vehicle.

17. The vehicle disabling device of claim 16 further comprising:

(a) a means of coupling energy for the vehicle disabling device that is at least one selected from the group consisting of a capacitive energy, an inductive energy, and discharge electrode energy;

(b) the vehicle disabling device being used for a perimeter defense system; and

(c) the vehicle disabling device having a control means selected from the group consisting of a fiber optic cable or a coaxial cable.

18. The vehicle disabling device of claim 17 further comprising:

(a) a capacitor discharge device being a thin plate encased in a composite material and embedded in a road surface;

(b) the vehicle disabling device further including a battery, a radio controller, a direct current to alternating current inverter, a step up transformer, a voltage multiplier, two resistors, a safety or bleeder resistor, a capacitor, and a first electrode and a second electrode;

(b) the battery being operably connected to a radio receiver;

(c) the radio controller being operably connected to a direct current inverter to provide for control and operation of the vehicle disabling device;

(d) the direct current to alternating current inverter being connected to the step up transformer in order provide to provide five to ten kilo volts of alternating current; and

(e) the two resistors multiplying the current to about 50 kilo volts to about 140 kilo volts.

19. The vehicle disabling device of claim 18 further comprising:

(a) the current being about 90 kilo volts to about 110 kilo volts; and

(b) the resistors having a resistance in a range of about five to about forty kilo ohms.

20. The vehicle disabling device of claim 19 further comprising:

(a) the resistor having a resistance in a range of about ten to about thirty kilo ohms;

(b) a safety bleeder resistor being connected to the two resistors from the voltage multiplier;

(c) the capacitor being connected in parallel with the safety bleeder resistor and series with each isolation resistor;

(d) a spark gap being connected to the first electrode and the second electrode; and

(e) a disabling current being fired at least once through a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode from contact by the pursued vehicle.

21. The vehicle disabling device of claim 20 further comprising:

(a) a plurality of the thin plate being formed into a defensive array capable of being selectively targeted; and

(b) means for secluding a thin plate to be targeted.

22. A vehicle disabling device mounted on a pursuit vehicle and capable of contacting a pursued vehicle, sending a capacitive discharge therethrough, and disabling at least one electric system of a vehicle;

the vehicle disabling device including a platform and a disabling circuit mounted thereon;

the vehicle disabling device further including;

(a) the disabling circuit including a capacitor discharge device;

(b) a positioning means for placing the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(c) a discharge means for activating the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(d) the discharge means providing sufficient power with low to moderate energy levels to disable only the vehicle; and

(e) a launching means for releasing the vehicle disabling device from the pursuit vehicle to the pursued vehicle.

23. The vehicle disabling device of claim 22 further comprising the launching means being at least one selected from the group consisting of a spring mechanism, a hydraulic ram, an expanding gas, a mortar device, a traction motor device and rocket motor.

24. The vehicle disabling device of claim 23 further comprising the rocket motor being solid fueled and the platform being wire guided.

25. The vehicle disabling device of claim 24 further comprising:

(a) the platform being mounted on the pursuit vehicle;

(b) the platform being wire guided by a cable means to the pursued vehicle;

(c) the cable means including a first cable and a second cable; and

(d) the rocket being fired by a means selected from the group consisting of fuse linked release and a mechanical release.

26. The vehicle disabling device of claim 25 further comprising:

(a) the first cable and the second cable being mounted on a double reel; and

(b) the double reel being a centrifugal brake to control the required substantially equal payout of the first cable and the second cable.

27. The vehicle disabling device of claim 25 further comprising:

(a) the first cable and the second cable being formed by splitting a joined, two-wire cable; and

(b) the joined, two-wire cable being split by a cutting means on the platform as dispersed.

28. The vehicle disabling device of claim 25 further comprising:

(a) the platform including wheels;

(b) a timer arming the rocket;

(c) a fire switch igniting the rocket;

(d) an inverter providing power to the cable; and

(e) the cable activating the disabling device.

29. The vehicle disabling device of claim 28 further comprising:

(a) the platform including wheels;

(b) the inverter being mounted on the pursuit vehicle; and

(c) a step up transformer being mounted on the platform, in order to divide a switch activation and to control activation of the disabling device.

30. The vehicle disabling device of claim 29 further comprising:

(a) a voltage regulator to control of voltage of the disabling device and prevent excess voltage from reaching capacitors; and

(b) an electronic switch being openable upon detection of adequate capacitor voltage by the voltage regulator.

31. A portable vehicle disabling device capable of contacting a pursued vehicle, sending a capacitive discharge therethrough, and disabling at least one electric system of a vehicle;

the vehicle disabling device including a platform and a disabling circuit mounted thereon;

the vehicle disabling device further including;

(a) the disabling circuit including a capacitor discharge device;

(b) a positioning means for placing the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(c) a discharge means for activating the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(d) the discharge means providing sufficient power with low to moderate energy levels to disable only the vehicle;

(e) the portable anti-vehicle electronic counter measure device being positionable where desired;

(f) a radio receiver connected to a battery contained on the platform;

(g) the battery causing an initial voltage input into a step up transformer and a voltage multiplier to form increased voltage; and

(h) the increased voltage being fed through a pair of isolation resistors.

32. The portable vehicle disabling device of claim 31, further comprising:

(a) the isolation resistors being connected to a safety breaker resistor and an energy storage capacitor;

(b) a first car electrode and a second car electrode being connected to the energy storage capacitor; and

(c) a radio receiver for activating the electrodes, and disabling at least one electronic system within the pursued vehicle in contact therewith.

33. A stationary vehicle disabling device capable of contacting a pursued vehicle passing thereover, sending a capacitive discharge therethrough, and disabling at least one electric system of a vehicle;

the vehicle disabling device including a platform and a disabling circuit mounted thereon;

the vehicle disabling device further including;

(a) the disabling circuit including a capacitor discharge device;

(b) a positioning means for placing the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(c) a discharge means for activating the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(d) the discharge means providing sufficient power with low to moderate energy levels to disable only the vehicle;

(e) the portable anti-vehicle electronic counter measure device being positionable where desired;

(f) a radio receiver connected to a battery contained on the platform;

(g) the battery causing an initial voltage input into a step up transformer and a voltage multiplier to form increased voltage;

(h) the increased voltage being fed through a pair of isolation resistors; and

(i) a mounting means for securing the stationary anti-vehicle electronic counter measure device.

34. The stationary vehicle disabling device of claim 33, further comprising the mounting means being at least one selected from the group consisting of glue assembly and spike assembly.

35. The stationary vehicle disabling device of claim 33, further comprising the radio receiver being remotely activated from pursuit vehicle, or an officer in a vehicle or on foot.

36. The stationary vehicle disabling device of claim 33, further comprising the radio receiver being remotely operated.

37. A vehicle disabling device mounted on a pursuit vehicle and capable of contacting a pursued vehicle, sending a capacitive discharge therethrough, and disabling at least one electric system of a vehicle;

the vehicle disabling device including a platform and a disabling circuit mounted thereon;

the vehicle disabling device further including;

(a) the disabling circuit including a capacitor discharge device;

(b) a positioning means for placing the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(c) a discharge means for activating the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(d) the discharge means providing sufficient power with low to moderate energy levels to disable only the vehicle;

(e) a launching means for releasing the vehicle disabling device from the pursuit vehicle to the pursued vehicle;

(f) the launching means being a mortar attached to the pursuit vehicle;

(g) a battery power pack for the mortar chargeable by the pursuit vehicle battery; and

(h) an impact switch for activating the vehicle disabling device on launch.

38. The vehicle disabling device of claim 37 further comprising:

(a) a launch tube for the mortar being mounted on a sabot in an angled mounting bracket;

(b) the angled mounting bracket being mounted on the pursuit vehicle; and

(c) a propellant charge for launching the disabling device from the mortar in the sabot.

39. A vehicle disabling device mounted on a pursuit vehicle and capable of contacting a pursued vehicle, sending a capacitive discharge therethrough, and disabling at least one electric system of a vehicle;

the vehicle disabling device including a platform and a disabling circuit mounted thereon;

the vehicle disabling device further including;

(a) the disabling circuit including a capacitor discharge device;

(b) a positioning means for placing the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(c) a discharge means for activating the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(d) the discharge means providing sufficient power with low to moderate energy levels to disable only the vehicle;

(e) a launching means for releasing the vehicle disabling device from the pursuit vehicle to the pursued vehicle; and

(f) the launching means being a traction motor device attached to the pursuit vehicle;

(g) a battery power pack for the vehicle disabling device chargeable by the pursuit vehicle battery; and

(h) an impact switch for activating the vehicle disabling device on launch.

40. The vehicle disabling device of claim 39, further comprising:

(a) the traction motor device having four traction drive wheels on each corner of the traction motor device;

(b) the four traction drive wheels being operated by a separate motor; and

(c) a constant torque controller being operably connected to each motor to provide torque control and to keep the motors at a constant speed.

41. The vehicle disabling device of claim 40, further comprising:

(a) a cable reel having a joined cable;

(b) a cutting means for separating the joined cable upon launch of the vehicle disabling device; and

(c) a guide means for the split cable.

42. The vehicle disabling device of claim 41, further comprising:

(a) the cutting means being a knife; and

(b) the guide means being at least one tetrafluoroethylene-coated, low friction sleeve.

43. A vehicle disabling device mounted on a pursuit vehicle and capable of contacting a pursued vehicle, sending a capacitive discharge therethrough, and disabling at least one electric system of a vehicle;

the vehicle disabling device including a platform and a disabling circuit mounted thereon;

the vehicle disabling device further including;

(a) the disabling circuit including a capacitor discharge device;

(b) a positioning means for placing the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(c) a discharge means for activating the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(d) the discharge means providing sufficient power with low to moderate energy levels to disable only the vehicle;

(e) a launching means for releasing the vehicle disabling device from the pursuit vehicle to the pursued vehicle; and

(f) a guiding means being a crimped wire device attached to the pursuit vehicle;

(g) a battery power pack for a mortar chargeable by the pursuit vehicle battery; and

(h) an impact switch for activating the vehicle disabling device on launch.

44. The vehicle disabling device of claim 43 further comprising:

(a) the crimped wire device including a length of two strand wire mounted on a reel;

(b) a pair of crimping wheels receive the two strand wire therebetween to form crimped wire; and

(c) a cutting means for the crimp wire to form two cables from the two strand wire.

45. A vehicle disabling device capable of contacting a pursued vehicle, sending a capacitive discharge therethrough, and disabling at least one electric system of a vehicle;

the vehicle disabling device including a platform and a disabling circuit mounted thereon;

the vehicle disabling device further including;

(a) the disabling circuit including a capacitor discharge device;

(b) a positioning means for placing the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(c) a discharge means for activating the vehicle disabling device under the vehicle;

(d) the discharge means providing sufficient power with low to moderate energy levels to disable only the vehicle; and

(e) the positioning means including a wire assembly coiled in a fire hose fashion.

46. A method for disabling a first vehicle, comprising:

(a) administering a capacitive or an inductive discharge to an undercarriage of the first vehicle;

(b) overloading at least one electronic engine control of the vehicle; and

(c) causing failure of the at least one electronic engine control of the first vehicle to disable the vehicle.

47. The method of claim 46 further, comprising:

(a) administering a capacitive or an inductive charge of about 30 to about 400 kilo volts to the first vehicle;

(b) the charge being administered through a bonding wire, a contact block, and a feeder cable inductance;

an arc resistance and a capacitor equivalent series resistance; and

a capacitance for an energy storage capacitor; and

(c) a current flow from the discharge means to the vehicle being based on the formulas;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">Z=(L/C).sup.0.5 +R

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">I=V/Z

with L being is the sum of the inductance for the bonding wire, the contact block, and the feeder cable inductance;

R being the sum total of the arc resistance and the capacitor equivalent series resistance;

C being the capacitance of the energy storage capacitor, I being the current in amps, and V being the voltage.

48. The method of claim 47 further, comprising:

(a) administering a capacitive or an inductive charge to the first vehicle up to about 5 microfarads of capacitance limited by about a 1 to about 2 ohm resistance, which result in less than 1000 Joules of energy with current limited to about 15,000 amperes; and

(b) the charge further providing an electromagnetic field strength of about 150 to 800 volts per meter.

49. The method of claim 48 further comprising administering the capacitive or the inductive charge from a portable source.

50. The method of claim 48 further comprising administering the capacitive or the inductive charge from a fixed source.

51. The method of claim 48 further comprising administering the capacitive or the inductive charge from a launched source.

52. The method of claim 51 further comprising the launched source being a second vehicle with a rocket powered assist.

53. A vehicle disabling device capable of contacting a pursued vehicle, sending a capacitive discharge therethrough, and disabling at least one electric system of a vehicle;

the vehicle disabling device including a platform and a disabling circuit mounted thereon;

the vehicle disabling device further including;

(a) the disabling circuit including a electromagnetic pulse generating device;

(b) a positioning means for placing the vehicle disabling device under the pursued vehicle;

(c) a discharge means for activating the vehicle disabling device under the pursued vehicle;

(d) the discharge means providing sufficient power with low to moderate energy levels to disable only the vehicle;

(e) the discharge means providing about 30 to about 400 kilo volts to the pursued vehicle;

(f) the discharge means including a bonding wire, a contact block, and a feeder cable inductance;

an arc resistance; and

(g) the discharge means further providing an electromagnetic field strength of about 150 to 800 volts per meter.