Systems and methods for immobilizing using plural energy stores

• US 7,145,762 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2003
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Nerheim, Magne
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Danny
• Application Number:
  US10/364,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20040156162A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• Field of Search: 361/230, 361/231, 361/232, 363/107, 363/109, 363/120, 463/47.3, 463/47.4, 42/10.8, 102/502
• US Class Current: 361/323
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 3/00 Pistols, e.g. revolvers specially adapted for underwater use F41C9/06; for slaughtering or stunning animals A22B; for shooting bolts into concrete constructions, metal walls or the like B25C
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0012 Electrical discharge weapons, e.g. for stunning
• CPC Class Codes: H05C 1/04 providing pulse voltages mechanical self-interrupters H01H; electronic pulse-generators H03K

Abstract

An electronic disabling device includes first and second electrodes positionable to establish first and second spaced apart contact points on a target having a high impedance air gap existing between at least one of the electrodes and the target. The power supply generates a first high voltage, short duration output across the first and second electrodes during a first time interval to ionize air within the air gap to thereby reduce the high impedance across the air gap to a lower impedance to enable current flow across the air gap at a lower voltage level. The power supply next generates a second lower voltage, longer duration output across the first and second electrodes during a second time interval to maintain the current flow across the first and second electrodes and between the first and second contact points on the target to enable the current flow through the target to cause involuntary muscle contractions to thereby immobilize the target.

Claims

1. An electronic disabling device for disabling a target comprising:

a. first and second electrodes that establish first and second spaced apart points in or near the target wherein a gap exists between at least one of the electrodes and the target; and

b. a high voltage power supply comprising an output circuit for switching into and operating in a first output circuit configuration to generate a first higher voltage output across the first and second electrodes during a first time interval to ionize air within the gap and to enable a current across the gap and for subsequently switching into and operating in a second output circuit configuration to generate a second lower voltage output across the first and second electrodes during a second time interval to maintain the current through the target thereby producing involuntary muscle contractions that disable the target;

c. wherein the first output circuit configuration comprises;

(1) a first energy storage capacitor having a first voltage across the first energy storage capacitor;

(2) a voltage multiplier coupled between the first energy storage capacitor and the gap for providing a multiplied voltage across the gap higher than the first voltage; and

(3) a first switch operated after the first voltage reaches a first magnitude and operated to release energy from the first energy storage capacitor to generate the first higher voltage output through the voltage multiplier to ionize air in the gap; and

d. wherein the second output circuit configuration comprises;

(1) a second energy storage capacitor; and

(2) a second switch operated after operation of the first switch and operated to release energy from the second energy storage capacitor to generate the second lower voltage output not multiplied by the voltage multiplier to maintain the current through the target.

2. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein the first switch decouples the first energy storage capacitor from the gap after the second switch begins generating the second lower voltage output.

3. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein the second switch interrupts the current after the second energy storage capacitor discharges to a predetermined voltage magnitude.

4. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second switches comprise a voltage activated switch.

5. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein the first switch comprises a first spark gap having a first breakdown voltage and the second switch comprises a second spark gap having a second breakdown voltage greater than the first breakdown voltage.

6. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein the first energy storage capacitor has substantially greater capacitance than the second energy storage capacitor.

7. The electronic disabling device of claim 3 further comprising a controller for generating a series of pulses of the current having a pulse repetition rate by disabling the high voltage power supply for each respective period between pulses of the series beginning about the time the current is interrupted and extending for a respective duration in accordance with a respective duration of operation in the second output circuit configuration preceding interruption of the current.

8. The electronic disabling device of claim 7 wherein disabling the which voltage lower supply comprises disabling charging the first energy storage capacitor.

9. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein the voltage multiplier comprises a step-up transformer.

10. The electronic disabling device of claim 9 wherein a secondary winding of the step-up transformer is coupled in series with the discharge path of the second energy storage capacitor.

11. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein operation of the first switch is for a period of about 1.5 microseconds.

12. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein the first magnitude is about 2000 volts.

13. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein the second energy storage capacitor has a capacitance less than or about 0.02 microfarads.

14. The electronic disabling device of claim 4 wherein the activation voltage of the first switch is less than the activation voltage of the second switch.

15. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein the first energy storage capacitor has a capacitance less than or about 0.14 microfarads.

16. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein the second switch enables generating the second lower voltage output for about 50 microseconds.

17. The electronic disabling device of claim 5 wherein the second breakdown voltage is substantially greater than a voltage across the second energy storage capacitor.

18. The electronic disabling device of claim 14 wherein the first activation voltage is about 2000 volts and the second activation voltage is about 3000 volts.

19. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein the first energy storage capacitor stores less than or about 0.28 joules.

20. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein the second energy storage capacitor stores less than or about 0.04 joules.

21. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein an energy stored by the first energy storage capacitor is about 7 times an energy stored by the second energy storage capacitor.

22. The electronic disabling device of claim 1 wherein a ratio of a duration of operation in the second output circuit configuration and a duration of operation in the first output circuit configuration is about 33.

23. A method for disabling a target comprising:

a. charging a first and a second energy storage capacitor during a first time interval;

b. coupling the first energy storage capacitor to a voltage multiplier when a voltage across the first energy storage capacitor exceeds a voltage threshold;

c. discharging the first energy storage capacitor through the voltage multiplier during a second time interval to generate a multiplied voltage across a first and a second electrode;

d. positioning the first and second electrodes in or near the target wherein a high impedance air gap exists between at least one of the positioned electrodes and the target;

e. establishing a reduced impedance ionized pathway across the air gap; and

f. in response to the multiplied voltage, coupling the second energy storage capacitor to the first and second electrodes and not multiplied by the voltage multiplier to provide a current through the ionized air gap, the target, and the first and second electrodes during a third time interval.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein charging is completed when the first and second energy storage capacitors are charged to substantially equal voltage magnitudes during the first time interval.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein a capacitance of the first energy storage capacitor substantially exceeds a capacitance of the second energy storage capacitor.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the voltage multiplier comprises a step-up transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding and wherein a discharge current from the first energy storage capacitor passes through the primary winding.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the multiplied voltage substantially exceeds the voltage threshold.

28. The method of claim 23 wherein a duration of the second time interval is substantially shorter than a duration of the third time interval.

29. The method of claim 23 wherein coupling the first energy storage capacitor comprises using a first spark gap having a first breakdown voltage substantially equal to the voltage threshold.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein coupling the second energy storage capacitor comprises using a second spark gap having a second breakdown voltage greater than the first breakdown voltage.

31. The method of claim 23 wherein positioning the first and second output electrodes comprises propelling respective lengths of wire that each span a distance toward the target.

32. An apparatus for impeding locomotion by a target, the apparatus for use with a provided electrode for conducting a current through the target, the apparatus comprising:

a step-up transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding, the electrode coupled to receive energy for the current from the secondary winding;

a first capacitance that discharges through the primary winding to provide energy for the current so that the current establishes an arc in series between the electrode and the target; and

a second capacitance that discharges through the secondary winding to provide energy for the current through the established arc;

wherein

the first capacitance discharges for a first period;

the second capacitance discharges for a second period greater than the first period; and

the current produces contractions in skeletal muscles of the target to impede locomotion by the target.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the first period is about 1.5 microseconds.

34. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the second period is about 50 microseconds.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein a ratio of the second period to the first period is about 33.

36. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a switch, in series between the second capacitance and the secondary winding, that operates to discharge the second capacitance.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the switch operates in response to discharging of the first capacitance through the primary winding.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the switch operates in response to a voltage of the secondary winding.

39. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a first spark gap in series between the second capacitance and the secondary winding that conducts to discharge the second capacitance.

40. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a voltage activated switch, in series between the second, capacitance and the secondary winding, that operates to discharge the second capacitance, wherein the activation voltage is greater than a voltage across the second capacitance.

41. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein:

the first capacitance discharges a first quantity of energy through the primary winding; and

the second capacitance discharges a second quantity of energy through the secondary winding less than the first quantity.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the first quantity is less than or about 0.28 joules.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the second quantity is less than or about 0.04 joules.

44. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein a ratio of the first quantity to the second quantity is about 7.

45. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the first capacitance comprises less than or about 0.14 microfarads.

46. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the second capacitance comprises less than or about 0.02 microfarads.

47. An apparatus for impeding locomotion by a target, the apparatus for use with a provided electrode for conducting a current through the target, the apparatus comprising:

a step-up transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding, the electrode coupled to receive enemy for the current from the secondary winding;

a first capacitance that discharges through the primary winding to provide energy for the current so that the current establishes an arc in series between the electrode and the target; and

a second capacitance that discharges through the secondary winding to provide energy for the current through the established arc;

a first spark gap in series between the first capacitance and the primary winding; and

a second spark gap in series between the second capacitance and the secondary winding that conducts to discharge the second capacitance;

wherein

the second spark gap has a breakdown voltage greater than a breakdown voltage of the first spark gap; and

the current produces contractions in skeletal muscles of the target to impede locomotion by the target.

48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the first breakdown voltage is about 2000 volts.

49. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the second breakdown voltage is about 3000 volts.

50. An apparatus for impeding locomotion by a target, the apparatus for use with a provided first electrode and a provided second electrode, the first and second electrodes for conducting a current through the target, the apparatus comprising:

a step-up transformer comprising a primary winding, a first secondary winding, and a second secondary winding, the first electrode coupled to receive energy for the current from the first secondary winding, the second electrode coupled to receive energy for the current from the second secondary winding;

a first capacitance that discharges through the primary winding to provide energy for the current so that the current establishes an arc in series between at least one of the first and second electrodes and the target; and

a second capacitance that discharges through the first secondary winding to provide energy for the current through the established arc;

wherein

the first capacitance discharges for a first period;

the second capacitance discharges for a second period greater than the first period; and

the current produces contractions in skeletal muscles of the target to impede locomotion by the target.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the first period is about 1.5 microseconds.

52. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the second period is about 50 microseconds.

53. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein a ratio of the second period to the first period is about 33.

54. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising a switch in series between the second capacitance and the first secondary winding that conducts to discharge the second capacitance.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the switch closes in response to discharging of the first capacitance through the primary winding.

56. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the switch closes in response to a voltage of the secondary winding.

57. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising a first spark gap in series between the second capacitance and the secondary winding that conducts to discharge the second capacitance.

58. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising a voltage activated switch, in series between the second capacitance and the secondary winding, that operates to discharge the second capacitance, wherein the activation voltage is greater than a voltage across the second capacitance.

59. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein:

the first capacitance discharges a first quantity of energy through the primary winding; and

the second capacitance discharges a second quantity of energy through the first secondary winding less than the first quantity.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the first quantity is less than or about 0.28 joules.

61. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the second quantity is less than or about 0.04 joules.

62. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein a ratio of the first quantity to the second quantity is about 7.

63. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the first capacitance comprises less than or about 0.14 microfarads.

64. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the second capacitance comprises less than or about 0.02 microfarads.

65. An apparatus for impeding locomotion by a target, the apparatus for use with a provided first electrode and a provided second electrode, the first and second electrodes for conducting a current through the target, the apparatus comprising:

a step-up transformer comprising a primary winding, a first secondary winding, and a second secondary winding, the first electrode coupled to receive energy for the current from the first secondary winding, the second electrode coupled to receive energy for the current from the second secondary winding;

a first capacitance that discharges through the primary winding to provide energy for the current so that the current establishes an arc in series between at least one of the first and second electrodes and the target;

a second capacitance that discharges through the first secondary winding to provide energy for the current through the established arc;

a first spark gap in series between the first capacitance and the primary winding; and

a second spark gap in series between the second capacitance and the secondary winding that conducts to discharge the second capacitance;

wherein

the second spark gap has a breakdown voltage greater than a breakdown voltage of the first spark gap; and

the current produces contractions in skeletal muscles of the target to impede locomotion by the target.

66. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the first breakdown voltage is about 2000 volts.

67. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the second breakdown voltage is about 3000 volts.

68. An apparatus for impeding locomotion by a target, the apparatus for use with a provided electrode for conducting a current through the target, the apparatus comprising:

a first capacitance that discharges to provide energy for the current so that the current establishes an arc in series between the electrode and the target;

a second capacitance that discharges to provide energy for the current through the established arc;

a first switch that operates to discharge the first capacitance; and

a second switch that operates to discharge the second capacitance in response to discharging of the first capacitance;

wherein

the second capacitance is not substantially discharged without operation of the second switch, and wherein;

the first capacitance discharges for a first period;

the second capacitance discharges for a second period greater than the first period; and

the current produces contractions in skeletal muscles of the target to impede locomotion by the target.

69. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein the first period is about 1.5 microseconds.

70. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein the second period is about 50 microseconds.

71. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein a ratio of the second period to the first period is about 33.

72. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein the second switch operates in response to a multiplied voltage of the first capacitance.

73. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein the second switch comprises a first spark gap that conducts to discharge the second capacitance.

74. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein the first capacitance comprises less than or about 0.14 microfarads.

75. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein the second capacitance comprises less than or about 0.02 microfarads.

76. An apparatus for impeding locomotion by a target, the apparatus for use with a provided electrode for conducting a current through the target, the apparatus comprising:

a first capacitance that discharges to provide energy for the current so that the current establishes an arc in series between the electrode and the target;

a second capacitance that discharges to provide energy for the current through the established arc;

a first switch, comprising a first spark gap, that operates to discharge the first capacitance; and

a second switch, comprising a second spark gap, that operates to discharge the second capacitance in response to discharging of the first capacitance, the second capacitance not substantially discharged without operation of the second switch;

wherein

the second spark gap has a breakdown voltage greater than a breakdown voltage of the first spark gap; and

the current produces contractions in skeletal muscles of the target to impede locomotion by the target.

77. The apparatus of claim 76 wherein the first breakdown voltage is about 2000 volts.

78. The apparatus of claim 76 wherein the second breakdown voltage is about 3000 volts.

79. A method performed by a weapon for impeding locomotion by a target by passing a current through the target, the method comprising:

discharging a first capacitance to provide energy for ionizing air between an electrode of the weapon and the target;

after beginning discharging of the first capacitance, operating a switch for discharging a second capacitance to provide energy for the current through the ionized air, the second capacitance not substantially discharged without operating the switch;

wherein

discharging the first capacitance comprises discharging for a first period;

discharging the second capacitance comprises discharging for a second period greater than the first period; and

the current passes through the target for impeding locomotion by the target.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein the first period is about 1.5 microseconds.

81. The method of claim 79 wherein the second period is about 50 microseconds.

82. The method of claim 79 wherein a ratio of the second period to the first period is about 33.

83. An apparatus for impeding locomotion by a target, the apparatus for use with a provided electrode for conducting a current through the target, the apparatus comprising:

a first capacitance that discharges to provide energy for the current so that the current establishes an arc in series between the electrode and the target;

a second capacitance that discharges to provide energy for the current through the established arc;

a first switch that operates to discharge the first capacitance; and

a second switch that operates to discharge the second capacitance in response to discharging of the first capacitance;

wherein

the second capacitance is not substantially discharged without operation of the second switch;

the second switch comprises a voltage activated switch that operates to discharge the second capacitance, wherein;

the activation voltage is greater than a voltage across the second capacitance; and

the current produces contractions in skeletal muscles of the target to impede locomotion by the target.

84. An apparatus for impeding locomotion by a target, the apparatus for use with a provided electrode for conducting a current through the target, the apparatus comprising:

a first capacitance that discharges to provide energy for the current so that the current establishes an arc in series between the electrode and the target;

a second capacitance that discharges to provide energy for the current through the established arc;

a first switch that operates to discharge the first capacitance; and

a second switch that operates to discharge the second capacitance in response to discharging of the first capacitance;

wherein

the second capacitance is not substantially discharged without operation of the second switch;

the first capacitance discharges a first quantity of energy to establish the arc;

the second capacitance discharges a second quantity of energy to impede locomotion by the target, the second quantity being less than the first quantity; and

the current produces contractions in skeletal muscles of the target to impede locomotion by the target.

85. The apparatus of claim 84 wherein the first quantity is less than or about 0.28 joules.

86. The apparatus of claim 84 wherein the second quantity is less than or about 0.04 joules.

87. The apparatus of claim 84 wherein a ratio of the first quantity to the second quantity is about 7.

88. A method performed by a weapon for impeding locomotion by a target by passing a current through the target, the method comprising:

discharging a first capacitance, through a voltage multiplies to provide energy at a multiplied voltage for ionizing air between an electrode of the weapon and the target; and

after beginning discharging of the first capacitance, operating a switch for discharging a second capacitance to provide energy for the current through the ionized air, the second capacitance not substantially discharged without operating the switch, the current passing through the target for impeding locomotion by the target.

89. The method of claim 88 wherein discharging the second capacitance is performed not through the voltage multiplier.

90. The method of claim 88 wherein the voltage multiplier comprises a step-up transformer.

91. The method of claim 90 wherein discharging the second capacitance comprises discharging the second capacitance through a secondary winding of the transformer.

92. The method of claim 91 wherein the switch operates in response to a voltage of the secondary winding.

93. The method of claim 90 further comprising conducting the current through a second electrode coupled to a second secondary winding of the transformer.

94. The method of claim 90 wherein:

discharging the first capacitance comprises discharging through a first spark gap in series between the first capacitance and a primary winding of the transformer;

discharging the second capacitance comprises discharging through a second spark gap in series between the second capacitance and a secondary winding of the transformer, the switch comprising the second spark gap; and

the second spark gap has a breakdown voltage greater than a breakdown voltage of the first spark gap.

95. The method of claim 90 wherein:

discharging the first capacitance comprises discharging a first quantity of energy through a primary winding of the transformer;

discharging the second capacitance comprises discharging a second quantity of energy through a secondary winding; and

the second quantity is less than the first quantity.

96. The method of claim 94 wherein the first breakdown voltage is about 2000 volts.

97. The method of claim 94 wherein the second breakdown voltage is about 3000 volts.

98. The method of claim 95 wherein the first quantity is less than or about 0.28 joules.

99. The method of claim 95 wherein the second quantity is less than or about 0.04 joules.

100. The method of claim 95 wherein a ratio of the first quantity to the second quantity is about 7.

101. The method of claim 88 wherein:

the method further comprises charging the second capacitance to provide a voltage across the second capacitance;

discharging the second capacitance comprises discharging through a voltage activated switch, the switch comprising the voltage activated switch; and

the activation voltage is greater than the voltage across the second capacitance.

102. The method of claim 88 further comprising propelling the electrode toward the target.

103. The method of claim 88 further comprising:

charging the first capacitance to provide a first voltage across the first capacitance; and

charging the second capacitance to provide a second voltage across the second capacitance different from the first voltage.

104. The method of claim 88 wherein discharging the second capacitance comprises discharging through the switch.

105. The method of claim 88 wherein the switch operates in response to discharging the first capacitance.

106. The method of claim 88 wherein discharging the second capacitance comprises discharging through a spark gap, the switch comprising the spark gap.

107. The method of claim 88 wherein the first capacitance comprises less than or about 0.14 microfarads.

108. The method of claim 88 wherein the second capacitance comprises less than or about 0.02 microfarads.