System and method for selectively disabling a vehicle
First Claim
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1. A system for selectively disabling a vehicle comprising:
- first means for locating a vehicle to be disabled;
second means for launching a disabling projectile toward said vehicle; and
third means for suffocating an engine of said vehicle via said projectile, thereby disabling said vehicle.
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Abstract
A system for selectively disabling a vehicle. In the illustrative embodiment, the system adapted to prevent high-speed automotive chases. The system includes a first mechanism for locating vehicle to be disabled. A second mechanism launches a disabling projectile toward the vehicle. A third mechanism employs the projectile to disable the vehicle by suffocating an engine of the vehicle or otherwise compromising the fuel/air mixture. In a specific embodiment, and an infrared guidance system guides the projectile toward a muffler of the vehicle, and a muffler-plugging agent incorporated within the projectile plugs a muffler.
18 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for selectively disabling a vehicle comprising:
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first means for locating a vehicle to be disabled; second means for launching a disabling projectile toward said vehicle; and third means for suffocating an engine of said vehicle via said projectile, thereby disabling said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for disabling a vehicle comprising:
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a muffler-clogging agent and means for selectively activating said muffler-clogging agent to effect clogging of a muffler of said vehicle in response to a predetermined condition. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for disabling a vehicle comprising:
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a muffler-clogging agent incorporated within a projectile; means for directing said projectile toward a muffler of said vehicle, wherein said means for directing includes a targeting and guidance system employing infrared energy emanating from said muffler, wherein said system further includes a controller in communication with said targeting and guidance system for providing control signals to control steering actuators positioned on or within said projectile; and means for selectively activating said muffler-clogging agent to effect clogging of a muffler of said vehicle in response to a predetermined condition, said means for selectively activating including a Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) fuze that is armed upon launch of said projectile and activated upon impact of said projectile with said muffler. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A system for selectively disabling a vehicle comprising:
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first means for determining a location of a muffler of said vehicle; second means for launching a projectile toward said muffler; and third means for clogging said muffler via said projectile. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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21. A system for selectively disabling a vehicle comprising:
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first means for launching a projectile toward said muffler; second means for determining a location of a muffler of said vehicle, wherein said first means includes a target tracking system remotely positioned relative to said projectile, said target tracking system capable of tracking said location of said muffler and providing a signal in response thereto and an infrared imaging system for receiving infrared energy from a scene containing said muffler and providing an infrared image in response thereto to said tracking system; third means for guiding said projectile to said muffler based on said location of said muffler as determined by said second means, wherein said third means further includes fourth means for receiving said signal, said fourth means positioned on said projectile and capable of controlling a direction of flight of said projectile based on said signal; and fifth means for clogging said muffler via said projectile. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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26. A system for selectively disabling a vehicle comprising:
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first means for launching a projectile toward a muffler of said vehicle; second means for determining a location of said muffler, said first means including an infrared seeker installed on said projectile, said infrared seeker capable of tracking said location of said muffler based on heat emanating from said muffler; third means for guiding said projectile to said muffler based on said location of said muffler as determine by said second means, said third means including fourth means for controlling a trajectory of said projectile via one or more steering actuators positioned on said projectile, said fourth means responsive to control signals based on output from said infrared seeker; and fifth means for clogging said muffler via said projectile.
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28. A system for selectively disabling a vehicle comprising:
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first means for determining a location of a muffler of said vehicle; second means for launching a projectile toward said muffler; third means for guiding said projectile to said muffler based on said location of said muffler as determine by said first means, wherein said third means includes a boresight guidance system that includes an imaging system in communication with a controller, said controller forwarding guidance signals to a receiver on said projectile for controlling actuators on said projectile to steer said projectile toward a boresight of said imaging system, said boresight approximately aligned with said muffler; and fourth means for clogging said muffler via said projectile.
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29. A system for selectively disabling a vehicle comprising:
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first means for determining a location of a muffler of said vehicle; second means for launching a projectile toward said muffler; third means for guiding said projectile to said muffler based on said location of said muffler as determine by said first means; and fourth means for clogging said muffler via said projectile, said fourth means including a muffler-clogging agent on or within said projectile that includes plural beads, said beads including means for expanding upon lodging within said muffler, thereby sufficiently restricting exhaust flow from said muffler to cause said vehicle lose power and/or stall; wherein said muffler-clogging agent further includes foam or sponge material and/or a substance that hardens in response to heat from said muffler and/or said charge; and a fuze in communication with a charge, said charge sufficient to disperse said muffler-clogging agent from said projectile in response to activation by said fuze.
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30. A system for selectively disabling a vehicle comprising:
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first means for locating a vehicle to be disabled; second means for adhering a disabling projectile to said vehicle; and third means for suffocating an engine of said vehicle via said projectile, thereby disabling said vehicle.
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Specification