Systems and methods for ionization using adjusted energy

• US 8,456,793 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2012
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Brundula, Steven N. D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Danny
• Application Number:
  US13/421,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20120176722A1
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 361/232, 42/10.8, 102/502
• US Class Current: 361/232
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0025 for remote electrical discharge via conducting wires, e.g. via wire-tethered electrodes shot at a target
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0031 for remote electrical discharge by means of a wireless projectile
• CPC Class Codes: H05C 1/06 operating only when touched

Abstract

A method, performed by a driver, provides a current through a load after ionization that forms a circuit for the current through the load. The method includes, in any practical order, (a) accomplishing a first ionization; (b) in response to the first ionization, determining a first energy; and (c) attempting a second ionization using a second energy less than the first energy.

Claims

1. A driver for providing current through a load, the load including an ionizable path, the driver comprising:

an ionization detector; and

a signal generator;

wherein;

the signal generator provides, in a first operation of the signal generator, a first voltage to ionize the ionization path, and after ionization provides a first portion of the current through the load;

the ionization detector provides indicia of a first quantity of energy for ionization in response to detecting ionization during the first operation of the signal generator;

the signal generator provides, in a second operation of the signal generator, a second voltage to ionize the ionization path, and after ionization provides a second portion of the current through the load; and

the second voltage corresponds to a second quantity of energy less than the first quantity of energy.

4. The driver of claim 1 wherein:

a. the load comprises a human or animal target; and

b. the driver further comprises a wire-tethered electrode launched toward the target to form a circuit through the target for the current.

5. The driver of claim 1 wherein the ionization detector comprises a comparator that detects discharge of a capacitance.

6. The driver of claim 1 wherein detecting ionization comprises detecting discharge of a capacitance.

7. The driver of claim 1 wherein:

a. the ionization detector comprises a local gap of air; and

b. detecting ionization comprises detecting ionization of the local gap.

2. The driver of 1 further comprising a battery that provides the first quantity of energy and the second quantity of energy.

3. A driver for providing current through a load, the load including an ionizable path, the driver comprising:

an ionization detector;

a control circuit that determines, in response to the detector, a respective quantity of energy for each pulse of a plurality of pulses to be generated;

an energy sourcing circuit responsive to the control circuit; and

a pulse generator that for each pulse of the plurality of pulses, receives the respective quantity of energy from the energy sourcing circuit, provides in response to the respective quantity of energy a respective voltage to ionize the ionization path, and while the ionizable path is ionized, provides the current through the load circuit.

8. The driver of claim 3 wherein:

a. the load comprises a human or animal target; and

b. the driver further comprises a wire-tethered electrode launched toward the target to form a circuit through the target for the current.

9. The driver of claim 3 wherein ionization detector comprises a comparator that provides a logic signal to the control circuit responsive to discharge of a capacitance.

10. The driver of claim 3 wherein detecting ionization comprises detecting discharge of a capacitance.

11. The driver of claim 3 wherein:

a. the ionization detector comprises a local gap of air; and

b. detecting ionization comprises detecting ionization of the local gap.

12. The driver of claim 3 wherein ionization detector comprises a voltage divider that provides a logic signal to the control circuit responsive to discharge of a capacitance.