METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DISRUPT THE ENGINE OF A VEHICLE

• US 20120173120A1
• Filed: 02/13/2012
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Kaufman, Steven L., White, Jack E., Hougo, Vincent C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,079,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/102
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 for stopping the engine

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to transmit a range of frequencies targeting a vehicle, monitoring performance of an engine of the vehicle, determining a first frequency in the range of frequencies that disrupts operation of the engine, and dwelling on the first frequency to disrupt the engine, reducing power and continuing to dwell at the first frequency to maintain disruption of the engine.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a transmit antenna;

a controller to control frequencies transmitted by the transmit antenna;

a receive antenna; and

a signal processor to process information from the receive antenna to identify a frequency transmitted by the transmit antenna that disrupts operation of an engine of a vehicle, wherein the controller controls the signal transmitted by the transmit antenna to dwell on the frequency that disrupts the engine.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a range of frequencies for transmission by the transmit antenna range in specific region of the VHF/UHF bands.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the information from the receive antenna includes ignition timing.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the dwell frequency disrupts operation of an engine control unit (ECU) coupled to the engine.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the transmit antenna comprises an array.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is mounted on a vehicle.

7. The system according to claim 1, further including a vehicle checkpoint.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises or more of an automobile, a truck, a boat, a helicopter, and/or snowmobile.

8. A vehicle checkpoint system, comprising:

at least one system to disable vehicles, comprising;

a transmit antenna;

a controller to control frequencies transmitted by the transmit antenna;

a receive antenna; and

a signal processor to process information from the receive antenna to identify a frequency transmitted by the transmit antenna that disrupts operation of an engine, wherein the controller controls the signal transmitted by the transmit antenna to dwell on the frequency that disrupts the engine.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one system to disable vehicles is hidden.

10. A method, comprising:

transmitting a range of frequencies targeting a vehicle;

monitoring performance of an engine of the vehicle;

determining a first frequency in the range of frequencies that disrupts operation of the engine from the engine performance monitoring; and

dwelling on the first frequency to maintain disruption of the engine.

12. The method according to claim 10, further including reducing a power of the first frequency after the engine is disabled to a level that prevents engine restart.

13. The method according to claim 10, further including monitoring the vehicles at a vehicle checkpoint.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein a range of frequencies for transmission by the transmit antenna range in specific regions of the VHF /UHF bands.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the information from the receive antenna includes ignition timing.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the dwell frequency disrupts operation of an engine control unit (ECU) coupled to the engine.