Systems and methods for activating a propellant for an electronic weapon

Abstract

A deployment unit, for use by a provided electronic weapon, includes an electrode, a propellant, a first circuit that receives a first signal from the weapon for activating the propellant that propels the electrode toward a provided target, and a second circuit that receives a second signal from the weapon for passing a current through the electrode and through the target to interfere with locomotion by the target. The second circuit is decoupled from the first circuit to the extent that the second signal is insufficient to activate the propellant. A method performed by a deployment unit for an electronic weapon includes receiving from the weapon a first signal for activating a propellant of the deployment unit that propels an electrode of the deployment unit toward a provided target; and receiving a second signal from the weapon for passing a current through the electrode and through the target to interfere with locomotion by the target. The maximum open circuit voltage of the first signal is less than the maximum open circuit voltage of the second signal. The propellant cannot be activated without receiving the first signal. The propellant is not activated in response to receiving the second signal.

1 . A method performed by a deployment unit for an electronic weapon, the method comprising: 
 receiving from the weapon a first signal for activating a propellant of the deployment unit that propels an electrode of the deployment unit toward a provided target;    receiving a second signal from the weapon for passing a current through the electrode and through the target to interfere with locomotion by the target wherein a maximum open circuit voltage of the first signal is less than a maximum open circuit voltage of the second signal.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the propellant cannot be activated without receiving the first signal.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the propellant is not activated in response to receiving the second signal.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein an energy of the first signal activates the propellant.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the maximum open circuit voltage of the first signal is less than about 1000 volts.  
   
   
       6 . A method performed by a deployment unit for an electronic weapon, the method comprising: 
 receiving a first signal from the weapon for activating a propellant of the deployment unit that propels an electrode of the deployment unit toward a provided target; and    receiving a second signal from the weapon for passing a current through the electrode and through the target to interfere with locomotion by the target;    wherein:    a maximum open circuit voltage of the first signal is less than a maximum open circuit voltage of the second signal;    the propellant cannot be activated without receiving the first signal;    the propellant is not activated in response to receiving the second signal;    an energy of the first signal activates the propellant; and    the maximum open circuit voltage of the first signal is less than about 1000 volts.    
   
   
       7 . A deployment unit, for use by a provided electronic weapon, the deployment unit comprising: 
 a. an electrode;    b. a propellant;    c. a first circuit that receives a first signal from the weapon for activating the propellant that propels the electrode toward a provided target; and    d. a second circuit that receives a second signal from the weapon for passing a current through the electrode and through the target to interfere with locomotion by the target; wherein    e. the second circuit is decoupled from the first circuit to the extent that the second signal is insufficient to activate the propellant.    
   
   
       8 . The deployment unit of  claim 7  wherein the first circuit comprises a conductor that conveys the first signal to the propellant.  
   
   
       9 . The deployment unit of  claim 7  wherein the second circuit comprises a conductor that conveys the second signal to the electrode.  
   
   
       10 . The deployment unit of  claim 7  wherein: 
 a. the first circuit comprises a first conductor that conveys the first signal to the propellant; and    b. the second circuit comprises a second conductor that conveys the second signal to the electrode.    
   
   
       11 . The deployment unit of  claim 10  wherein the second conductor is insulated from the first conductor.  
   
   
       12 . The deployment unit of  claim 10  wherein the second conductor is isolated from the first conductor.  
   
   
       13 . The deployment unit of  claim 10  wherein: 
 a. the first conductor is located proximate to a rear face of the deployment unit; and    b. the second conductor is located proximate to a front face of the deployment unit.    
   
   
       14 . The deployment unit of  claim 7  wherein the second circuit comprises a conductive tether that conducts the current.  
   
   
       15 . The deployment unit of  claim 7  wherein the second circuit comprises a terminal that supports an ionized pathway for receiving the second signal.  
   
   
       16 . The deployment unit of  claim 7  wherein the propellant comprises a pyrotechnic charge.  
   
   
       17 . A deployment unit, for use by a provided electronic weapon, the deployment unit comprising: 
 a. an electrode;    b. a propellant comprising a pyrotechnic charge;    c. a first circuit that receives a first signal from the weapon for activating the propellant that propels the electrode toward a provided target, the first circuit comprising a first conductor that conveys the first signal to the propellant, the first conductor being located proximate to a rear face of the deployment unit; and    d. a second circuit that receives a second signal from the weapon for passing a current through the electrode and through the target to interfere with locomotion by the target; wherein:    e. the second circuit is decoupled from the first circuit to the extent that the second signal is insufficient to activate the propellant, the second circuit comprising a terminal that supports an ionized pathway for receiving the second signal and a conductive tether that conducts the current to the electrode, the terminal being isolated from the first conductor and located proximate to a front face of the deployment unit.