Apparatus and methods for evaluating cew energy cell performance

Abstract

A method and apparatus for evaluating CEW performance, in particular by evaluating a battery pack condition state via direct or indirect means. A two-tier load test for a CEW battery pack and an indirect wireless spark analysis tool are disclosed.

1 . A method for measuring a CEW device output comprising:
 connecting input terminals of a load module to output terminals of the CEW device;   connecting a non-inductive high voltage load resistor to the input terminals;   connecting a gas discharge tube (GDT) to the high voltage load resistor; and   providing measurement ports on the load module, wherein during a discharge of the CEW device an arc from the output terminals is contained within the GDT and then current and voltage measurements are made at the measurement ports using an external measurement device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the non-inductive high voltage load resistor is connected in series to the gas discharge tube (GDT) 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the load module is a portable device having spring-loaded input terminals allowing for direct galvanic connection to the output terminals of the CEW device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the load module is contained within a portable housing which engages the output terminals of the CEW device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the load module is included within a system used to evaluate CEW output. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for a direct galvanic connection to output terminals of a CEW device comprising:
 a load module having a load module with input terminals for connection to CEW output terminals of the CEW device and output terminals for connection to a current and voltage signal measurement instrument, with at least one non-inductive high voltage load resistor and a gas discharge tube (GDT) are connected between the input terminals and output terminals of the load module, wherein during a discharge of the CEW device an arc from the output terminals of the CEW device is contained within the GDT and then current or voltage measurements are made at the output terminals using an external measurement device.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the non-inductive high voltage load resistor is connected in series to the gas discharge tube (GDT) 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the gas discharge tube (GDT) is connected in series to a loop forming a current probe port which in turn connects to the input terminals for connection to the CEW output terminals. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the non-inductive high voltage load resistor is connected to voltage probe ports facilitating connection to a voltage signal measurement instrument. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for a direct galvanic connection to output terminals of a CEW device comprising:
 a load module having a housing with input terminals for connection to CEW output terminals of the CEW device and output terminals for connection to a current and voltage signal measurement instrument, with at least one non-inductive high voltage load resistor and a gas discharge tube (GDT) connected between the input terminals and output terminals of the load module, with the output terminals allowing for measurement across the high voltage load resistor and the gas discharge tube (GDT) during discharge of the CEW device without an air-gap discharge between the CEW output terminals of the CEW device.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the non-inductive high voltage load resistor is connected in series to the gas discharge tube (GDT) 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the gas discharge tube (GDT) is connected in series to a loop forming a current probe port which in turn connects to the input terminals for connection to the CEW output terminals. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the non-inductive high voltage load resistor is connected to voltage probe ports facilitating connection to voltage signal measurement instrument. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the load module is a portable device adapted to engage the CEW device at a remote location. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the load module is included within a non-portable CEW evaluation test station. 
     
     
         16 . A method of wirelessly receiving a signal generated by a high energy pulse train emitted during operation of a CEW device, said method comprising:
 receiving with a wireless receiver a pulsed signal emitted from the CEW device when the CEW is deployed;   providing a pulse shaping circuit and modifying the signal with the pulse shaping circuit; and   providing a trigger signal when deployment of the CEW device is detected.