Unmanned aerial vehicle with non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system

Abstract

The present invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle with non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system comprising a body, a plurality of rotary assemblies secured to the body and configured to provide lift, a control system disposed within the body, and a telescoping stinger assembly mounted on the body. The telescoping stinger assembly comprises an elongated projectile having a barb at a first end thereof, a wire having a first end attached to a second end of the elongated projectile, a high voltage pulse power supply attached to a second end of the wire, and firing mechanism for launching the projectile from the telescoping stinger assembly toward a target. A protective cage may be attached to and surround the body of the UAV. The non-lethal incapacitation mechanism may include a plurality of stinging stickers attached to a periphery of the protective cage, a RF power supply and RF transmitter attached to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, or a mechanism affixed to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle for discharging a liquid or powder substance at a target. Alternatively, a rotary sting arm may be affixed to the body by a rotary brush high-voltage connection; and a sting arm motor mounted proximate to a center of the body may be used to impart rotary motion to the rotary sting arm.

Claims

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle with non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system comprising: a body; a plurality of rotary assemblies secured to the body and configured to provide lift; a control system disposed within said body; a stinger assembly mounted on said body and comprising: an electrode having a barb at a first end thereof; a wire having a first end attached to a second end of the electrode; a high voltage pulse power supply attached to a second end of said wire; a barrel for holding said barb; and a firing mechanism located in said barrel for launching said electrode from the stinger assembly toward a target, and a locking mechanism, said electrode configured for insertion into the barrel into engagement with the firing mechanism, and said locking mechanism releasably engaging said electrode upon actuation of the firing mechanism.

2. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said stinger assembly further comprises a spool about which the wire is removably wound, said spool being rotatably mounted on said unmanned aerial vehicle.

3. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said firing mechanism comprises a spring located in said barrel, said electrode configured for insertion into the barrel into engagement with the spring to compress said spring.

4. The unmanned aerial vehicle accord to claim 3, wherein said firing mechanism further comprises a trigger mechanism attached to said locking mechanism to release a connection between said locking mechanism and said electrode upon actuation.

5. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said firing mechanism further comprises a spool about which the wire is removably wound, said spool being rotatably mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle.

6. An unmanned aerial vehicle with non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system comprising: a body; a plurality of rotary assemblies secured to the body and configured to provide lift; a control system disposed within said body; a stinger assembly mounted on said body and comprising: an electrode having a barb at a first end thereof; a wire having a first end attached to a second end of the electrode: a high voltage pulse power supply attached to a second end of said wire; and a barrel for holding said barb; wherein said firing mechanism comprises an air compressor for delivering a burst of compressed air into a first end of said barrel through a valve disposed between said air compressor and said barrel, and a valve controller for opening and closing said valve.

7. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said firing mechanism further comprises a spool about which the wire is removably wound, said spool being rotatably mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle.

8. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 7, wherein said stinger assembly further comprises a plurality of barrels, electrodes, wires, spools and valves.

9. An unmanned aerial vehicle with non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system comprising: a body; a plurality of rotary assemblies secured to the body and configured to provide lift; a control system disposed within said body; a stinger assembly mounted on said body and comprising: an electrode having a barb at a first end thereof; a wire having a first end attached to a second end of the electrode; a high voltage pulse power supply attached to a second end of said wire; and a barrel for holding said barb; a protective cage attached to said body and surrounding said body and said plurality of rotary assemblies, wherein said protective cage is attached to said body by a plurality of leaf springs.

10. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 9, wherein said protective cage is spherically shaped.

11. The unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of stinger assemblies, each having at least one electrode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an unmanned aerial vehicle with a non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system according to a first presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an unmanned aerial vehicle with a non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system according to a second presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3A is a top plan view of an unmanned aerial vehicle with a non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system according to a third presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 3B is a close-up view of the portion of FIG. 3A bounded by the box B.

(6) FIG. 4A is a side plan view of an unmanned aerial vehicle with a non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system according to a fourth presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 4B is a close-up view of the portion of FIG. 4A bounded by the box B.

(8) FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the unmanned aerial vehicle with a non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system shown in FIG. 4A.

(9) FIG. 5A is a top plan view of an unmanned aerial vehicle with a non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system according to a fifth presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 5B is a close-up view of the telescoping stinger of the unmanned aerial vehicle with a non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system shown in FIG. 5A.

(11) FIG. 5C is a close-up view of an alternative configuration of the telescoping stinger of the unmanned aerial vehicle with a non-lethal neuromuscular incapacitation system shown in FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) For purposes of promoting and understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention that would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

(13) As best shown in FIG. 1, one presently preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 10 having a body 12 and a plurality of propellers 14 driven by a corresponding plurality of electric motors 15 as are commonly known in the art for aerial propulsion. The UAV further includes an onboard video camera 16, onboard flight control electronics 18, an onboard power source such as a battery 20, all of which are coupled to a radio control and video transmitter 22 that communicates wirelessly with a handheld remote control unit 24 that is held by the operator. The handheld remote control unit 24 includes a speed control mechanism 26 and a direction control mechanism 28. A first person view (FPV) unit 30 is also provided which, in conjunction with the onboard video camera 16 radio control and video transmitter 22 displays the images from the onboard camera 16 on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 32 located on the FPV unit 30. A strap 34 may also be provided to tether the FPV unit 30 to the operator. The battery 20 powers the electric motors 15 coupled to the propellers 14 as well as the camera 16 and flight control electronics 18.

(14) A protective cage 36 surrounds the UAV 10 and is attached to the UAV body 12 by a plurality of connectors such as leaf springs 38 having a first end attached to the protective cage 36 and a second end attached to the UAV body 12. The protective cage 36 is preferably formed of a plurality of criss-crossed wires that surround the UAV body 12, but can consist of any configuration that surrounds the UAV body 12 and propellers 14 providing a protective cage. Preferably, the cage 36 is spherical or ball-shaped, although other shapes are certainly contemplated.

(15) A plurality of stinging stickers 40 are attached to the periphery of the cage 36. Each of the stinging stickers 40 includes a plurality of metal hooks or barbs 42 that, when they come into contact with an object such as human skin, engage and penetrate the surface of the skin. Although numerous configurations of stinging stickers could be used, FIG. 1 depicts two different types of stinging stickers 40a, 40b, shown in FIG. 1 in a alternating pattern. The first type of stinging sticker 40a includes a plurality of metal hooks or barbs 42a that are electrically coupled to the positive terminal of a power source 44, while the plurality of metal hooks or barbs 42b on the second type of stinging sticker 40b are electrically coupled to the negative terminal of the power source 44 such that, when activated, an arc of electricity is generated between adjacent stinging stickers 40a, 40b. The stinging stickers 40a, 40b are activated when the barbs 42a, 42b are in close proximity to the target person such that the arc of electricity delivers a charge to the suspect once the barbs 42a, 42b are in close proximity to the skin of the target. The plurality of metal barbs 42a are electrically coupled to the positive terminal of a high voltage pulse supply 44 that is carried on the UAV body 12 via electrical leads 46. A plurality of stinging stickers 40a may be provided and connected in series as shown in FIG. 1. The second type of stinging strikers 40b include a plurality of metal hooks or barbs 42b located in a central area surrounded by a surface with an adhesive thereon.

(16) An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. Many of the components of the UAV 10 are the same or similar to those in the first embodiment and like reference numerals are used here to indicate like component parts. The UAV according to the second embodiment includes a RF power supply and RF transmitter 50 that is capable of transmitting a narrow beam of electromagnetic energy to heat the skin without causing any permanent damage. The beam is sent out at the speed of light by the transmitter. An intense burning sensation continues until the transmitter is turned off or the targeted individual moves outside of the beam's range.

(17) A further alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. Again, many of the components of the UAV 10 are the same or similar to those in the previous embodiments and like reference numerals are used here to indicate like component parts. The UAV according to the third embodiment includes a mechanism for discharging a liquid or powder substance at the target. The liquid/powder discharging mechanism includes one or more reservoirs 60a, 60b for holding the liquid or powder to be discharged. A pump 62a, 62b is associated with each reservoir 60a, 60b to draw the liquid or powder from the reservoirs 60a, 60b and direct it into tubes 64a, 64b. The free ends of tubes 64a, 64b are positioned at the periphery of the cage 36 to discharge the liquid or powder at the target when the UAV is in close proximity. Power is provided to power the pumps 62a, 62b by the main battery 20. A high voltage power supply 66 has a positive post connected by a lead wire to the first tube 64a and a a negative post connected by a lead wire to the second tube 64b. The first and second tubes 64a, 64b are preferably formed from an electrically conductive material such that when the stinging liquid is discharged from the end of the tubes 64a, 64b it forms a mist which become electrically charged upon actuation of the high voltage power source via electricity passing through the electrically conductive tubes 64a, 64b and the mist which spans the area around the free ends of the tubes 64a, 64b.

(18) According to one aspect of the third embodiment, the liquid used is a stinging liquid and the liquid reservoirs are conductive liquid reservoirs, one being positively charged and the other negatively charged. Alternatively, the liquid reservoirs could contain mace. Still further, a marking dye could be contained in the reservoirs such that an ultraviolet or colored dye is discharged from the ends of the tubes 64a, 64b.

(19) A fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, includes a rotary sting arm 70 connected to the UAV body 12 by a rotary brush high-voltage connection 72 and powered by a sting arm motor 73 mounted at or near the center of the UAV body 12. The main components of the UAV 10 are the same as in previous embodiments were like reference numerals indicate like components. Each end of the rotary stinging arm 70 has a stinger element 71a, 71b that is configured to deliver a stinging charge when it comes into contact with the skin of a target. A high voltage power supply 74 positioned on the UAV body 12 supplies power to the stinger elements 71a, 71b. A first lead wire 76a has a first end attached to a positive post of the high voltage power supply 74 while a second lead wire 76b has a first end attached to a negative post of the high voltage power supply. The lead wires 76a, 76b are connected to electrical contacts 72a, 72b that are a part of the rotary brush high-voltage connection 72 so that power can be delivered to the stinger elements while the rotary sting arm 70 is in rotary motion without the lead wires 76a, 76b becoming entangled. The distal end of the lead wires 76a, 76b are connected to stinging barbs 78a, 78b, respectively, that are positioned at the outer ends of the stinger elements 71a, 71b.

(20) A fifth embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, includes a telescoping stinger 80 that can be fired at a target within range of the UAV body 12. The telescoping stinger 80 may be equipped with an electrode barb 82 at the end thereof which is connected by a wire 83 to a high voltage pulse power supply 84. A spool 85 may also be provided about which the wire 83 can be wound, and, subsequently unwound as the telescoping stinger 80 with the end of the wire 83 attached is fired at and moves toward the target. The telescoping stinger in inserted into a barrel that has a spring 86 located therein. The stinger 80 compresses the spring 86 and locks the stinger 80 into position with the spring 86 compressed. When the user actuates a trigger switch (not shown) on the handheld remote control unit 24, the spring 86 is released and the stinger 80 fired toward the target.

(21) FIG. 5C shows an alternative firing mechanism for the fifth embodiment wherein a pair of telescoping stingers 80a, 80b having electrode barbs 82a, 82b, respectively, are loaded into barrels and have electrical lead wires 83a, 83b which connect them to a high pulse power supply 84. Spools 85a, 85b may also be provided about which the wires 83a, 83b can be wound, and, subsequently unwound as the telescoping stingers 80a, 80b with the end of the wires 83a, 83b attached are fired at and move toward the target. An air compressor 87 and valve controller 88 serve to open and close valves 89a, 89b and deliver a burst of compressed air to the barrel(s) causing the stinger(s) 80a, 80b to be discharged toward the target upon actuation of the trigger switch (not shown) by the user on the handheld remote control unit 24.

(22) This detailed description, and particularly the specific details of the exemplary embodiment disclosed, is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications will become evident to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.