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7 November 2006
United States Patent | 7,130,624 |
Jackson , et al. | October 31, 2006 |
A system for destabilizing improvised explosive devices includes a radio transmitter means for generating a radio signal having (i) a selected carrier frequency, (ii) a selected amplitude modulation frequency, (iii) a selected peak power output, and (iv) a selected transmit duration. A directional antenna means is coupled to and fed by the radio transmitter means, for directing the radio signal onto a suspected improvised explosive device. The radio signal, upon being directed onto the suspected improvised explosive device, causes detonation of the device.
Inventors: | Jackson; Richard H. (Inver Grove Heights, MN), Thomas, III; John H. (Mahtomedi, MN) |
Appl. No.: | 10/712,841 |
Filed: | November 12, 2003 |
Current U.S. Class: | 455/420 |
Current International Class: | H04M 3/00 (20060101) |
Field of Search: | 455/420 |
4700629 | October 1987 | Benson et al. | |||
4884506 | December 1989 | Guerreri | |||
5274356 | December 1993 | Taricco | |||
5503059 | April 1996 | Pacholok | |||
5668342 | September 1997 | Discher | |||
5747719 | May 1998 | Bottesch | |||
5856803 | January 1999 | Pevler | |||
Dee Depass, newspaper story from startribune.com, published and accessed May 20, 2005, titled "Alliant tests device to stop Iraqi bombs". cited by other. |
Primary Examiner: Cumming; William D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for destabilizing improvised explosive
devices, in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the figure, there shown is an exemplary embodiment of a system
for destabilizing improvised explosive devices 10 (hereinafter, "system 10")
of the present invention.
As used here throughout, the term "improvised explosive device" is intended
to include any simple, unsophisticated, and/or crudely made explosive device,
which (i) is electrically operated, actuated, or triggered, (ii) does not
have any appreciable shielding against electromagnetic effects, and (iii)
is mainly constructed from commercially available components. A typical
improvised explosive device would, as aforementioned, include a package or
housing containing explosives, an electronic detonator to ignite the explosives,
a timer or manually operated switch to trigger the detonator, and a battery
to power the electronic components.
In the figure, system 10 includes a radio transmitter means 100 for generating
a radio signal S, and a directional antenna means 120 coupled to radio
transmitter means 100 for transmission of radio signal S onto a suspected
improvised explosive device as will be further described.
Radio transmitter means 100 preferably includes a power supply 102 (e.g.,
a commercially available 12 V battery in combination with suitable power
conditioning to develop a selected voltage), control electronics 104, a radio
frequency ("RF") transmitter generator 106, and an amplifier 108. Radio
transmitter means 100 further includes a trigger 122 for initiating operation
of system 10, as will be further described.
Radio signal S as generated by transmitter means 100, is characterized by
a selected very high carrier frequency, a selected and significantly lower
amplitude modulation frequency, a selected peak power output, and a selected
transmit duration. In a preferred embodiment: The selected carrier frequency
is in a range of 1 GHz to 4 GHz; The selected amplitude modulation frequency
is approximately 50 MHz; The selected peak power output is in a range of
1 KW to 2 KW; and The selected transmit duration is in a range of 50 ms to
100 ms. The selected amplitude modulation frequency is characterized by a
time varying, asymmetrical pulse width.
Directional antenna means 120 comprises, preferably, an antenna having a
relatively small, solid angle of emission. Antennas of this specification
include parabolic reflective antennas, focusing antennas, and aperture antennas.
In operation of system 10, an operator (not shown) actuates trigger 122,
which causes radio transmitter means 100 to generate radio signal S which
is then fed to directional antenna means 120. Directional antenna means 120
then acts to direct signal S onto a suspected improvised explosive device
B (a terrorist bomb, in the figure). Signal S, characterized by the
aforementioned range of values, is a high power signal having a relatively
short transmit duration or "on cycle". During this on cycle, signal S is
further modulated by transmitter means 100 to create a complex broadband
signal. The complex broadband signal S, directed onto improvised explosive
device B, causes electromagnetic disruption within electronics of device
B, and thereby premature and uncommanded triggering and detonation thereof.
Signal S, however, does not expose the operator of system 10 or other nearby
third parties to any harmful dosage of electromagnetic radiation. Particularly,
the dosage of radiation delivered by signal S is low because the on cycle
is short as aforesaid.
For ease of use and portability, transmitter means 100 is preferably designed
in terms of size and weight to be capable of being carried within a portable
backpack (not illustrated) while antenna 120 is preferably a hand-held unit
(also not illustrated).
As an example of use of system 10, with reference to FIG. 2, a suspected
improvised explosive device B is identified by way of military or law enforcement
intelligence. After ensuring that a safe distance exists between suspected
device B and the operator, the operator actuates trigger 122 of means 100
while aiming antenna means 120 at suspected device B. Trigger 122 in turn,
actuates control electronics 104. Control electronics 104, powered by power
supply 102, causes generator 106 (also powered by supply 102) and amplifier
108 to generate, amplify, and send signal S to antenna means 120. Antenna
means 120, having been aimed at suspected device B, directs signal S onto
device B. Radio signal S then causes premature and uncommanded detonation
of device B by way of the electromagnetic disruption and triggering effect
thereon, as aforedescribed.
It is to be appreciated that system 10 may be operated without a criminal
organization knowing or understanding why their improvised explosive devices
will not function correctly (i.e., why they are prematurely detonating) since
signal S is not visible and is, in use, directed onto such devices at a distance
from transmitter and antenna means 100 and 120. Therefore, it is to be reasonably
expected that without engineering expertise or design sophistication, as
is usually the case, the criminal organization will fail to take any corrective
action (e.g., adding electromagnetic shielding) in subsequent device fabrication.
In exemplary system 10, it is to be understood that various suitable components
may be substituted for those depicted and described. For example, a particular
selection of generator 106 could obviate any need for amplifier 108, since
some RF generators operating in the aforedescribed frequency range do inherently
generate enough RF output power to produce the aforedescribed signal S. A
magnetron, for example, is a generator that produces a high output power.
Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, amplifier 108 could be omitted
entirely from system 10.
It is also to be appreciated and understood that as used here throughout,
reference to any "amplitude modulation" specifically includes pulse modulation.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to the accompanying figures, it will be understood, however, that
other modifications thereto are of course possible, all of which are intended
to be within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. It should
be appreciated that components of the invention aforedescribed may be substituted
for other suitable components for achieving desired results, or that various
accessories may be added thereto.
Lastly, the choice, of course, of compositions, sizes, and values of various
aforementioned components of the present invention are all a matter of design
choice depending upon intended uses thereof.
Accordingly, these and other various changes or modifications in form and
detail of the present invention may also be made therein, again without departing
from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.