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(11) | EP 0 326 268 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Apparatus for firing a jet of electrically charged liquid |
| (57) Apparatus (2) for firing at least one jet of electrically charged liquid, which apparatus
(2) comprises propellant means (42,44) for propelling the jet of liquid from the apparatus
(2) towards a target and electronically operated liquid-charging means (12) for causing
the fired jet of liquid to be electrically charged. |
[0001] This invention relates to apparatus for firing a jet of electrically charged liquid. This invention also relates to the jet of electrically charged liquid. The liquid will usually be water but it can be another liquid if desired.
[0002] Water cannons are well known for use in riot dispersal. The water cannons are able to fire a jet of water from a vehicle towards rioters in order to disperse the rioters. The water cannons are often not sufficiently unpleasant to enable the quick and efficient dispersal of the rioters. There is a need for apparatus which has the advantages of the water cannon but which can be made to operate in a mode that is more unpleasant to rioters, and that can also be used for other purposes.
[0004] Accordingly, this invention provides apparatus for firing at least one jet of electrically charged liquid, which apparatus comprises propellant means for propelling the jet of liquid from the apparatus towards a target, and electronically operated liquid-charging means for causing the fired jet of liquid to be electrically charged.
[0005] The liquid charging means may be effective to cause ion movement in the liquid, thereby vastly increasing the conductivity of the liquid. The apparatus of the invention can be arranged such that the liquid-charging means charges the liquid with varying degrees of current, for example so that the apparatus can operate in a sting mode, in a stun mode, or in a kill mode. For example, in the sting mode, the liquid-charging means may charge the liquid with 1-2 milliamps. The sting mode may be employed for riot control as mentioned above or for controlling animals in the manner of, for example, a cattle prod. In the stun mode, the liquid-charging means may charge the liquid with 20 milliamps. The stun mode may be employed for capturing animals. In the kill mode, the liquid-charging means may charge the liquid with 100 milliamps or more. The kill mode may be employed for killing animals, for example cattle for human consumption.
[0007] The propellant means may be pumping arrangement. Alternatively, the propellant means may be a pressurised gas arrangement. The pressurised gas arrangement may use compressed air or any other desired and suitable gas.
[0008] The liquid may be arranged to be fired at, for example, 100-600 p.s.i. A preferred pressure may be 400 p.s.i.
[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is arranged to be portable. When the apparatus is portable, it will be apparent that it can be used by authorised personnel such for example as police and army personnel, while controlling riots and any other desired type of disturbances. The apparatus of the invention can be arranged to operate in a mode appropriate to the type of disturbance.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus may be mounted on a vehicle such for example as a car, a tank, a jeep or any other desired type of vehicle. The apparatus of the invention may then be arranged to operate in the manner of a conventional water cannon and a forward jet can be fired over a desired arc in front of the vehicle.
[0011] The apparatus of the invention may be arranged to fire a single jet of liquid, two jets of liquid, or more than two jets of liquid. Thus, for example, a jet of liquid may be directed at feet level for electrifying the ground and/or another jet of liquid may be directed at a higher level for wiping out vehicle radio communications. For example, the jet of liquid that is for wiping out the vehicle radio communications may be directed towards the antenna of a tank.
[0012] The apparatus of the invention may be arranged to be able to fire the jet of liquid for up to 30 metres. The precise distance travelled by the jet of liquid will mainly be a function of the pressure afforded by the propellant means. The precise distance travelled may also be a function of the jet nozzle design of the jet from which the jet of liquid is fired.
[0013] The apparatus may be provided with means for adjusting the jet pressure and/or the jet orifice size for adjusting the fired jet of liquid, for example, for enabling the liquid to be fired for greater or lesser ranges than thirty metres and/or for varying the jet diameter size. Thus, for example, the fired jet may have a diameter of from 0.5-5mm, and preferably of 1mm diameter.
[0014] The liquid-charging means may include a protective overload device. The protective overload device may be a spark overload gap arrangement.
[0015] The apparatus of the invention may be such that it uses high frequency current to switch off in a linear mode, whereby a computer may be arrangeable to operate the apparatus in a random sequence fashion to blot out enemy communications whilst leaving the operator of the apparatus of the invention free to transmit as desired.
[0016] The apparatus of the invention advantageously comprises two liquid reservoirs, first oscillator means for driving an extreme high tension circuit for affording an extreme high tension voltage output, transformer means having its primary winding driven by the extreme high tension voltage output, the transformer means having a first output on a secondary winding of the transformer means driven by a d.c. inverter means, and a second output on the secondary winding of the transformer means which is connected to one of the reservoirs, the earth of the liquid-charging means being connected to the second reservoir, and second oscillator means that operates in parallel with the first oscillator means.
[0017] The first and second reservoirs may be first and second tanks. The tanks may be of a cylindrical construction.
[0020] The first oscillator means may operate at 43.2 megacycles and the second oscillator means may operate at 1 kilocycle.
[0021] Usually, the apparatus will be arranged to have two power sources. The two power sources will be effective to control the liquid output from the two reservoirs, there normally being a control valve situated on each reservoir for controlling the output of the liquid It will be appreciated that if a single power source is employed with two reservoirs, a short circuit may result in the high tension side of the apparatus.
[0022] Usually, the apparatus of the invention will include isolater means for isolating an operator from the high voltages of the liquid-charging means which, as mentioned above, may be 250,000 volts.
[0023] The isolater means is advantageously a photo-coupling device for ensuring that an operator cannot be connected directly to the high voltage part of the apparatus of the invention. The photo-coupling device may be a flashlight bulb operated by a 1½ volt battery connected to an operator button. When the operator button is depressed by the operator, the battery is effective to light a bulb which is detected by a pair of optical sensors. The optical sensors may be separated by a gap of, for example, 150 mm. The optical sensors, consequent upon sensing the light from the bulb, are then effective to drive appropriate amplifiers and relays which result in the liquid being sprayed from the two reservoirs.
[0024] When the two power sources are employed, one power source is effective to drive the two oscillator means and one of the valves on one reservoir, and the other power source is effective just to drive the other valve on the other reservoir.
[0025] The power sources are preferably re-chargeable cells. Presently preferred power sources are lead acid batteries because they give good electrical surge outputs. The apparatus of the invention can advantageously be constructed as a pack for wearing on the back of an operator. All the operator then needs to have is just a hose for each jet in front of him. However, if desired, the apparatus of the invention can be designed in other forms, such for example as in pistol or rifle form.
[0026] The apparatus of the invention can advantageously be such that the liquid is provided with chemical recognition agents. Thus, for example, the liquid may contain protein or radio-active materials or even dyes. Thus persons sprayed with the liquid can subsequently be easily recognized.
[0027] The liquid-charging means may be caused to operate such that there is provided a negative d.c. carrier, for example of 10,000 volts at 200 mA, plus a high frequency saw tooth generator giving a low voltage of, for example, 1500 volts, plus an ordinary sine wave effective to operate at 180 to 260 Kv. The direct current and the half wave form high frequency a.c. components being all of the same potential are employed in combination as one can normally not use an electric current with liquids. With water as the liquid, the sine wave is used in conjunction with the high frequency saw tooth, both wave forms being half wave. These activate the ions in the water to create a conductive path overcoming circuit resistance, and at the same time carry the high current d.c. of the same potential.
[0029] The jet of liquid may have a diameter of from 0.5-5mm. Preferably, the jet of liquid has a diameter of 1mm. The jet of liquid may be not more than 30 metres in length.
[0030] There may be two jets of liquid, one jet of liquid being positively charged and one jet of liquid being negatively charged. The two jets of liquid may extend in parallel or diverging paths.
[0031] When the liquid is water, the water can be chemically seeded to improve its electrical conductivity.
[0032] Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a person with the apparatus of the invention in the form of a back pack;
Figure 2 shows the person of Figure 1 from a rear view and shows the back pack in more detail;
Figure 3 is a block circuit diagram of liquid-charging means employed in the back pack shown in Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 illustrates another type of apparatus in accordance with the invention, the apparatus being used in a tank;
Figure 5 illustrates a mine that may be cleared with the apparatus shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 shows another type of apparatus that may be used in the present invention, the apparatus being used on a vehicle such as a car or cash/bullion transit vehicle to provide the occupant with a sting/stand-off capability; and
Figure 7 shows a circuit that may be employed in the car illustrated in Figure 6.
[0033] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus is shown as a short range riot control weapon 2 that can be worn as a back pack 4 by a person 6. The back pack 4 comprises a pair of reservoirs in the form of a pair of tanks 8,10 which each contain water and which are each provided with a control valve. The control valve for each tank 8,10 is operated by a separate power source in the form of a separate battery (not shown). The back pack 4 includes water-charging means 12 positioned beneath the tanks 8,10. The tanks 8,10 and the water-charging means 12 are all mounted on a flat support board 14. Water from the jets of the tanks 8,10 passes along a pair of hoses 16,18. It will be seen that each hose 16,18 terminates in a jet nozzle 20,22 respectively and the jet nozzles 20,22 are positioned one above each other. The lower jet nozzle 20 is for directing a negatively charged jet of water at a recipient, whilst the upper jet nozzle 22 is for directing a positively charged jet of water at the recipient. When both jets of water strike the recipient, they complete an electrical circuit and the recipient receives the desired electric shock, substantially irrespective of whether the recipient is insulated from earth or not.
[0034] The person 6 is able to operate the apparatus by simply pressing an operator button with one of his hands. The control button is on a protective console-type shield 24 positioned at waist level as shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shield 24 is provided with the word POLICE.
[0035] The operator button is such that it is isolated from the high voltage part of the circuit of the weapon 2. More specifically, the operator button is powered by a 1½ volt battery and depression of the operator button is merely effective to light a bulb. Illumination of the bulb is detected by a pair of spaced apart photo-sensors which, consequent upon detecting the illumination of the bulb, are effective to cause operation of the high voltage part of the weapon 2 with the result that the water can be fired as electrified jets of water.
[0036] It will be appreciated that the weapon 2 uses a completely new approach and a new technique to enable the operator to disperse substantially immediately crowds or to deal with riot situations. The high power twin jet of water uses a chopped/slopped square wave form very high frequency a.c. carrier, which supports a high current d.c. voltage of the same potential of the a.c. component carriers. If the water separation occurs, individual plasmas will form between the droplets enabling massive currents to be delivered. In a sting mode condition for crowd or riot control, only 2 to 3 m.a. of current is all that is required. In order to stun persons, only from 10 to 15 m.a. is required whilst 20 m.a. or above is effective to enable the apparatus to operate in a kill mode for human beings. Although the weapon 2 illustrated in the drawings is only for riot control, in a modified form a three-position switch can be employed for controlling the power supply output from the power supply in order to enable the weapon 2 to switch between its sting mode, its stun mode and its kill mode.
[0037] Chemical recognition agents can be used with the water for detection purposes. Non-toxic elements such for example as sodium sulphate may be employed. The electrical conductivity properties of the water may be improved employing appropriate conductivity agents such for example as copper sulphate or sodium sulphate.
[0038] The weapon 2 is silent in operation and the operator does not have to be a good shot as a slight movement of the hand from right to left will cover an area of from 2 to 6 metres at a distance of, for example, 15 metres. The weapon 2 is thus especially useful for silent operation, for example during night raids. It is envisaged that the weapon 2 could become well known for its stinging effect so that crowd and riot dispersal could start purely on sight of the weapon 2.
[0039] If desired, vehicles containing money and securities, for example, may be fitted with the apparatus of the invention so that jets of water may ensue from the under side of the vehicle or from the side of the vehicle in order to keep raiders at bay until help arrives. Similarly, buildings, other installations, boats or any appropriate facility may be so protected.
[0040] Referring now to Figure 3, the liquid-charging means 12 is shown in detail. It will thus be seen that the liquid-charging means 12 comprises a trigger or operator button 26, a relay 28, a d.c. to d.c. plasma unit 30, and a transformer 32. The transformer 32 has a primary winding 34 and a secondary winding 36. One output of the secondary winding is connected to a first water reservoir in the form of a water tank 38. There is also a second water reservoir in the form of a water tank 40. Each water tank 38,40 is provided with propellant-means in the form of a pipe 42,44 respectively. The pumps 42,44 are associated with opto-couplers 46,48 as shown.
[0041] Also shown in Figure 3 is a power supply in the form of a battery 50 which is effective to supply power to the tank 40. Another battery 52 is effective to operate the circuit as well as operating a control jet for water leaving the tank 38. The battery 52 supplies power for an oscillator 54 which is effective to give a chopped sawtooth wave. The battery 52 also supplies power for a driver amplifier 56 as shown.
[0042] Figure 3 also shows the hoses 16,18 and their respective jet nozzles 20,22. Since the jet nozzle 20 may be at zero volts and the jet nozzle 22 may be at a very high voltage, insulation 57 is employed, see also Figure 2.
[0043] Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a tank 58 having an elongate nozzle 60 for firing a jet of water 62 on a anti-tank mine 64. The tank 58 only needs one elongate nozzle 60 for firing one jet of water 62 since the tank 58 is a relatively massive vehicle which makes it own circuit to ground, as shown schematically. When the jet of water 62 strikes the anti-strike mine 64, the circuit to the tank 58 is thus completed through the ground.
[0044] The mine shown in Figure 5 is an anti-personnel mine and it has a fuse cap 63, a striker 65, a mine fuse 66, an ejection charge 68, an explosive charge 70, splinters 72, and a mine body 74. Obviously, the tank 58 can direct a jet of water 62 on the anti-tank mine 64 or, if desired, on the anti-personnel mine shown in Figure 5.
[0045] Referring now to Figures 6,7 and 8, there is shown an anti-terrorist system as may be employed in a car 82. The car 82 is provided with a pager transmitter 84, a stun unit and explosives trigger 86, an independent power pack 88, and a proximity loop detector 90. The car 82 also has a paper aerial 83, trigger sensors 85, 86 and a proximity detector loop 89 which operates in conjunction with the proximity loop detector 90. The circuitry employed is shown in detail in Figure 7 and, in particular, it will be noted that the circuit includes a pager trigger 92, a trigger and stun level control 94, and a transformer 96. Transistors are connected as shown to the illustrated resistances and capacitors.
[0046] The pager transmitter 84 can be operative to have a transceiver circuit monitoring capability; in other words a driver to vehicle tamper check and stand back explosives trigger.
[0047] The stun unit and explosive trigger 86 can be arranged to automatically operate when levels between vibrational and proximity sensors have been computed.
[0048] The independent power pack 88 can be arranged to be charged by an overspill diode from the vehicle alternator.
[0049] The proximity loop detector 60 can be interfaced with vibrational sensors to eliminate animal activation by, for example cats or dogs. Proximity and vibrational switches can be interfaced with door, bonnet or boot switch actuation.
[0050] In use of the apparatus shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, a driver may park a vehicle and may then talk to an integral in-built dash mounted microphone giving a code number and full details of where the driver has parked the vehicle. This information can then be stored on a semi-conductor chip which will feed the information direct into a frequency modulated encoded telephone exchange directly the alarm has been activated. Having now prepared to leave the parked vehicle, the driver may switch on the main keyed master switch, the delay circuit enabling the driver to leave the proximity of the vehicle without activating the system. As indicated above, an on board computer can now monitor movement phases to respond and recognise adult movement (by separate sensor units) to eliminate false alarms such as for example as those that may be occurred by cats, dogs or children playing with balls etc. Such false-alarm elimination may not be necessary in many cases as false-alarm conditions can be eliminated by tight angles of the sensors restricting the field of detection directly to the under side of the vehicle.
[0051] The sensors can be fitted with conventional electrically operated eye-lids to keep the sensors clean.
[0052] If a person should attempt to place an explosive device under the vehicle, the sensors will immediately detect movement and the system will be activated. The tone encoder frequency modulated transmitter will immediately repeat the details of where the vehicle is parked back to central control via the telephone exchange as the signal is continuous. Local offices in the vicinity will also pick up the alarm signal and destination, and this may be effected on a specially allocated frequency or it may be on a permanent talk-through basis to all mobiles and offices. Simultaneously, a pocket pager carried by the owner of the vehicle may alert the owner of the vehicle that the vehicle is being tampered with. Obviously, the entire system will be silent in operation as a preferred mode of operation in order to enable the person tampering with the vehicle to be apprehended.
[0053] If it should be desired to raise an audible or visual alarm, then the lights may be arranged to flash and the vehicle horn may be arranged to sound.
[0054] The vehicle will normally be provided with the apparatus of the invention for firing a jet of water so that, the raider or other person tampering with the vehicle can be given a sting or stun by the water. If desired, the water may be treated with a chemical recognition agent so that the person tampering with the vehicle can more easily be apprehended in the event that the person should escape.
[0055] It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, different designs of apparatus for firing a jet of water may be employed to those shown. Also, different circuits may be employed for the electronic means for causing the ion movement of the water. Further, a liquid other than water may be fired, water mainly being prefered because it is a cheap and readily available liquid which acts as an effective electrical conductor, especially due to the fact that the jet or jets form a continuous mass of water for conducting the electrical current. If two or more jets of liquid are employed, their electric potentials may be repeatedly switched.
1. Apparatus for firing at least one jet of electrically charged liquid, which apparatus
comprises liquid reservoir means, propellant means for propelling the jet of liquid
from the liquid reservoir means towards a target, and electronically operated liquid-charging
means for causing the fired jet of liquid to be electrically charged.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the liquid-charging means includes a protective
overload device.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the protective overload device is a spike
overload gap arrangement.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 and comprising two of the liquid reservoir means,
first oscillator means for driving an extreme high tension circuit for affording an
extreme high tension voltage output, transformer means having its primary winding
driven by the extreme high tension voltage output, the transformer means having a
first output on a secondary winding of the transformer means driven by a d.c. invertor
means, and a second output on the secondary winding of the transformer means which
is connected to one of the liquid reservoir means, the earth of the liquid-charging
means being connected to the second liquid reservoir means, and second oscillator
means that operates in parallel with the first oscillator means.
5. Apparatus according to claim 5 and including two power sources.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including isolater means for isolating an operator
from the liquid-charging means.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the isolater means is a photo-coupling
device.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including the liquid, which liquid is provided
with chemical recognition agents.
9. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including means for adjusting the size of the
jet of liquid.
10. Apparatus according to claim 1 and which is mounted on a vehicle and which fires
two of the jets of liquid.