Patent Publication Number: US-2009231776-A1

Title: Electronic disabling device having a non-oscillating output waveform

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/359,251, filed Feb. 21, 2006, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/655,145, filed on Feb. 22, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/657,294, filed on Feb. 28, 2005. The entire content in each of the above-referenced applications is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of an electronic disabling device for immobilizing a live target. More specifically, the present invention is related to an electronic disabling device having a non-oscillating output waveform and a method for providing the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An electronic disabling device can be used to refer to an electrical discharge weapon or a stun gun. The electrical discharge weapon connects a shocking power to a live target by the use of darts projected with trailing wires from the electrical discharge weapon. The shocks debilitate violent suspects, so peace officers can more easily subdue and capture them. The stun gun, by contrast, connects the shocking power to the live target that are brought into direct contact with the stun gun to subdue the target. Electronic disabling devices are far less lethal than other more conventional weapons such as firearms. 
     In general, the basic idea of the above described electronic disabling devices is to disrupt the electric communication system of muscle cells in a live target. That is, an electronic disabling device generates a high-voltage, low-amperage electrical charge. When the charge passes into the live target&#39;s body, it is combined with the electrical signals from the brain of the live target. The brain&#39;s original signals are mixed in with random noise, making it very difficult for the muscle cells to decipher the original signals. As such, the live target is stunned or temporarily paralyzed. The current of the charge may be generated with a pulse frequency that mimics a live target&#39;s own electrical signal to further stun or paralyze the live target. 
     To dump this high-voltage, low-amperage electrical charge, the electronic disabling device includes a shock circuit having multiple transformers and/or autoformers that boost the voltage in the circuit and/or reduce the amperage. The shock circuit may also include an oscillator to produce a specific pulse pattern of electricity and/or frequency. 
     Current electronic disabling devices take the lower voltage, higher current of a battery or batteries and convert it into a higher voltage, lower current output. This output must contact an individual in two places to create a full path for the energy to flow. For stun guns, this output is provided to two metal contacts on the contacting side of the device that are a short distance apart. On the electronic discharge weapons, this output is provided to two metal darts (or probes) that are propelled into the live target (or individual). The distance between the probes is normally larger than the stun gun contacts to allow for a greater effect of the live target. The metal probes are connected to the electrical circuitry in the device by thin conducting wires that carry the energy from/to the device and from/to the metal probes. 
     Typically, an electronic disabling device produces an output having an oscillating or sinusoidal output waveform with positive and negative amplitudes in the one output waveform as shown in  FIG. 1 . This indicates that the electrons will first flow in a first (e.g., positive) direction, and a substantial number of the electrons will then flow in a second, opposite (e.g., negative) direction. That is, the negative (or opposite) amplitude in the sinusoidal output waveform shown in  FIG. 1  is mainly caused by the electrons flowing in the opposite direction for a part of the cycle of the waveform. Therefore, a larger than necessary amount of electrons flowing in the opposite direction may be used on a person that could have been sufficiently immobilized by the electrons flowing in the first direction. 
     In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to create an electronic disabling device for immobilization and capture of a live target having a non-oscillating pulse output waveform as shown in  FIG. 2  and/or having an output waveform other than a non-oscillating or sinusoidal output waveform (or a non-sinusoidal output waveform) as, e.g., shown in  FIGS. 2 and 10 . In addition, it would be desirable to provide an electronic disabling device that can selectively apply an oscillating or sinusoidal output waveform and a non-oscillating waveform such that the electronic disabling device does not apply an output waveform to a live target that might possibly be unsafe to that particular individual. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aspect of the present invention is directed toward a system and/or an associated method for providing an electronic disabling device with an output having an output waveform other than an oscillating or sinusoidal waveform (e.g., a non-oscillating (or non-sinusoidal output waveform) and/or for providing the electronic disabling device that can selectively apply the non-oscillating output waveform and a sinusoidal output waveform in one device package. This would allow a user of the electronic disabling device to start with the non-oscillating output waveform and if the non-oscillating output wave was not effective, change to the sinusoidal output waveform. This adds a level of safety such that the user does not apply an output waveform to a live target that might possibly be unsafe to that particular individual. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electronic disabling device for producing a non-sinusoidal output waveform to immobilize a live target is provided. The electronic disabling device includes a battery, a power supply, a final step-up transformer, a first electrical output contact, a second electrical output contact, and a bridge rectifier. The power supply is coupled to receive an initial power from the battery. The final step-up transformer is adapted to provide an output power having the non-sinusoidal output waveform. The first electrical output contact is coupled to receive the output power having the non-sinusoidal output waveform from the final step-up transformer. The second electrical output contact is coupled to receive the output power having the non-sinusoidal output waveform from the first electrical output through the live target. In addition, the bridge rectifier is coupled between the initial step-up voltage circuit and the final step-up transformer to produce the non-sinusoidal output waveform. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method provides an electronic disabling device with a non-sinusoidal output waveform to immobilize a live target. The method includes: providing an input power from a battery to a power supply; stepping-up a voltage of the input power through the power supply; rectifying and transforming the input power to an output power through a bridge rectifier and a final step-up transformer to produce the non-sinusoidal output waveform; and providing the output power having the non-sinusoidal output waveform to an electrical output contact. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method provides an electronic disabling device with an output waveform to immobilize a live target. The method includes: selecting a non-oscillating waveform or a sinusoidal waveform as the output waveform of the electronic disabling device; providing an input power from a battery to a power supply; stepping-up a voltage of the input power through the power supply; rectifying and transforming the input power to an output power through a bridge rectifier and a final step-up transformer to produce the selected output waveform; and providing the output power having the selected output waveform to an electrical output contact. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method produces a non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. The method includes: providing an energy from a battery to a power supply to provide the energy with a first energy portion having a first polarity and a second energy portion having a second polarity opposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion having the first polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the second energy portion having the second polarity; recycling the second energy portion having the second polarity; and adding the recycled second energy portion back into the pulse having the first polarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse having the first polarity. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method produces a non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. The method includes: producing an energy to have a first energy portion with a first polarity and a second energy portion with a second polarity opposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion with the first polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the second energy portion with the second polarity; recycling the second energy portion having the second polarity; and adding the recycled second energy portion back into the pulse having the first polarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse having the first polarity. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method produces a non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. The method includes: providing an energy from a battery to a power supply to provide the energy with a positive polarity energy portion and a negative polarity energy portion; charging the negative polarity energy portion into a high voltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with a positive polarity pulse; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the negative polarity energy portion through a full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor; recycling the negative polarity energy portion through the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor; and adding the recycled energy portion back into the positive polarity pulse through the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor to produce an increase in pulse width of the positive polarity pulse. 
     A more complete understanding of the electronic disabling device having a non-sinusoidal or non-oscillating output waveform will be afforded to those skilled in the art and by a consideration of the following detailed description. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings which will first be described briefly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       The accompanying drawings, together with the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary sinusoidal output waveform. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary non-oscillating output waveform. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device using a relaxation oscillator. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device using an independently driven oscillator. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device for producing a sinusoidal output waveform. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device for producing a non-oscillating output waveform. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another exemplary electronic disabling device for producing a non-oscillating output waveform. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device for producing a sinusoidal output waveform and a non-oscillating output waveform. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary non-sinusoidal output waveform having a main uni-polar half-cycle pulse followed by an opposite polarity secondary uni-polar half-cycle pulse. 
         FIG. 11  shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μS block) produced by the circuit shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,048. 
         FIG. 12  shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μS block) produced by a circuit similar to the circuit shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,048 with the pair of diodes (i.e., diodes D 4  and D 5 ) removed. 
         FIG. 13  shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μS block) produced by a circuit built with a full-wave bridge diode circuit as shown in  FIG. 8  and pursuant to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a flow diagram on a method of producing a non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target pursuant to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     In the following detailed description, only certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, by way of illustration. As those skilled in the art would recognize, the described exemplary embodiments may be modified in various ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive. 
     There may be parts shown in the drawings, or parts not shown in the drawings, that are not discussed in the specification as they are not essential to a complete understanding of the invention. Like reference numerals designate like elements. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an example of an electronic disabling device is shown to include a battery  10 , an initial step-up voltage circuit  20 , a trigger (not shown), a final step-up transformer  30 , a first electrically conductive output contact (or probe)  50 , and a second electrically conductive output contact (or probe)  60 . Each of the contacts  50 ,  60  can be connected to the housing of the electronic disabling device by electrically conductive wires. 
     In operation, an electrical charge which travels into the contact  50  is activated by squeezing the trigger. The power for the electrical charge is provided by the battery  10 . That is, when the trigger is turned on, it allows the power to travel to the initial step-up voltage circuit  20 . The initial step-up voltage circuit  20  includes a first transformer that receives electricity from the battery  10  and causes a predetermined amount of voltage to be transmitted to and stored in a storage capacitor. Once the storage capacitor stores the predetermined amount of voltage, it is able to discharge an electrical pulse into the final step-up transformer  30  (e.g., a second transformer and/or autoformer). The output from the final step-up transformer  30  then goes into the first contact  50 . When the first and second contacts  50 ,  60  contact a live target, charges from the first contact  50  travel into tissue in the target&#39;s body, then through the tissue into the second contact  60 , and then to a ground. Pulses are delivered from the first contact  50  into target&#39;s tissue for a predetermined number of seconds. The pulses cause contraction of skeletal muscles and make the muscles inoperable, thereby preventing use of the muscles in locomotion of the target. 
     In one embodiment, the shock pulses from an electronic disabling device can be generated by an oscillator such as a classic relaxation oscillator that produces distorted saw-tooth pulses. An electronic disabling device having the relaxation oscillator is shown as  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , power is supplied to the relaxation oscillator from a battery source  160 . The closure of a switch SW 1  connects the battery source  160  with an inverter transformer TI. In  FIG. 4 , a tickler coil  110  of the inverter transformer T 1  between PAD 1  and PAD 2  is used to form the classic relaxation oscillator. A primary coil  100  of the inverter transformer T 1  is connected between PAD 3  and PAD 4 . Upon closure of the power switch SW 1 , the primary coil  100  of the inverter transformer T 1  is energized as a current flows through the coil  100  from PAD 3  to PAD 4  as the power transistor Q 1  is turned ON. The tickler coil  110  of the inverter transformer T 1  is energized upon closure of the power switch SW 1  through a resistor R 8  and a diode D 3 . The current through the tickler coil  110  also forms the base current of the power transistor Q 1 , thus causing it to turn ON. Since the tickler coil  110  and the primary coil  100  of the inverter transformer T 1  oppose one another, the current through power transistor Q 1  causes a flux in the inverter transformer T 1  to, in effect, backdrive the tickler coil  110  and cut off the power transistor Q 1  base current, thus causing it to turn OFF and forming the relaxation oscillator. 
     In addition, a secondary coil  120  of the inverter transformer T 1  between PAD 5  and PAD 6  is connected to a pair of diodes D 4  and D 5  that form a half-wave rectifier. The pair of diodes D 4  and D 5  are then serially connected with a spark gap  130  and then with a primary coil  140  of the output transformer T 2 . The primary coil  140  of the output transformer T 2  is connected between PAD 7  and PAD 8 . The spark gap  130  is selected to have particular ionization characteristics tailored to a specific spark gap breakover voltage to “tune” the output of the shock circuit. 
     In more detail, when sufficient energy is charged on a storage capacitor, a gas gap breaks down on the spark gap  130  such that the spark gap  130  begins to conduct electricity. This energy is then passed through the primary coil  140  of output or step-up transformer T 2 , which typically has a turn ratio of 1:35 to 1:37 primary coil  140  to secondary coil  150 . 
     However, the present invention is not limited to the above described exemplary oscillator embodiment. For example, an embodiment of an electronic disabling device can include a digital oscillator coupled to digitally generate switching signals or an independent oscillator  210  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In the disabling device of  FIG. 5 , a power is supplied from a battery source  230  to an inverter transformer TI′. In  FIG. 5 , a primary coil  240  of the inverter transformer T 1 ′ is connected between PAD 10  and PAD 11 . A power switch  250  is connected between the inverter transformer T 1 ′ and a ground. The power switch  250  (or a base or a gate of the power switch  250 ) is also connected to the independent oscillator  210 . 
     In more detail, the primary coil  240  of the inverter transformer T 1 ′ is energized as current flows through the coil  240  from PAD 10  to PAD 11  as the switch (or transistor)  250  is turned ON. The independent oscillator  210  is coupled to the switch  250  (e.g., at the base or the gate of the switch  250 ) to turn the switch  250  ON and OFF. A secondary coil  260  of the inverter transformer T 1 ′ between PAD 12  and PAD 13  is connected to a full-wave rectifier  270 . The full-wave rectifier  270  is then serially connected with a spark gap  280  and then with a primary coil  290  of the output transformer T 2 ′. The primary coil  290  of the output transformer T 2 ′ is connected between PAD 14  and PAD 15 . 
     In operation, the oscillator  210  creates a periodic output that varies from a positive voltage (V+) to a ground voltage. This periodic waveform creates the drive function that causes current to flow through the primary coil  240  of the transformer T 1 ′. This current flow causes current to flow in the secondary coil  260  of the transformer T 1 ′ based on the turn ratio of the transformer T 1 ′. A power current from the battery source  230  then flows in the primary coil  240  of the transformer T 1 ′ only when the switch  250  is turned on and is in the process of conducting. The full wave bridge rectifier  270  then rectifies the voltage from the power source  230  when the switch  250  is caused to conduct. 
     In view of the foregoing, electronic disabling devices with high powered sinusoidal output waveforms can be formed. However, the propriety of forming weapons capable of producing such high powered sinusoidal output waveforms may be in question because the sinusoidal output waveforms may increase the weapons lethality, especially where a circuit operating at an output waveform other than an sinusoidal output waveform (e.g., a non-oscillating output waveform) can completely disable most test subjects. In addition, some seventy deaths have occurred proximate to use of such weapons. As such, using these weapons at only sinusoidal output waveforms may run contrary to the idea that electronic disabling devices are intended to subdue and capture live targets without seriously injuring them. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic disabling device produces an output waveform other than a sinusoidal output waveform (e.g., a non-oscillating output waveform) and/or can selectively apply the non-oscillating output waveform and a sinusoidal output waveform in one device package. This would allow a user of the electronic disabling device to start with the non-oscillating output waveform and if the non-oscillating output wave was not effective, change to the sinusoidal output waveform. This adds a level of safety such that the user does not apply an output waveform to a live target that might possibly be unsafe to that particular individual. 
       FIG. 6  shows a view into an initial step-up circuit of an electronic disabling device connected with a final step-up transformer of the electronic disabling device. The initial step-up circuit includes a power supply  585  having an oscillator (e.g., the oscillator shown in  FIGS. 4  or  5  for providing a pulse rate), a bridge rectifier  580 , a spark gap SG 1 , and a storage capacitor C 1 . Here, the storage capacitor C 1  is connected to a primary coil  570  of the final step-up transformer in series, and the spark gap SG 1  is connected to the storage capacitor C 1  and the primary coil  570  in parallel. As such, the spark gap SG 1  and the storage capacitor C 1  are positioned to provide a sinusoidal output waveform as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In more detail, an energy from the bridge rectifier  580  of the initial step-up voltage circuit (e.g., a full-wave bridge rectifier circuit having at least four diodes) is initially used to charge up one plate of the storage capacitor C 1 . The spark gap SG 1  fires whenever the voltage of the storage capacitor C 1  reaches a fixed breakdown voltage of the spark gap SG 1 , and the stored energy discharges through the primary coil  570 . In addition, because the storage capacitor C 1  and the primary coil  570  are connected to create a tank circuit, as the capacitor C 1  discharges, the primary coil  570  will try to keep the current in the circuit moving, so it will charge up the other plate of the capacitor C 1 . Once the field of the primary coil  570  collapses, the capacitor C 1  has been recharged (but with the opposite polarity), so it discharges again through the primary coil  570 . As such, the sinusoidal output waveform as shown in  FIG. 1  is provided by the electronic disabling device of  FIG. 6 . 
     Alternatively, referring to  FIG. 7 , an electronic disabling device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery  610 , an initial step-up voltage circuit  620 , a trigger (not shown), a final step-up transformer  630 , a first electrically conductive output contact (or probe)  650 , and a second electrically conductive output contact (or probe)  660 . Also, in  FIG. 7 , the initial step-up circuit includes a spark gap SG 1 ′, a storage capacitor C 1 ′, a power supply  685  having an oscillator, and a bridge rectifier  680 . Here, the spark gap SG 1 ′ is connected to a primary coil  670  of the final step-up transformer  670  in series, and the storage capacitor C 1 ′ is connected to the spark gap SG 1 ′ and the primary coil  670  in parallel. As such, the spark gap SG 1 ′ and the storage capacitor C 1 ′ are positioned to provide the non-oscillating output waveform as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In more detail, the spark gap SG 1 ′ and the storage capacitor C 1 ′ of  FIG. 7  are positionally switched as compared to the spark gap SG 1  and the storage capacitor C 1  to remove the tank circuit and to produce the non-oscillating output waveform as shown in  FIG. 2 . As such, the electronic disabling device of  FIG. 7  produces a mostly positive pulse waveform or a mostly negative pulse waveform. Also, this indicates that electrons flow mainly in one direction with fewer electrons flowing in the opposite direction. That is, as described above, the opposite amplitude in the sinusoidal output waveform of  FIG. 1  is caused by the electrons flowing in the opposite direction for part of the cycle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an electronic disabling device according to a more specific embodiment of the present invention includes a secondary coil  625 ′ of an initial step-up voltage circuit  620 . The secondary coil  625 ′ is connected to a first pair of diodes D 2  and D 4  and a second pair of diodes D 1  and D 3 . The first and second pairs of diodes D 1 , D 2 , D 3 , and D 4  form a full-wave rectifier  680 ′. The bridge rectifier  680 ′ is then serially connected with a spark gap SG 1 ″ and then a primary coil  670 ′ of a final step-up transformer  630 ′. Here, a resistor R 1  and a capacitor C 1 ″ are also connected to the spark gap SG 1 ″ and the primary coil  670 ′ in parallel. As such, the bridge rectifier  680 ′, the spark gap SG 1 ″ and the storage capacitor C 1 ″ are positioned to provide the non-oscillating output waveform as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , an electronic disabling device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes a battery  710 , a power supply  785 , a bridge rectifier circuit  780 , a primary coil  770  of a final step-up transformer, and a control logic  790 . In addition, the electronic disabling device of  FIG. 9  includes a spark gap SG, a storage capacitor C, first electrical switching devices U 1  and U 3 , and second electrical switching devices U 2  and U 4  to allow on-the-fly changing of the output waveform. That is, the electronic disabling device of  FIG. 9  outputs the sinusoidal output waveform (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1 ) when the first electrical switching devices U 1  and U 3  are switched on (to create a closed circuit) and the second electrical switching devices U 2  and U 4  are switched off (to create an opened circuit). By contrast, the electronic disabling device of  FIG. 9  outputs the non-oscillating output waveform (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 2 ) when the first switching devices U 1  and U 3  are switched off and the second switching devices U 2  and U 4  are switched on. 
     In more detail, when the first electrical switching devices U 1  and U 3  are switched on (i.e., closed) and the second electrical switching devices U 2  and U 4  are switched off (i.e., opened), the device of  FIG. 9  has a configuration that is substantially the same as the device shown in  FIG. 7 . That is, the spark gap SG 1  is connected to the primary coil  770  in series, and the storage capacitor C is connected to the spark gap SG and the primary coil  770  in parallel to provide the non-oscillating output waveform. By contrast, when the second electrical switching devices U 2  and U 4  are switched on (i.e., closed) and the first electrical switching devices U 1  and U 3  are switched off (i.e., opened), the device of  FIG. 9  has a configuration that is substantially the same as the device shown in  FIG. 6 . That is, the storage capacitor C is connected to the primary coil  770  in series, and the spark gap SG is connected to the storage capacitor C and the primary coil  770  in parallel to provide the sinusoidal output waveform. In  FIG. 9 , the control logic  790  is added to control the switching devices U 1 , U 2 , U 3 , and U 4  to allow a control input from a user. This control logic  790  would also provide an input to the power supply  785  including an oscillator to keep the same output pulse rate. As such, the electronic disabling device of  FIG. 9  can selectively apply the non-oscillating output waveform and the sinusoidal output waveform in one device package. 
       FIG. 10  shows another output waveform other than a sinusoidal output waveform according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the output waveform of  FIG. 10  includes a first (or main) uni-polar half-cycle pulse followed by an opposite polarity second (or secondary) uni-polar half-cycle pulse. That is, the entire output waveform of  FIG. 10  has a first (or peak) amplitude A 1  and a second amplitude A 2  having an opposite polarity with the first amplitude A 1 . The second amplitude A 2  has an amplitude that is equal to or less (i.e., not greater) than 25 percent of the first (or peak) amplitude A 1 . In  FIG. 10 , the first amplitude A 1  can be a positive voltage amplitude or a negative voltage amplitude as long as the second amplitude A 2  oscillates in the opposite polarity at an amplitude not greater than 25 percent of the first (or peak) amplitude A 1 . 
     The output waveform of  FIG. 10  can be formed by removing 75 percent or more of the amplitude opposite the peak amplitude. By removing more than 75 percent of peak opposite amplitude from the waveform, a mostly positive or mostly negative half-cycle waveform is formed. Furthermore, this indicates that electrons flow mainly in one direction with fewer electrons flowing in the opposite direction. This is because, referring now also to  FIG. 1 , the opposite amplitude in the sinusoidal pulse output waveform is caused mainly by the electrons flowing in the opposite direction for a part of the cycle of the sinusoidal pulse output waveform. 
     In one embodiment, the first (or peak) amplitude A 1  is at positive 620 volts and the second amplitude A 2  is at 40 volts to produce a half-cycle uni-pulse output waveform with an opposite polarity of about 7 percent. 
     In view of the foregoing, an electronic disabling device according to an embodiment of the present invention utilizes a rectifier and a non-tank circuit to produce a non-oscillating output waveform. Here, the majority of electrons traveling in the opposite polarity of the peak amplitude are in essence filtered or redirected 
     Further, an electronic disabling device according to another embodiment of the present invention can selectively apply a non-oscillating output waveform and a sinusoidal output waveform in one device package. This would allow a user of the electronic disabling device to start with the non-oscillating output waveform and if the non-oscillating output wave was not effective, change to the sinusoidal output waveform. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 10 , an electronic disabling device according to an embodiment of the present invention outputs: (1) a half-cycle uni-polar pulse, followed by a slow uni-polar pulse of the opposite polarity; (2) a half-cycle uni-polar pulse waveform in which amplitude oscillates to peak in one direction and exhibits a uni-polar pulse of the opposite polarity with less than 25% of the peak amplitude; (3) a half-cycle uni-polar pulse, followed by a slow uni-polar pulse of the opposite polarity through a 1000 OHM load to produce a total pulse width between 3 and 50 micro seconds, a peak voltage between 2000 and 20000 volts, between 5-25 pulses per second, between 0.05 and 1 watt contained in a single pulse peak amplitude (joules per pulse), or between 1 and 20 watts per second (joules); or (4) a non-oscillating that does not have a uni-polar pulse of the opposite polarity (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 2 ) with a total pulse width between 3 and 50 micro seconds, a peak voltage between 2000 and 20000 volts, between 5-25 pulses per second, between 0.05 and 1 watt contained in a single pulse peak amplitude (joules per pulse), or between 1 and 20 watts per second (joules). 
     In view of the foregoing, an embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic disabling device that produces a non-oscillating, increased pulse width, non opposite polarity output waveform to immobilize a live target. Here, the electronic disabling device includes a battery, an initial step-up transformer (e.g.,  620 ′ in  FIG. 8 ) coupled to receive an initial power from the battery, having one output directly coupled between two switching devices, and a second output directly coupled between an additional two switching devices, and a spark gap directly coupled to a first input of a second step-up transformer (final step-up transformer), in parallel with a high voltage (HV) capacitor that is directly coupled to a second input of the second (or final) step-up transformer (e.g.,  630 ′ in  FIG. 8 ). 
     The non-oscillating, increased pulse width, non opposite polarity output waveform produced by the above described disabling device and pursuant to an embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 11 ,  12 , and  13  as follows. 
       FIG. 11  shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μS block) produced by the circuit shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,048, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Here, the output waveform has a positive pulse width (Delta) of 4.5 μS and shows that the circuit just clamps or blocks the negative cycle from passing through as the output waveform. 
       FIG. 12  shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μS block) produced by a circuit similar to the circuit shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,048 with the pair of diodes (i.e., diodes D 4  and D 5 ) removed. The first part of the sine wave produced is the same as the pulse produced in  FIG. 11  with a positive pulse width (Delta) of 4.5 μS. Therefore, as can be derived from  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the pair of diodes D 4  and D 5  appears to only remove the negative pulse and ringing. 
       FIG. 13  shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μS block) produced by a circuit built with a full-wave bridge diode circuit as shown in  FIG. 8  and pursuant to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is shown that the circuit in  FIG. 8  does not block the negative part of the waveform from being recycled (recovered) and then utilizing the recovered energy by converting it to positive energy and passing it with the initial pulse. That is, the output waveform as shown in  FIG. 13  with the full-wave bridge diode circuit (e.g., the full-wave bridge rectifier  680 ′ unexpectedly results in a positive pulse width (Delta) of 13.4 μS, which is about three times wider than the output waveform shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     Here, Joule output at 19 HZ of the output waveform shown in  FIG. 11  is 5.47, and Joule output at 19 HZ of the output waveform shown in  FIG. 13  is 15.49. The increased Joule output is desired for the following two reasons. First it allows for much smaller electronics such as capacitors, output transformers, and spark gaps. By stretching the pulse width the electronic disabling device can use a much lower voltage. Lower voltage electronics are much smaller. This will allow for a much smaller end product. Second, smaller components or components with smaller voltage ratings are much cheaper and more readily available to the industry, thus providing cost benefits for both the manufacturer and end user. 
     The operation of the circuit shown in  FIG. 8  pursuant to an embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail as follows. 
     Referring now back to  FIG. 8 , the full wave diode bridge  620 ′ across the high voltage (HV) capacitor C 1 ″ blocks (or prevents) the HV capacitor C 1 ″ from recharging in the opposite direction. As such, the full wave bridge rectifier  620 ′ recycles the negative energy and adds it to the positive pulse shown, e.g., in  FIG. 13 . The full wave bridge rectifier  620 ′ causes the flow to lock-up in the reverse direction producing an exponential decay of current and produces a DC like increased pulse width on the output waveform (see  FIG. 13 ) produced by the circuit shown in  FIG. 8 . That is and referring now also to  FIG. 13 , at time Stop, the full bridge rectifier  620 ′ across the capacitor C 1 ″ will not allow the capacitor C 1 ″ to recharge in the opposite direction from the revised current, and causes the flow to lock-up in the reverse direction producing the exponential decay of current and produces the DC like increased pulse width on the output waveform (see  FIG. 13 ). The exponential decay of current is represented as e −t/T , where the time constant T=L/R and where L is the inductance of the primary coil  670 ′ and the secondary coil  625 ′ and R is the primary resistance, the secondary resistance (transformed) and core losses. 
     As such and in view of the foregoing, a method according to an embodiment of the present invention produces a non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. The method includes: providing an energy from a battery to a power supply to provide the energy with a first energy portion having a first polarity and a second energy portion having a second polarity opposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion having the first polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the second energy portion having the second polarity; recycling the second energy portion having the second polarity; and adding the recycled second energy portion back into the pulse having the first polarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse having the first polarity. 
     A method according to another embodiment of the present invention produces a non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. The method includes: producing an energy to have a first energy portion with a first polarity and a second energy portion with a second polarity opposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion with the first polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the second energy portion with the second polarity; recycling the second energy portion having the second polarity; and adding the recycled second energy portion back into the pulse having the first polarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse having the first polarity. 
     A method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention produces a non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. The method includes: providing an energy from a battery to a power supply to provide the energy with a positive polarity energy portion and a negative polarity energy portion; charging the negative polarity energy portion into a high voltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with a positive polarity pulse; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the negative polarity energy portion through a full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor; recycling the negative polarity energy portion through the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor; and adding the recycled energy portion back into the positive polarity pulse electrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor to produce an increase in pulse width of the positive polarity pulse. 
     In more detail and as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a method of producing a non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a live target. In step  310  of the method, an energy is provided from a battery to a power supply to provide the energy with a positive polarity energy portion and a negative polarity energy portion. The negative polarity energy portion is charged into a high voltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with a positive polarity pulse in step  320 . The high voltage capacitor is blocked from being charged by the negative polarity energy portion through a full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor in step  330 . The negative polarity energy portion is recycled through the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor in Step  340 . Then, in step  350  of the method, the recycled energy portion is added back into the positive polarity pulse through the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor to produce an increase in pulse width of the positive polarity pulse. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.