Propulsion assembly for a dart-based electrical discharge weapon

Abstract

An assembly for use in propelling electrode darts toward a distant target is deployed in an electrical discharge weapon. The assembly comprises a cartridge having a u-shaped channel terminating in apertures through which wire-tethered darts are propelled. Propulsion is achieved relatively efficiently using the sudden release of compressed gas from a sealed storage tank in response to penetration by a conical penetrator forced by an electrically-induced ignition of a pyrotechnic material to accelerate toward and penetrate the tank at an axial surface. The conical shape of the penetrator and the axial penetration of the tank produces a precisely symmetric rush of gas into a relatively confined volume including the dart channel to propel the darts toward the target in an efficient manner. Paper stickers may cover the dart exit apertures to permit initial pressure buildup before the darts penetrate the stickers as they are propelled toward the target.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.