Electrode tensioner for a conducted electrical weapon
A conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) impedes locomotion of a human or animal target by providing a stimulus signal through one or more electrodes and through the target. The CEW includes a handle and one or more removable deployment units coupled to the handle. A deployment unit may include a wad, a tensioner, a guide, and posts to improve accuracy of launch of electrodes form the deployment unit.
1 . An electrode for a conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”), the electrode comprising:
a body defining a cavity;
a filament stowed within the cavity; and
a tensioner positioned proximate a rear of the body, wherein the tensioner is configured to apply a force on the filament as the filament deploys from the cavity.
2 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the tensioner is coupled to the rear of the body.
3 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a rear wall including an opening.
4 . The electrode of claim 3 , wherein the tensioner is coupled to the rear wall.
5 . The electrode of claim 4 , wherein the tensioner comprises a hole, and wherein the hole is axially centered with the opening.
6 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the tensioner comprises a hole, and wherein the filament is positioned through the hole.
7 . The electrode of claim 6 , wherein as the filament deploys from the cavity the filament contacts an inner wall of the hole.
8 . The electrode of claim 7 , wherein friction between the inner wall of the hole and the filament applies the force on the filament.
9 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the tensioner comprises a urethane foam.
10 . The electrode of claim 1 , wherein the filament is wound in a winding within the cavity.
11 . A deployment unit for a conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) comprising:
a housing defining a bore; and
an electrode positioned in the bore, wherein the electrode comprises:
a body defining a cavity;
a filament stowed within the cavity; and
a tensioner positioned proximate a rear of the body, wherein the tensioner is configured to apply a force on the filament as the filament deploys from the cavity.
12 . The deployment unit of claim 11 , wherein the tensioner is coupled to the rear of the body.
13 . The deployment unit of claim 11 , wherein the body comprises a rear wall including an opening, and wherein the tensioner is coupled to the rear wall.
14 . The deployment unit of claim 11 , wherein the electrode further comprises a wad positioned at the rear of the body, and wherein the wad is configured to increase a muzzle velocity of the electrode.
15 . The deployment unit of claim 14 , wherein the tensioner is coupled to the wad.
16 . The deployment unit of claim 14 , wherein the wad is coupled to the rear of the body, and wherein the tensioner is positioned between the rear of the body and the wad.
17 . The deployment unit of claim 11 , further comprising a guide positioned within the bore of the housing.
18 . The deployment unit of claim 17 , wherein the tensioner is configured to contact the filament at a first location, and wherein the guide is configured to contact the filament at a second location.
19 . The deployment unit of claim 17 , wherein a first end of the filament is coupled to a forward end of the body, and wherein a second end of the filament extends through the tensioner and the guide to couple to the housing.
20 . The deployment unit of claim 11 , wherein the filament is wound in a winding within the cavity, and wherein the winding is configured to unravel to deploy the filament from the cavity.