A system and method for initiating and dispensing an incendiary

Abstract

A system (10) for initiating and dispensing an incendiary from a belt (14) of series connected incendiary capsules (12) containing an incendiary substance includes a feed mechanism (16), a frame (130) and a belt guide (144). The feed mechanism has a feed (5) inlet (64) for receiving a portion of a belt and operates to advance the belt (14) to an activation zone (18) at which each capsule (12) is injected with an initiation substance capable of initiating an exothermic reaction with an incendiary substance in an incendiary capsule. Also, while in the activation zone 18 the initiated capsule (12) is separated from the belt (14). The frame (130) is connected to the feed mechanism for 10 holding a belt of the capsules configured as a plurality of side-by-side folded rows or windings of series connected capsules. The belt guide (144) is coupled to the frame (130) and has a guide surface (148) over which a belt (14) traverses when being advanced by the feed mechanism (16) to the activation zone (18). The guide surface 148 ()is formed with a compound convex curve to bias a belt (14) to align with the feed inlet (64).

Description

[0001] A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INITIATING AND DISPENSING AN INCENDIARY

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to system and method for initiating and dispensing an incendiary, and in particular, but not exclusively, for use in airborne fire control procedures such a backburning.

[0004] Background

[0005] It is known to drop incendiaries from helicopters and light aircraft for the purposes of forestry management and back burning. One known incendiary is in the form of a small sphere (of up to approximately 32mm diameter) of plastics material filled with a quantity of potassium permanganate granules or powder. Each sphere is formed from two hemispheres injection moulded from extruded plastic and subsequently joined together. A small hole is formed in the sphere to allow filling with a volume of potassium permanganate. The hole is then sealed with wax (hot glue).

[0006] These spheres are usually dropped from a semi-automatic dispenser provided with a hopper for holding a large number of spheres and which feeds the spheres sequentially to a chute where they are injected with a small volume of glycol. The potassium permanganate and glycol react exothermically leading to their mutual combustion.

[0007] This combination of incendiary and dispenser have low reliability. This is in part due to difficulties in sequentially feeding the spheres to a chute and then successfully injecting them with glycol. It is not uncommon for the spheres to become jammed in the chute which then requires manual clearing. If the clearing is not performed expeditiously, there is a risk of combustion occurring within the chute itself. Sometimes, to assist in feeding the spheres to the chute, an agitator is provided in the hopper. However, the agitator can cause the spheres to simply circulate within the hopper without dropping into the chute.

[0008] Another reason for the relatively low reliability is the sealing of the holes through which the spheres are initially loaded with potassium permanganate with wax or hot glue. If the spheres are orientated so that the needle injecting the glycol is aligned with the wax or glue, the needle can become blocked and has to be removed and cleaned before further use. Also, sometimes the needle hits the join and crushes the sphere.

[0009] The present Applicant has previously developed an alternate system for initiating and dispensing incendiaries. These systems are described in international publication nos. WO 2004 / 041365, and WO 2011 / 106835. Following extensive research and experimentation, Applicant continues to develop systems and methods for aerial incendiary delivery.

[0010] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art, in Australia or any other country.

[0011] Summary of the Disclosure

[0012] In accordance with a first aspect there is disclosed a system for initiating and dispensing an incendiary from a belt of series connected incendiary capsules containing an incendiary substance, said system in comprising: a feed mechanism for advancing a belt of series connected incendiary capsules to an activation zone at which each capsule is injected with an initiation substance capable of initiating an exothermic reaction with an incendiary substance in an incendiary capsule and separated from a belt, the feed mechanism having a feed inlet for receiving a portion of a belt; a frame connected to the feed mechanism for holding a belt of the capsules configured as a plurality of side-by-side folded rows or windings of series connected capsules; and a belt guide associated with the frame, the belt guide having a guide surface over which a belt traverses when being advanced by the feed mechanism to the activation zone, wherein the guide surface is formed with a compound convex curve to bias a belt to align with the feed inlet.

[0013] In one embodiment the belt guide includes a member spaced from the guide surface to form a gap, wherein the belt runs through the gap enroute to the channel.

[0014] In one embodiment the frame is arranged to hold a plurality of separate belts of incendiary capsules. In one embodiment the system includes an auto loading mechanism arranged to hold a second of the plurality belts stationary in the feed mechanism while a first of the plurality of belts is the advanced to the activation zone.

[0015] In one embodiment the feed mechanism is arranged to release the second belt from the auto loader when a last capsule in the first belt passes from under a first capsule in the second belt and subsequently advance the second belt to the activation zone.

[0016] In a second aspect there is disclosed system for initiating and dispensing an incendiary from a belt of series connected incendiary capsules containing an incendiary substance, said system in comprising: a feed mechanism for advancing a belt of series connected incendiary capsules in a feed direction to an activation location at which each capsule is injected with an initiation substance capable of initiating an exothermic reaction with the incendiary substance and is separated from the belt, the feed mechanism including a carousel having a plurality of receptacles each configured to receive a single capsule; a reciprocating device having an injector for injecting the initiation substance into a capsule and a cutter for cutting an injected capsule from the belt; wherein the reciprocating device is arranged to maintain the injector in physical contact with the capsule for at least 50% of a complete reciprocation cycle of reciprocating device.

[0017] A benefit of this aspect is that it allows continuous and independent operation of a pump that supplies the initiating substance, for example glycol, for injecting into the capsules.

[0018] In a third aspect there is disclosed system for initiating and dispensing an incendiary from a belt of series connected incendiary capsules containing an incendiary substance, the system comprising: a feed mechanism for advancing at least first and second separate belts of series connected incendiary capsules to an activation zone at which each capsule is injected with an initiation substance capable of initiating an exothermic reaction with the incendiary substance and is separated from the belt, and an auto loading mechanism arranged to hold a second of the plurality belts stationary in the feed mechanism while a first of the plurality of belts is the advanced to the activation zone.

[0019] In a fourth aspect there is disclosed method of initiating and dispensing an incendiary from at least first and second separate belts of series connected incendiary capsules, the method comprising: engaging a leading end of the first belt and the second belt in a feed mechanism capable of advancing a belt of series connected incendiary capsules to an activation zone at which each capsule is injected with an initiation substance capable of initiating an exothermic reaction with the incendiary substance and is separated from the belt; holding the second belt stationary while operating the feed mechanism to advance the capsules in the first belt to the activation zone; after a last capsule in the first belt has passed a leading capsule in the second belt en route to the activation zone, automatically releasing the second belt wherein the capsules of the second belt are advanced by the feed mechanism to the activation zone.

[0020] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the system and method for initiating and dispensing an incendiary as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to becoming drawings in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the disclosed system for initiating and dispensing an incendiary;

[0023] Figure 2a is a first angle exploded view from the front of a feed mechanism incorporated in the disclosed system for initiating and dispensing an incendiary;

[0024] Figure 2b is a second angle exploded view from the back of a feed mechanism incorporated in the disclosed system for initiating and dispensing an incendiary;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic representation from the side of a portion of the feed mechanism showing a cam mechanism, cutter and an injector; Figure 4 is a schematic representation from the top of a portion of the feed mechanism showing the cam mechanism and cutter shown in Figure 3;

[0026] Figure 5 is a side view of the system shown in Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 6 is a rear view of the system shown in Figures 1 and 5;

[0028] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a belt feed chute incorporated in the system shown in Figures 1 , 5 and 6;

[0029] Figure 8a is schematic representation of a portion of a feed mechanism of a second embodiment of the system for initiating and dispensing an incendiary depicting an auto loader which enables automatic loading of a second incendiary belt;

[0030] Figure 8b is a first angle exploded view from the front of the feed mechanism shown in Figure 8a;

[0031] Figure 8c is a second angle exploded view from the back of the feed mechanism shown in Figure 8a;

[0032] Figure 9 is a side view of a portion of the second embodiment shown in Figure 8a but with the addition of a drop chute and a cam mechanism;

[0033] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a representation of a frame incorporated in the second embodiment for holding two incendiary belts, each wound on respective reels contained in corresponding boxes that can be loaded into the frame;

[0034] Figures 11 a and 11 b are photographs of a prototype box for holding a supply of incendiary capsules for all embodiments of the system.

[0035] Description of Specific Embodiments

[0036] Figures 1 - 7 depict a first embodiment of the disclosed system 10a for initiating and dispensing an incendiary capsule 12 (hereinafter “capsules 12”) from a belt 14 of series connected capsules. The capsules 12 contain an incendiary substance, typically though not necessarily, in the form of a powder or a particulate. Nonlimiting examples of this substance include potassium permanganate and thermite.

[0037] The capsules 12 may be made from a plastics material has receptacle 13 that holds a quantity of the incendiary substance and formed with a circumferential flange 15. The adjacent capsules 12 are joined by a contiguous web 17 thus forming the belt 14. A seal 19 is adhered to the flange 15 covering the receptacle 13 and thereby holding incendiary substance within the capsule 12.

[0038] The system 10a is ordinarily mounted on or in an aircraft (manned or unmanned such as a drone) for the aerial dispensing of the capsules 12 to burn in the area of vegetation. This may be for various purposes including bushfire prevention or control; and destruction of illegal crops.

[0039] The system 10a includes a feed mechanism 16 for advancing the capsule belt 14 to an activation zone 18. When a capsule 12 in the belt is in the activation zone 18, it is injected with an initiation substance which reacts with the incendiary substance to cause an exothermic reaction. One example of an initiation substance is ethylene glycol. Although not a subject of the current disclosure, to provide context, the incendiary substance and the initiation substance are provided in sufficient quantities and with specific characteristics so that the exothermic reaction occurs within a set time range after injection, for example, but not limited to between about 20 to 60 seconds to produce a flame with a temperature of at least 1000° C.

[0040] Also, while in the activation zone, the injected capsule is cut or otherwise separated from the belt 14. The system 10a is arranged to be eject or drop the separated and injected capsule 12, allowing it to fall onto the ground with the view to igniting surrounding vegetation.

[0041] The feed mechanism 16 includes a body 20 that supports a plurality of functional components and subsystems. The body 20 has three planar structures 22, 24 and 26 (seen most clearly in Figs 2a and 2b). The planar structures 22, 24 and 26 are connected together in a generally face-to-face and spaced apart juxtaposition. Each of the planar structures has a frame like construction and includes a plurality of thin interconnected elongate members 28. A lattice structure 29 is formed between and attached to the members 28 of the planar structure 22. The outer planar structures 22 and 26 each have a circular seat 30.

[0042] The planar structures 22 and 24 are provided with webs 32 and 34 respectively. The webs 32 and 34 face each other and extend across the activation zone 18. A curved wall 33 is connected about an edge of the web 32 and extends perpendicular to a plane containing the web 32. Similarly, a curved wall 39 is connected about an edge of the web 34 and extends perpendicular to a plane containing the web 34. In the assembled feed mechanism, the webs 32 and 24 face each other and the circumferential edges of the curved walls 33, 39 are radially aligned but axially spaced apart.

[0043] Each of the planar structures 22, 24 and 26 is also provided with a plurality of connection holes 36 for receiving mechanical fasteners. The planar structure 26 is formed with bearing seats 35, 37 and 38 (best seen in Fig 2a). The planar structure 24 has a mounting plate 40, a cam bearing seat 41 , and a shaft seat 43. In the body 20: the bearing seat 35 aligns with a bearing seat 41 ; and, the bearing seat 38 aligns with the mounting plate 40.

[0044] A carousel 42 is rotatably mounted between the planar structures 22 and 24. With particular reference to Figure 3 the carousel 42 has a central hub 44 which supports a circular array of seats or pockets 46. The pockets 46 are configured to receive a corresponding capsule 12. The array of pockets 46 is spaced from and connected to the hub 44 by a plurality of spokes 48. In this embodiment each second pocket is connected by a spoke 48 to the hub 44. Mutually adjacent pockets 46 are connected together by a respective bridge 50. The bridge 50 is located below the radial outermost rim of the pockets 46 to provide a radial clearance 52 therebetween. The hub 44 one side sits on the circular bearing seat 30 on the facing side of the planar structure 22.

[0045] A main gear 56 (shown in Figs 2a, and 2b) is rotatably supported between the planar structures 24 and 26. The axis of rotation of the main gear 56 coincides with the centre line of the seats 30 in the planar structures 22 and 26. In this embodiment the main gear 56 is provided with one hundred (100) teeth. A cam drive gear 58 (see Figs 2a, 2b, 3 and 4) is also rotatably supported between the planar structures 24 and 26. The cam drive gear 58 is located coaxially with the bearing seats 35 and 41 . The cam drive gear 58 meshes with the main gear 56 and in this embodiment is provided with 10 teeth. A power transmission gear 60 (Fig 3) is located coaxially with the bearing seat 38 and a central hole in the mounting plate 40.

[0046] The power transmission gear 60 also meshes with the main gear 56 and in this embodiment is provided with ten (10) teeth. An electric drive motor 62 (visible in Figure 1) is mounted to the mounting plate 40 and has a driveshaft that is connected with and rotates the gear 60. More specifically the number of the teeth on respective gears is dictated by the number of pockets 46 in the carousel 42. In particular the number of pockets 46 dictates the ratio of teeth between the main gear 56 and the cam drive gear 58. For a carousel 42 having n pockets 46 there is a ratio of n teeth on the main gear 56 for each tooth on the cam drive gear 58. Hence in this embodiment where there are ten (10) pockets 46 on the carousel 42, there are one hundred (100) teeth on the main gear 56 and ten (10) teeth on the cam drive gear 58.

[0047] The system 10a has a feed inlet 64 through which the incendiary belt 14 is fed into the feed mechanism 16. The feed inlet 64 is located between the planar structures 22 and 24. A capsule slide 66 is located adjacent and inward from the feed inlet 64. The capsule slide 66 comprises a pair of spaced apart structures 67 (see Fig 2b). Each structure 67 has an upper rail 68 with a smoothly curved corner 70 facing the inlet 64. When the belt 14 is fed into the inlet 64 the flange 15 of the capsules 12 can ride on the rails 68. A body of the capsules 12 rides in a space 72 (Fig 3) formed between the rails 68.

[0048] An upper guide 74 which runs generally parallel with the rails 68 is also connected between the planar structures 22 and 24. The upper guide 74 constrains the capsules 14 from lifting out of the feed mechanism 16. The upper guide 74 is formed from a pair of rails 76 that follow an arc like path extending for approximately 40°-70° about the carousel 42.

[0049] A further pair of retaining rails 78 extend partially about the carousel 42. The rails 78 extend from a point coaxial with a downstream end of the rails 76 for about 20°-30° across the activation zone 18. As seen most clearly in Fig 4 a downstream end 80 of the rails 78 overlap with an upper end 82 of a drop chute 84. The drop chute 84 forms an enclosed longitudinal channel with an opening at a downstream end through which a capsule 12 falls and exits from the system 10a.

[0050] Referring to Figure 1 a sprung loading arm 79 is located about midway along the rails 78. In this embodiment the arm 79 is pivoted at a location intermediate of its ends. This divides the arm 79 into a rear tail portion 81 and a forward lever 83. The arm 79 has a smoothly curved under surface on a tail portion 81 for engaging the capsules 12. The sprung loading arm 79 is biased to pivot between the rails 78 in direction which applies pressure to the underlying capsules 12. This action seats the capsules 12 into their corresponding pockets 46. The lever 83 can be pressed to pivot the arm 79 in a direction to release pressure on the capsules 12. This will enable the capsules to be withdrawn from the feed mechanism 16.

[0051] The structures 67, upper guide 74 and the retaining rails 78 are held in place by a combination of spacing elements 86 and mechanical fasteners 88 it passed through the spacing elements 86. The mechanical fasteners 88 extend through corresponding connection holes 36 formed in the planar structures 22, 24 and 26, to hold the entirety of the feed mechanism 16 together.

[0052] The system 10a has a cam mechanism 90 (see in particular Fig 1 , 4 and 5) that includes the gear 58 and converts rotation of the gear 58 to a reciprocating motion. This reciprocating motion is used to (a) facilitate injection of the initiating substance into the capsules 12, and (b) cut the injected capsule 12 from the belt 14.

[0053] The cam mechanism 90 includes a cam wheel 92 coaxial with and fixed to the cam drive gear 58, a pin 98 fixed to the can wheel 92 and an arm 94 (most easily seen in Figs 2a and 2b) that is pivotally connected at one end 96 to the pin 98. The pin 98 extends parallel with but radially offset from a rotation axis of the cam drive gear 58. An end 100 of the arm 94 opposite the end 96 is supported on, and slidably coupled with, a rod 102. More particularly, the arm 94 is formed with an internal and longitudinally extending blind hole into which one end of the rod 102 extends. An opposite end of the rod 102 is fixed in an eye 104 which is rigidly the connected to an end of a shaft 106. The shaft 106 is received within the shaft seat 43 and able to swivel back-and-forth about its axis.

[0054] Due to the above construction, when the cam mechanism 90 is rotating it moves the arm 94 in an arc like path, having a combination of both linear motions toward and away from the carousel 42 and, an up-and-down motion tangential to the circumference of the carousel 42. This motion is imparted to a cutter 108 and an injector 112 coupled to the arm 94.

[0055] A cutter 108 is supported by the arm 94. In this embodiment the cutter 108 has cutting edge 110 with a “V” shaped profile where a free end of the “V” is forward of a vertex of the “V”. As a result of this configuration, the cutting edge simultaneously contacts opposite sides of the web 17 between adjacent capsules and progressively cuts the web 17 inwardly toward centre of the web. As this occurs a part of the cutting edge 110 protrudes into the radial clearance 52 between adjacent seats 46 of the carousel 42. This cutting action across the width of the web 17, which may be classified as a shearing action, is contrast with a cutting action were a blade simultaneously contacts across a whole width of the web 17 and then penetrates through the depth of the bridge to perform the cut. The cutting motion form opposite sides that occurs in this embodiment requires less power and less force to perform. Additionally, the arc like path of the cutter 108 enables the cut to be performed over a longer period of time. This reduces power requirements which can be significant if weight of the system 10a is critical, for example when the system 10a is carried by an aerial drone.

[0056] Additionally, while the cutting edge 110 is cutting, the carousel 42 is rotating and thereby moving the capsules 12 in a tangential direction to the axis of rotation. This tangential motion of the capsules 12 also has the effect of forcing the web 17 against the cutting edge 110. So, the force required to perform the cut is shared between the cutting edge 110 and the carousel 42.

[0057] The cam mechanism 90 also carries the injector 112 which is arranged to inject the capsules 12 as they pass across the activation zone 28 with the initiation substance (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “glycol”). Injector 112 is reciprocated to cyclically penetrate into and retract from within a capsule 12. After the injector 112 has initially penetrated through the seal 19 and while it remains within the capsule 12, a pump 114 (see Figures 1 and 5) is operated to pump glycol into the capsule 12. The pump 114 is driven by a dedicated pump motor (not visible).

[0058] The cam mechanism 90 is arranged so that the injector 112 remains within the capsule 12 for 180° of rotation of the cam drive gear 58 / cam wheel 92. This corresponds with 18° rotation of the carousel 42. The 180° of rotation of the cam drive gear 58 is also equivalent to 50% of the linear distance travelled in a full reciprocation cycle of the arm 94. As a consequence of the motion of the injector 112 and the location at which it penetrates into the capsule 12, it also acts to hold the capsule 12 while, and until, the web 17 is fully cut and the capsule 12 engages the upper end 82 of the drop chute 84.

[0059] The pump motor is operated to drive the pump 114 so that for substantially the full 180° rotation of the drive gear 58 / cam wheel 92, glycol is supplied to the capsule 12. For the remaining 180° rotation of the cam wheel 92 the pump motor drives the pump 114 to draw a next charge of glycol from a supply 118. As a consequence, the pump motor and the pump 114 can be continuously driven at a constant speed during operation of the system 10a. This is beneficial in terms of efficiency and power draw which in turn enables a reduction in the overall weight of the power supply. This should be contrast with systems where a motor is sequentially turned ON and OFF which will require cyclic spikes in power draw due to start-up torque requirements.

[0060] The drive motor 62 and the pump motor are electronically synchronised so that the pumping cycle of the pump 114 coincides with the 180° of rotation of the drive gear 58 / cam wheel 92 during which the injector is within the capsule 12.

[0061] The system 10a includes a connection port 120 for the supply 118. There is an additional connection port 122 for a fire suppressant supply bottle 124. The fire suppressant may be water. The supply 118 and 124 are in the form of bottles with a screw neck at one end to facilitate coupling to their respective ports 120 and 122. A self-sealing cap, for example of a type commonly used in conjunction with medical syringes, is fitted to the necks of the supply bottles 118, 124.

[0062] Conventional dry break couplings may be used to connect the supply bottles 118 and 124 to their respective ports 120 and 122. Each dry break coupling has a dry break nozzle and a dry break receiver. The nozzles are fitted to the ports 120 and 122, while the corresponding receivers are fitted to the supply bottles 118 and 124. The receivers and nozzles releasably lock together to form a completely sealed conduit for the transfer of the contents of the bottles 118 and 124. Each dry break coupling has internal mechanical valves that remain closed until the nozzle and receiver are fully connected, at which point a fluid flow path is opened. However, when they are being disconnected the valves are closed and the fluid flow path is automatically sealed before the nozzle and receiver are uncoupled, minimising leaks.

[0063] Respective hoses (not shown) are coupled with the nibs via respective pumps. A hose coupled with the nib of the port 120 is connected via the pump 114 to the injector 112. Another hose coupled with the nib of the port 122 leads to fire extinguishing system through a separate pump (motion), which is discussed in more detail below.

[0064] Each of the bottles 118 and 124 is also provided with a vented screw top 125. The vented screw tops have two functions. One function is to allow air to enter the bottles 118, 124 when the fluid therein is being pumped out, thereby preventing the formation of an airlock which would stop the flow of fluid. A second function is to allow the bottles 118 and 124 to be refilled.

[0065] The previously mentioned fire extinguishing system incorporated in system 10a includes the supply / bottle 124 which contains the fire suppressant fluid (e.g., water), a separate extinguisher pump, a fire detection sensor and one or more extinguisher nozzles. One extinguisher nozzle 125 (see Fig 3) is located immediately above the injector 112. In one embodiment, the fire detection sensor may be in the form of an infrared fire detector. This detector may be located in the activation zone 18. It should also be noted here that the activation zone is in a region flanked on opposite sides by the webs 32 and 34 and on a back side by the curved walls 33 and 39. The spokes 48 pass between the curved walls 33, 39 with the pocket 46 located radially beyond the walls 33, 39. That is, the curved walls 33, 39 lie behind a capsule 12 held in a pocket 46 while being injected with glycol pockets 46 in the activation zone. The sensor may be located above where a capsule 12 is positioned immediately before it is injected with the initiation substance by the injector 112. Likewise, the one or more nozzles are arranged to spray the fire extinguishing fluid toward the capsule. In a further embodiment the, or an additional, infrared sensor can be integral with the injector block that includes the injector 112 and the cutter 108.

[0066] In this embodiment the extinguisher pump is powered by a capacitor or super capacitor independently of the drive motor 62 and pump motor which are powered by a battery. But in an alternate embodiment the extinguisher pump may be powered by a battery separate from and independent of the battery used to power the drive and pump. In the event a fire is detected, for example due to an incendiary igniting without being ejected, the extinguisher pump is automatically operated to deliver the fire suppressant fluid to extinguish the fire. The webs 32 and 34 and curved walls 33, 39 assist in physically confining a fire to within the activation zone 18. The webs 32, 34 and walls 33, 39 may further assist in directing the fire suppressant fluid onto a fire within the activation zone.

[0067] The system 10a includes a frame 130 (see Figures 1 and 5) for holding a supply of capsules 12. As previously described, the capsules 12 are arranged in a single belt 14. The frame 130 is configured to form a structure that receives a supply of capsules 14 held in a box 132. The box 132 contains a reel 134 on which the belt 14 is round. As the reel 134 has a width substantially greater than the width of a capsule 12, the belt 14 is accommodated as side-by-side windings on the reel 134.

[0068] In this embodiment the frame 130 includes a base 138, a front frame portion 140, beams 142, a cross beam 143 and a belt guide 144 which are releasably connected together. The base 138 forms a base of the system 10a. A front part 138f of the base supports, amongst other items, the bottles 118, 126. A rear part 138r of the base forms a ledge on which a forward end of the bottom wall of the box 132 sits. The rear part 138r extends across the width of the frame 130 to support a full width of a forward portion of the bottom wall of a box 132. The front frame portion 140 extends vertically and is connected at its lower end to the base 138 between front and rear parts 138f, 138r. The body 20 is connect to the front frame portion 140 on a side overlying the front part 138f of the base. The beams 142 run horizontally along an upper end of the frame 130. The beams 142 are parallel to each other and both are connected at one end to the front frame portion 140. The opposite end of each beam 142 is connected to the belt guide 144. The cross beam 143 extends perpendicularly above and is coupled to the beams 142. When the system 10a is mounted on a drone a quick release connector (not shown) is attached to the cross beam 143 to facilitate a quick snap action type coupling to the drone.

[0069] The belt guide 144 has a planar wall 146, a guide surface 148 and a rear member 150 spaced from the guide surface 148 to form a gap 152 through which the belt 14 runs enroute to the inlet 64 of the feed mechanism 16. The guide surface 148 is formed with a compound convex curve. This curve has an apex that is aligned with a central axis of the inlet 64. The rear member 150 has a curvature matching that of the guide surface 148.

[0070] With reference to Figures 5, 11 and 12, one form of the box 132 has a top wall 127 that spans a full width of the box 132 and lies immediately beneath the beams 142 when loaded in the frame 130. The box also has a front wall 129 that runs for the full height of the box 132 and lies immediately behind the front frame portion 140. The box is formed with a partial bottom wall 131 that is connected to the front wall 129 and extends for only a fraction (for example 15% to 30%) of the width of the box 132. A partial rear wall 133 of the box 132 is connected to the top wall 127 and extends for only a fraction (for example 25% to 40%) of the height of the box 132. Opposite side walls 135 of the box 132 have a diagonal edge 137 extending between the ends of the partial bottom and rear walls 131 and 133. The reel is rotatably supported at opposite ends on by the side walls 135. One or more of the walls 127, 129, 131 , 133, 135 may be formed with one or more holes 141 . The purpose of the holes if to reduce the overall weight of the box 132. The box 132 may be made from cardboard. When the box 132 is loaded in the frame the bottom wall 131 rests on the rear part 138r of the frame base 138, while the rear wall 133 bears against and is coterminous with the planar wall 146.

[0071] When the system 10a is in use, the belt 14 extends from beneath the belt guide 144 at a lateral inclination dictated by the position of the belt as it leaves the reel 134. The compound convex curve of the guide surface 148 allows a belt 14 to unwind from the reel 134 in a vertical direction which assists in preventing the capsules 12 from catching on themselves. Additionally, as the belt 14 traverses the upper regions of the guide surface 148, the compound curvature assists in directing the belt 14 into alignment with middle of the inlet 64.

[0072] The belt guide 144 may be connected to the horizontal beams 142 by mechanical fasteners. The belt guide 144 when connected as part of the 130 is orientated so that the planar wall 146 lies in a vertical plane and faces the front frame portion 140. The planar wall 146 acts as an abutment surface for an upper part of a rear wall of the box Respective box latch fingers 154 (shown most clearly in Figure 10 and 11 that illustrate a frame of a second embodiment described later) are coupled to the frame 130 at opposite front upper corners for holding the box 132 / reel 134 in the frame 130. By having the fingers 154 on opposite sides of the frame 130, a box 130 can be inserted into the frame or taken out of the frame 130 from either side. The fingers 154 are independently moveable. Each finger can be moved between a stop position, shown in Fig 1 where it extends into a space defined by the frame 130 and release / load position where the fingers 154 is pivoted to align with or extend above an adjacent beam 142. The finger 154 are biased, for example by a corresponding spring to the stop position. A lever 156 may be attached to each finger 154 to enable convenient moving of the fingers 154 between the stop and release positions. Pressing downward on a lever 156 will pivot corresponding finger 154 toward the release position. Releasing the lever 156 will result in the finger 154 being biased back to the stop position.

[0073] To load a box 132 of capsules into an empty frame 130 the lever 156 on the side of the frame 130 into which the box is to be inserted is pressed down. The finger is thus pivoted to the release position and the box 132 can be slid into the frame 130 so that:

[0074] • a bottom wall of the box sits on the rear base part 138f,

[0075] • the front wall of the box 132 is facing and adjacent the front frame portion 140,

[0076] • upper wall of the box 132 lies below the beams 142.

[0077] • the upper part of a rear wall of box 132 faces and abuts or at least is in close proximity to the planar wall 146,

[0078] • a side wall of the box 132 which first enters the frame 132 abuts the finger 154 on the opposite of the frame which remains in to stop position. Now the lever 156 which has been pressed down to allow the box 132 to be loaded into the frame 132 is released. This causes the corresponding finger to spring back to the stop position. The newly loaded box 132 is now retained within the frame 132.

[0079] Referring particularly to Figures 6 and 7, a belt feed chute 160 is mounted to the top of the frame 130 and provides a constrained feed path for the capsule belt 14 between the belt guide 144 and the feed inlet 64. The belt feed chute 160 has an upper wall 162 under which the capsule belt 14 is constrained to travel enroute to the inlet 64 from the belt guide 144. The belt feed chute 160 also has a bottom wall 164 underlying the upper wall 162. More particularly, the capsule belt 14 is constrained to travel between the upper and bottom walls 162, 164 when the system 10 is in use. The belt feed chute 160 tappers in width in the direction of travel of the belt 14. The chute 160 is widest at an end 166 closest to the belt guide 144. The width at the end 166 is provided to accommodate the constant change in the angle of the belt 14 as it feeds from across the width of the reel 134 and over the belt guide 144 to the feed inlet 64. At an opposite end 168 closest the feed inlet 64 the belt feed chute 160 narrows to a width slightly wider than the capsules 12.

[0080] In this embodiment the upper wall 162 and bottom wall 164 are made as separate components that are held in a fixed relative juxtaposition. This is by way mechanical spacers and fasteners 170. The upper wall 162 is formed with opposite and depending side walls 172. The bottom wall 164 is formed with opposite and upstanding side walls 174. The side walls 174 lie within the side walls 172. The upper wall 162 extends beyond the bottom wall at the end 168. While the upper and bottom walls 162, 164 are depicted as solid walls, they may be made as a lattice like or mesh structures to reduce overall weight.

[0081] The effect of the belt feed chute 160 is to constrain the belt 14 to prevent or minimise bowing or springing of the belt 14 upwardly above the height of the frame 130 and thereby minimise the risk of the belt catching on a part of the aircraft to which it is mounted.

[0082] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-7 the complete system 10a with a box 132 carrying 500 capsules wound on a reel has a total weight in the order of 2.3 kg, with each capsule individually having a weight of about 2 g.

[0083] A second embodiment of the system 10b is shown in Figures 8a-11 in which the same reference numbers are used to denote the same or similar features as per the first embodiment of the system 10a shown in Figures 1-7.

[0084] The substantive difference between the systems 10a and 10b is that the system 10b is able to accommodate and automatically feed two separate belts 14 of incendiary capsules 12. To do this, the system 10b includes an autoloader 180, a modified sprung loading arm 79b, and a modified frame 130b. The autoloader 180 is attached to the body 20 adjacent the inlet 64, upstream of the sprung loading arm 79b and above the carousel 42. More specifically the autoloader 180 is pivotally connected to the body 20 about a pivot axis 182 and between the side structures 22 and 24. The autoloader 180 has a pair of downward projection fingers 184. The fingers 184 are spaced apart by a distance that enables them to locate between mutually adjacent capsules 12 in an upper capsule belt while a lower capsule belt is being processed. This prevents the upper belt from being pulled backwards and out of the feed mechanism 20. The autoloader 180 also includes cam arm 186 that lies between and is fixed to the fingers 184.

[0085] The sprung loading arm 79b is modified by the inclusion of a slot 188 its tail portion 81 . The slot 188 is open at the distal end of the tail portion 81. The frame 130b is modified to hold two boxes 132 each having a wound capsule belt 14.

[0086] The beginning length of each of the belts is fed into and held by the autoloader 180, one under the other. When the system 10b commences to operate the lower of the two capsule belts is processed and consumed as described above in relation to the system 10a, while the autoloader 180 holds the beginning of the upper belt 14 in place beneath the sprung loading arm 79b. The pressure applied by the sprung loading arm 79b is transmitted through the upper belt onto the capsules of the underlying lower belt to urge them into the pockets 46.

[0087] As the last capsule 12 of the lower belt passes the sprung loading arm 79b, the first capsule 12 at the beginning of the upper capsule belt held by the autoloader 180 and under the influence of the sprung loading arm 79b is pushed into, an otherwise empty underlying pocket 46 of the carousel 42. Thereafter, the system 10b operates as described hereinabove feeding the capsules of the upper belt to the activation zone 18, injecting them with the initiation fluid and cutting them from the belt to be ejected through the drop chute 84.

[0088] The cam arm 186 is arranged to locate in the slot 188. When the system 10b is being prepared for use to dispense the capsules from two separate belts, the lever 83 of the arm 79b is pushed downwards. This results in the tail portion 81 being pivoted in an upward direction. This motion is accommodated by of the cam arm 186 locating in the slot 184. Eventually, the arm 79b at an inboard end of the slot 188 contacts the cam arm 186. From here, further pivoting of the arm 79b in the same direction causes the autoloader 180 to pivot about its axis 182. This results in the fingers 184 being lifted away from the carousel 42.

[0089] The beginning length of both belts can then be manually fed in through the inlet 64 to a location where the initial capsule 12 in each belt is located beneath the tail 81 of the loading arm 79b. Pressure on the lever 83 is released allowing the tail 81 of the sprung loading arm 79b to pivot downwardly to apply pressure to the underlying capsules of both belts. This urges the capsules of the lower belt into the underlying pocket 46. The downward pivoting of the tail 81 also releases contact between the loading arm 79b and the cam arm 186 within the slot 188. Consequently, the autoloader 180 is able to pivot about the axis 182 in a direction bringing the fingers 184 closer to the carousel 42, and to locate between adjacent capsules of the upper belt.

[0090] A pair of retaining plates 190 is also fixed to the feed mechanism 16 (which is the same as for the system 10a) on opposite sides of the autoloader 180. The plates 190 assist in maintaining alignment between the belts 14 and the feed inlet 64. The capsule slide 66 is integrated into the plates 190 with the upper rail 68 having the smoothly curved corners formed on the inside of each of the plates 190. The upper rails 76 and retaining rails 78 are the same as for the system 10a.

[0091] The frame 130b for the system 10b is shown most clearly in Figures 10 and 11 . The frame 130b has a front portion 130bf and a rear portion 130br each arranged to support a respective box of capsules. The frame 130b includes the front frame potion 142, beams 142, and a belt guide 144 as in the frame 130, but has a modified base 138b and a further base member 139, an upright brace 140b, two more beams 142b and a second belt guide 144b. The modified base 138b includes a spar 138rs. The spar 138rs extends rearwardly of the of the rear portion 138r.

[0092] The base member 139 connects the base 138b to the upright 140b. The base member 139 has a spar 139s, a rear base portion 139r and an upright stump 139u. The spar 139s connects to the spar 138rs. Together the spars 138rs and 139s with the base portion 138r underly the full length of a box 132 loaded in a front portion of the frame 130b. The upright brace 140b is connected to the stump 139u. An upper end of the upright brace 140b is connected to and between the beams 142 and 142b. The cross beam 143 runs perpendicular to and is coupled to the beams 142b at a location above the upright 140b. The second belt guide 144b is connected to ends of the beams 144b distant the upright brace 140b. The second belt guide 144 is of the same configuration and functions in the same manner as the belt guide 144.

[0093] Respective box latch fingers 154b are coupled to the frame portion 130r at opposite front upper corners of the upright brace 140b for holding the box 132 / reel 134 in the frame portion 130r. The latch fingers 154b operate in the same way as the latch fingers 154 and allow a box of capsules to be loaded or removed from the frame 130 from either side. The quick release connector (not shown) is attached to the cross beam 143 to facilitate a quick snap action type coupling of the system 10b to a drone or other vehicle.

[0094] An embodiment of the system 10b fully loaded with two boxes of incendiaries, each comprising a single belt of five hundred (500) capsules round on a reel, i.e., so the system 10b is capable of dispensing one thousand (1000) capsules, has a weight of about 3.6 kg. In an embodiment of the system 10b capable of dispensing two thousand (2000) capsules arranged in two boxes each of one thousand (1000) capsules has a weight of about 6.6 kg.

[0095] While several exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. For example,

[0096] All the feed mechanism 16 components and frame 130 components may be made using an additive manufacturing process such as 3D printing. One example of a suitable material for use in manufacturing to provide high strength and light weight is Scalmalloy™ alloy or other alloys including magnesium alloy. As part of the manufacturing process a heat resistant ceramic coat may be applied to the components.

[0097] The components that can be made in this way include: carousel 42, • side structures 22 and 24,

[0098] • webs 32, 34,

[0099] • rails 78,

[0100] • cam mechanism 90,

[0101] • cutter 108,

[0102] • injector 112

[0103] • spacing elements 86

[0104] • gears 56, 58, 60

[0105] • sprung loading arm 79

[0106] • autoloader 160

[0107] • frames 130 / 130b and all separate components thereof including the belt guide(s) 144.

[0108] However, other materials and manufacturing processes may be used to fabricate embodiments of the system 10 and / or one or more of its individual components. For example, titanium many used as a fabrication material particularly if the flame temperature of the capsules increases to a level beyond the safe operating limit of Scalmalloy™. In addition, various forms of surface plating with various plating materials may be incorporated in the manufacture and fabrication of embodiments of the system 10 and / or one or more of its individual components to provide desired characteristics of one or more of surface hardness, corrosion protection and heat resistance.

[0109] In addition, electronic sensors may be associated with the system 10 to provide a user with operational information including for example the cutting of a capsule 12 from the belt 14. This would be particularly helpful in the system 10 is deployed from a drone as it will provide a remote operator with verification of the operation of the system 10.

[0110] In a further variation or modification holding capsule boxes may be arranged to hold a degree of tension in a capsule belt 14 wound about the corresponding reel 134, This can be achieved by the provision of a sprung plate 234 (see Fig 11 a and 11 b) that is attached to the box 132 and presses on the reel 134. The plate 234 may be made from a plastics material. The plate 234 includes a tongue portion 236 that has a width slightly less than the width of the reel 134. The tongue portion 236 reaches to a point above a central axis of the reel 134 when the reel is unloaded as shown in Figs X and Y. The tongue portion 236 may also be concavely curved on its inner surface which bears against a belt 14 when wound about the reel 134. The plate 234 also includes a base 238 and rear wall 240. The base 238 is attached to an inside surface of the bottom of the box 132c, while the rear wall 240 is attached to an inside of a back of the box 132c. The box 132 also has an end of belt clip 242. The clip 242 is attached to a central tube 244 of the reel 134. The purpose of the clip 244 is to hold a capsule at or near the end of the belt at a substantially fixed location while the belt is being consumed by the system 10c. This together with the action of the plate 234 helps to keep the belt relatively tightly wound about the reel 134 when in use, thereby minimising the risk of any inherent springiness or resilience in the belt acting to partially unravel the belt from the reel 134.

[0111] It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of the system and method are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed system and method.

[0112] In the claims that follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e., to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0113] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A system for initiating and dispensing an incendiary from a belt of series connected incendiary capsules containing an incendiary substance, said system in comprising: a feed mechanism for advancing a belt of series connected incendiary capsules to an activation zone at which each capsule is injected with an initiation substance capable of initiating an exothermic reaction with an incendiary substance in an incendiary capsule and separated from a belt, the feed mechanism having a feed inlet for receiving a portion of a belt; a frame connected to the feed mechanism for holding a belt of the capsules configured as a plurality of side-by-side folded rows or windings of series connected capsules; and a belt guide associated with the frame, the belt guide having a guide surface over which a belt traverses when being advanced by the feed mechanism to the activation zone, wherein the guide surface is formed with a compound convex curve to bias a belt to align with the feed inlet.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the belt guide includes a member spaced from the guide surface to form a gap, wherein a belt runs through the gap enroute to the channel.

3. The system of claims 1 or 2 wherein the frame is arranged to hold a plurality of separate belts of incendiary capsules.

4. The system of claim 3 comprising an auto loading mechanism arranged to hold a second of a plurality belts stationary in the feed mechanism while a first of the plurality of belts is the advanced to the activation zone.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the auto loading mechanism is arranged to release a pervious stationary second belt when a last capsule in the first belt passes from under a first capsule in a second belt wherein the feed mechanism is able to subsequently advance the second belt to the activation zone.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 - 5 including a belt feed chute arranged to provide a constrained feed path for a capsule belt between the belt guide and the feed inlet.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein the belt feed chute comprises an upper wall under which a capsule belt is constrained to travel enroute from the belt guide to the feed inlet.

8. The system according to claim 6 or 7 wherein a width of the belt feed chute tapers from a relatively wide end closest to the belt guide to a relatively narrow and closest to the feed inlet.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein a belt of capsules is provided in a box demountably held on the frame, and the box is arranged to hold a degree of tension in the belt of capsules.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein the box includes a reel on which the belt of capsules is wound, and a sprung plate biased to press the wound belt onto the reel.11 . The system according to claim 10 wherein the box further includes a clip arranged to hold a capsule at or near an end of the belt at a substantially fixed location while the feed mechanism is advancing the belt to the activation zone.

12. A system for initiating and dispensing an incendiary from a belt of series connected incendiary capsules containing an incendiary substance, said system in comprising: a feed mechanism for advancing a belt of series connected incendiary capsules in a feed direction to an activation zone at which each capsule is: injected with an initiation substance capable of initiating an exothermic reaction with the incendiary substance and separated from the belt, the feed mechanism including a carousel having a plurality of pockets each configured to receive a single capsule; and a reciprocating device having an injector for injecting the initiation substance into a capsule and a cutter for cutting an injected capsule from the belt;wherein the reciprocating device is arranged to maintain the injector in physical contact with the capsule for about 50% of a complete reciprocation cycle of the reciprocating device.

13. A system for initiating and dispensing an incendiary from a belt of series connected incendiary capsules containing an incendiary substance, the system comprising: a feed mechanism for advancing at least first and second separate belts of series connected incendiary capsules to an activation zone at which each capsule is injected with an initiation substance capable of initiating an exothermic reaction with the incendiary substance and is separated from the belt, and an auto loading mechanism arranged to hold the second of the plurality belts stationary while a first of the plurality of belts is the advanced to the activation zone by the feed mechanism.

14. The system according to claim 12 or 13 further comprising a frame for holding a supply of the incendiary capsules in a form of at least one belt of series connected incendiary capsules, and a belt feed chute arranged to provide a constrained feed path for the capsule belt for at least a portion of travel from the supply to the activation zone.

15. The system according to claim 14 wherein the belt feed chute comprises an upper wall under which the belt is constrained to travel enroute from the supply to the activation zone.

16. The system according to claim 14 or 15 wherein a width of the belt feed chute tapers from a relatively wide end closest to the supply to a relatively narrow and closest to the activation zone.

17. The system according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the supply of capsules is provided in a box demountably held on the frame, and the box is arranged to hold a degree of tension in the belt of capsules.

18. The system according to claim 17 wherein the box includes a reel on which the belt of capsules is wound, and a sprung plate biased to press the wound belt onto the reel.

19. The system according to claim 18 wherein the box further includes a clip arranged to hold a capsule at or near an end of the belt at a substantially fixed location while the feed mechanism is advancing the belt to the activation zone.

20. A method of initiating and dispensing an incendiary from at least first and second separate belts of series connected incendiary capsules, the method comprising: engaging a leading end of the first belt and the second belt in a feed mechanism capable of advancing a belt of series connected incendiary capsules to an activation zone at which each capsule is injected with an initiation substance capable of initiating an exothermic reaction with the incendiary substance and is separated from the belt; holding the second belt stationary while operating the feed mechanism to advance the capsules in the first belt to the activation zone; and after a last capsule in the first belt has passed a leading capsule in the second belt enroute to the activation zone, automatically releasing the second belt wherein the capsules of the second belt are advanced by the feed mechanism to the activation zone.

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