Incendiary Projectile Dispenser Rate Control and Jam Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerial ignition devices for prescribed burning are limited by issues such as restricted dimensions, lack of adjustable operation rate, inefficiencies in reactant injection, jamming, and inability to minimize post-operation sphere expulsion, along with safety concerns and visibility issues due to non-coloured projectiles.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a controller to regulate the dispensing rate of incendiary projectiles, including a hopper, dispenser gates, solenoids, and a fire extinguisher system, designed to minimize sphere expulsion and enhance visibility with multi-coloured projectiles, and a constant displacement pump for consistent reactant injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional aerial ignition devices use capsule belts with specific dimensions, then the device can dispense capsules, but it cannot dispense spheres or other free flowing projectiles and the belts become unusable waste after capsules are removed
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus uses a hopper-based dispensing system that can accommodate various projectile types (spheres, capsules, teardrops) with different dimensions and flow characteristics. The hopper design with adjustable dispenser gates allows the same device to handle multiple projectile formats without requiring separate capsule belts or magazines for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses the hopper and dispenser mechanism across different operational cycles. Projectiles are dispensed from the hopper through controlled gate opening, and the hopper is designed to be refillable and reusable, eliminating the need to discard the dispensing mechanism itself after use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional aerial ignition devices allow adjustment of desired rate of operation, then the rate can be modified, but the device cannot regulate the rate of operation and cannot correlate rate with desired rate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives input from a sensor that detects the actual dispensing rate and compares it to the desired rate. The controller then adjusts the dispenser gate opening duration or frequency to correct any deviations, ensuring the actual dispensing rate matches the desired rate consistently throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual or mechanical rate adjustment with an electronically controlled dispenser gate system. The controller uses electrical signals to precisely regulate the timing and duration of gate opening, providing more accurate and reliable rate control compared to mechanical adjustment methods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional aerial ignition devices inject varying amounts of reactant into spheres, then the rate of operation can be adjusted, but the incendiary effectiveness of the injected spheres is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains a constant reactant injection amount per sphere by controlling the injector pump operation. The controller ensures that each sphere receives the optimal, consistent amount of reactant regardless of the overall dispensing rate, by adjusting pump activation timing rather than varying injection quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactant is pre-loaded into the injector pump in controlled quantities. Each time a sphere is dispensed, the pump delivers a predetermined amount of reactant that was prepared in advance, ensuring consistent incendiary effectiveness without requiring real-time adjustment of injection quantity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional aerial ignition devices use electrically powered fire extinguishers, then fires can be extinguished, but the extinguishers do not operate when power to the device fails or becomes disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguisher system is designed to be self-activating through a mechanical trigger mechanism that responds to thermal or pressure conditions. When power fails, the system automatically activates the fire extinguisher without requiring electrical power, allowing the device to protect itself and the environment independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguisher is positioned and pre-configured to activate automatically under failure conditions. The mechanical trigger system is pre-set to respond to specific conditions (such as temperature or pressure changes) that indicate a fire hazard or power failure, ensuring protection is ready before catastrophic failure occurs.
5Ease of operation
If conventional aerial ignition devices require spheres to be expelled after user stops flow, then spheres can be dispensed, but the user must judge when to stop flow to minimize post-operation sphere expulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the dispensing process and automatically closes the dispenser gates when the hopper is empty or when dispensing should cease. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for the user to manually judge the optimal stopping point, preventing sphere expulsion errors while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual control of the dispenser gates with an electronically controlled system. The controller automatically manages gate opening and closing based on hopper conditions, eliminating the need for user judgment and preventing unintended sphere expulsion after operation stops.
6Ease of manufacture
If conventional aerial ignition devices lack multi-coloured exteriors on projectiles, then the projectiles can be dispensed, but visibility is hindered and they appear large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The projectiles are manufactured with multi-coloured exteriors that provide high visibility against various background conditions. The coloring is applied during the manufacturing process and does not interfere with the projectile's function, dispensing mechanism, or incendiary properties, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving visibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively controls the dispensing rate, reduces jamming, and enhances safety with visible projectiles, ensuring efficient and controlled prescribed burning operations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more solenoids for displacing the one or more dispenser gates
Implementation Method 2
an injector needle for puncturing a projectile
Implementation Method 3
a constant displacement pump for consistent reactant injection
Implementation Method 4
A delayed exothermic reaction between the incendiary material and the reactant within the spheres can produce a prescribed fire
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for dispensing incendiary projectiles is provided. The apparatus includes an injector for injecting the projectiles with a reactant at a dispensing rate, and a controller operable to control the dispensing rate. The controller is operable to control solenoids of a dispenser gate and a shuttle motor, and to prevent jam conditions of the apparatus. The apparatus can detect and automatically correct jam conditions that do occur. The apparatus can count the number of incendiary projectiles dispensed during a current operation and during the lifetime of the apparatus. The apparatus is dimensioned to minimize the number of incendiary projectiles purged from the apparatus after an operator has indicated to stop dispensing.