Linear Incendiary Strand for Prescribed Fire Ignition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for igniting prescribed fires in forest and range land vegetation, such as aerial ignition and handheld drip-torches, are costly, pose safety risks, and lack precision, while existing fuses and deflagrating cords fail to sustainably ignite vegetative materials with high moisture content.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, elongate incendiary device in the form of a solid strand, capable of rapid and sustained flaming combustion, which can be deployed over large areas and ignited either directly or remotely, providing a nearly instantaneous line of fire for igniting forest fuels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aerial ignition using helicopters is used, then large burn areas can be treated efficiently, but the cost increases significantly and personnel safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an aerially-deployed incendiary device that acts as an intermediary between the helicopter and the vegetation. The device is dropped from the helicopter and then ignites the target area through its own combustion mechanism, eliminating the need for personnel to be in close proximity to the fire while maintaining effective ignition capability.
2Ease of operation
If handheld drip-torches are used for ground ignition, then personnel have direct control over ignition, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming and requires significant personnel numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The incendiary device is divided into multiple individual units that can be deployed simultaneously across the burn area. Each unit independently ignites vegetation in its vicinity, allowing parallel ignition of multiple locations and dramatically increasing the overall ignition speed while maintaining operational control.
3Speed
If existing fuses or deflagrating cords are used, then ignition can be achieved, but they fail to sustain combustion long enough to ignite vegetative materials with high moisture content
Solution Approach 1:
The incendiary device employs a composite formulation combining multiple combustible components including cellulose, resins, and other organic materials. This composite structure provides both rapid initial ignition and sustained flaming combustion, ensuring that the fire maintains sufficient heat and duration to ignite moisture-containing vegetative materials.
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 incendiary device effectively ignites vegetative fuels with improved safety for personnel, reduced personnel requirements, and enhanced control over fire behavior, while using renewable resources instead of petroleum-based products.
Implementation Method 1
rapid deflagration along the longitudinal axis of the strand
Implementation Method 2
sustain flaming combustion for a period of time sufficient to ignite wood, grass, straw, needles, moss
Data Source
AI summary
An elongate, flexible, incendiary device for producing a nearly instantaneous source of flaming combustion along a linear pathway of indeterminate length. The incendiary device is provided in the form of a solid, continuous strand, such as, for example, a ribbon, tape, cord, filament, rope or tube. The device is comprised of means for rapid ignition along the longitudinal axis of the strand in co-linear arrangement with a solid or semi-solid combustible fuel composition. Upon ignition, the device produces flames from its exterior surface for a duration of time suitable for igniting nearby combustible matter. The incendiary device provides a nearly instantaneous line of fire for igniting prescribed fires, controlled burns, and backfires. A method for igniting vegetative matter over an area of land using one or more indeterminate lengths of a rapidly igniting linear incendiary strand.