Incendiary capsule

Abstract

An incendiary capsule has a body forming a single compartment containing a first part of a two part ignition system and a quantity of a pyrotechnic heat source (PHS). The capsule is initiated by injecting, when ready for use, a quantity of a second part of the two part ignition system. The ignition system generates sufficient heat to initiate the PHS, which burns at a substantially higher temperature than the ignition system.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An incendiary capsule comprising:
 a capsule body;   a quantity of a pyrotechnic heat source (PHS) disposed in the capsule body; and,   a quantity of a first part of a two part ignition system disposed in the capsule body, the first part being reactive with a second part of the ignition system which when contacted by the first part in the capsule body causes an exothermic reaction which generates sufficient heat to ignite the PHS.   
     
     
         32 . The incendiary capsule according to  claim 31  wherein the PHS comprises a liquid impervious coating or covering. 
     
     
         33 . The incendiary capsule according to  claim 32  wherein the liquid impervious coating or covering comprises a liquid which dries or sets on the thermite to form liquid impervious layer on the PHS. 
     
     
         34 . The incendiary capsule according to  claim 32  wherein the liquid impervious covering or coating comprises an adhesive tape comprising a layer of adhesive for adhering onto the PHS, the layer of adhesive provided on a liquid impervious backing strip. 
     
     
         35 . The incendiary capsule according to  claim 32  wherein the liquid impervious coating or covering is a coating of a plastics film. 
     
     
         36 . The incendiary capsule according to  claim 32  wherein the liquid impervious coating or covering is a container made of a material that ignites at or below the temperature generated by the exothermic reaction. 
     
     
         37 . An incendiary capsule according to  claim 32  wherein the PHS is in the form of a pellet. 
     
     
         38 . The incendiary capsule according to  claim 37  wherein the PHS comprises thermite. 
     
     
         39 . The incendiary capsule according to  claim 31  wherein the PHS is a compound comprising, by weight:
 40-50% barium nitrate 
 15-20% potassium nitrate 
 10-15% sulphur 
 15-20% aluminium 
 1-5% gum arabic 
 
     
     
         40 . The incendiary capsule according to  claim 32  wherein the liquid impervious coating comprises a solvent or solvent mixture applied as a liquid on the PHS and subsequently allowed to dry to form the coating. 
     
     
         41 . The incendiary capsule according to  claim 40  wherein the solvent mixture comprises a mixture of shellac and methylated spirits. 
     
     
         42 . The incendiary capsule according to  claim 31  wherein the capsule body consists of a single sealed compartment containing the first part of the two part ignition system and the PHS. 
     
     
         43 . The incendiary capsule according to  claim 31  wherein the capsule body has an opening through which the thermite and first part of the ignition system are deposited into the capsule, and a seal that extends across and seals the opening. 
     
     
         44 . A belt of incendiary capsules comprising:
 a plurality of capsules according to  claim 31 ; and,   respective couplings between adjacent capsules, the couplings joining the capsule bodies in a side by side arrangement to form a belt.   
     
     
         45 . The belt according to  claim 44  wherein the couplings are formed integrally with the capsule bodies. 
     
     
         46 . The belt according to  claim 45  wherein the couplings are made of the same material as the capsule bodies. 
     
     
         47 . The incendiary capsules according to  claim 32  wherein the first part of the ignition system is potassium permanganate. 
     
     
         48 . The incendiary capsules according to  claim 47  wherein the second part of the ignition system is glycol. 
     
     
         49 . A method of producing a burning heat source on the ground comprising:
 providing one or more capsules according to  claim 31 ;   carrying the one or more capsules on an aircraft;   holding a supply of a second part of the two part ignition system on the aircraft;   flying the aircraft over the ground;   while flying the aircraft depositing a quantity of the second part of the ignition system into one or more selected capsules; and,   dropping the or each selected capsules with the second part of the ignition system from the aircraft.   
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 49  wherein the aircraft is flown at a height and the first and second parts of the ignition system are provided in respective quantities such that the dropped capsules reach the group prior to ignition of the PHS.