Apparatus for launching incendiary spheres

Abstract

An apparatus for launching incendiary spheres for prescribed burning is provided. This apparatus receives ‘charged’, or injected, spherical plastic incendiaries, then launches them for a distance. The charged incendiaries are first emitted from a conventional Plastic Sphere Dispenser (PSD) into the intake of the apparatus whereupon they roll into a slotted basin, from which they are picked up individually immediately upon entry and carried by a delivering wheel to a juncture point'between a plurality of spinning wheels. These spinning wheels convey velocity to each incendiary sphere, which is thereby launched in a trajectory that is determined by the plane of orientation, and the rotational velocity, of the spinning wheels.

1 . An apparatus for launching incendiary spheres which includes:
 (a) a plurality of spinning wheels which are used to convey velocity to said incendiary spheres; and   (b) a delivering wheel which carries said incendiary spheres to a desired position relative to said plurality of spinning wheels; and   (c) means to provide rotational velocity to said plurality of spinning wheels; and   (d) means to provide rotational velocity to said delivering wheel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  whereby said delivering wheel includes a cavity or a plurality of substantially identical cavities which capture and transport said incendiary spheres during the rotation of said delivering wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein at least a portion of the outer circumference of said delivering wheel passes between at least a portion of the space between the outer circumferences of said plurality of spinning wheels during the rotation of said delivering wheel. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  whereby a slotted basin is employed to allow the capture of the incendiary sphere by said delivering wheel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  whereby the slotted basin includes an opening through which said delivering wheel passes during its rotation. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  whereby said slotted basin is a low-point within the apparatus where said incendiary sphere comes to rest. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said incendiary spheres contain an incendiary material such as potassium permanganate which has been injected with a reactant such as ethylene glycol. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the outer circumference of said delivering wheel passes between at least a portion of the space between the outer circumferences of said plurality of spinning wheels during the rotation of said delivering wheel. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  whereby a slotted basin is employed to allow the capture of the incendiary sphere by said delivering wheel. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for launching incendiary spheres which includes:
 (a) a plurality of spinning wheels which are used to convey velocity to said incendiary spheres; and   (b) a delivering wheel which carries said incendiary spheres to a desired position relative to said plurality of spinning wheels; and   (c) means to provide rotational velocity to said plurality of spinning wheels; and   (d) means to provide rotational velocity to said delivering wheel;   (e) whereby said delivering wheel includes a cavity or a plurality of substantially identical cavities which capture and transport said incendiary spheres during the rotation of said delivering wheel;   (f) wherein at least a portion of the outer circumference of said delivering wheel passes between at least a portion of the space between the outer circumferences of said plurality of spinning wheels during the rotation of said delivering wheel;   (g) whereby a slotted basin is employed to allow the capture of the incendiary sphere by said delivering wheel;   (h) whereby the slotted basin includes an opening through which said delivering wheel passes during its rotation;   (i) whereby said slotted basin is a low-point within the apparatus where said incendiary sphere comes to rest; and   (j) wherein said incendiary spheres contain an incendiary material such as potassium permanganate which has been injected with a reactant such as ethylene glycol.