Air Gun Valve Venting for High-Flow, Low-Force Launching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large caliber pneumatic launching devices require significant opening forces to operate effectively due to the need for a firing valve as large as the caliber of the round, leading to inefficient energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
A valve system with a main valve body and vent valve design that allows for air delivery matching the orifice size without requiring the same-sized valve opening force, utilizing a smaller valve to vent air behind the main valve and leveraging a chamber vented to atmosphere to reduce resistance and force needed to open the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a firing valve as large as the caliber of the round is used, then air flow effectiveness is improved, but opening force requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is divided into multiple components: a main valve body with a smaller diameter than the barrel caliber, and a separate nozzle assembly with a larger exit orifice. This segmentation allows the valve opening force to be reduced while maintaining effective air delivery to the projectile, resolving the contradiction between flow effectiveness and opening force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement by extending the valve body axally beyond the barrel caliber, allowing the valve diameter to be smaller than the barrel caliber while still delivering sufficient air flow through the extended axial dimension and optimized nozzle geometry.
2Force
If a smaller valve is used to reduce opening force, then opening force requirements decrease, but air delivery volume may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is extended axally beyond the barrel caliber, compensating for the reduced valve diameter by increasing the axial dimension. This allows a smaller valve to deliver sufficient air volume through optimized axial flow paths and nozzle geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes parameters including valve body length, nozzle exit orifice diameter, and chamber volume to ensure that a smaller valve can deliver the required air volume. The nozzle is designed with specific dimensional relationships to maximize air delivery efficiency despite the smaller valve size.
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
Enables the use of smaller opening forces relative to the caliber of the projectile, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of pneumatic launching devices by allowing for modular scaling to accommodate various calibers.
Implementation Method 1
A valve system for a pneumatic launcher includes a main valve body having a front seal face, a nozzle, and a vent valve. The vent valve is configured to vent a chamber behind the main valve to the atmosphere to open the main valve.
Implementation Method 2
The vent valve is configured to vent a chamber behind the main valve to the atmosphere to open the main valve, thereby reducing the opening force needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve system utilizes a main valve body with a restricted diameter conduit communicating between a propulsion chamber and rear cavity and a smaller venting valve mechanically actuated to open the rear cavity to atmosphere, thereby causing the main valve body to open to pass pressurized air in the propulsion chamber to an orifice to power a projectile.