Airgun Bypass Valve for Regulated and High Pressure Selection

Solution Overview

Problem

Current airguns, particularly pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) guns, face challenges in providing consistent performance for both hunting and competition applications due to pressure variations affecting pellet velocity and accuracy, leading to a trade-off between energy and precision.

Innovation Solution

An airgun design that allows user-selectable exposure of a projectile to either a regulated pressure or a high pressure source, utilizing a bypass line and valve system to connect a high pressure reservoir directly to a firing pressure reservoir, enabling adjustable gas pressure for enhanced performance based on intended use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a pressure regulator is used to reduce pressure variation for improved accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but energy provided to the pellet is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccuracyVSAvoidenergy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two pressure delivery modes (regulated and unregulated) based on the intended use. A bypass valve allows the user to select whether gas flows through the regulator or directly from the reservoir, enabling the rifle to adapt between competition mode (regulated, accurate) and hunting mode (unregulated, high energy).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter delivered to the pellet by providing two distinct pathways: one through the pressure regulator that maintains constant pressure for accuracy, and another bypass pathway that delivers full reservoir pressure for maximum energy. This parameter change allows optimization for different应用场景.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If high pressure gas is used to increase energy, then power is improved, but accuracy deteriorates due to pressure variation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveenergyVSAvoidaccuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two pressure delivery modes (regulated and unregulated) based on the intended use. A bypass valve allows the user to select whether gas flows through the regulator or directly from the reservoir, enabling the rifle to adapt between competition mode (regulated, accurate) and hunting mode (unregulated, high energy).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter delivered to the pellet by providing two distinct pathways: one through the pressure regulator that maintains constant pressure for accuracy, and another bypass pathway that delivers full reservoir pressure for maximum energy. This parameter change allows optimization for different应用场景.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single gun design is used for both competition and hunting, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesimplicityVSAvoidperformance optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air rifle is designed with multi-functionality to serve both competition and hunting purposes. By incorporating a bypass valve that allows selection between regulated and unregulated gas delivery, a single rifle can perform accurately in competition while also delivering high energy for hunting, eliminating the need for separate specialized rifles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design allows for customizable performance by selecting between regulated and high pressure gas exposure, optimizing pellet trajectory and accuracy for either competition or hunting scenarios without the need for multiple guns, thus enhancing user flexibility and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a regulator selected to receive a high pressure gas from an upstream high pressure reservoir and pass a regulated pressure gas to a downstream firing pressure reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure regulation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a bypass line fluidly connecting the high pressure reservoir and the firing pressure reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

a valve selectively permitting flow through the bypass line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve control: Valve

Implementation Method 4

The pellet is initially exposed to the full pressure of the compressed air, but the available pressure falls rapidly as the pellet accelerates down the gun barrel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas expansion: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11480408B2Airgun with selective bypass from high pressure reservoir to firing pressure reservoir

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 CROSMAN CORP

AI summary

An airgun has a high pressure reservoir for providing a pressurized motive gas to a breech to fire a projectile. A regulator is intermediate the high pressure reservoir and a downstream firing pressure reservoir for providing a consistent regulated pressure of the motive gas in the firing pressure reservoir. The airgun includes a bypass line for selectively connecting the high pressure reservoir to the firing pressure reservoir, independently of the regulator. Thus, an operator can select a firing of the airgun with either a regulated gas pressure in the firing reservoir or the pressure of the high pressure reservoir.