Gas Piston Firing System for PCP Rifles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Helical springs in pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) rifles often fail to provide adequate energy for high outlet speeds and muzzle velocity, leading to instability and eventual rifle malfunction due to spring wear over time.

Innovation Solution

A gas piston and lever system replaces the traditional helical spring, where the gas piston compresses air, and the lever amplifies the force to the air outlet valve needle upon trigger press, ensuring consistent high outlet speeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If spring thickness is increased to enhance spring energy, then energy output is improved, but mechanism space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring energyVSAvoidmechanism space

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical spring system with a pneumatic gas piston system. The gas piston uses compressed gas to generate the necessary force, eliminating the need for thick mechanical springs while maintaining adequate energy output. This resolves the contradiction by transitioning from solid mechanical energy storage to pneumatic energy storage, which is more space-efficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Device complexity

If hammer directly impacts needle, then mechanism simplicity is maintained, but outlet speed is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidoutlet speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a lever as an intermediary component between the hammer and the air outlet valve needle. The lever acts as a force amplifier, converting the hammer's impact into greater force applied to the needle, thereby achieving the required outlet speed without significantly increasing overall mechanism complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If helical spring is used, then initial functionality is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to spring wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial functionalityVSAvoidperformance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical spring with a gas piston system that uses compressed gas. This pneumatic system eliminates the wear problems inherent in mechanical springs, as gas compression and expansion do not involve friction or material degradation. The result is improved reliability and consistent performance over time while maintaining the necessary functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 gas piston and lever system achieves the desired high outlet speed and maintains rifle performance by eliminating the issues associated with spring wear, ensuring reliable firing and extended rifle functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the gas piston compresses air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas compression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the lever amplifies the force to the air outlet valve needle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11578942B2Firing system in a precharged pneumatic (PCP) rifle

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 TASYAGAN BAHTIYAR

AI summary

A firing system using a gas piston instead of a trigger spring provides firing by air that is released after contacting an air outlet valve needle in pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) rifles. This system results in a high outlet speed as well as rapid fire by use of a lever that limits the single release of air into the tube.