Pneumatic Launching Device Variable Volume Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic projectile launching devices face challenges in precisely adjusting the range of projectiles without precise pressure control in the secondary reservoir, leading to energy losses and insufficient initial impulse for short-range shots, and they often require complex gas circulation paths causing pressure drops.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic launching device with a secondary reservoir of variable volume, controlled by a movable piston and motor means, which maintains constant pressure until firing, allowing adjustment of the internal volume to achieve desired ranges without modifying the pointing angle, and includes a rapid expansion mechanism for direct connection to the launch tube to minimize pressure losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the range is adjusted by varying the pressure in the secondary reservoir, then the projectile range can be adapted, but the precision of pressure control is difficult to obtain and requires complex pressure metering systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the controlled parameter from pressure to volume. Instead of varying pressure to adjust range, the system maintains constant pressure and varies the volume of the secondary reservoir. This eliminates the need for precise pressure metering while achieving precise range adjustment through simple volume control of the gas charge.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pressure is varied to control range, then range adjustment is possible, but the initial impulse may be insufficient for short-range shots requiring low pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-charging the secondary reservoir with a sufficient volume of gas at constant pressure. This ensures that whenever a shot is fired, there is always enough gas volume available to provide the minimum required initial impulse for arming the projectile, regardless of the desired range. The volume can then be adjusted downward for longer ranges without compromising the minimum impulse requirement.
3Speed
If gas is released quickly from the secondary chamber, then rapid shot triggering is achieved, but complex pipe networks cause pressure drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas charge directly from the secondary reservoir into the launch tube through a simple direct connection, eliminating the complex pipe network. The rapid expansion means provides a direct pathway for the pre-charged gas volume to expand into the tube and propel the projectile, avoiding unnecessary circulation paths and minimizing pressure drops while maintaining rapid gas release speed.
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 solution enables precise adjustment of projectile range, ensures sufficient initial impulse, and significantly reduces propulsive energy losses by maintaining constant pressure and varying the volume of the secondary reservoir, allowing for consistent and efficient projectile launching across different ranges.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (3) supplying a primary reservoir (2) with pressurized gas
Implementation Method 2
a rapid expansion means (11) allowing the compressed gas to expand rapidly into the tube (10)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device (1) has a launching tube (10) intended to receive a projectile (9) and a compressor (3) used to feed a primary container (2) with pressurized gas. The container supplies the gas through a valve (7), and a secondary container (6) is connected to the tube through a fast relaxation unit. The secondary container is powered at fixed pressure, and comprises a set of units e.g. cylindrical body (6a), adapted to modify internal volume (V) of the secondary container before pressurization to obtain a range required for the projectile.