Projectile Carrier With Locking Elements for Valveless Gas Guns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas guns with valves are limited by the velocity at which the valve can be opened, leading to slow loading and potential damage to projectiles, while valveless systems require muzzle loading and integrated barrels, limiting reload speed and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A separate projectile carrier with locking elements that can be moved between locked and unlocked positions, allowing for rapid loading and alignment with a distinct barrel, enabling higher operating pressures and improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a valve is used to control gas flow in conventional gas guns, then the system can maintain pressure control, but the projectile velocity is limited by the valve opening speed and the projectile leaves the barrel before full pressure is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the valve component entirely from the gas gun system. Instead of using a valve to control gas flow, the system uses a projectile carrier with locking elements that can be rapidly engaged and disengaged. The gas pressure chamber is directly connected to the barrel through the projectile carrier, eliminating the valve's flow restriction and opening speed limitations while achieving high projectile velocities.
2Speed
If a restraining pin system is used to hold the projectile in valveless gas guns, then higher velocities are attainable, but the loading process becomes extremely slow and requires muzzle end loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gas gun system into separate functional components: a barrel assembly and a removable projectile carrier assembly. The projectile carrier can be pre-loaded with projectiles outside the barrel, then rapidly inserted into the barrel assembly. This segmentation allows independent preparation of the projectile carrier, enabling much faster reloading compared to inserting projectiles one at a time through the muzzle.
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile carrier is prepared in advance with multiple projectiles loaded into it before being inserted into the barrel. This preliminary loading action occurs outside the barrel assembly, allowing the operator to prepare the next round while the current projectile is still being fired or has just been fired, significantly increasing the loading rate.
3Ease of operation
If an opening is provided for the restraining pin passage, then the projectile can be retained and released, but the elastic seal material is at risk of damage from the opening edges during loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses locking elements as intermediary components between the projectile carrier walls and the projectiles. These locking elements protrude into the projectile carrier bore and engage with grooves or features on the projectiles, providing retention without requiring direct contact between sharp opening edges and the projectile's seal material. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the seal damage risk while maintaining effective projectile retention and release.
4Ease of operation
If the projectile carrier is integrated with the barrel as in some valveless systems, then loading can be simplified, but the barrel must be dismounted for reloading which limits reload speed and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the projectile carrier from the barrel, creating two independent assemblies that can be independently prepared and maintained. The projectile carrier is a removable component that can be quickly exchanged or reloaded without affecting the barrel assembly. This segmentation enables rapid reloading by allowing the operator to simply swap projectile carriers rather than dismounting and reassembling the entire barrel.
5Ease of operation
If ball bearings are used to retain the projectile in pneumatic launchers, then the projectile can be held and released, but the contact area is limited causing material deformation and the tube wall thickness is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses locking elements as intermediary components that engage with grooves or features on the projectile rather than using ball bearings. These locking elements provide a larger contact area with the projectile, distributing the retention forces more evenly and preventing material deformation. The locking elements are supported by the robust projectile carrier structure, allowing for thicker tube walls and higher strength construction without the limitations imposed by ball bearing contact areas.
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 solution allows for faster loading and higher projectile velocities without valve-related limitations, while maintaining accuracy and enabling compact, robust designs.
Implementation Method 1
a locking element arranged to move on the projectile carrier between a locked position and an unlocked position
Implementation Method 2
the pressure in the pressure chamber acting on its base
Data Source
AI summary
Projectile carrier for a gas gun with a barrel defining a barrel bore arranged to guide a projectile, the projectile carrier including a projectile carrier bore for holding a projectile aligned with a barrel bore of the gas gun and to be sealingly in communication with a pressure chamber when the projectile carrier is in a service position, the projectile carrier being adapted to receive a projectile when in a loading position. The projectile carrier is distinct from the barrel and includes at least one projectile retaining element held in place by at least one locking element arranged to move on the projectile carrier between a locking position, in which the at least one projectile retaining element is engaged with a retention surface included by the projectile, and an unlocked position, in which the projectile is free to move under the effect of pressure in the pressure chamber.