Pneumatic Animal Stunner Catch Piston Valve Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic animal stunners have complex valve systems that increase manufacturing costs and weight, leading to operator fatigue, and require high pressurized fluid pressures.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic animal stunner with reduced complexity in valve and venting systems, using lower pressurized fluid pressures and featuring a catch piston that moves between hold and release positions to control the stunning rod, reducing weight and operator fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex valve systems are used for automatic retraction of the stunning rod, then the stunning function is improved, but the device weight increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex valve system from the stunner design, extracting only the essential pneumatic components needed for operation. This eliminates unnecessary weight and complexity while maintaining the core automatic retraction function through a simplified catch piston mechanism that directly controls rod movement without requiring intermediate valve assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic pressure directly applied to the catch piston chamber to control the catch mechanism. Compressed air or inert gas is used to move the catch piston between locked and unlocked positions, enabling automatic retraction of the stunning rod through pneumatic force rather than mechanical valve systems.
2Reliability
If complex valve systems are used for automatic retraction of the stunning rod, then the stunning function is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex valve system, retaining only the essential catch piston and pneumatic components. This reduction in part count and system complexity directly lowers manufacturing costs while preserving the automatic retraction capability through a more straightforward mechanical-pneumatic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch piston system is designed to automatically control the stunning rod's retraction and positioning without requiring external valve control mechanisms. The pneumatic pressure self-regulates the catch engagement and disengagement, eliminating the need for complex valve timing and control systems that would increase manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Power
If high pressurized fluid pressures (175-220 psi) are used, then the stunning performance is improved, but the device requires more robust construction increasing weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the pressure parameter by using lower pressurized fluid pressures compared to conventional stunners. The catch piston chamber is designed to operate effectively at reduced pressures, achieving sufficient catch release and rod propulsion without requiring the 175-220 psi ranges that would necessitate heavier, more robust construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic pressure applied directly to the catch piston chamber to control rod movement. By optimizing the pneumatic circuit and catch piston surface area, the system achieves effective operation at lower pressures, reducing the structural requirements and overall device weight while maintaining stunning performance.
4Weight of moving object
If reduced pressure of pressurized fluid is used, then the device weight is reduced, but the stunning performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pressure parameter by designing the catch piston chamber and pneumatic circuit to operate efficiently at reduced pressures. The catch piston surface area and chamber volume are calibrated to generate sufficient force for catch release and rod propulsion using lower pressure inputs, maintaining stunning performance while reducing device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic pressure applied to the catch piston chamber, where the pressure is converted to mechanical force through the catch piston's surface area. This pneumatic-mechanical conversion allows the system to achieve adequate rod propulsion force at lower pressures than conventional systems, balancing weight reduction with performance maintenance.
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 achieves reduced manufacturing costs, lower weight, and decreased operator fatigue while maintaining effective stunning performance with lower pressurized fluid pressures, and provides rugged construction to prevent accidental firing and damage.
Implementation Method 1
supply passageway disposed in the housing between a source of pressurized fluid and the catch piston chamber
Implementation Method 2
A first passageway in the catch piston permits air to flow from the source of pressurized fluid through the first passageway to a rearward end of the stunning rod chamber
Implementation Method 3
A second passageway in the catch piston permits air to flow from the source of pressurized fluid through the second passageway to a forward end of the stunning rod chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A reduced pressure pneumatic animal stunner with a low-complexity valve and venting system, and method of use thereof, is disclosed. The stunner includes a hollow housing, a stunning rod chamber, a head contact movable within an outer housing nose, a stunning rod, and a catch system employing at least one arcuate catch, a catch retainer, and a catch piston slideable within an opening of a catch cylinder. The catch piston has passageways disposed therein to allow for flow of a pressurized fluid therethrough. One passageway allows fluid to flow to a rearward end of the stunning rod chamber, and another allows fluid to flow to a forward end of the stunning rod chamber. Pressurized fluid may flow from a source through an internal passageway to the front of the stunning rod chamber alongside at least one resilient cushion designed to cushion stop the forward movement of the stunning rod.