Enhanced Valve

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/703,406, filed Oct. 4, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

An air gun is a type of gun that launches projectiles pneumatically with compressed air or other compressed gases (air comprises a mixture of various gases), with the gases at ambient temperatures. Such “non-firearm” guns can come in several varieties, such as pump air guns, CO₂ cartridge air guns, and PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatics) air guns, which utilize a reservoir or “tank” of compressed air or gases. A PCP air gun may be an unregulated mechanical PCP, a regulated mechanical PCP, or an electronic PCP.

A conventional firearm, by contrast, generates pressurized combustion gases chemically through exothermic oxidation of combustible propellants, such as gunpowder, which generate propulsive energy by breaking molecular bonds in an explosive production of high temperature gases. In modern firearms, combustion gases are generally formed within a cartridge comprising the projectile inserted into a casing containing the fuel. This propulsive energy is used to launch the projectile from the casing, and thus from the firearm.

Other differences between air guns and conventional firearms can be observed as differences in pressures inside the respective barrels, muzzle energies, projectile speeds, and projectile weights that can be shot, for example. A conventional firearm chambered for a .22 long rifle (LR) cartridge fires a 40-grain projectile at approximately 1200 ft/sec. A powerful air gun may fire a 14.3 grain pellet with a muzzle velocity of approximately 900 ft/sec. The conventional firearm generates a muzzle energy of approximately 130 ft-lbs. at the muzzle, whereas that of the air gun generates only about 26 ft-lbs.

The compressed gas of air guns currently achieves maximum pressures of around 6500 psi, but these high pressures are not as common as lower pressures. On the other hand, by comparison, the lowest pressure firearm cartridges may be black powder cartridges and certain rimfire cartridges. Some of these lesser firearm cartridges still generate barrel pressures of 15,000-20,000 psi, or 20,000-25,000 psi for rimfire, which is a much higher pressure than air guns can currently achieve.

Therefore, the conventional high power air gun is still “handicapped” in comparison to conventional firearms by low operating pressure of 1/5 that of a firearm, or lower, which is its primary limitation when being compared with firearms. This limitation can restrict the type and size of projectile that an air gun can launch, based on the mass of the projectile and the limited available energy of the air gun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

For this discussion, the devices and systems illustrated in the figures are shown as having a multiplicity of components. Various implementations of devices and/or systems, as described herein, may include fewer components and remain within the scope of the disclosure. Alternately, other implementations of devices and/or systems may include additional components, or various combinations of the described components, and remain within the scope of the disclosure. Shapes and/or dimensions shown in the illustrations of the figures are for example, and other shapes and or dimensions may be used and remain within the scope of the disclosure, unless specified otherwise.

FIG. 1A shows a right-side view of an example air gun, and FIG. 1B shows a section view showing interior details of the air gun of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 shows a right-side section view of an example air gun, showing the receiver to barrel action details, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a right-side section view of an example air gun, showing an enhanced initiating valve arrangement, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a right-side section view of a portion of an example air gun, showing an example enhanced initiating valve arrangement, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a right-side section view of a portion of an example air gun, showing an example enhanced initiating valve arrangement, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6A shows an example enhanced initiating valve arrangement, according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 6B and 6C show section views of an example enhanced initiating valve, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7A shows a front section view and FIG. 7B shows a side section view of a portion of an example air gun, showing an enhanced initiating valve arrangement, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the operation of an air gun is described. The compressed propellant gases of an air gun go from a high pressure to a lower pressure when propelling a projectile, but the one or more gases remain the same gases chemically. Significantly, the current pressure in the reservoir or gas source of an air gun before a projectile is shot by the air gun (which can be upwards of 6500 psi in some cases) represents the maximum pressure that can be achieved behind a projectile in a conventional air gun, because there is no explosive combustion of gunpowder to create additional pressure (no expanding gases). Accordingly, the pressure curve for a conventional air gun is characterized by diminishing gases and low or no heat, which provide the energy for propelling a projectile from the air gun. The initial lower pressures of air guns and the diminishing pressure characteristic result in lower forces, which cause more limited projectile accelerations.

For example, it takes a certain amount of energy to push a projectile into the rifling of a gun barrel, since the rifling often has an overall diameter that is slightly less than the outer diameter of the projectile. Much of the available energy from the high-pressure gas is used to push the projectile into the rifling, which diminishes the total energy available to generate the desired velocity for the projectile.

When the air gun is triggered, the hammer strikes the valve stem, opening the valve and quickly releasing a predetermined portion of the pressurized gases from the reservoir into the chamber behind the projectile. The chamber of the barrel queues the projectile for transport into a bore of the barrel. Projectile acceleration starts at zero as the compressed gas enters the chamber of the air gun until there is enough breech pressure for the projectile to move. The pressure within the chamber rises as stored compressed gases are introduced into the chamber. Pressure within the chamber quickly builds to match the gas pressure of the compressed gas reservoir (which may be onboard or remote from the air gun). The valve spring and the pressure within the reservoir combine to quickly reseat the valve, stopping the release of gas from the reservoir.

The projectile is expelled from the barrel of the air gun if sufficient pressure is present behind the projectile. The pressure of the gases within the chamber and within the barrel behind the projectile diminishes as the projectile travels down the barrel, since the volume the gas occupies increases. As the projectile moves down the length of the barrel, the compressed gas expands to fill the additional volume inside the barrel and the void created by the projectile moving down the barrel bore. The available energy to perform the work of driving a projectile diminishes as the volume of the gas expands, thus reducing the force on the projectile as it travels down the barrel. With the increase of volume, the gas cools as it loses energy and pressure, finally dropping to ambient pressure as the projectile leaves the end of the barrel.

During a “shot,” a portion of the pressurized gas stored in the gas reservoir is released into the chamber when the air gun is triggered. As an amount of compressed gas passes into the chamber and barrel of the air gun, the amount (mass) of gas in the reservoir tank is decreased and the gas pressure also decreases. Accordingly, less pressure and less energy is available for subsequent triggering events. After a number of shots, the gas reservoir no longer has sufficient gas pressure (e.g., stored energy) for additional shots, until it is recharged to full pressure.

Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide for the mitigation of deficiencies in an air gun as compared to a conventional firearm. In one example, a novel enhanced valve system is disclosed for initiating the release of compressed gas into the barrel behind the projectile, to launch the projectile from the barrel of an air gun.

Any of the disclosed devices and techniques may be used in any combination with an air gun to provide the associated benefits, including to increase available projectile propellant energy, improve energy consistency and efficiency over multiple triggering events, provide consistent desired projectile velocities, reduce wear on the air gun components, and provide added safety.

Example Embodiments

Embodiments of air guns are disclosed herein, as well as embodiments with various enhancements. Devices, systems, and techniques are disclosed herein for enhancing air guns. Accordingly, the devices, systems, and techniques may be integral to an air gun, or they may be retrofit to a pre-existing air gun (individually or in various combinations). The use of the term “air gun” is intended to include any and all devices, of any size and/or caliber, configured to propel a projectile using pressurized gas or gases.

Varying amounts of energy are required to propel different sizes and masses of projectiles. Projectiles may include but are not limited to: various shapes and surfaces: Round Nose, Wad Cutter, Semi Wad Cutter, Semi-Jacketed, Full Metal Jacket, Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, Jacketed Hollow Point, ball, or saboted, patched, or any special shape or type yet to be invented, yet to be developed; and of various compositions: Lead, Copper coated lead, Copper, Stainless Steel, Plastic, Composite, Metal or any material yet to be developed, single material or combination of construction materials, natural or synthetic. Compressed Gases include air, nitrogen, helium, and/or any combination of compressible gases known to exist.

The greatest amount of energy is needed to take a projectile from zero velocity to thousands of feet per second. The projectile must overcome the resistance of its high coefficient of friction to the barrel bore, as the rifling is engraved into the surface of the projectile. This can be the greatest obstacle to having a consistent projectile velocity within a compressed gas propelled system.

When considering a “shot” at triggering as a single injection of compressed gas, the energy of the compressed gas must overcome the projectile's initial resistance and then fill the bore of the barrel. As the projectile moves down the bore it creates an expanding volume of space behind it that must be filled while also propelling the projectile forward. The shot of compressed gas loses pressure and energy quickly. Accordingly, consistent velocities over multiple shots can be challenging.

Embodiments of novel triggering techniques are disclosed, along with devices and systems. Embodiments can include novel valve configurations that provide compressed air shots that are more consistent. The valve configurations, placement, and number of valves shown in the embodiments are for ease of description. While pneumatic and mechanical valves are shown in the figures, electric, electronic, or electronically operated valves may also be used in the embodiments. Additional valves in similar configurations can be added and arranged to deliver as many gas injections as desired, and at any timing and duration desired to maintain or increase the velocity of the projectile while it is within the barrel.

An example embodiment of an air gun 200 is shown at FIG. 2, which is an environment for the novel valves and valve configurations disclosed herein. The gun 200 includes a barrel 204 (having a bore 205), which may be constructed of steel or other material such as a polymer, a composite, carbon fiber, and so forth. The bore 205 of the barrel 204 is rifled with a traditional rifling or custom rifling that allows the air gun 200 to shoot standard firearm projectiles 202 of various calibers. The projectile 202 shown at FIG. 2 is shown as having left the chamber 207 and already starting down the bore 205 of the barrel 204, in front of the injection port 208.

As shown, the air gun 200 includes a receiver 210, which may comprise a custom action or a common source (e.g., bolt action) rifle action. The trigger group 212 sets the action in motion to propelling the projectile 202. If included, a punter 206 comprises a spring-loaded striker (aligned coaxially with the bore and disposed within the bolt, in some cases) that, when released by the trigger 212, impacts the base of the projectile 202, driving it from the chamber 207 and into the bore 205 of the barrel 204 past the injection port 208.

A striker rod 214 engages with the sear 216 when struck by the punter 206, or another component of the action. The punter 206 strikes the striker rod 214 just before the punter 206 is at full travel. The sear 216 comprises a latch that holds the hammer 218 in place against the hammer spring 220 until the sear 216 is moved by the striker rod 214, releasing the hammer 218 to go forward. The timing of the release of the hammer 218 can be determined by the length of the striker rod 214.

When released by the sear 216, the hammer 218 strikes the plunger 222 of the main valve 226, driving the plunger 222 forward against the gas pressure contained in the reservoir 224. The reservoir 224 can be integrated as part of the air gun 200 as shown in the illustrations, or it can be a remote tank. The gas pressure in the reservoir 224 can be between 1,000 to 6,500 psi or more. At impact from the hammer 218, the plunger 222 travels into the compressed gas reservoir 224 (e.g., 0.375″, or more or less) and releases an amount of the stored compressed gas into the injection port 208 behind the projectile 202. The plunger 222 comprises a rod that has a valve surface that seals the gas contained in the reservoir 224 by contacting a mating surface on the body of the main valve 226, until released by movement of the plunger 222.

The main valve 226 alternately seals or opens the compressed gas reservoir 224 as desired for operation, between triggering events or during a triggering event, respectively. An air gun 200 may have one or more main valves that perform this function—including a primary main valve 226 and one or more secondary valves 228. A secondary valve 228 comprises an optional additional valve that introduces additional compressed gas injections behind the projectile 202 as it travels down the bore 205 of the barrel 204 to offset the effects of friction on the projectile 202. The example air gun 200 illustrated has one secondary valve 228 operated by adjustable linkages arranged to time the additional gas discharge(s). Some air guns 200 have additional secondary valves 228, secondary valves 228 in a different arrangement than as illustrated, or no secondary valves 228.

The reservoir 224 comprises a tank to hold compressed gas until release by a single main valve 226 or multiple valves 226, 228. In some embodiments, the reservoir 224 may include an accumulator 306 that can be used to manage the available gas pressure within the reservoir 224. When released from the reservoir 224 by action of the main valve 226, the compressed gas enters the injection port 208, which is a passageway between the reservoir 224 and the bore 205. Compressed gas released by a secondary valve 228 is directed into the bore 205 at a second point downstream from the chamber 207, where the additional “shot” of gas aids in the acceleration of the projectile 202.

Additionally, some air guns 200 may include a rebound catch 230, comprising a lever arranged to restrain the hammer 218 after a triggering event. In other examples, an air gun 200 may include additional components or equivalent components to those discussed herein.

Referring to the described components shown at FIG. 2, an initial high-velocity injection of gas is used to start the projectile 202 down the bore 205 of the barrel 204. On average the projectile 202 can move through the barrel 204 in about 2.5 milliseconds. If included, the punter 206 strikes the projectile 202 at triggering to start the projectile 202 moving down the bore 205 just ahead of the gas discharge at the injection port 208.

Once the projectile 202 is in motion in the barrel 204 and has passed the injection port 208, an injection of gas from the injection port 208 behind the projectile 202 increases the velocity of the projectile 202 to the desired muzzle velocity (e.g., a preselected velocity). Use of the punter 206 can result in greater overall projectile velocity, more efficient use of compressed gas (e.g., energy efficiency), and more consistent shots (e.g., shot timing, muzzle velocity, projectile accuracy, etc.). A secondary gas injection further down the bore 205 can maintain or increase projectile velocity.

In some cases, the impact of the hammer 218 against the valve stem of the plunger 222 can be damaging to the plunger 222. Further, the impact pulse can also be damaging to scopes and other components. Additionally, with the variability of a spring-loaded hammer 218, each shot can have a different valve 226 opening time. This can be meaningful since the timing of the valve 226 action is measured in fractions of a second. The hammer 218 can also bounce, which can open the main valve 226 again and again after the first impact, if the rebound catch 230 does not catch the hammer 218 after the first strike.

Since the hammer 218 can potentially strike the valve stem of the plunger 222 with significant force to overcome the pressure in the reservoir 224, it can be desirable to provide a novel triggering technique with additional devices and/or systems. FIGS. 3-7B show example embodiments with a compressed gas triggering valve arrangement to open the reservoir 224 for a single shot at a triggering event.

Referring to FIG. 3, in various examples, a novel air gun 300 includes at least one initiating valve 302 arranged to trigger a pneumatic main valve 226, instead of a hammer 218 arrangement. In the examples, an auxiliary compressed gas source 304 is included—in addition to the compressed gas reservoir 224. The spring-loaded hammer 218 is deleted, as well as the impact-operated main valve 226.

In various embodiments, the auxiliary compressed gas source 304 comprises one or more of a compressed gas cartridge or a compressed gas tank (as shown at FIG. 3), a dedicated pressurized gas feed from the reservoir 224 (as shown at FIG. 5), or another auxiliary source. In some cases, the auxiliary compressed gas source 304 can be fitted within or to the stock of the air gun 300. Accordingly, in various embodiments, a novel air gun 300 includes a pneumatically operated main valve 226, an initiating valve 302, and an auxiliary compressed gas source 304, as well as the primary compressed gas source (e.g., reservoir 224). FIGS. 4 and 5 show detailed illustrations of these components in the air gun 300.

As shown at FIGS. 3 and 5, in some examples, the auxiliary gas source 304 can include a pressure regulator 310 arranged to regulate the gas pressure from the auxiliary gas source 304 to the initiating valve 302. The pressure regulator 310 may be disposed near the auxiliary gas source 304. The gas pressure can be regulated for desired operation of the pneumatically operated main valve 226. Further, in an example, a cut-off or other switch or valve 501 can optionally be disposed at the auxiliary gas source 304 (including when the auxiliary gas source 304 comprises a separate dedicated gas feed from the reservoir 224, as shown at FIG. 5) for disconnecting the dedicated gas feed from the reservoir 224.

As shown at FIGS. 3-5, an initiating valve 302 (e.g., a switch or valve for controlling the flow of a pneumatic feed) is a component of the air gun 300 arranged to operate the main valve 226 instead of a hammer 218. The input side of the initiating valve 302 is fed with pressurized gas from the auxiliary gas source 304, and the output side of the initiating valve 302 is coupled to the main valve 226, which comprises a pneumatically operated valve instead of an impact-operated valve. Thus, the main valve 226 includes a plunger 222 arranged to open and close the reservoir 224 during triggering events, however, the plunger 222 operates pneumatically, using compressed gas, rather than being struck by a hammer 218.

When the trigger mechanism 212 is activated during a triggering event, the punter 206 or the striker 214, for example, contacts and pushes one end of a rocker 308 (or like component). For instance, the forward movement of the striker 214 pushes the rocker 308, causing the rocker 308 to rotate on a pivot point 502. The striker 214 may be biased and return to its starting position after triggering. The rocker 308 pivots when impacted by the striker 214 and an opposite lobe of the rocker 308 pushes down on the piston 504 of the initiating valve 302. This opens the initiating valve 302 and allows pressurized gas from the auxiliary gas source 304 to pass to the output side of the initiating valve 302. The pressurized gas pushes the plunger 222 of the main valve 226. Opening the main valve 226 releases compressed gas from the reservoir 224 into the injection port 208 behind the projectile (which may have been started down the bore 205 by the punter 206). In a single shot or bolt action design, the action is opened and closed with each shot. Other designs are also contemplated.

Referring also to FIGS. 6A-6C, when the piston 504 of the initiating valve 302 is depressed, the valve stem 506 of the initiating valve 302, which is coupled to the piston 504, moves to open the valve 302 and allow pressurized gas from the auxiliary source 304 to pass through the offset passages of the valve 302 to the main valve 226, activating the main valve 226. The movement of the valve stem 506 can be assisted (e.g., guided) using a valve guide 508 in some cases. The piston 504, which is biased in the closed position, returns to the closed position after triggering. The pressurized gas from the auxiliary source 304 can be regulated using a pressure regulator 310 or the like to meter the amount of pressurized gas and the pressure of the gas transported to the main valve 226 through the initiating valve 302. Alternately or additionally, a regulator 310 can be used between the initiating valve 302 and the main valve 226.

While a mechanically operated/activated initiating valve 302 is described, the initiating valve 302 may also be electrically or electronically operated/activated, electromechanically operated/activated, or otherwise operated or activated. In various embodiments, the initiating valve 302 comprises an enhanced valve with one or more enhanced characteristics.

For example, the initiating valve 302 can comprise a single valve body 510 (single piece or multiple coupled pieces) without seals such as O-rings. The valve body 510 may be manufactured from a metal or other hardened material. At least one initiating valve 302 includes a valve stem 506 coupled to the piston 504 and disposed within the single valve body 510. The piston 504 is arranged to move coaxially within the single valve body 510.

The lack of O-rings in the initiating valve 302 can reduce the incidence of failure from failed seals and improve the working life of the action components. For instance, the inside (one or more inner surfaces) of the valve body 510 can be lined with or manufactured from a low friction material, such as a polymer that allows repeated movement of the piston 504 within the valve body 510 with low or no wear. One example polymer that can be used includes polyoxymethylene, which goes by the trade name Delrin™. Other similar polymers are also contemplated and are included in the scope of this disclosure. The valve seat 512 may also be lined or manufactured from a polymer in some cases. Alternatively, the valve seat 512 may be a metal or other hardened surface.

The valve stem 506 and the piston 504 can be made of metal or another hardened material. The input 514 and output 516 passages of the enhanced initiating valve 302 can be offset on the valve body 510. Offsetting these passages (514, 516) can further help to prevent unintentional leaking of pressurized gas through the initiating valve 302.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show front and side views, respectively, of another embodiment of an air gun 300 with an enhanced initiating valve 302. It can be desirable for the activating air pressure from the initiating valve 302 and applied to the main valve 226 to be consistent, for consistent and reliable triggering of the main valve 226. However, changing environmental air pressure, such as from changes in elevation due to airplane travel, different geographic elevation, and so forth can cause the air pressure in the initiating system to vary. As shown at FIGS. 7A and 7B, an adjustable pressure regulator 602 can be disposed between the initiating valve 302 and the main valve 226 to adjust the initiating air pressure as desired. Alternately or additionally, another regulator 602 can also be used at one or more other locations to ensure consistent air pressure.

Various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments presented herein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, features or aspects of any of the embodiments can be applied in combination with any other of the embodiments or in place of counterpart features or aspects thereof. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The illustrations of FIGS. 1A-7B are not intended to be limiting. In the various example embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A-7B, the location and position of the components, connections, and the like are for example only. Other locations and positions are contemplated and are within the scope of this disclosure. In some cases, additional or alternative components, techniques, sequences, or processes may be used to implement the devices and systems described herein.

While the present disclosure has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations there from. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. Although various implementations and examples are discussed herein, further implementations and examples may be possible by combining the features and elements of individual implementations and examples.

CONCLUSION

Although the implementations of the disclosure have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the implementations are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as representative forms of implementing the claims.