U.S. patent application number 10/760922 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for combustion-gas-powered paintball marker.
Invention is credited to Adams, Joseph S..
Application Number | 20040144012 10/760922 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32738439 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040144012 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adams, Joseph S. |
July 29, 2004 |
Combustion-gas-powered paintball marker
Abstract
An onboard combustion-gas-powered engine supplies power to a
paintball marker or other projectile launcher by generating gas
pressure pulses for propelling paintballs and other projectiles.
The combustion gases produced by the engine can be allowed to rise
in pressure within a confined volume of space before being released
through a valve into a barrel for applying enhanced pressure pulses
to the projectiles. A loading system is linked to a combustion
accelerating system for automatically loading projectiles into the
launcher.
Inventors: |
Adams, Joseph S.; (Salt
Springs Island, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen B. Salai, Esq.
Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP
1600 Bausch & Lomb Place
Rochester
NY
14604-2711
US
|
Family ID: |
32738439 |
Appl. No.: |
10/760922 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60443520 |
Jan 29, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 11/721 20130101;
F41B 11/57 20130101; F41B 11/52 20130101; F41A 5/34 20130101; F41B
11/71 20130101; F41A 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/106 |
International
Class: |
F41C 027/00 |
Claims
1. A paintball marker powered by an engine that generates
combustion-gas-pressure pulses transmitted directly to
paintballs.
2. The marker of claim 1 in which the engine includes a combustion
chamber adapted for receiving a charge of fuel and air and a
combustion accelerating system for increasing a burn rate of the
charge of fuel and air.
3. The marker of claim 2 in which the combustion accelerating
system includes a displacer that redistributes space between a
mixing chamber and the combustion chamber.
4. The marker of claim 3 including an ignition timing system that
adjusts the timing between movement of the displacer and ignition
of the charge in the combustion chamber.
5. The marker of claim 3 including an actuating system that
relatively moves the displacer in a first direction for expanding
the mixing chamber and contracting the combustion chamber and in a
second direction for contracting the mixing chamber and expanding
the combustion chamber.
6. The marker of claim 5 in which the actuating system includes a
biasing mechanism that relatively moves the displacer in the first
direction for admitting air into the mixing chamber and expelling
exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.
7. The marker of claim 5 in which the actuating system includes a
rechargeable source of potential energy that can be used to move
the displacer in the second direction for transferring a charge of
fuel and air from the mixing chamber into the combustion
chamber.
8. The marker of claim 7 in which the actuating system includes a
resettable actuator that recharges the rechargeable source.
9. The marker of claim 8 in which the rechargeable source includes
a main spring and the resettable actuator restores the main spring
to an initial latched position.
10. The marker of claim 9 in which the resettable actuator is a
manual actuator.
11. The marker of claim 10 in which the manual actuator can be
released from a latched position for allowing the main spring to
move the displacer in the second direction.
12. The marker of claim 9 in which the resettable actuator includes
a plunger that is exposed to combustion pressures within the
combustion chamber for restoring the main spring to the initial
latched position.
13. The marker of claim 8 in which the resettable actuator includes
a valve member that regulates discharges of the
combustion-gas-pressure pulses from the combustion chamber.
14. The marker of claim 13 in which the displacer includes an
aperture for discharging the combustion-gas-pressure pulses from
the combustion chamber, and the valve member regulates an opening
and closing of the aperture.
15. The marker of claim 14 in which the valve member is shaped in
relation to the aperture for varying an opening size of the
aperture as a function of the position of the valve member.
16. The marker of claim 14 in which the valve member is biased by
the rechargeable source into a closed position against the aperture
and includes an area that is exposed to combustion pressures of the
combustion chamber.
17. The marker of claim 16 in which the valve member closes the
aperture until a threshold combustion pressure is reached that
overcomes the bias of the rechargeable source.
18. The marker of claim 13 in which at least one aperture is formed
in the combustion chamber independently of the displacer for
directing the combustion-gas-pressure pulses from the combustion
chamber and the valve member regulates an opening and closing of
the aperture.
19. The marker of claim 18 in which the at least one aperture is
formed in a peripheral surface of the combustion chamber and the
valve member includes a mating peripheral surface for opening and
closing the aperture.
20. A paintball marker having an onboard gas-powered engine that
discharges combustion gases through a barrel.
21. The marker of claim 20 in which the combustion gases are
directed in the form of gas pressure pulses from a combustion
chamber into the barrel for propelling individual paintballs.
22. The marker of claim 21 in which the combustion gases are
allowed to rise in pressure within a confined volume of space
before being released through a valve into the barrel for applying
an enhanced pressure pulse to the paintball.
23. The marker of claim 21 in which a discharge conduit conveys the
gas pressure pulses from the combustion chamber to the barrel.
24. The marker of claim 23 in which the valve is located between
the combustion chamber and the discharge conduit for regulating the
release of pressure pulses from the combustion chamber.
25. The marker of claim 21 including an automatic loading system
incorporates a bolt for alternately admitting and blocking the
entrance of paintballs into the barrel from a magazine holding a
plurality of paint balls.
26. The marker of claim 25 in which the bolt moves together with a
displacer that redistributes space between a mixing chamber and the
combustion chamber.
27. The marker of claim 26 in which the bolt is moveable together
with the displacer in a first direction that expands the mixing
chamber, contracts the combustion chamber, and opens a breech for
admitting a paintball from the magazine.
28. The marker of claim 27 in which the bolt is moveable together
with the displacer in a second direction that contracts the mixing
chamber, expands the combustion chamber, and closes the breech for
blocking the entrance of paintballs from the magazine.
29. The marker of claim 28 in with the movement of the bolt in the
second direction also advances the paintball into a launch position
within the barrel.
30. The marker of claim 26 in which the bolt has the form of a
discharge conduit that conveys the gas pressure pulses from the
combustion chamber to the barrel.
31. A paintball marker having a pump displacer driven by combustion
gases of a gas-powered engine for pumping ambient air through a
barrel, wherein the ambient air is compressed within a confined
volume of space before being released through a valve into the
barrel for shaping pressure pulses transmitted to the
paintball.
32. The marker of claim 31 in which the pump displacer is a part of
a displacement pump driven by the combustion gases for compressing
the ambient air.
33. The marker of claim 32 in which the barrel has an axis along
which the paintball is launched and the pump displacer is moveable
along the barrel axis for compressing the ambient air.
34. The marker of claim 32 in which the displacement pump is
located between a combustion chamber and the valve for converting
combustion gases into an ambient air pressure pulse released by the
valve into the barrel for launching the paintball.
35. A projectile launcher comprising: a combustion accelerating
system for increasing a burn rate of a charge of fuel and air
including: a mixing chamber; a combustion chamber; and a displacer
that redistributes space between the mixing chamber and the
combustion chamber; a barrel adapted for launching projectiles; and
the combustion chamber being connected to the barrel so that
combustion gases generated within the combustion chamber are
directed in the form of gas pressure pulses from the combustion
chamber into the barrel for propelling the projectiles.
36. The launcher of claim 35 further comprising a discharge conduit
that conveys the gas pressure pulses from the combustion chamber to
the barrel.
37. The launcher of claim 36 in which the discharge conduit is
connected to the combustion chamber through an aperture formed
through the displacer.
38. The launcher of claim 36 further comprising a valve located
between the combustion chamber and the discharge conduit that
provides for allowing combustion gas pressure to rise within a
confined volume of the combustion chamber before releasing the
combustion gases into the discharge conduit for generating enhanced
pressure pulses for launching the projectiles from the barrel.
39. The launcher of claim 38 in which the valve includes a valve
member that is moveable between a closed and open position by
exposure to the combustion gases.
40. The launcher of claim 35 further comprising an ignition timing
system that adjusts the timing between movement of the displacer
and ignition of the charge in the combustion chamber.
41. The launcher of claim 35 in which the barrel has an axis along
which the projectiles are launched and the displacer is moveable
along the axis of the barrel.
42. The launcher of claim 35 further comprising an automatic
loading system incorporating a bolt for alternately admitting and
blocking the entrance of projectiles into the barrel from a
magazine holding a plurality of projectiles, and the bolt being
moveable together with the displacer that redistributes space
between the mixing chamber and the combustion chamber.
43. The launcher of claim 42 further comprising a discharge conduit
that conveys the gas pressure pulses from the combustion chamber to
the barrel, and in which the discharge conduit is formed through
the bolt.
44. The launcher of claim 35 including an actuating system that
relatively moves the displacer in a first direction for expanding
the mixing chamber and contracting the combustion chamber and in a
second direction for contracting the mixing chamber and expanding
the combustion chamber.
45. The launcher of claim 44 in which the actuating system includes
a biasing mechanism that relatively moves the displacer in the
first direction for admitting air into the mixing chamber and
expelling exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.
46. The launcher of claim 44 in which the actuating system includes
a rechargeable source of potential energy that can be used to move
the displacer in the second direction for transferring a charge of
fuel and air from the mixing chamber into the combustion
chamber.
47. The launcher of claim 46 in which the actuating system includes
a resettable actuator that recharges the rechargeable source.
48. The launcher of claim 47 in which the resettable actuator is a
manual actuator for recharging the rechargeable source.
49. The launcher of claim 47 in which the resettable actuator is an
automatic actuator that is exposed to combustion pressures within
the combustion chamber for recharging the rechargeable source.
50. A projectile launcher comprising: a barrel adapted for
launching projectiles along an axis; a gas-powered engine that
generates combustion gases by igniting a charge of fuel and air; a
displacement pump driven by the combustion gases for pumping a
non-combustion gas through the barrel for launching the projectile;
and the engine and the displacement pump being aligned along the
axis of the barrel.
51. The launcher of claim 50 in which the displacement pump
includes a pump displacer that is moveable along the axis of the
barrel for converting a combustion-gas-pressure pulse into a
non-combustion-gas-pres- sure pulse for launching the
projectiles.
52. The launcher of claim 51 further comprising a valve located
between a pumping chamber of the displacement pump and the barrel
for compressing the non-combustion gas within a confined volume of
the pumping chamber before releasing the non-combustion gas into
the barrel for generating an enhanced gas pressure pulse for
launching the projectiles.
53. The launcher of claim 50 further comprising a combustion
accelerating system that redistributes space between a mixing
chamber and a combustion chamber.
54. The launcher of claim 53 in which the combustion accelerating
system includes a mixing piston that is moveable along the axis of
the barrel for redistributing space between the mixing chamber and
the combustion chamber.
55. The launcher of claim 54 in which an aperture through the
mixing piston allows the combustion gases to exit the combustion
chamber through the mixing piston along a pathway to the
barrel.
56. An automatic loading system for a projectile launcher including
a bolt coupled to a displacer of a combustion-gas-powered engine
for alternately admitting and blocking the entrance of projectiles
into a barrel from a magazine holding a plurality of
projectiles.
57. The loading system of claim 56 in which the displacer is a
mixing piston that redistributes space between a mixing chamber and
a combustion chamber.
58. The loading system of claim 57 in which the bolt is formed by
an air discharge conduit that directs combustion gases from the
combustion chamber to the barrel through an aperture in the mixing
piston.
59. The loading system of claim 57 in which the bolt is moveable
together with the mixing piston in a first direction that expands
the mixing chamber, contracts the combustion chamber, and opens a
breech for admitting a projectile from the magazine.
60. The loading system of claim 59 in which the bolt is moveable
together with the displacer in a second direction that contracts
the mixing chamber, expands the combustion chamber, and closes the
breech for blocking the entrance of projectiles from the
magazine.
61. The loading system of claim 60 in with the movement of the bolt
in the second direction also advances the projectile into a launch
position within the barrel.
62. A pulse-shaping system for a projectile launcher comprising: a
combustion chamber of a combustion-gas-powered engine connected to
a barrel of the launcher for communicating a pressure pulse
generated within the combustion chamber to the barrel for launching
a projectile; and a valve interrupting the connection between the
combustion chamber and the barrel for shaping a pressure profile of
the pressure pulse before launching the projectile.
63. The pulse-shaping system of claim 62 in which the combustion
chamber includes an exit port and the valve regulates flows of
combustion gas through the exit port.
64. The pulse-shaping system of claim 63 in which the valve is
closed at a start of combustion within the combustion chamber and
is opened by combustion pressure within the combustion chamber.
65. The pulse-shaping system of claim 62 in which the valve
includes two relatively moveable members that provide for varying
flow rates through the valve as the valve is opened between fully
closed and fully opened positions.
66. A combustion accelerating system for a projectile launcher
comprising: a combustion chamber; a mixing chamber; a displacer
that redistributes space between the mixing chamber and the
combustion chamber; a discharge conduit that conveys combustion
pressure pulses from the combustion chamber for powering the launch
of projectiles; and an actuating system that relatively moves the
displacer in a first direction for expanding the mixing chamber and
contracting the combustion chamber and in a second direction for
contracting the mixing chamber and expanding the combustion
chamber.
67. The accelerating system of claim 66 in which the actuating
system includes a biasing mechanism that relatively moves the
displacer in the first direction for admitting air into the mixing
chamber and expelling exhaust gases from the combustion
chamber.
68. The accelerating system of claim 66 in which the actuating
system includes a rechargeable source of potential energy that can
be used to move the displacer in the second direction for
transferring a charge of fuel and air from the mixing chamber into
the combustion chamber.
69. The accelerating system of claim 68 in which the actuating
system includes a resettable actuator that recharges the
rechargeable source.
70. The accelerating system of claim 69 in which the resettable
actuator is a manual actuator for recharging the rechargeable
source.
71. The accelerating system of claim 69 in which the resettable
actuator is an automatic actuator that is exposed to combustion
pressures within the combustion chamber for recharging the
rechargeable source.
72. The accelerating system of claim 66 in which the displacer
includes a mixing piston that is moveable along an axis of a barrel
from which the projectiles are launched.
73. The accelerating system of claim 72 in which an aperture
through the mixing piston allows combustion gases to exit the
combustion chamber through the mixing piston along the discharge
conduit to the barrel.
74. The accelerating system of claim 66 in which the discharge
conduit that conveys combustion pressure pulses from the combustion
chamber into a barrel for launching the projectiles.
75. The accelerating system of claim 66 further comprising an
ignition timing system that adjusts the timing between movement of
the displacer and ignition of a charge of fuel and air in the
combustion chamber.
76. A method of launching paintballs from a paintball marker
including the steps of: loading a paintball into a paintball
marker; and utilizing pressures generated by combusting a fuel and
air mixture to launch the paintball from the marker.
77. The method of claim 76 including a further step of drawing the
fuel from a supply of fuel mounted on the marker.
78. The method of claim 76 including a further step of turbulating
the fuel and air mixture in advance of its combustion.
79. The method of claim 78 in which the step of loading the
paintball is linked to the step of turbulating the fuel and air
mixture by a physical connection between apparatus for turbulating
the mixture and apparatus for loading the paintball.
80. The method of claim 76 including a further step of regulating a
pressure profile of pressure pulses generated by the combustion of
the fuel and air mix.
81. A method of launching projectiles from a projectile launcher
comprising the steps of: loading a projectile into a projectile
launcher having an on-board combustion-gas-powered engine; igniting
a charge of fuel and air within the engine for generating a
combustion-gas-pressure pulse; directing the
combustion-gas-pressure pulse through a pulse-shaping system for
optimizing a profile of the pressure pulse; and applying the
optimized pressure pulse for launching the projectile.
82. The method of claim 81 in which the step of directing includes
directing the combustion-gas-pressure pulse through a valve for
shaping the pressure pulse.
83. The method of claim 82 in which the step of directing includes
using the valve to confine the combustion gases within a combustion
chamber until a threshold pressure is reached within the combustion
chamber.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Priority is claimed to Provisional Application No.
60/443,520, filed 29 Jan. 2003, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Propulsion systems of paintball markers generally provide
for discharging gas pressure pulses for propelling paintballs. Such
pressure pulses in accordance with this invention are produced by
gas-powered engines. Similar propulsion systems can be applied to
other projectile launchers such as air guns, air soft guns,
simmunitions, training guns, as well as other fuel cell powered
launchers.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Conventional paintball markers include pneumatic launching
systems powered by portable supplies of compressed gas, such as
CO.sub.2, air, or nitrogen, mounted directly on the markers or
connected to the markers through a short supply line. Metered
amounts of the compressed gas are released from the portable
supplies into the markers for propelling individual paintballs from
the markers. The paintballs themselves are typically 0.68 caliber
balls constructed with a gelatinous or gelatin-like outer skin and
a liquid-filled center of paint or other marking material.
Paintball markers are used for such purposes as marking trees and
livestock, as well as for the sport of paintball. Paintball markers
are also used in police and military training exercises.
[0006] A number of problems are associated with the practice of
deriving gas pressure pulses from portable supplies of compressed
gas as well as with the practice of transporting compressed gas
supplies. For example, some markers are adapted to receive small
12-gram CO.sub.2 cartridges to limit the size and weight of the
markers. However, the limited amount of compressed gas severely
restricts the number of shots (pressure pulses) that can be fired
from the markers to a level that is not acceptable to most users.
Consequently, most users carry a large heavy-walled container
resembling a fire extinguisher to have a sufficient supply of gas
pressure to support the number of shots required for a typical
exercise.
[0007] In addition to the difficulty and inconvenience of
transporting large containers, the transport of high-pressure
containers, particularly large high-pressure containers, poses
significant safety concerns. Typical gas pressures range from 700
psi (pounds per square inch) to 4000 psi, and such high-pressure
containers are potentially very dangerous and must be handled
carefully to avoid accidents.
[0008] The reliability of gas pressure containers is also a
concern. The propulsive force produced by these high-pressure
containers can vary depending upon conditions of temperature, the
remaining pressure in the gas container, and the rate of use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] My invention provides among its various embodiments an
improved propulsion system for paintball markers and other
projectile launchers. In place of a supply of compressed gas, which
is the conventional source of propulsive force for paintball
markers, my invention produces gas pressure pulses from an onboard
engine. Conventional CO.sub.2 cartridges or other onboard supplies
of compressed gas can be replaced by a much smaller supply of fuel,
which is metered and mixed with ambient air in the presence of a
spark for generating pressure pulses by combustion. The onboard
engine can be arranged in accordance with my invention to produce a
rapid succession of pressure pulses having a consistent pressure
pulse profile. Adjustments can also be made for adapting the
profiles of the pressure pulses to desired conditions or objectives
of use.
[0010] Thus, instead of drawing from a diminishing supply of
compressed gas to propel paintballs, my invention generates its own
onboard gas pressure pulses. The gas pressure pulses generated by
my preferred gas-powered combustion engine can be produced more
consistently and can be shaped as they are generated to optimally
accelerate a paintball from a paintball marker. The gas pressure
pulses are preferably formed directly from the combustion gases of
the engine or can also be formed indirectly by converting the gas
pressure pulses produced from the combustion gases into
corresponding gas pressure pulses in non-combustion (e.g., ambient)
air. Preferably, the pressure profile of the combustion gases
themselves is shaped to directly apply a gas pressure pulse to a
paintball. A small volume of ambient air preferably separates the
paintball from the combustion chamber to moderate and cool the
combustion gases in advance of their contact with the paintball.
Alternatively, the combustion gases can be used to drive a pump
that compresses non-combustion (e.g., ambient) air behind a
paintball. The onboard engine drives the pump, and both cooperate
to shape the gas pressure pulse reaching the paintball.
[0011] A preferred paintball marker in accordance with my invention
is powered by an engine that generates combustion gases that are
transmitted directly to paintballs. The combustion gases are
preferably directed in the form of gas pressure pulses from a
combustion chamber into a barrel for propelling individual
paintballs. Combustion gas pressure can be allowed to rise within a
confined volume of space before being released through a valve into
the barrel for applying enhanced pressure pulses to the
paintballs.
[0012] For producing gas pressure pulses of sufficient energy
within a gas-powered engine of limited dimensions, the engine
preferably includes a combustion accelerating system for increasing
the burn rate of combustion gases. The combustion accelerating
system is preferably located within a cylinder head and includes a
displacer such as a mixing piston that redistributes space between
a mixing chamber and a combustion chamber. Movement of the mixing
piston in a first direction draws air into the mixing chamber and
displaces exhaust gases from the combustion chamber. Movement of
the mixing piston in a second direction transfers a charge of fuel
and air from the mixing chamber into the combustion chamber for
producing a turbulent charge in the combustion chamber. Combustion
within the combustion chamber is accelerated by the turbulence,
allowing for the generation of a high peak pressure over a short
time sufficient for propelling a paintball. A check valve can be
used to prevent any return flows from the combustion chamber into
the mixing chamber.
[0013] The ignition of the turbulent fuel and air charge can be
timed with movement of the mixing piston in the second direction to
further regulate the output power of the engine. For example, as
the mixing piston approaches a far end of the mixing chamber (i.e.,
where the mixing chamber is collapsed), the mixing piston can
contact a switch that is coupled to an ignition system for igniting
the fuel and air mixture in the combustion chamber. The timing of
the ignition in relation to the movement of the mixing piston can
be adjusted for changing the output power of the engine. The
movement of the mixing piston produces only a short period of high
turbulence within the combustion chamber before the swirling
mixture slows down. Output power decreases with decreasing
turbulence. Accordingly, a delay can be incorporated into the
ignition system for the purpose of adjusting the output power of
the engine to moderate the output velocity of the paintball.
[0014] An actuating system can be used for moving the mixing piston
in opposite directions. For example, a biasing mechanism such a
return spring or a manual actuator can be used to move the mixing
piston in the first direction for drawing in fresh air and
displacing exhaust gases. A rechargeable source of potential
energy, such as a main spring, can be used to accelerate the mixing
piston in the second direction for producing the desired turbulence
in the combustion chamber. A resettable actuator can be used to
recharge the source of potential energy (e.g., compress the main
spring) either manually, such as by use of a manual actuator, or
automatically, such as by use of excess combustion pressure.
[0015] A manual resettable actuator can take the form of a starting
handle that manually restores the main spring of the rechargeable
source to an initial latched position separately or together with
the mixing piston. That is, the same manual actuator can be used
both for restoring the main spring of the rechargeable source and
for moving the mixing piston in the first direction, or the manual
actuator can be used only to restore the main spring while the
return spring of the biasing mechanism moves the mixing piston in
the first direction. When released by a trigger, the main spring
drives the mixing piston in the second direction for transferring a
charge of fuel and air from the mixing chamber into the combustion
chamber at a flow velocity that creates turbulence within the
combustion chamber.
[0016] The automatically resettable actuator can take the form of a
plunger driven by the main spring. The plunger is releasable by a
trigger into engagement with the mixing piston for driving the
mixing piston in the second direction. Following ignition,
combustion pressure separates the plunger from the mixing piston
and restores the plunger to its initial latched position. A manual
actuator can be used to reset the plunger as a fail-safe mechanism
or for an initial cycle of use.
[0017] The plunger can also be used as a valve member for
controlling discharges from the combustion chamber. For example,
the mixing piston can be arranged with a central aperture that can
be opened and closed by contact with a valve member formed at the
exposed end of the plunger. The central aperture is aligned with a
discharge conduit for directing combustion gases from the
combustion chamber. Preferably, the discharge conduit directs the
combustion gases directly into a barrel for propelling a paintball
or directs the combustion gases into pulse-shaping chamber or into
pressure-exchanging chamber for further controlling the profile of
the pressure pulse reaching the paintball. The size and shape of a
seating interface between the central aperture and the valve member
end of the plunger as well as the effective area of the plunger
exposed to combustion pressure can be adjusted to control the
profiles (e.g., as a pressure versus time measurement) of
combustion pressure pulses released into the discharge conduit. The
central aperture preferably remains closed by the valve member end
of the plunger until a desired threshold combustion pressure has
been reached sufficient to overcome the biasing force exerted by
the plunger. The valve member end of the plunger can be shaped
(e.g., as a needle valve plug) to vary the opening size of the
central aperture as a function of the retracted position of the
plunger for further shaping the profiles of the combustion pressure
pulses released into the discharge conduit.
[0018] Alternatively, one or more peripheral apertures for
releasing combustion gases into a discharge conduit can be located
near a closed end of the combustion chamber. The peripheral
apertures can be engaged by a mating peripheral surface of the
plunger operating as a valve spool for maintaining the peripheral
apertures in a closed state until the plunger has retracted to a
point near to its initial latched position. The release of
combustion pressure pulses is delayed by the further movement of
the plunger required to open the peripheral apertures. The further
delay in the release of pressure pulses assures more complete
burning of the available charge before releasing combustion
pressure pulses from the combustion chamber. The burning fuel is
consumed before reaching a paintball loaded into the barrel. The
size of the opening can be varied as a function of the retracted
position of the plunger, such as by varying the shape of the
peripheral aperture, for further optimizing the profiles of the
combustion pressure pulses released into the discharge conduit.
[0019] An automatic loading system for a paintball marker can be
arranged to exploit the movement of the mixing piston for loading
paintballs in firing position. For example, the discharge conduit
coupled to the mixing piston can function as a bolt to alternately
admit or block the entrance of paintballs into a breech from a
magazine holding a plurality of paintballs. Movement of the mixing
piston in the first direction for drawing air into the mixing
chamber and displacing exhaust gases from the combustion chamber
withdraws the discharge conduit allowing a paintball to enter the
breech. Movement of the mixing piston in the second direction for
transferring a turbulent charge into the combustion chamber closes
the breech and pushes the paintball into the barrel. Accompanying
the combustion of the fuel/air charge in the combustion chamber,
the discharge conduit conveys the expanding gases in the form of a
pressure pulse to the paintball in the barrel for propelling the
paintball. In addition, the discharge conduit stores a supply of
ambient air, which provides a buffer for the paintball to moderate
and cool the combustion gases before the gases reach the
paintball.
[0020] Alternatively, the discharge conduit can provide a
connection between the combustion chamber and the barrel
independently of the mixing piston. For example, one or more
discharge conduits can be connected to the peripheral surface of
the combustion chamber leading to the barrel. A bolt can be
connected to the mixing piston for opening and closing the breech
and for individually pushing paintballs into the barrel. The
discharge conduits preferably connect to the barrel in positions
that direct the pressure pulses between the paintballs and the
advanced bolt position for launching the paintballs from the
barrel.
[0021] Although the combustion pressure pulses generated by onboard
gas-powered engines preferably propel paintballs directly, the
combustion pressure pulses can also be used to drive a pump that
converts the combustion pressure pulses into a corresponding
pressure pulses transmitted by non-combustion (e.g., ambient) air.
The pressure pulses transmitted by ambient air can be compressed
within a confined volume of space before being released through a
valve into the barrel to apply an enhanced pressure pulse to the
paintball. For example, the discharge conduit can direct the
combustion gases into a pressure exchange chamber connected to the
combustion chamber. Movement of the propulsion piston within the
pressure exchange chamber compresses ambient air for shaping the
pressure pulses that propel the paintballs. The pressure exchange
chamber can also be associated with a pulse-shaping valve that
releases accumulated pressure at a controlled rate.
[0022] The engine of the preferred paintball marker generates the
combustion-gas-pressure pulses along a central axis aligned with
the barrel or along pathways symmetric to the central axis. The
mixing piston together with the discharge conduit or bolt
reciprocates along the central axis so that the movement of mass
within the engine also remains aligned with the central axis. This
alignment leads to better balance and a simplified structure.
[0023] Although primarily intended as an advance in the art of
paintball markers, the invention also has wider applicability to
other projectile launchers. Preferably, such launchers include a
combustion chamber adapted to receive a charge of fuel and air that
is combustible for generating combustion gases and a barrel adapted
for receiving the combustion gases for launching projectiles. The
combustion chamber is connected to the barrel so that the
combustion gases are directed in the form of gas pressure pulses
from the combustion chamber into the barrel for propelling the
projectiles.
[0024] A discharge conduit preferably conveys the gas pressure
pulses from the combustion chamber to the barrel. A valve located
between the combustion chamber and the discharge conduit allows
combustion gas pressure to rise within a confined volume of the
combustion chamber before being released into the discharge conduit
for generating enhanced pressure pulses for launching the
projectiles from the barrel. Preferably, the valve includes a valve
member that is moveable between a closed and open position by
exposure to the combustion gases.
[0025] The preferred launcher also includes a combustion
accelerating system for increasing a burn rate of the charge of
fuel and air. A displacer redistributes space between a mixing
chamber and the combustion chamber. A discharge conduit conveys
combustion pressure pulses from the combustion chamber for powering
the launch of projectiles. An actuating system relatively moves the
displacer in a first direction for expanding the mixing chamber and
contracting the combustion chamber and in a second direction for
contracting the mixing chamber and expanding the combustion
chamber.
[0026] The actuating system preferably includes a biasing mechanism
that relatively moves the displacer in the first direction for
admitting air into the mixing chamber and expelling exhaust gases
from the combustion chamber. The actuating system also preferably
includes a rechargeable source of potential energy that can be used
to move the displacer in the second direction for transferring a
charge of fuel and air from the mixing chamber into the combustion
chamber. A resettable actuator can be used to recharge the
rechargeable source. The resettable actuator can be a manual
actuator for manually recharging the rechargeable source or an
automatic actuator exposed to combustion pressures within the
combustion chamber for recharging the rechargeable source.
[0027] The displacer preferably includes a mixing piston that is
moveable along an axis of the barrel from which the projectiles are
launched. An aperture through the mixing piston allows combustion
gases to exit the combustion chamber through the mixing piston
along the discharge conduit to the barrel. An ignition timing
system can be used to adjust the timing between movement of the
displacer and ignition of a charge in the combustion chamber for
regulating the output power of each pressure pulse.
[0028] An automatic loading system for the launcher preferably
incorporates a bolt for alternately admitting and blocking the
entrance of projectiles into the barrel from a magazine holding a
plurality of projectiles. The bolt preferably moves together with
the displacer that redistributes space between the mixing chamber
and the combustion chamber. The bolt can be formed by the discharge
conduit that conveys the gas pressure pulses from the combustion
chamber to the barrel.
[0029] A pulse-shaping system preferred for the launcher features a
connection between the combustion chamber and the barrel of the
launcher for communicating a pressure pulse generated within the
combustion chamber to the barrel for launching a projectile. A
valve interrupts the connection between the combustion chamber and
the barrel for shaping a pressure profile of the pressure pulse
before launching the projectile. The combustion chamber preferably
includes an exit port and the valve preferably regulates flows of
combustion gas through the exit port. The preferred valve is closed
at a start of combustion within the combustion chamber and is
opened by combustion pressure within the combustion chamber. Two
relatively moveable members of the valve provide for varying flow
rates through the valve as the valve is opened between fully closed
and fully opened positions. Since the paintballs are necessarily
somewhat fragile, the ability to shape the
pressure-as-a-function-of-time profiles of the combustion-generated
pressure pulses assures that the paintballs are safely launched
under optimum pressure conditions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a paintball marker in
accordance with my invention, featuring a combustion-gas-powered
engine having a combustion accelerating system linked to an
automatic loading system.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a similar schematic view of the paintball marker
of FIG. 1 in which a mixing piston of the combustion-accelerating
system is moved together with a bolt of the automatic loading
system in a first direction that draws air into a mixing chamber
and displaces exhaust gases from a combustion chamber.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a similar view of the paintball marker of FIG. 1
in which the mixing piston is moved to a limit position at which
the combustion chamber is at a minimum size, the mixing chamber is
at a maximum size, and the bolt is sufficiently withdrawn to open a
breach for admitting a paintball from a magazine (ball
carrier).
[0033] FIG. 4 is a similar schematic view showing movement of the
mixing piston in the first direction for transferring a charge of
fuel and air from the mixing chamber to the combustion chamber
along with the accompanying movement of the bolt for advancing the
paintball toward a launch position in a barrel. The bolt is moved
toward a position that also closes the breach.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a similar schematic view showing combustion
initiated by a spark ignition device in the combustion chamber
generating combustion pressure for launching the paintball from the
barrel.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a schematic view similar to that of FIG. 5 with
the addition of an adjustable delay and electronic ignition
circuitry for regulating a timing of combustion within the
combustion chamber.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of an alternative paintball
marker incorporating an actuating system for moving the mixing
piston in the second direction linked with a valving system for
confining combustion gases within the combustion chamber before
releasing the combustion gases into the discharge conduit for
generating enhanced pressure pulses for propelling paintballs.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a schematic view similar to that of FIG. 7 showing
the use of a starter handle for manually retracting a plunger which
is accompanied by a similar retraction of the mixing piston for
initiating a first operating cycle.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a similar schematic view of the paintball marker
of FIG. 7 with the plunger actuator returned to an initial latched
position and with the mixing piston biased for minimizing the size
of the combustion chamber and maximizing the size of the mixing
chamber.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a similar cross-sectional side view of the
paintball marker of FIG. 7 showing the plunger released from its
latched position and driven by a main spring that moves the mixing
piston in the second direction for transferring a charge of fuel
and air from the mixing chamber into the combustion chamber along
with moving a bolt for closing the breach and advancing a paintball
into the barrel.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a similar schematic side view of the paintball
marker of FIG. 7 showing the initiation of combustion within the
combustion chamber where a valve member end of the plunger closes
an aperture through the mixing piston for allowing combustion gas
pressure to rise within the limited volume of the combustion
chamber while further advancing the loaded paintball into a launch
position.
[0041] FIG. 12 is a similar cross-sectional side view of the
paintball marker of FIG. 7 showing the retraction of the plunger in
response to a threshold pressure achieved within the combustion
chamber for opening the valve aperture in the mixing piston and
allowing a combustion pressure pulse to propagate through a
discharge conduit to the loaded paintball.
[0042] FIG. 13 is a similar schematic side view of the paintball
marker of FIG. 7 with the plunger actuator returned to its original
latched position while exhaust gases escape from the combustion
chamber through the barrel of the paintball marker.
[0043] FIG. 14 is a similar schematic view of the paintball marker
of FIG. 7 in which a biasing spring moves the mixing piston in the
second direction for displacing exhaust gases from the combustion
chamber while drawing ambient air into the mixing chamber.
[0044] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another
alternative paintball marker where a bolt coupled to a mixing
piston is withdrawn for opening a breach and admitting a paintball
from a magazine (ball carrier), a plunger actuator being at its
most withdrawn latched position for opening a peripheral passageway
through the combustion chamber to a discharge conduit that connects
the combustion chamber to the barrel independently of the mixing
piston.
[0045] FIG. 16 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the
paintball marker of FIG. 15 in which the plunger actuator is
released for closing a valve opening (i.e., an exit port to the
discharge conduit) and for engaging the mixing piston for moving
the mixing piston in the second direction.
[0046] FIG. 17 is a similar schematic side cross-sectional view of
the marker of FIG. 15 in which the plunger is fully extended moving
the mixing piston into contact with a switch that operates through
a delay circuit for initiating ignition within the combustion
chamber.
[0047] FIG. 18 is a similar side cross-sectional view of the
paintball marker of FIG. 15 showing the initiation of combustion,
which initiates retraction of the plunger actuator.
[0048] FIG. 19 shows the plunger actuator of FIGS. 15-18 returned
to its initial latched position where the exit port from the
combustion chamber is opened allowing for the discharge of a
combustion-gas-pressure pulse through a discharge conduit into the
barrel for propelling a paintball from the marker.
[0049] FIG. 20 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of yet
another alternative paintball marker showing the combination of a
combustion-powered engine with a displacement pump for converting
combustion-gas-pressure pulses into corresponding pressure pulses
in ambient air.
[0050] FIG. 21 shows a mixing piston of the combustion-powered
engine and a pumping piston of the displacement pump biased to
respective starting positions at which ambient air is drawn into
both a mixing chamber of the engine and a pumping chamber of the
pump. In addition, a bolt movable together with the pumping piston
opens a breach for admitting a paintball.
[0051] FIG. 22 is a similar side cross-sectional view of the
paintball marker of FIG. 20 showing the initiation of combustion
within a combustion chamber with combustion gases acting to
displace the pump piston for forcing ambient air through a
discharge tube into a barrel for propelling a paintball.
[0052] FIG. 23 is a side cross-sectional view of a modified
displacement pump for a paintball marker in which a valve between
the displacement pump and an air discharge conduit provides for
confining ambient air within a pump output chamber prior to its
release for shaping a pressure pulse reaching a paintball.
[0053] FIG. 24 is a similar side view of the modified displacement
pump in which the valve is open for launching a paintball.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0054] A paintball marker 10 in accordance with one version of my
invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 in which an onboard
combustion-gas-powered engine 12 generates combustion-gas-pressure
pulses for propelling paintballs 14 from a barrel 16. The engine 12
includes a cylinder head 17 having an interior space that is
divided by a displacer in the form of a mixing piston 18 into a
mixing chamber 20 and a combustion chamber 22.
[0055] Movement of the mixing piston 18 in a first direction as
shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 expands the mixing chamber 20 drawing in
ambient air through a check valve 24 into the mixing chamber 20 and
contracts the combustion chamber 22 displacing any exhaust gases
from the combustion chamber 22 through an exit port 26 in the
mixing piston 18. A discharge conduit 28 is connected to the mixing
piston 18 in communication with the exit port 26 for conveying the
exhaust gases out the barrel 16. The discharge conduit 28 is formed
within a bolt 29 whose retraction in the first direction opens a
breach 30 for admitting one of a plurality of the paintballs 14
from a magazine 32. The mixing piston 18 together with the bolt 28
is retracted in the first direction against the biasing force of a
main spring 36. A trigger latch 38 captures the mixing piston 18 in
its most retracted position.
[0056] Prior to the release of the mixing piston 18 as shown in
FIG. 4, a metered amount of fuel is injected into the mixing
chamber 18 from a fuel injector 40. The fuel can be injected
accompanying the retraction of the mixing piston 18 in the first
direction or after the mixing piston 18 has reached its most
retracted position. Fuel can also be injected into the mixing
chamber accompanying the release of the mixing piston 18. The fuel
is preferably a vapored fuel such as mapp gas, propylene, or
propane available from a fuel cartridge 42, which can be attached
directly to the paintball marker 10. It is anticipated that as
little as 20 grams of such fuel can replace two CO.sub.2 containers
of conventional paintball markers weighing as much as three pounds
each.
[0057] A manual actuator 44 can be moved against the biasing force
of the main spring 36, which functions as a replenishable power
source, for moving the mixing piston 18 together with the bolt 29
in the first direction to the latched position shown in FIG. 3. The
trigger latch 38 can be manually engaged for releasing the manual
actuator 44 from the latched position for initiating a firing cycle
of the paintball marker 10.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 4, movement of the mixing piston 18 in a
second direction under the influence of the main spring 36
contracts the mixing chamber 20 while expanding the combustion
chamber 22 for transferring a charge of fuel and air from the
mixing chamber 20 to the combustion chamber 22 through an check
valve 46. Preferably, the check valve 46, which also functions as a
nozzle, permits fluid flows from the mixing chamber 20 into the
combustion chamber 22 but prevents similar flows from the
combustion chamber 22 back to the mixing chamber 20. Movement of
the bolt 29 together with the mixing piston 18 closes the breach 30
and advances a paintball 14 toward a launching position within the
barrel 16.
[0059] Upon completing the transfer of a spark-ignitable charge
into the combustion chamber 22 as show in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mixing
piston 18 contacts a switch 50, which initiates ignition by a spark
igniter such as the illustrated spark plug 52. The switch 50 can
take various forms. For example, the switch 50 can be a
piezoelectric sparker, which automatically fires the spark plug 52.
Alternatively, the switch 50 can be coupled to an electronic
ignition circuit 54 as shown for powering the spark plug 52. An
adjustable delay circuit 56 can be used to further adjust the
timing between the contact of the switch 50 by the mixing piston 18
and the initiation of ignition by the spark plug 52. The adjustable
delay circuit 56 can be set to initiate combustion at a point of
peak turbulence of the charge within the combustion chamber 22 or
at a point of lesser turbulence to adjust the power output of the
engine 12 (which relates to the muzzle velocity of the launched
paintball 14).
[0060] Expanding combustion gases within the combustion chamber 22
are directed through the exit port 26 in the mixing piston 18 along
the discharge conduit 28 to the barrel 16 for launching a paintball
14. Ambient air in the discharge conduit 28 functions as a buffer
for cooling the combustion gases before reaching the paintball
14.
[0061] A paintball marker 60 shown in various operating stages
throughout FIGS. 7 through 14 provides for more automatic operation
and for a further shaping of combustion pressure pulses. Similar to
the proceeding embodiment, a combustion-gas-powered engine 62
supplies the onboard power for launching paintballs 64 from a
barrel 66. A displacer in the form of a mixing piston 68 divides
the interior space of a cylinder head 69 between a mixing chamber
70 and a combustion chamber 72. Combustion gases generated within
the combustion chamber 72 reach the barrel 66 through an exit port
76 in the mixing piston 68 and along a discharge conduit 78, which
is formed within a bolt 79 of an automatic loading system 80.
[0062] An actuating system 82, which is shown in a deactivated
state in FIG. 7, includes a plunger 84 driven by a main spring 86,
which functions as a rechargeable power source. A valve plug 88
projects from an endface 90 of the plunger 84 and engages a valve
seat 92 of the exit port 76 forming a needle valve 94 that
regulates discharges from the combustion chamber 72. The main
spring 86 biases the valve plug 88 into engagement with the valve
seat 92, thereby closing the needle valve 94 for restricting flows
from the combustion chamber 72.
[0063] A starter handle 96 attached to the plunger 84 can be used
to manually retract the plunger as shown in FIG. 8, which
progresses to a fully retracted and latched position as shown in
FIG. 9. A latch 98 holds the plunger 84 in its retracted position.
As also shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a biasing spring 100 moves the
mixing piston 68 in a first direction following the retraction of
the stronger main spring 86. Movement of the mixing piston 68 in
the first direction contracts the combustion chamber 72 and expands
the mixing chamber 70 drawing in a supply of air into the mixing
chamber 70 through an intake check valve 101. A fuel injector 102
can be used to inject fuel from an onboard supply 104 into the
mixing chamber 70 timed with the movement of the mixing piston
68.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 10, release of the plunger 84 from its
latched position drives the mixing piston 68 in a second direction
for transferring a charge of fuel and air from the contracting
mixing chamber 70 into the correspondingly expanding combustion
chamber 72. The main spring 86, which functions as a rechargeable
power source, overwhelms the biasing spring 100 to move the mixing
piston 68 at an optimum rate for creating turbulence within the
combustion chamber 72. A check valve 106, which also functions as a
nozzle, permits flows from the mixing chamber 70 into the
combustion chamber 72 while preventing any backflows into the
mixing chamber 70. The needle valve 94 remains closed through the
transfer.
[0065] As shown beginning in FIG. 11, combustion is initiated in
the combustion chamber 72 when the mixing piston 68 contacts a
switch 107 approaching the end of its travel in the second
direction. Ignition is set off by a spark igniter, such as a spark
plug 108 under the control of an ignition circuit 110. Delay
circuitry 112 can also be incorporated in to the ignition circuit
110 for adjusting the timing between the contact of the switch 107
and the production of a spark within the combustion chamber 72. The
delay can be timed with respect to the peak turbulence created in
the combustion chamber 72 for adjusting the power output of the
engine 62. The needle valve 94 is biased to a closed position at
the start of combustion. However, the endface 90 of the plunger 84
is exposed to combustion pressures within the combustion chamber
72. The needle valve 94 remains closed until a threshold combustion
pressure acting over the endface 90 of the plunger 84 is reached
that overcomes the bias of the main spring 86 and retracts the
plunger 84 as shown in FIG. 12). When the needle valve 94 is
opened, the accumulated pressure within the combustion chamber is
released through the exit port 76 into the discharge conduit 78 and
through the discharge conduit 78 into the barrel 66 for propelling
the loaded paintball 64 from the barrel 66.
[0066] The valve plug 88 of the needle valve 94 can be shaped with
respect to the valve seat 92 to further regulate the release of
accumulated combustion gas pressure within the combustion chamber
72. In addition, the size of the plunger endface 90 can be
controlled to set a desired threshold pressure within the
combustion chamber 72 for first opening the needle valve 94.
Profiles (e.g., pressure considered as a function of time) of
pressure pulses released from the combustion chamber 72 can be
further regulated in such ways. Preferably, the pressure pulses are
profiled so that the paintballs 64 are safely expelled from the
barrel 66 with limited distortion and desired velocity.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 13, combustion pressures generated within
the combustion chamber 72 are sufficient to return the plunger 84
to its latched position. In fact, the exit port 76 is sized to
sustain enough combustion pressure to reset the plunger 84 to its
latched position even when a paintball 64 is not present in the
barrel 66. During subsequent exhaust and recharging operations, the
exit port 76 remains open, allowing for the escape of exhaust gases
out the barrel 66 of the marker 60. When combustion pressures
subside as shown in FIG. 14, the biasing spring 100 moves the
mixing piston 68 in the first direction for contracting the
combustion chamber 72 while correspondingly expanding the mixing
chamber 70. The contraction of the combustion chamber 72 by the
mixing piston 68 physically displaces exhaust gases from the
combustion chamber 72 through the exit port 76 until the mixing
piston 68 reaches a limit of its travel in the second direction,
which is shown in FIG. 9. There, the needle valve plug 88
re-engages the valve seat 92 for closing the exit port 76 through
the mixing piston 68. However, it would also be possible to further
relatively retract the plunger 84 or to reshape the needle valve 94
so that the needle valve 94 remains at least partially open in the
fully contracted state of the combustion chamber 72.
[0068] The automatic loading system 80 exploits the movement of the
mixing piston 68 for loading paintball 64 into the barrel 66. As
shown in FIG. 9, the bolt 79 moves together with the mixing piston
68 in the first direction for opening a breach 114 and admitting
one of the paintballs 64 from a magazine 116. Movement of the bolt
79 together with the mixing piston 68 by the plunger 84 in the
second direction closes the breach 114 and advances the loaded
paintball 64 into a firing position within the barrel 66.
[0069] A paintball marker 120 featuring an alternative connection
between a combustion chamber 132 and a barrel 126 is shown in FIGS.
15 through 19. Similar to the proceeding embodiments, the paintball
marker 120 includes a cylinder head 122 having an interior space
that is divided by a mixing piston 128 into a mixing chamber 130
and the combustion chamber 132. A biasing spring 136 moves the
mixing piston 128 in a first direction for admitting air through an
intake check valve 134 into the mixing chamber 130. A fuel injector
(not shown) can be used to inject fuel from an onboard source into
the mixing chamber 132 at the appropriate time. A rechargeable
power source in the form of a main spring 140 operates through a
plunger 142 for moving the mixing piston 128 in a second direction
for transferring the charge of fuel and air from the mixing chamber
130 into a combustion chamber 132 through a check valve 144. The
main spring 140 is much stronger than the biasing spring 136 and
easily moves the mixing piston 128 in the second direction when
both springs 136 and 140 are engaged.
[0070] The plunger 142 can be retracted either manually or
automatically to a latched position as shown in FIG. 15, which
allows the biasing spring 136 to move the mixing piston 128 in the
first direction. The plunger 142 can be retracted into engagement
with a latch 146 either manually, such as by using a starter handle
148, or automatically, such as by using combustion pressures within
the combustion chamber 132. The area of an exposed endface 150 of
the plunger 142 can be sized in relation to the mainspring to
adjust the combustion pressure required for retracting the plunger
142 to its latched position.
[0071] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, combustion pressures continue
to increase within the combustion chamber 132 until the plunger 142
is retracted nearly to its latched position. A cylindrical side
wall 143 of the plunger 142 functions as a spool of a spool valve
152 for closing a corresponding peripheral exit port 154 of the
combustion chamber 132. The peripheral exit port 154 is positioned
to require the plunger 142 to be retracted beyond the endwall 156
of the cylinder head 122 for opening the exit port 154 and
releasing combustion gases from the combustion chamber 132. A
discharge conduit 158 connects the exit port 154 to the barrel 126
independently of the mixing piston 128. The requirement for further
retracting the plunger 142 to nearly its latched position for
opening the exit port 154 assures a more complete burning of the
fuel within the combustion chamber 132 before combustion gases are
released to the paintball 124. Although a single exit port 154 and
a single discharge tube 158 are shown in FIGS. 15 through 19,
multiple ports and multiple discharge conduits can be used such as
for maintaining a balanced design. For example, the additional exit
ports and discharge conduits can be distributed symmetrically
around an axis 170 of the barrel 126.
[0072] Although discharges from the combustion chamber 132 reach
the barrel 126 independently of the mixing piston 128, a bolt 160
is preferably moveable together with the mixing piston 128 to
provide an automatic loading system 162 similar to the preceding
embodiments. Movement of the bolt 160 together with the mixing
piston 128 in the first direction opens a breach 164 for admitting
a paintball 124 from a magazine 166. Movement of the mixing piston
128 in the second direction closes the breach 164 and advances the
paintball 124 in to a firing position shown in FIGS. 17 through 19.
The bolt 160 preferably includes a redirectional end structure 168
that redirects combustion-gas-pressure pulses entering the barrel
126 from the discharge conduit 158 in a direction along the axis
170 of the barrel 126.
[0073] Repeated automatic firing of the paintball markers 60 and
120 is made possible by the automatic retraction of their plungers
84 and 142 by using the combustion gas pressures generated during a
previous firing cycle. The manual handles 96 and 148 are only
required to reinitialize a new firing cycle associated with a first
firing or following a misfiring (e.g. lack of fuel) of the
paintball markers 60 and 120.
[0074] The ignition sequence of the paintball marker 120 is similar
to the ignition sequence of the paintball marker 60. However,
combustion is allowed to progress further in the paintball marker
120 prior to the allowed release of combustion gases into the
barrel 126. The delayed opening of the exit port 154 assures a more
complete burning of the fuel within the combustion chamber 132
before the combustion gases are released into the barrel 126.
[0075] The firing sequence begins with the release of the latch
146, which allows the plunger 142 to drive the mixing piston 128 in
the second direction for transferring a ready charge of fuel and
air from the mixing chamber 130 into the combustion chamber 132.
Approaching a limit of its travel in the second direction, the
mixing piston 128 contacts a switch 172, which initiates an
ignition sequence. A spark igniter 174 under the control of
ignition circuit 176 produces a spark within the combustion chamber
132 for initiating combustion of the turbulent fuel air mix. Delay
circuitry 178 can be combined with the ignition circuitry 176 for
adjusting the timing of the spark ignition in relation to the
turbulence for adjusting the muzzle velocity of the paintballs 124
launched from the barrel 126.
[0076] Individual paintballs 124 entering the breach 164 are first
set in motion by the movement of the bolt 160 together with the
mixing piston 128, which advances the paintballs 124 into a firing
position. The exit port 154 of the combustion chamber 132 remains
closed by the side wall 143 of the plunger 142 until the combustion
force has returned the plunger 142 to nearly its latched position.
Combustion gas pulses released through the spool valve 152
propagate along the discharge conduit 158 and enter the barrel 126
at the redirectional end structure 168 of the bolt 150 for
launching the paintballs 124 along the axis 170 of the barrel 126.
Since the paintballs 124 are necessarily somewhat fragile, it is
preferred that the pressure pulses be shaped to apply pressure to
the paintballs 124 in a controlled manner. By adjusting the side
wall 143 to exit port 154 interface of the spool valve 152, it is
possible to profile the combustion-generated pressure rise time in
the barrel 66 to address the requirements of the paintballs
124.
[0077] A paintball marker 180 arranged for converting
combustion-gas-pressure pulses into pressure pulses in ambient air
for launching paintballs is shown in FIGS. 20 through 22. A
combustion gas-powered engine 182 is combined with a displacer pump
184 for making the required pressure pulse conversion. Similar to
the preceding embodiments, a mixing piston 188 of a combustion
accelerating system divides a space within a cylinder head 186 into
a mixing chamber 190 and a combustion chamber 192. A bias return
spring 194 moves the mixing piston 188 in a first direction for
admitting air into the mixing chamber 190 through an intake valve
196 while displacing any residual exhaust gases from the combustion
chamber 192 through an exit port 198.
[0078] An engine discharge conduit 200 connected to the exit port
198 conveys expanding combustion gases from the engine 182 to the
displacement pump 184. A pump piston 202 within a housing 204 of
the displacement pump divides an interior space of the housing 204
into an input chamber 206 and an output chamber 208. The input
chamber 206 receives combustion gases from the combustion chamber
192 through the engine discharge conduit 200. A stem 210 connects
the pump piston 202 to the mixing piston 188 for movement together
in the first direction for contracting the input chamber 206 and
correspondingly expanding the output chamber 208. The expansion of
the output chamber 208 draws ambient air into the output chamber
208 through an intake valve 212. A pump discharge conduit 214
connects to the output chamber 208 through a pump exit port 216 for
directing air from the output chamber 208 into a barrel 222.
[0079] Movement of the bolt 218 together with the pump piston 202
and the mixing piston 188 in the first direction under the
influence of the bias return spring 194 opens a breach 220 for
admitting a paintball 224 from a magazine 228 of an automatic
loading system 230. A plunger 232 is biased for moving the mixing
piston 188 in a second direction by a main spring 234 or other
rechargeable power source. The plunger 232 includes a valve plug
236 that is sized to close the engine exit port 198 when released
from its latched position. The plunger 232 can be retracted to its
latched position either manually or automatically. For example, an
automatic actuator 240 can be used to retract the plunger 232 using
excess combustion pressure from the combustion chamber 192.
Combustion gases are delivered via a check valve 242 to a plenum
accumulator 244. The combustion gases stored in the plenum
accumulator 244 are applied to an actuator piston 246 within an
actuator cylinder 252. The actuator piston 246 is connected via a
stem 248 to the plunger 232, for retracting the plunger 232 to its
latched position in engagement with a latch 250. The latch 250 can
be attached to a trigger (not shown) for initiating a firing
cycle.
[0080] Unlatching the stem 248 allows the main spring 234 to drive
the plunger 232 into engagement with the mixing piston 188 for
moving the mixing piston 188 in the second direction for
transferring a charge of fuel and air from the mixing chamber 190
into the combustion chamber 192. Approaching the limit of its
travel in the second direction, the mixing piston 188 contacts a
switch 254 for initiating an ignition cycle within an ignition
circuit 256 that includes a spark igniter 258 for producing a spark
within the combustion chamber 192. Delay circuitry 260 can also be
incorporated within the ignition circuit 256 to control the timing
of the spark ignition with respect to the peak turbulence produced
within the combustion chamber 192.
[0081] At the start of combustion, the valve plug 236 of the
plunger 232 remains seated within the exit port 198 in the mixing
piston 188 so that combustion is initiated within a confined volume
of the combustion chamber 192. Combustion gases accumulating in the
plenum accumulator 244 are directed to the actuator cylinder 252
for driving the actuator piston 246 to retract the plunger 232 and
allow combustion gases to escape from the combustion chamber 192
through the discharge conduit 200 into the input chamber 206 of the
displacement pump 184. The accumulation of combustion gas pressure
within the input chamber 206 drives the pump piston 202 in the
second direction for displacing ambient air within the output
chamber 208 through the pump exit port 216 into the pump discharge
conduit 214 and from there into the barrel 222 for propelling a
paintball 224 from the marker 180. Although slightly delayed, the
pump piston 202 of the displacer pump 184 follows the movement of
the mixing piston 188 of the engine 182 so that the bolt 218 within
which the pump discharge conduit 214 is formed can be used for
operating the automatic loading system 230.
[0082] With reference to FIGS. 23 and 24, an alternative
displacement pump for 270 for use in combination with a
combustion-gas-powered engine, such as the engine 182 of the
preceding embodiment, is arranged for further shaping pressure
pulses in ambient air applied to paintballs 272. A pump housing 274
includes an input chamber 276 and an output chamber 278 separated
by a pump piston 280. The input chamber 276 communicates with the
combustion-gas-powered engine and receives combustion-gas-pressure
pulses released from the combustion chamber 192.
[0083] Moveable together with the pump piston 280 is a spool 282 of
a spool valve 284 that regulates output of the output chamber 278
for shaping pulses transmitted through a pump discharge conduit 286
within the spool 282 for further shaping pressure pulses reaching
the paintballs 272. Ambient air enters the output chamber 278
through an intake valve 288 by a movement of the pump piston 280 in
a first direction that expands the output chamber 278. Combustion
gas pressure drives the pump piston 280 in a second direction that
contracts the output chamber 278. The spool 282 engages a
surrounding seal 292 of the spool valve 284 for confining ambient
air within the output chamber 278 through a portion of the travel
of the pump piston 280 in the second direction for pressurizing
ambient air within the output chamber 278. However, further
movement of the spool 282 together with the pump piston 280 opens
the spool valve 284 to allow ambient air to escape the output
chamber 278 into a switching chamber 290 and enter the pump
discharge conduit 286 for propelling the loaded paintball 272 out a
barrel 294. The length and shape of the spool 282 with respect to
the surrounding seal 292 can be adjusted for further controlling
the profile of pressure pulses reaching the paintball 272.
[0084] Although the invention has been described particularly with
respect to paintball markers, which are also referred to as
paintball guns or paintball launchers, the new propulsion, loading,
actuating, pulse shaping, combustion accelerating, and other
systems proposed by the present invention can also be applied to
other projectile launchers, particularly hand-carried launchers,
such as airguns, air soft guns, simunitions, training guns and
other gas pulse powered launchers. However, instead of requiring an
onboard supply of pressurized gas, my invention provides for using
an onboard combustion engine for generating gas pressure pulses.
For purposes of simplifying the design, the combustion-gas-pressure
pulses generated by the engine are themselves applied for directly
launching paintballs or other projectiles. However, the
combustion-gas-pressure pulses can be converted by an onboard
displacement pump into corresponding pressure pulses in a
non-combustion gas such as ambient air before being applied to the
projectiles.
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