Difference between revisions of "Opening time"

 
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"Opening time" is the time it takes a valve to open, and as expected, is most important when the barrel dwell time is low. The approximate opening time of some valves:
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Opening time is the length time it takes for any given [[valve]] to move from the fully closed position to the position allowing the maximum possible volume of gas to flow through.  This time period is typically measured in milliseconds, and as expected is most important when the [[barrel]] dwell time (the length of time it takes for the projectile to transit the barrel) is low. The approximate opening time of some valves:
* [[Burst disk]]s Practicaly instant... most likely under a millisecond.
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* [[Burst disk]]s Practically instant... most likely under a millisecond.
* [[Diaphram valve]]s About 3 ms, with a decent [[pilot valve]].
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* [[Pilot]] operated valves ([[diaphragm valve]]s, [[piston valve]]s): 3-5ms.
* [[Barrel-sealing piston valve]]s just a tiny bit longer.
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* [[Ball valve]]s: about 100 ms hand-actuated, maybe 20-30 ms spring-actuated.
* [[Chamber-sealing piston valve]]s A bit longer yet, but still under 4-5 ms.
 
* [[Ball valve]]s about 100 ms hand-actuated, maybe 20-30 spring-actuated.
 
  
This author is confused as to what the number is when the valve [[honking|honks]], as this involves opening and closing rapidly - should one measure it from begining of opening to end of honking, or from beginging to the most open part of the first vibration?
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[[GGDT]] will give you a graph of your valve opening. (valve position vs. time or projectile position)
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You can estimate the needed dwell time for a particular gun if you have an estimate of the barrel dwell time. As a rough estimate, assume the average speed in the barrel is one half the desired [[muzzle velocity]]. The time it takes for the projectile to transit the barrel is the barrel length divided by this half muzzle velocity. For example, assume you hope the gun will fire at 600 FPS and it has a three foot barrel, the barrel dwell time is about;
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(3 feet)/[(600 FPS)(0.5)] = 10 milliseconds
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To get the most out of your gun you would like the valve opening time to be significantly less than the barrel dwell time. In this case, a valve opening time of less than perhaps 3 ms would be a good target.
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[[category:valves]]

Latest revision as of 13:08, 1 June 2008

Opening time is the length time it takes for any given valve to move from the fully closed position to the position allowing the maximum possible volume of gas to flow through. This time period is typically measured in milliseconds, and as expected is most important when the barrel dwell time (the length of time it takes for the projectile to transit the barrel) is low. The approximate opening time of some valves:

GGDT will give you a graph of your valve opening. (valve position vs. time or projectile position)

You can estimate the needed dwell time for a particular gun if you have an estimate of the barrel dwell time. As a rough estimate, assume the average speed in the barrel is one half the desired muzzle velocity. The time it takes for the projectile to transit the barrel is the barrel length divided by this half muzzle velocity. For example, assume you hope the gun will fire at 600 FPS and it has a three foot barrel, the barrel dwell time is about;

(3 feet)/[(600 FPS)(0.5)] = 10 milliseconds

To get the most out of your gun you would like the valve opening time to be significantly less than the barrel dwell time. In this case, a valve opening time of less than perhaps 3 ms would be a good target.