TBMA-230 V2.0
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:03 pm
Thermobaric Mass Accelerator Version 2.0
AKA Gun Freak's favourite launcher.
Recently, I decided to rebuild the TBMA-230, which had been sitting in storage for nearly a year. The primary objectives were to compact the launcher for transport purposes, improve the fueling system, and solve the piston and chamber vent valve failure issues. All of these areas have been addressed in V2.0.
Specifications
Launcher Configuration:
Over/Under
Chamber:
Galvanized steel/malleable iron construction, 2.067" inside diameter, ~22" length, ~75in<sup>3</sup> volume
Barrel:
Galvanized steel EMT conduit, 1.61" inside diameter, 48" length, ~100in<sup>3</sup> volume
Valve:
1.61" porting piston valve with o-ring sealed steel piston and spool valve venting system
Loading:
2" Aluminum cam-lock fittings
Fueling/Filling Setup:
5/3 lever action directional control valve, volumetric meter, 3000PSI rated steel meter isolation ball valve, optional 3/2 DCV operated modular oxygen/air filling setup.
Fuel:
Onboard propylene cylinder
Ignition:
12kV HV power supply with ignition safety switch and LED indicator, 1/8" NPT spark plug
Venting:
Pressurized air exhausting system
Estimated Performance:
3200ft-lbs energy, 1100FPS for a 100g round @ 7X air/propylene
Pictures
Launcher overview:
Launcher w/accessories:
Chamber overview:
Fueling and filling operations are managed by a lever action 5 way 3 position directional control valve (5/3 DCV):
Pilot setup:
The piston now uses 1/2" UNC 304 stainless steel threaded rod, which improves corrosion and bending resistance. Travel distance is ~1.5", with a calculated opening time of ~6ms at 5X.
Modular oxygen supply:
Operation of the 5/3 DCV:
Edit: Added thumbnail image.
Edit 2: Updated with new pictures.
Edit 3: 8 years later, finally restored the pictures
AKA Gun Freak's favourite launcher.
Recently, I decided to rebuild the TBMA-230, which had been sitting in storage for nearly a year. The primary objectives were to compact the launcher for transport purposes, improve the fueling system, and solve the piston and chamber vent valve failure issues. All of these areas have been addressed in V2.0.
Specifications
Launcher Configuration:
Over/Under
Chamber:
Galvanized steel/malleable iron construction, 2.067" inside diameter, ~22" length, ~75in<sup>3</sup> volume
Barrel:
Galvanized steel EMT conduit, 1.61" inside diameter, 48" length, ~100in<sup>3</sup> volume
Valve:
1.61" porting piston valve with o-ring sealed steel piston and spool valve venting system
Loading:
2" Aluminum cam-lock fittings
Fueling/Filling Setup:
5/3 lever action directional control valve, volumetric meter, 3000PSI rated steel meter isolation ball valve, optional 3/2 DCV operated modular oxygen/air filling setup.
Fuel:
Onboard propylene cylinder
Ignition:
12kV HV power supply with ignition safety switch and LED indicator, 1/8" NPT spark plug
Venting:
Pressurized air exhausting system
Estimated Performance:
3200ft-lbs energy, 1100FPS for a 100g round @ 7X air/propylene
Pictures
Launcher overview:
Launcher w/accessories:
Chamber overview:
Fueling and filling operations are managed by a lever action 5 way 3 position directional control valve (5/3 DCV):
Pilot setup:
The piston now uses 1/2" UNC 304 stainless steel threaded rod, which improves corrosion and bending resistance. Travel distance is ~1.5", with a calculated opening time of ~6ms at 5X.
Modular oxygen supply:
Operation of the 5/3 DCV:
Edit: Added thumbnail image.
Edit 2: Updated with new pictures.
Edit 3: 8 years later, finally restored the pictures