i dont understand how a piston in an air cannon works

[Fat Joe 91]

i don't understand how the construction of a air cannon with a piston to make it shoot semi automatically. can some one please help.

[Fnord]

If you understand how a piston valve works, then all you'd need to do is make a trigger that closes the fill valve and opens the pilot valve in one motion.

This could be done with something as simple as 2 blowguns and a spring/cable.

[POLAND_SPUD]

well there are several ways of doing it... first of all you can use a NO (normally open) 3 way valve.. - the valve that would let air to the gun and then block the incoming air while venting the pilot side... spool valves are one example of such valves.. but a slide valve is used more commonly

[Fat Joe 91]

the only thing is i dont know how it works

[TwitchTheAussie]

Basically when you fill the chamber the air pressure forces the piston against the barrel sealing it. Right? Ya with me? Using a pilot behind the piston the air rushes backwards opening the barrel and the air goes out the barrel. Anyone got a diagram on this?

[BigGrib]

There are plenty of topics with diagrams on Spudfiles about how a piston valve works. You could try searching for them.

[Fat Joe 91]

ok thank you umm if any one has any diagrams they would like to show me that would be greatly appreciated

[taytayswims]

animated pistons
http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/piston- ... t8157.html

[Fat Joe 91]

thank you so much i now understand