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Semi-Auto (or Full Auto?) Piston Valve

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:47 pm
by Hubb
The title explains it. First a picture:

Image

Note that the pilot is located to the side (or rear, whatever) instead of in the back as on a conventional piston valve. When the pilot volume is exhausted, the piston slides back, as in a conventional piston. There is an o-ring on the rear of the piston. Once the piston crosses over the pilot area, it is closed off. The spring then resets the piston, causing the pilot to refill for the next shot.

In theory, if all the pieces are lined up correctly, I don't see why this can't be made into a full auto piston valve.

Of course, the image is just a rough sketch. Shortly, I will post an animation showing more detail to help better explain.

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:48 pm
by Hubb
Image

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:30 pm
by octane89
To me it looks like a normal tee valve. I have been wrong before though. Im sure the animation will explain it more though. I give you props for making an attempt of this though, regardless if it will work or not.

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:02 pm
by Hubb
It is a normal tee-piston. The only difference is the pilot exhaust location. With the assistance of the spring, the piston will shut off the pilot and reset. If the "trigger" is held down, it will exhaust the pilot again, causing the piston to open again.

As of now, this is just theory, as calculations and such are going to be needed to get it to work properly. If anything, it is a start to something nice and new and neat. :D

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:11 pm
by ShowNoMercy
Why not try and extend your sealing face to also include something to load rounds?

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:08 am
by Hotwired
I'm not diggin' the idea :?

You will still need 3-way valve/valve assembly on the pilot to exhaust and fill.

...and with that, a normal piston valve would do the same thing

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:17 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Interesting, I had sketched something like the attachment once but never got round to building it as I wasn't sure the whole piston resetting thing would work. It might merit a prototype...

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:31 am
by Thursto
ShowNoMercy wrote:Why not try and extend your sealing face to also include something to load rounds?
Well i waqs going to start a drawing but jacks got it perfect, that would work, its like your semi auto gun jack (BB gun, the one you attached to the nailgun) the one in the syringe tube :D

I think that design could work, but you'd have to get the right size spring, and i dont think the o-ring would seal the exuast hole though.

~ Thursto

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:36 am
by Novacastrian
This design should work very well, getting the correct spring for different pressures would be a challange, as would the design of the internal pilot hole. Maybe if you had a flat face on the back of the piston (horizontal) with an oring fitted on top of the pilot hole, instead of the oring groove around the piston, like a breech seal on a airifle, only this would slide over the pilot hole.
Hope that made sense.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:45 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
hmmm... a square piston, perhaps? It would still have to be servicable though as that o-ring would wear out pretty quickly rubbing against the rear edge of the piston.

btw I only noticed now your small modification of the seven Ps lolol, so, so true :)

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:55 am
by Hubb
Nova has the right idea. When the pilot is exhausted, the piston moves back and covers the pilot exhaust, letting no more air out of the pilot area. The round is launched, the spring resets the piston, and the cycle begins again. If the pilot hole in the piston is of the correct size, the "trigger" can be held down and rapid fire obtained.

Something els that can be considered: What if the spring was removed? This would allow the piston to stay in place over the pilot hole until a certain pressure is obtained in the pilot area. This increase in pressure would reset the piston. Of course, this method would cause it to be filled from the pilot area.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:59 am
by c19o
Wouldn't the bolt on the piston jam the ammo?

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:16 am
by Hubb
If you are referring to Jack's diagram, as long as everything is measured and lined up, it should work good. I'm sure his diagram was similar to mine; a rough sketch.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:44 am
by c19o
Alrighty then... I bet this would work great in the gun that im making. 500psi CO2 "Assault Rifle" - steel/copper - semi/fullauto

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:05 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
I think it would be a better idea to combine the idea with mark's pop-off pilot concept, though perhaps it would be able idea to have a separate feeds to both chamber and pilot with a check valve from the chamber to the feed in order to ensure reliable operation.

The question is, will the piston go back far enough to reload the breech?