Page 1 of 1

Vortex Cannon

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:20 pm
by aegisknight
I decided to ask here because who else would know better about pneumatics?

I want to build a vortex cannon; it fires nothing except a concentrated vortex of air. They exist as cheap novelty toys, like thus:

Image

but I would like to build one that works off of compressed air to fire more powerful charges. Ideally this could be accomplished with a rechargable compressed air canister.

I don't have any details on how I would construct it, but could this even work from a technical standpoint? Would I be able to get enough air pressure to create a vortex of any strength, or is the little plastic toy the best bet for this size?

Bigger and stronger vortexes do exist using bigger barrels, but all that I have seen work on basically the same principle, or use something so large and unwieldy that it seems to defeat the point.

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:24 pm
by cammyd32
Here? I know it's a little big and it runs off combustion, but I thought it might be relevant seeing as it's roughly the same principal.
With the right type of valve having the same kind of design using compressed gas could well be possible,
Welcome to the forum by the way :)

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:53 pm
by matti

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 6:56 pm
by aegisknight
thanks. I'll ask some questions, but this is likely far above my head.