Difference between revisions of "Pneumatic cannon"

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[[image:pneumatic ballvalve cannon.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Pneumatic ball valve cannon]]
 
[[image:pneumatic ballvalve cannon.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Pneumatic ball valve cannon]]
A '''pneumatic cannon''' is a cannon powered by pressurized gas, usually air or CO2. They generally require a little more work to build than [[combustion cannon]]s, and using typical compressor pressures of 120 psig or so and a decent valve, they will outperform most combustion launchers of the same size.
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A '''pneumatic cannon''' is a cannon powered by pressurized gas, usually air or CO2. They generally require a little more work to build than [[combustion cannon]]s, but using typical compressor pressures of 120 psig or so and a decent valve, they will outperform most combustion launchers of the same size.
  
 
==Basic Elements==
 
==Basic Elements==

Revision as of 15:18, 16 February 2008

Pneumatic ball valve cannon

A pneumatic cannon is a cannon powered by pressurized gas, usually air or CO2. They generally require a little more work to build than combustion cannons, but using typical compressor pressures of 120 psig or so and a decent valve, they will outperform most combustion launchers of the same size.

Basic Elements

Pneumatic launchers consist of five basic elements:

Operation & Theory

In order to fire, the operator loads a projectile into the barrel, fills the chamber with a compressed gas (see Pneumatic air sources for common filling methods), and activates the main valve thus dumping the air in the chamber to the barrel.

The expansion of the compressed gas propels the projectile down the barrel. The barrel length determines the amount of energy transferred to the projectile and ultimately the velocity of the projectile.

Higher performance launchers use techniques such as:

  • Faster valve opening times - see sprinkler valve modification
  • Higher flow valves to maximize the airflow through the valve
  • Using higher gas pressures.
  • Even better, all of the above!

Less common, but also effective in increasing power, some people will also use a gas with a higher speed of sound and particle speed (e.g. helium).

Related Links

Downloading the GGDT (Gas Gun Design Tool) is highly recommended to those interested in pneumatic launchers.