SpudFiles

Now that it looks like my previous project is more or less operational, my boss has given me permission to build an explosively driven gas gun. Goal is 10,000 fps.

Do you mean a light gas gun, or a combustion light gas gun?

Sounds like another fapworthy project

Labtecpower wrote:Do you mean a light gas gun, or a combustion light gas gun?

Sounds like another fapworthy project

Neither. I mean an explosively driven gas gun. That's what they're called.

Basic concept: Start with a 2-stage light gas gun. Now, throw away the powder charge and piston so you're left with a chamber full of Helium (or Hydrogen) and a barrel (with projectile, of course). Now wrap that chamber with plastic explosives.... Detonate the explosives and you find that your Helium is suddenly under pretty extreme pressure.

BOOM.

I personally think the name "implosion gun" makes more sense, but as I didn't invent them I don't get to name them.

As you may expect, performance is very similar to a 2-stage light gas gun, but they're VERY cheap to manufacture and use by comparison. The only downside is that you can't use 'em indoors.


Some light reading on the topic....

Link removed

D_Hall wrote: The only downside is that you can't use 'em indoors.

Or more than once

Ah, now I understand!

I can imagine that this is much less complicated to build, compared to a 2-stage light gas gun.

I think the licenses take greatest amount of time?

Was this thread received the mod's approval? I mean the main source of power is of questionable nature..

I think they may be able to make an exception, seeing as how this is D. Hall's job. The main reason for the rule is to keep the site from getting bad media attention, but I don't think this is quite the same as a bunch of hobbyists blowing stuff up.

(even if it's for science:))

Anyway...
David, will you actually be able to post details about this project as it evolves?
How is the red tape/BS looking?

Technician1002 wrote:Was this thread received the mod's approval? I mean the main source of power is of questionable nature..

That's a good point. Personally, I'll let it slide because it is a legal and commercial venture. If another Mod or PCGUY thinks otherwise, so be it.

D_hall is definitely an exception...
This sounds cool... 8)

Labtecpower wrote:I can imagine that this is much less complicated to build, compared to a 2-stage light gas gun.

It's not so much a complexity issue as it is a logistics issue. 2-stage gas guns are MASSIVE pieces of equipment that are very expensive to build. Imagine a piece of pipe 3' in diameter with only a 6" ID and you get the idea. EDGs, by comparison, can be made out of off the shelf sch 20 pipe. Well, not the barrels, but the rest of the gun.

I think the licenses take greatest amount of time?

What I'm already licensed to do makes anything ever mentioned on this webpage look like child's play.

HINT

Dave might not need a license but he still files mountains of paperwork. I suspect that before the first firing Dave will have spent as much time on paperwork as on the designing.

Fnord wrote: David, will you actually be able to post details about this project as it evolves?
How is the red tape/BS looking?

1) Unknown. Right now we're at the "It's just an idea I've thrown on the table and the boss doesn't mind but it's not an official project or anything like that so it's all really nothing more than water cooler talk," stage. But then, ya'll know about that from past experience.

2) Haven't even tried to clear that yet. Still collecting meaningful data and looking into release mechanisms (read: professional conferences).

jimmy101 wrote:Dave might not need a license but he still files mountains of paperwork. I suspect that before the first firing Dave will have spent as much time on paperwork as on the designing.

LOL... Now THAT is a true statement. Absolute. Truth.

D_Hall wrote:

Labtecpower wrote:Do you mean a light gas gun, or a combustion light gas gun?

Sounds like another fapworthy project

Neither. I mean an explosively driven gas gun. That's what they're called.

Basic concept: Start with a 2-stage light gas gun. Now, throw away the powder charge and piston so you're left with a chamber full of Helium (or Hydrogen) and a barrel (with projectile, of course). Now wrap that chamber with plastic explosives.... Detonate the explosives and you find that your Helium is suddenly under pretty extreme pressure.

BOOM.

I personally think the name "implosion gun" makes more sense, but as I didn't invent them I don't get to name them.

As you may expect, performance is very similar to a 2-stage light gas gun, but they're VERY cheap to manufacture and use by comparison. The only downside is that you can't use 'em indoors.


Some light reading on the topic....

Link removed

The forum rule:

3.Discussion of solid propellants, explosive devices or incendiary projectiles fired specifically from a spud cannon is prohibited, and may result in a permanent banning of your account.For the purpose of this forum, these definitions will be used:
a. Solid propellant: Any substance containing all the chemical elements required to enable sustained combustion without the presence of additional oxidizers. This includes but is not limited to gunpowder, thermite, and many commercial and/or homemade pyrotechnic compounds.

It's stated plainly, if PCGUY wants to make a exception, that's up to him...