Supah Valve

[Animal81182]

I am thinking of building a valve similar to the Supah Valve – I have got a design and think it will work but!!!

I am going to use a 4” PVC Tee with a 4” air chamber, and then a reducer to 3” for the barrel (To keep down on cost) there will also be an extension on the other end of the Tee to compensate for the length of the piston where the air goes in this will also be a piece of 4” long enough to stick on a cap end. I am also thinking of adding a sprinkler valve to exhaust it even faster

What I want to know is how loose the actual piston needs to be in the chamber – I presume it has to be tight enough to seal the air in, but will the pressure alone force the piston back.

If this works it will give a full 4” air flow if I decide to use 4” on the outlet side should have some serious power its just funds holding me back

Also is the air put in through the sprinkler valve or do I need another insert for that.

Animal

[boilingleadbath]

I am of the understanding that chamber sealing valves are hard to make. You will almost certainly need to use O-rings, and such hard-to-install things.
However, I am not terribly informed on this subject, so keep your ears open.

[saladtossser]

the basics of a supah valve:

a large seal face ensures greated force, thus opens wider and faster!!

a light but air-tight piston is a must!!

the equalization hole needs to be relative to the chamber size and ur fill rate!!

[Animal81182]

the equalization hole needs to be relative to the chamber size and ur fill rate!!

Sorry but do you mean the area of air which is holding the piston back closed needs to be relative to the chamber size?

and why would fill rate make a difference?

i was on the sumption that if the pressure in the chamber is equal to the pressure at the other end the piston will stay closed as it has already been pushed closed by air flow (Yes - No???)

i was thinking of using a pringles tin or something light wieght like that and placing o-rings on it - or even using a teloscopic piston which was total sealed an a rubber washer on the end to seak the chamber.

i want to get it right in my head and in design first as the 4" Tee cost £30.00 on its own over here in the UK

Thanks for your answers i may make a minuture one as a prototype...

Animal