US 12,241,713 B2
Balanced firing valve for air gun
William M. Gardner, Jr., Loyalhanna, PA (US); and Hans Semelsberger, Loyalhanna, PA (US)
Filed by Gardner and Gardner Realty Co., Inc., Loyalhanna, PA (US)
Filed on Aug. 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/229,468.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/399,335, filed on Aug. 19, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0060745 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. F41B 11/723 (2013.01); F41B 11/73 (2013.01)
CPC F41B 11/723 (2013.01) [F41B 11/73 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A substantially-balanced firing valve for a pneumatic gun, comprising:
a valve stem arranged through a compressed gas storage area of the pneumatic gun, said compressed gas storage area configured to store a quantity of high-pressure compressed gas for a firing operation of the pneumatic gun;
a valve plug arranged on an end of the valve stem and configured to seal an air port arranged to communicate compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area to a breech of the pneumatic gun;
a piston arranged on an opposite end of the valve stem, wherein the piston is configured to receive a quantity of low-pressure compressed gas from a solenoid or mechanical actuating valve to initiate the firing operation of the pneumatic gun; and
an air through-port arranged through the valve stem from the valve plug to the piston and configured to communicate high-pressure compressed gas from the firing operation through the air through-port to the piston to assist in closing the valve plug during a firing operation of the pneumatic gun.
 
11. A pneumatic gun comprising:
a body having a breech in communication with a barrel;
a compressed gas storage area configured to house a quantity of high-pressure compressed gas;
an air port configured to communicate compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area to the breech to fire a projectile through the barrel during a firing operation of the pneumatic gun; and
a firing valve configured to control the release of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area to the breech, said firing valve comprising:
a valve stem arranged through the compressed gas storage area;
a valve plug arranged on a forward end of the valve stem and configured to seal the air port when closed;
a piston arranged on the valve stem, wherein the piston is configured to receive a quantity of low-pressure compressed gas to initiate the firing operation of the pneumatic gun; and
an air through-port arranged through the valve stem and configured to communicate high-pressure compressed gas from the firing operation through the air through-port to the piston to assist in closing the valve plug during a firing operation of the pneumatic gun.
 
16. A method of operating a pneumatic gun, said method comprising:
supplying compressed gas to a compressed gas storage area, wherein a valve stem is arranged through the compressed gas storage area of the pneumatic gun, and wherein said compressed gas storage area is configured to store a quantity of high-pressure compressed gas for a firing operation of the pneumatic gun;
causing a valve plug arranged on the valve stem to seal an air port that is configured to communicate compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area to a breech of the pneumatic gun during the firing operation;
directing a quantity of low-pressure compressed gas from a solenoid or mechanical actuating valve to a piston arranged on the valve stem, wherein the piston initiates the firing operation of the pneumatic gun in response to the force created by the low-pressure compressed gas; and
directing high-pressure compressed gas from the firing operation through an air through-port arranged through the valve stem from the valve plug to the piston to assist in closing the valve plug quickly after a firing operation of the pneumatic gun.