Fuel Powered Paint Ball Marker

This application claims priority on U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/479,700 filed Oct. 2, 2023 which is incorporated by reference.

This assembly is directed to a fuel powered paintball marker using a combustion fuel, oxidation agent and ambient air wherein the fuel can be separated from the ambient air and oxidation agent in a first stage and combined in a second stage to increase safety and provide for a high cycle rate for ejecting projectiles. In certain embodiments, the assembly can be a paintball marker as well as a method and assembly to fire paintballs, or other like projectiles using a combustible fuel mixture to create compressed gas.

The state of the art for firing a projectile such as a frangible projectile like a paintball uses a compressed gas source. Traditionally, compressed gas is released into a chamber that uses the expansion of the compressed gas to eject a projectile from a barrel. The gases used are typically carbon dioxide and air.

Paintball can be a competitive team sport allowing team members from one team to eliminate players from another team by hitting them with paintballs. The paintballs can be spherical dye-filled capsules designed to break upon impact by releasing the paint and marking the target. These projectiles are typically fired from low-energy compressed air platforms and are derived from paintball markers originally designed for marking trees, cattle, and other objects.

As the activity evolved into the recreation space, formal sporting levels with organized competition were created and can include major tournaments, professional teams, and players and trophies, prizes and “bragging rights.” Game formats can have goals which can vary, but include capturing the flag, elimination, defending or attacking a particular point or area, or capturing objects of interest hidden in the playing area.

The traditional platforms for paintball markers are limited due to air resistance and gravity. A paintball can accelerate to the maximum legal muzzle velocity limit of 300 fps (feet per second), has a maximum range of about 120 feet and an effective range (e.g., the range in which it has enough kinetic energy to break the paintball on a human body) of around 60 feet. To reach this speed and range without prematurely breaking the paintball, traditional markers utilize compressed gases as propellants.

According to the Ideal Gas Law, one of the basic laws of thermodynamics, a pressurized gas expands uniformly until its pressure is equal to that of the surrounding gases. Paintball markers take advantage of this law by using a canister similar to tanks used by scuba divers and firemen to store a high-pressure gas. The canister attaches to the marker platform and can include a pin that opens the valve in the canister to regulate gas flow into the marker's main gas chamber. A valve can connect the gas chamber to the breech where the paintball is held. When the marker is in an unfired position, the valve can be seated to prevent the gas in the chamber from escaping. When the trigger is pulled, a seal is pushed forward, briefly opening the valve to allow a short burst of compressed gas to expand through the valve and into the breech thereby launching a paintball. When the seal is opened, the sudden difference in pressure from one side of the paintball (in the action) to the other side (in the barrel) causes the high-pressure gas to exert a force on the paintball, pushing it forward as the gas expands outward through the barrel.

For mechanical paintball markers, there are two components that determine the marker's practical rate of fire. These are the trigger and the sear. The trigger's function is generally understood. The sear is typically a small lever controlled by the trigger that holds the hammer back. When the trigger is pulled, the sear is pivoted until it releases the lug on the hammer. These designs can cycle at about 20 to 40 bps (balls per second). However, the actual rate is limited by the force exerted on the trigger by the user which is typically under a pound of pressure to actuate the sear and release the hammer which reduces the practical rate of fire to only around 10 bps.

It would be advantageous to have a paintball marker that can achieve a practical rate of fire in excess of 10 bps.

The development of electropneumatic markers seeks to lighten the trigger pull to provide for higher rates of fire. Instead of using the finger's strength to trip the sear and release the hammer, an electropneumatic marker uses the strength of pressurized air to drive the hammer and in so doing reduces the sear to a microswitch. As a result, the pressure that needs to be applied to the trigger to activate the firing cycle is reduced from the 16 oz previously necessary with mechanical triggers to as little as 1 oz. This design allows for “walking” the trigger which is a method of tapping the trigger alternately with the pointer and middle fingers allowing the player to achieve rates of fire in excess of 20 bps (using two fingers) on an electronic marker.

It would be advantageous to have a platform allowing fire rates to exceed 10 bps for single trigger pull and exceed 20 bps with the walking technique.

When reviewing paintball markers, the number of projectiles that can be fired without replacement of the power source is an important feature. Typically, about 1000 shots can be fired for every kilogram of CO2 in a cylinder. Therefore, a 5-kilogram cylinder can provide around 1500 shots. Typical cylinder sizes range from 12 grams to 36 ounces. From one vendor, a 20-ounce tank is 11.57×3.98×3.27 inches making it difficult to run, hide, turn corners, carry and otherwise effectively use in paintball sports.

It would be desirable to increase the number of shots in a given tank size so that a small tank can be used for many shots without having to carry tanks and cylinders that are about a foot long.

The above objectives are accomplished by providing a paintball marker comprising a housing, a combustion chamber defined within the housing, a piston movable within the housing, a bolt driven by combustion within the combustion chamber, a fuel system in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, an oxidizing system in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, and an ignition system configured to ignite a mixture of fuel and oxidizing agent in the combustion chamber, wherein combustion of the mixture drives the piston to actuate the bolt.

The paintball marker may include a compression chamber defined within the housing, wherein the piston separates the combustion chamber from the compression chamber. The piston may be configured to compress gas in the compression chamber when driven by combustion in the combustion chamber. The fuel system may comprise a fuel reservoir and a fuel valve configured to control flow of fuel from the fuel reservoir to the combustion chamber. The oxidizing system may comprise an oxidizing agent reservoir and an oxidizing agent valve configured to control flow of oxidizing agent from the oxidizing agent reservoir to the combustion chamber.

The paintball marker may further include a separation assembly configured to keep the fuel and oxidizing agent separate until combustion is desired. The separation assembly may comprise a solenoid valve controlled by an electronic controller.

A paintball marker device may be provided that includes a housing, a first chamber containing an oxidizing agent, a second chamber containing a fuel, a separation assembly configured to keep the oxidizing agent and fuel separate during a first stage, a combustion chamber, a valve system configured to selectively allow the oxidizing agent and fuel to enter the combustion chamber during a second stage, and an ignition system configured to ignite a mixture of the oxidizing agent and fuel in the combustion chamber.

The paintball marker device may include a piston movable within the housing, wherein the piston is driven by combustion in the combustion chamber. The piston may be configured to compress gas in a compression chamber when driven by combustion in the combustion chamber. The separation assembly may comprise a solenoid valve controlled by an electronic controller.

The valve system of the paintball marker device may comprise a first valve configured to control flow of the oxidizing agent from the first chamber to the combustion chamber, and a second valve configured to control flow of the fuel from the second chamber to the combustion chamber. The first valve and the second valve may be actuated by a single solenoid. The paintball marker device may include an ambient air inlet configured to allow ambient air to enter the combustion chamber during the second stage.

A paintball marker device may be provided that includes a housing, a combustion chamber defined within the housing, a compression chamber defined within the housing, a piston separating the combustion chamber from the compression chamber, a bolt operatively connected to the piston, a fuel system configured to supply fuel to the combustion chamber, an oxidizing system configured to supply an oxidizing agent to the combustion chamber, and an ignition system configured to ignite a mixture of fuel and oxidizing agent in the combustion chamber, wherein combustion in the combustion chamber drives the piston to compress gas in the compression chamber and actuate the bolt.

The paintball marker device may further include a separation assembly configured to keep the fuel and oxidizing agent separate until combustion is desired. The separation assembly may comprise a solenoid valve controlled by an electronic controller. The fuel system may comprise a fuel reservoir and a fuel valve configured to control flow of fuel from the fuel reservoir to the combustion chamber. The oxidizing system may comprise an oxidizing agent reservoir and an oxidizing agent valve configured to control flow of oxidizing agent from the oxidizing agent reservoir to the combustion chamber. The fuel valve and the oxidizing agent valve may be actuated by a solenoid controlled by an electronic controller to coordinate delivery of fuel and oxidizing agent to the combustion chamber.

While each of the drawing figures depicts a particular embodiment for purposes of depicting a clear example, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the elements shown in the drawing figures. For purposes of depicting clear examples, one or more figures may be described with reference to one or more other figures, but using the arrangement depicted in the one or more other figures is not required in other embodiments. The drawings and schematic representations are intended to support the understanding of the invention. These may not be to scale and are not intended to limit the invention to any particular layout, connectivity, or architectural implementation. Correspondence between drawing elements and described components is provided for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the claim scope.

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. Referring to, a paintball marker shown generally ascan include a housingthat can carry a barreland a grip. The housing can have a triggerincluded that can be part of a trigger assembly. A trigger guardcan be connected to a frameand can protect the trigger. The frame can be connected to or carry housing. The frame can include a foregripto provide additional support when holding the paintball marker. A fuel sourcecan be carried by the frame and can contain fuel. An oxidation agent sourcecan be carried by the frame and contain an oxidizing agent. A paintball hoppercan be removably attached to the frame and adapted to receive an inventory of paintballs.

Referring to, housingis shown connected to barrel. The barrel can define a loading portwhere paintballs can drop from the paintball hopper and enter chamber. A bolt, shown open, can be received in or against the chamber the chamber and can obstruct the loading port when in battery. The bolt can be in an open position when in the first stage and closed in a second stage. When in the first stage, paintballs can enter the chamber as the boltcan be rearward in a direction shown as. When in the second stage, the paintball marker can be in a firing position so that the bolt is closed and in a forward position shown as.

The housing can include a main chamberthat can include a compression area chamberand a combustion chamber. Pistonhaving a piston rodand a piston headcan be received in the main chamber. The piston can be received in a piston tube. The piston tube can include a removeable piston tube capand a piston tension member. The piston tension member can be attached to one end of a resilient memberand the other end of the resilient member can be attached to the piston to bias the piston rearward. The piston headcan include a piston sealsuch as an O-ring that can prevent fluid from being exchanged between the compression chamber and the combustion chamber. A piston capcan secure the piston headto the piston rod.

The housing can carry a fuel systemand a bolt drive system.

Ambient air can enter the oxidizing system through portduring the first stage. The ambient air can flow into the combustion chamberto be mixed with the fuel and oxidating agent.

Referring to, the paintball marker is shown in one embodiment transitioned from the first stage to the second stage. Referring to, the fuel systemcan include an oxidizing systemthat can have an oxidizing agent inputin fluid communications with the oxidation agent source. The oxidating agent can be Oor other fluid which supports combustion. An oxidation agent can enter the oxidizing systemthrough the oxidizing agent inputand can be contained in an oxidizing agent reservoirand in a first stage. An oxidizing agent valveis closed in the first stage preventing gate oxidating agent from entering a separation area in the oxidizing agent first stage. When the paintball maker is actuated, the oxidizing agent valveopens allowing the oxidizing agent to exit an oxidizing agent output. The oxidizing agent outputcan be in fluid communications with bolt drive system.

A fuel assemblycan be carried by the housing and can be separated from the oxidizing system by a separation assembly. The separation assembly can be a solenoid that can be in communications with a controller that can actuate the separation assembly. The separation assemblycan open and close the oxidizing agent valve as well as open and close a fuel valve. The controller can be actuated when the trigger is depressed. The trigger can actuate a switch which can actuate the controller.

The fuel assembly can include a fuel inputthat allows fuel to enter a fuel reservoirduring the first stage. The fuel valve prevents the fuel from entering combustion chamberduring the first stage. When the separation assembly is actuated, the fuel is injected from fuel nozzleinto the combustion chamber. The fuel mixes with the oxidizing agent in the combustion chamber during the second stage and is then ignited using ignition. In the second stage, the fuel valveis closed preventing the ignited gas from flowing into the fuel assembly. During the second stage, the transfer valvecloses preventing the mixture in the combustion chamberfrom entering the bolt drive system. The combustion chamber, prior to firing can include fuel from the fuel system, oxidizing agent from the oxidizing system, air from ambient opening, and residual gas from prior cycles. Prior to firing, fuel valveis closed and the transfer valveis closed so that when the fuel, oxidizing agent, and air are ignited with ignition, the pressure form the combustion drives the piston forward, causes a fluid, such as air, in the compression chamberto compress thereby ejecting the projectile. Pressure is created when the mixture in the combustion chamber combusts and the energy therefrom heats the gases within the chamber causing expansion of the gases.

When the combustion cycle reaches the exhaust stage, the gases in the combustion chambercool creating a vacuum which draws the piston head rearward. As the piston head draws rearward, the exhaust gas flows out through the ambient opening. The resilient memberassists with drawing the piston rearward. The piston head is stopped short of the rear of the combustion chamber leaving a volume of gas retained in the combustion chamber. The inclusion of this gas, and the introduction of ambient air, increases the efficacy of combustion induced expansion in the next cycle.

Referring to, when the paintball marker transitions from the second stage back to the first stage, after ejecting the projectile, the push rodis moved rearwardby the pistonmoving rearward. Therefore, the drive rodmoves rearward, which is connected to the bolt, moves rearward, and opens the bolt. The transition valveopens allowing exhaust gases to exit the paintball marker.

During the first stage, the oxidating agent is inserted into the oxidizing system. During the second stage, the oxidating agent exits the oxidizing system from a first oxidizing outputand flows into an oxidizing agent accumulatorthrough a first oxidizing input. The oxidating agent is held in the oxidizing agent accumulator until it is injected into the combustion chamber during the second stage. During the second stage, the oxidating agent exits the oxidizing system from a second oxidizing outputand flows into an oxidizing agent pressure areathrough a second oxidizing input. The pressure from the oxidizing agent created in the oxidizing agent pressure areadrive the oxidizing agent pistonforward. This motion injects the oxidizing agent into the combustion chamber. This motion can also inject ambient air into the combustion chamber.

Referring to, the paintball marker is shown to have just ejected a projectilefrom chamber. The fluid, such as air, in the compression chamber have been compressed and is exiting or exits boreof the barrel. The gases in the combustion chambercool creating a vacuum in this chamber which draws the piston rearward in a direction shown as. The transition valvemoves rearward allowing exhaust to escape the paintball maker through ambient opening. The bolt is connected to a first linkagewhich is connected to a drive rodwhich is connected to a second linkageso that when the bolt pistonis moved rearward, the boltmoves rearward opening the chamber.

Referring to, the controllershown having a switchthat can be actuated when the trigger is pulled. The switch can be connected to processorwhich can control the components. The controller can include power supplythat can power the controller, ignition, solenoidand valves. The valves can include Ovalve and fuel valve. Computer readable instructions included on the controller can provide for the timing and control of the various components. A sequence of events can be initiated with the actuation of the trigger.

Referring to, the controller can include computer readable instructions, controller, or other assembly that wait for the trigger to be actuated and when the trigger is actuated at, the solenoid is energized at. When the solenoid is energized, a timer is started atthat allows for sufficient time to have air and fuel to mix and flow into the combustion chamber. The solenoid is then de-energizing solenoid atwhich finishes mixing the air and fuel and pushes the mixture into the combustion chamber. This process with the air and fuel can occur prior to allowing Oto enter the combustion chamber through the oxidizing agent piston. The controller can activate the piston using the pressurized Oto move the piston into the firing position. The ignition can be triggered atand a mechanical firing sequence initiated at. In one embodiment, the solenoid controls one or more valves that allow the fuel and air to mix and the Oto enter the respective areas. In one embodiment, the valves can be controlled by the controller.

The above objectives are accomplished by providing, a fuel powered paint marker which can have a first stage and a second stage comprising: a housing that can have a cavity defined in the housing; a piston that can be received in the housing; a combustion chamber defined by the housing and a first side of the piston; a compression chamber that is defined by the housing and a second side of the piston; a fuel system that is carried by the housing and in fluid communications with the combustion chamber; an oxidizing system that is included in the fuel system that has an oxidizing input for receiving an oxidizing agent wherein the oxidizing agent enters the oxidizing system during the first stage; an oxidizing output that is included in the oxidizing system; a fuel assembly that is included in the fuel system having a fuel input wherein fuel enters the fuel assembly during the first stage; a separation assembly that is included in the fuel system and separates the oxidizing agent from the fuel assembly in the first stage; a bolt drive system that is carried by the housing that has a bolt piston, bolt drive rod and a bolt; a first oxidizing input that can be included in the bolt drive system in fluid and is in communication with the oxidizing output wherein the oxidizing agent is inserted into a bolt piston chamber driving the bolt piston forward thereby closing the bolt; a second oxidizing input that is included in the bolt drive system in fluid communication with the oxidizing output wherein the oxidizing agent is inserted into a bolt reservoir chamber during the first stage and the oxidizing agent is injected into the combustion chamber during the second stage; a fuel nozzle included in the fuel system which injects fuel into the combustion chamber during the second stage; and, an ignition for igniting the fuel and oxidizing agent in the combustion chamber driving the piston forward and compressing a gas in the compression chamber thereby ejecting a projectile.

The separation assembly can be a solenoid and can include a controller in electrical communications with the solenoid that when actuated transitions the solenoid from a first position to a second position. A trigger can be operatively associated with the controller so that when the trigger is activated, the controller transitions the solenoid.

A trigger can be in contact with a switch included on the controller for actuating the controller. A resilient member can be affixed to the piston at a first end and a piston housing at a second end and adapted to bias the piston in a rearward position. An exhaust opening can be defined in the housing adapted to allow combusted gas to escape the housing. The separation assembly can be adapted to allow the oxidizing agent to enter the combustion chamber during the second stage. An oxidizing agent source can be in fluid communications with the fuel assembly and can be adapted to deliver the oxidizing agent to the oxidizing system under pressure.

An ambient opening can be defined in the fuel system which is adapted to allow ambient air to enter the fuel system during the first stage. The fuel oxidizing agent and ambient air can enter the combustion chamber during the first stage and ignite during the second stage. A first stage and a second stage can be included. A housing that has a cavity defined in the housing and a piston received in the housing can be included. The system can include a combustion chamber defined by the housing and a first side of the piston; a compression chamber that is defined by the housing and a second side of the piston; a fuel system can be carried by the housing and in fluid communications with the combustion chamber which is adapted to receive fuel from a fuel source during the first stage and inject the fuel into the combustion chamber during a second stage; an oxidizing system can be carried by the housing which is adapted for receiving an oxidizing agent from an oxidizing agent source wherein the oxidizing agent enters the combustion chamber during the first stage; a separation assembly can be carried by the housing and is adapted to separate the oxidizing agent from the fuel system during the first stage; a bolt drive system can be carried by the housing which has a bolt piston, bolt drive rod and a bolt and in fluid communications with the oxidizing system wherein the bolt drive system receives the oxidizing agent into a bolt reservoir chamber during the first stage and into a bolt piston chamber driving the bolt piston forward thereby closing the bolt during the second stage and injecting the oxidizing agent into the combustion chamber during the second stage; an ignition adapter to ignite the fuel and oxidizing agent in the combustion chamber can drive the piston forward and compresses the gas in the compression chamber thereby ejecting a projectile.

An ambient opening can be defined in the fuel system adapted to allow ambient air to enter the fuel system during the first stage. An exhaust opening can be defined in the housing that is adapted to allow combusted gas to escape the housing. A resilient member can be affixed to the piston at a first end and a piston housing at a second end and adapted to bias the piston in a rearward position. A fuel powered paint marker that has a first stage and a second stage which comprises: a housing having a combustion chamber and a compression chamber that is defined by the housing and a piston received in the housing; a fuel system that is carried by the housing and in fluid communications with the combustion chamber adapted to receive fuel from a fuel source during the first stage and inject the fuel into the combustion chamber during a second stage; an oxidizing system that is carried by the housing and adapted for receiving an oxidizing agent from an oxidizing agent source wherein the oxidizing agent enters the combustion chamber during the second stage; an ignition that ignites the fuel and oxidizing agent in the combustion chamber driving the piston forward and compresses a gas in the compression chamber thereby ejecting a projectile. An ignition for igniting the fuel and oxidizing agent in the combustion chamber driving the piston forward and compressing a gas in the compression chamber thereby ejecting a projectile.

A bolt drive system can be carried by the housing having a bolt piston and bolt drive rod and in fluid communications with the oxidizing system wherein the bolt drive system receives the oxidizing agent into a bolt reservoir chamber during the first stage and into a bolt piston chamber driving the bolt piston forward thereby closing a bolt connected to the bolt drive rod during the second stage. The system can be adapted to inject the oxidizing agent into the combustion chamber during the second stage. An ambient opening can be defined in the fuel system and adapted to allow ambient air to enter the fuel system during the first stage. A separation assembly can be carried by the housing and adapted to separate the oxidizing agent from the fuel system during the first stage.

It is understood that the above descriptions and illustrations are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. Other embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventor did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.