Abstract: A self resetting main valve assembly for compressed gas partially discharges a shot plenum when actuated. When actuated (i.e., when a user pulls a trigger of the gun), compressed gas pressure within the shot plenum is used to pull the main valve plunger back from an outlet of the shot plenum faster than a spring biasing the main valve plunger toward the outlet of the shot plenum can move the main valve plunger toward the outlet of the shot plenum. The spring can and typically will push the main valve plunger back into contact with the outlet of the shot plenum, sealing off the outlet of the main valve assembly before the user resets the trigger. When the user allows the trigger to reset, an inlet of the shot plenum is unblocked such that compressed gas can flow into the shot plenum via the inlet to refill the shot plenum.

Abstract: A compressively sealable magazine for an airgun includes a housing defining a pair of coaxially aligned apertures in opposing sidewalls thereof, a sealing member at each aperture, and a carousel in the housing defining a plurality of projectile chambers that are configured to move sequentially into and out of alignment with the apertures. The magazine is compressible against a barrel of the airgun by a nozzle of the airgun upon the release of a compressed gas by the airgun so as to form a sealed flow path through which a projectile contained in a chamber aligned with the apertures is propelled from the chamber and through the barrel.

Abstract: An actuation assembly for actuating a compressed gas main valve assembly includes a trigger, a body, and an actuation valve. The actuation assembly includes a trigger, body, and actuation valve. The trigger is configured to selective activate the actuation assembly in response to input from a user (e.g., when the user pulls the trigger). The body is configured to support the trigger, connect to the main valve assembly, provide compressed gas to an inlet of a shot plenum of the main valve assembly, and selectively supply compressed gas to a control port of a switch plenum of the main valve assembly. When activated (i.e., actuated), the activation valve blocks flow of compressed gas to the control port of the main valve assembly and vents the switch plenum to atmosphere (e.g., via the control port).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods relate to gas regulators for use with paintball guns. The gas regulator includes a poppet housing interchangeable by a user to modify output pressure of the gas regulator. The poppet housing includes markings visible externally on the gas regulator indicating to the user the output pressure provided. The gas regulator may further include a rotatable adapter for coupling with a paintball gun. A regulator piston that functions to control the output pressure based on the poppet housing selected acts in some embodiments on an internal balanced piston for selectively opening and closing flow through the gas regulator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods relate to gas regulators for use with paintball guns. The gas regulator includes a poppet housing interchangeable by a user to modify output pressure of the gas regulator. The poppet housing includes markings visible externally on the gas regulator indicating to the user the output pressure provided. The gas regulator may further include a rotatable adapter for coupling with a paintball gun. A regulator piston that functions to control the output pressure based on the poppet housing selected acts in some embodiments on an internal balanced piston for selectively opening and closing flow through the gas regulator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods relate to barrel arrangements for use with paintball guns. The barrel arrangement includes an insert that may be tubular and selectable by a user to have an inside bore diameter to provide desired fit with a paintball. An external barrel receives the insert and is attachable to a frame of the paintball gun. An externally mounted resilient band around an outside circumference of the external barrel facilitates centering and retention of the insert within the external barrel. Specifically, the external barrel includes a set of apertures through which extensions on an inside surface of the resilient band protrude into biasing contact with an outside surface of the insert.

Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a valve tree, the valve tree having a master valve having a flow axis and a header. The fluid transfer system further includes a coupler disposed between, connected to, and in fluid communication with, the valve tree and the header. The coupler has a fixed length and includes a coupler multi-path flow connector in fluid communication with the valve tree. The coupler also includes a flow control valve having a flow axis, the flow control valve directly coupled to the coupler multi-path flow connector and in fluid communication with the header.

Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a valve tree, the valve tree having a master valve having a flow axis and a header. The fluid transfer system further includes a coupler disposed between, connected to, and in fluid communication with, the valve tree and the header. The coupler has a fixed length and includes a coupler multi-path flow connector in fluid communication with the valve tree. The coupler also includes a flow control valve having a flow axis, the flow control valve directly coupled to the coupler multi-path flow connector and in fluid communication with the header.

Abstract: A ball dropper assembly includes a main body, a sealing piston, and a magazine assembly. The main body includes a main bore, angle bore, and transverse bore formed therethrough. The transverse bore is fluidly coupled to the main bore through the angle bore. The sealing piston is positioned within the transverse bore. Seal rings are positioned between the main body and the sealing piston on either side of the angle bore. The magazine assembly includes a magazine body and a carrier piston. The magazine body is mechanically coupled to the main body. The carrier piston has a carrier hole formed therein and is mechanically coupled to the sealing piston.

Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a valve tree, the valve tree having a master valve having a flow axis and a header. The fluid transfer system further includes a coupler disposed between, connected to, and in fluid communication with, the valve tree and the header. The coupler has a fixed length and includes a coupler multi-path flow connector in fluid communication with the valve tree. The coupler also includes a flow control valve having a flow axis, the flow control valve directly coupled to the coupler multi-path flow connector and in fluid communication with the header.

Abstract: A ball dropper assembly includes a main body, a sealing piston, and a magazine assembly. The main body includes a main bore, angle bore, and transverse bore formed therethrough. The transverse bore is fluidly coupled to the main bore through the angle bore. The sealing piston is positioned within the transverse bore. Seal rings are positioned between the main body and the sealing piston on either side of the angle bore. The magazine assembly includes a magazine body and a carrier piston. The magazine body is mechanically coupled to the main body. The carrier piston has a carrier hole formed therein and is mechanically coupled to the sealing piston.

Abstract: A ball dropper assembly includes a main body, a sealing piston, and a magazine assembly. The main body includes a main bore, angle bore, and transverse bore formed therethrough. The transverse bore is fluidly coupled to the main bore through the angle bore. The sealing piston is positioned within the transverse bore. Seal rings are positioned between the main body and the sealing piston on either side of the angle bore. The magazine assembly includes a magazine body and a carrier piston. The magazine body is mechanically coupled to the main body. The carrier piston has a carrier hole formed therein and is mechanically coupled to the sealing piston.

Abstract: A fluid transfer system for use with a valve tree at a well, the valve tree having a wellhead axis, may comprise a header having a header flow axis and a coupler connected to the valve tree and the header and providing fluid communication between the valve tree and the header, the coupler having a coupler flow axis. The sum of the direction changes for a fluid flowing from the header into the valve tree may be less than 225°. The coupler may include a coupler inlet, which may be at substantially the same elevation as the header flow axis. The coupler may be connected to the header such that the coupler flow axis intersects the header flow axis or such that the coupler axis passes between the header axis and the surface of the earth. An angle between the coupler flow axis and the wellhead axis may be acute.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a conduit forming part of a drilling fluid return path from a wellbore. The the conduit has at least one well outflow control in the conduit. The at least one well fluid outflow control has at least two annular flow restrictors each separately operable to close to a respective inner diameter.

Abstract: A ball dropper assembly includes a main body, a sealing piston, and a magazine assembly. The main body includes a main bore, angle bore, and transverse bore formed therethrough. The transverse bore is fluidly coupled to the main bore through the angle bore. The sealing piston is positioned within the transverse bore. Seal rings are positioned between the main body and the sealing piston on either side of the angle bore. The magazine assembly includes a magazine body and a carrier piston. The magazine body is mechanically coupled to the main body. The carrier piston has a carrier hole formed therein and is mechanically coupled to the sealing piston.

Abstract: A conduit forming part of a drilling fluid return path from a wellbore has at least one flow restrictor disposed on an interior surface of the conduit. A drill string is disposed through the interior of the conduit and has at least one flow restrictor disposed on an exterior surface of the drill string. The drill string is longitudinally movable through the conduit to enable placing the flow restrictor in the conduit, and the flow restrictor on the drill string at a selected longitudinal distance from each other.

Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a valve tree, the valve tree having a master valve having a flow axis and a header. The fluid transfer system further includes a coupler disposed between, connected to, and in fluid communication with, the valve tree and the header. The coupler has a fixed length and includes a coupler multi-path flow connector in fluid communication with the valve tree. The coupler also includes a flow control valve having a flow axis, the flow control valve directly coupled to the coupler multi-path flow connector and in fluid communication with the header.

Abstract: A conduit forming part of a drilling fluid return path from a wellbore has at least one flow restrictor disposed on an interior surface of the conduit. A drill string is disposed through the interior of the conduit and has at least one flow restrictor disposed on an exterior surface of the drill string. The drill string is longitudinally movable through the conduit to enable placing the flow restrictor in the conduit, and the flow restrictor on the drill string at a selected longitudinal distance from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing and at least two pipe ram systems engageable with the housing. Each of the at least two pipe ram systems comprises an actuator, a bonnet and a sealing pipe ram element. The at least two pipe ram systems are disposed on opposed sides of the housing. A carousel is disposed proximate at least one of the at least two pipe ram systems. The carousel has mounted thereon a plurality of pipe ram systems. The carousel is rotatable to orient a selected one of the plurality of pipe ram systems toward a receiving bore in the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a conduit forming part of a drilling fluid return path from a wellbore. The the conduit has at least one well outflow control in the conduit. The at least one well fluid outflow control has at least two annular flow restrictors each separately operable to close to a respective inner diameter.