Abstract: A high speed gas valve (10) comprises an annular base member (14) having a plurality of plenums (18--18) into which a gas is admitted through a passage (42) in an overlying coverplate (16). Within each plenum is a conductive disc (26) which seals an orifice (20) leading from the respective plenum into an annular channel (39) in the top surface of a plate (34) in intimate contact with the bottom of the base member. The channel (39) connects each of a plurality of inclined nozzles (36--36) in the plate to each of the plenums (18--18). Underneath each disc (26) is a portion of an electrode (22). When a time varying voltage is applied to the electrode, a time varying current passes therein causing an eddy current to be induced in each of the discs (26--26) which lifts them simultaneously out of sealing engagement with the respective orifices (20--20). As a result, gas is discharged from the nozzles (36--36) as inclined gas streams (46--46) which form a shell (48).