Projectile Launcher

Abstract

An apparatus to launch projectiles such as paintballs, BBs, grenades, rocket foam and others. The apparatus uses a cordless nailer fuel cell to provide combustible material to a fan-assisted combustion chamber; the combustible is ignited generating energy to propel the projectile out of the apparatus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application for “Projectile Launcher”, Ser. No. 61/186,032, Filled on Jun. 11, 2009 by the present inventor which is hereby expressly incorporated into this application by this reference thereto.

BACKGROUND

Prior Art

The following is tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

Us Patent Documents
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	7,665,396 B1	February 2010	Tippmann

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for launching projectiles. In particular, the present invention uses the combustion of fuel provided by a cordless nailer fuel cell, to launch the projectiles. In certain embodiments the present invention relates more specifically to a foam rocket and grenade launcher and to methods for, and devices capable of launching projectiles such as paintballs, BBs, grenades, rocket foam and others.

BACKGROUND

Prior Art

Currently, the state of art for launching frangible projectiles typically involves the use of compressed gas. This gas is released inside of an apparatus, and the expansion of this gas propels the projectile from the apparatus. Many different non-lethal projectiles (BBs, pellets, airsoft BBs, darts, foam rockets, less-lethal, etc.), are also launched using Co2 or compressed air.

In Paintball gaming, a player have to carry a paintball marker, a rocket launcher or a grenade launcher typically outfitted with a heavy compressed gas tank and supplies of paintballs, rockets, grenades etc. . . . .

Compressed gas tanks are big and heavy, and it is almost impossible to the player to carry an extra tank, to replace the empty one during the game, because those tanks are attached to the gun using a threaded inlet, it takes a lot of time to unscrew the empty one and screw the full one. The compressed gas tanks are limited to a small number of shots, and many times the player can not finish the game because the gas tank is empty before the end of the game. To solve the problem of carrying large and heavy extra tanks, some companies in the paintball industry and some inventors are designing launchers that ignite a combustible gas such as propane or mapp gas to increase the number of shots per tank, and eliminate refilling tanks for subsequent use. All the prior art patents and applications listed, such “US 2008/0190275 A1 from Tippmann, Jr”, “US 2006/0032487 A1 from Tippmann, Jr” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,665,396 B1 issued to Tippmann, Jr on Feb. 23, 2010, relate to a launcher that uses a combustible gas tank (Propane or Mapp gas) to increase the number of shots per tank and eliminate the need to carry extra tanks, but you still have to carry one tank that is feeding the launcher (Propane tank or mapp gas tank) and those tanks are heavy and big.

All the combustion powered launchers on the prior art, relates to an apparatus that uses some source of a combustible gas such as mapp gas or propane to propel a projectile, all those apparatus have built in a threaded gas inlet to screw a gas tank, means to regulate the gas pressure on the launcher, means to metering the gas intake, means to inject this gas on the chamber, and when the gas tank is attached to the launcher said launcher is pressurized by a combustible gas, and every time that the player removes the tank from the launcher it leaks a considerable amount of gas.

It is a concern about safety, because after each game the player needs to clean the launcher, and to do this most of time is necessary to disassembly some parts, clean and put back together and if it has any small problem with consumable part such as o-ring or a seal, or the player which usually is not a gun technician, fail to properly reassembly the launcher, it can result in a leak of a large volume of combustible gas which is enough to cause a fire or a major explosion in a right condition and space such as a player's car or player's bedroom.

The application # US 20070062363 A1 from Breersma Lester, the inventor uses the term “fuel cell” to describe a can filled with some combustible gas. On the summary of the same application, the inventor declares that said invention is a paintball marker apparatus with a fuel connection system, a fuel handling system, and a fuel injection system. On the claim number eleven of the same application the inventor claims.

“The apparatus of claim 10, the release device comprising: a fuel adapter for sealing to the fuel cell; and a fuel pin adapted to puncture the fuel cell providing the initial flow of the combustible material from the fuel cell”., which definitely proves that the inventor does not anticipate or plane to use a cordless nailer fuel cell. The fuel cell I use, such as described on U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944 from Nikolich, has the metering valve provided by the manufacture attached on it. It has a metering valve stem 115A as shown on FIG. 1 to connect on the launcher which does not need any of these systems to control the combustible flow, combustible pressure, does not need to be sealed, and does not need to be punctured to release the fuel. Which proves that the prior art inventors do not anticipate, plane or mention to use the same or similar cordless nailer fuel cell that I use on my embodiments.

Another consideration about all prior art apparatus is the fact of all relates to a launcher that uses a chamber with a piston to mix the fuel and air when it is moved in some direction, the piston is moved again to expel the gases resultants of the combustion out of the chamber and to draw fresh air for a new combustion. Usually to have a piston moving from one side to another side of chamber, we need almost the same length of the chamber, to house a driver means, and it causes a problem when we need to make a commercially acceptable size of marker.

Another problem with the apparatus listed on prior art, is that combustion generates a lot of heat, and to keep the marker at useful and safe temperature, the inventors are using fins, and it makes the marker even bigger. Another consideration about the prior art is that, even when the invertors broadly describe that their apparatus one day may use liquid combustible, none of them show or describe any means to handle, metering, injecting, or atomizing liquid fuel. As described on the patent of the fuel cell that I use in all embodiments of my invention, U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944 from Nikolich, titled “Fluid dispenser having a collapsible inner bag”, these fuel cell dispense a hydrocarbon fluid not a gas.

For those skilled on the art will be easy to see that all those listed in the prior art relates to apparatus that use some source of combustible gas, and their designs does not show or describe any mechanism or any system capable to metering, inject and atomize a liquid fuel.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is a projectile launcher that uses a cordless nailer fuel cell with a fan-assisted combustion chamber to propel projectiles, the use of fuel cell will allow to built markers that don't use compressed gas tanks, reducing the overall size and weight in a half. Several advantages can be eminent for those skilled on the art; I list some of them. My invention relates to a new and improved internal combustion launcher that solve all the problems described on prior art.

A fan-assisted chamber is a combustion chamber with at least one fan or at least one rigid or flexible vane and means to operate it, to create any kind of gas transport, turbulence or change of pressure inside of said chamber, it's better, more reliable, cheaper and smaller. The Launcher is powered by cordless nailer fuel cell, such as described on U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944 or similar. The fuel usually is a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and the amount is about 0.64 oz for small canister, and about 1.28 oz for the large canister, which is safer because it's liquid and because of small amount.

The fuel cell is very small and safe;

The player can easily carry an extra fuel cell to replace during the game.

One large fuel cell measures about 6.5″L×1.3″D and can shoot 2.400 times; A large CO2 tank is ten times bigger and can shoot 500 times only.

The metering valve is located on the fuel cell, and it is replaced with the fuel cell, eliminating the risk of leak by defective or consumed valves and o-rings on the gun.

The Launcher is never pressurized, only thing is pressurized is the fuel cell.

The fuel cell can be removed and replaced without any leak;

There are no threads on the fuel cell which can be replaced in seconds during the game;

The launcher is smaller and lighter because it uses a fan-assisted chamber instead of a piston. The Launcher using a fan-assisted chamber doesn't need to have a large cooling fin, because the fan is also used to cool it down.

Using a fan-assisted chamber, It doesn't need to use a piston to mix the fuel and air within the chamber; and after the shot it doesn't need to move the piston through the whole chamber to remove, or scavenge, combustion by-products. It makes this launcher a lot lighter, faster, reliable, smaller and cheaper to manufacture.

The cordless nailer fuel cell is already available on the hardware stores, manufactured by companies such as Paslode, Hitachi, Max USA, Tyrex, Ramset, Duo-Fast, Porter Cable and others.

There are several other advantages but the fact that projectile launchers such as paintball marker will not have to use tanks of compressed gas anymore, represents a huge improvement on the paintball and similar games.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a projectile launcher designed to use a cordless nailer fuel cell with provided metering valve to supply combustible material to a fan-assisted combustion chamber.

I discover that the cordless nailer fuel cell such as described on U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944 and similar provides an effective and safe way to feed the combustion launchers, it is safe, small, cheap, and can be found on hardware stores. The new launchers such paintball markers, rocket launchers, grenade launchers, and others can use this small canister called fuel cell instead of a large tank of propane or mapp gas described on prior art. Another advantage of using those fuel cells is that each one came with a disposable metering valve, which provide the same amount of the fuel every time and it is replaced with each new fuel cell. Because the fuel cell already have the metering valve on it, the launcher is never pressurized, and the operator can remove and replace the fuel cell on the launcher in seconds during the game without any leak, It just set on the launcher, without time consuming threads or decompression procedures.

The launchers can be lighter, safer and cheaper because it does not need to have a pressure regulator, injection system, metering valve or large threaded gas inlets built on it; it's all on the fuel cell. Most of designs on the prior art uses at least one piston to move back and forward mixing fuel and air, and after the combustion of the gas, the piston is moved again to exhaust the gases resultants, and to draw fresh air into the chamber. After innumerous tests I conclude that this kind of chamber may work well with propane or mapp gas, but it doesn't work properly with the fuel cells. Instead of to use piston or any part moving back or forward, my embodiments uses a fan-assisted chamber.

The method to propel the projectiles using the principals of my invention is: An operator loads a projectile on a launching area and pulls the trigger; the chamber is closed; an electronic controller starts at least on fan inside said chamber, and the fuel is injected from the fuel cell in the chamber; the turbulence generate by the fan mix fuel and air. The electronic controller sends an electrical pulse to generate a spark on a spark plug located inside of chamber, igniting the mixture; the expansion of gases propels the projectile from the launcher; the chamber is open and the electronic controller keep the fan working for a predetermined time to expel the gases resultants of the combustion, to cool the combustion chamber and another predetermined time to draw fresh air to the next combustion; finally the electronic controller turn off the fan.

The present invention will be described with an illustrative embodiment of a rocket and grenade launcher, designed to launch a foam rockets, and also designed to launch all kinds of projectiles such (paintballs, BBs, non-lethal, less-lethal, rubber balls, etc. . . . ) previously loaded on a specific shell (grenade) and loaded on the muzzle of the launcher. On games such as Paintball, airsoft or other that uses a projectile launchers, the name “grenade launcher” is used to describe an apparatus which the operator load a shell (grenade shell) with appropriated projectiles for every kind of game.

Prior art shells need to be charged with green gas before use, and because they need to have a chamber to store the compressed gas, they also need to have a release valve; they are very expensive, heavy, and made of metal to support the pressure. When the operator pulls the trigger a spring loaded mechanism hit the release valve on the grenade shell which propels all the projectiles previously loaded in it, using all the compress gas previously stored in it. But the shell is always on the launcher and never is launched.

Because prior art shells are heavy, expensive and needs to be filled with compress gas before use, they have a limited market. To solve all this problems I invent a new grenade shell which is showed on FIG. 15 which does not need to be filled with compressed gas because the launcher showed on FIG. 5 generates pulses of pressure allowing using this energy to propel the projectiles preloaded in the shells. The shells I invented are never pressured, does not use compressed gas on it, and does not need to be metal, allowing to make and sell for a fraction of price of the other shells commercially available today.

The grenade shells I invent can vary on sizes, materials and can have one or more holes in the center area to each different size projectile and for each different model, for example, instead of to have one large hole in the center, it may have five or six 6 mms holes to load dozens of 6 mm bbs on each hole. The position of holes can be changed to create patterns of shots, such as lines, circles, two lines or any other pattern. We can for example make five horizontal 6 mm holes and load those holes with dozens of bbs each and when the operator shoots, the bbs will be launched making a horizontal line in front of the launcher. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the grenade shell used as an illustrative non-limiting example, many different sizes and configurations will be made appropriated for each use.

In another embodiment such as a airsoft gun, a fan-assisted chamber which is a combustion chamber with at least one fan or at least one rigid or flexible vane and means to operate it, to create any kind of gas transport, turbulence or change of pressure inside of chamber, powered by a cordless nailer fuel cell and metering valve provided with, will be used to propel airsoft BBs.

In another embodiment such as a paintball marker, said fan-assisted chamber powered by a cordless nailer fuel cell and the metering valve provided with, will be used to propel paintballs.

In another illustrative embodiment the launcher may use said fan-assisted chamber with one or more electrical motors and one or more fans.

In another illustrative embodiment, said fan-assisted chamber powered by said cordless nailer fuel cell and the metering valve provided with, will be used to build an apparatus capable to propel any kind of projectiles.

In another illustrative embodiment, said fan-assisted chamber powered by said cordless nailer fuel cell and the metering valve provided with, will be used to manufacture a grenade launcher with one barrel, means to load many grenade shells on a revolving mechanism, which at every shot said mechanism align the next shell with the barrel.

In another illustrative embodiment, said fan-assisted chamber powered by said cordless nailer fuel cell and the metering valve provided with, will be used to manufacture a rocket launcher with a longer barrel than the one show on the main embodiment to provide more acceleration and speed up the projectile; we may provide means to operate the metering valve many times to deliver the right amount of fuel that the embodiment needs.

In another illustrative embodiment the fan-assisted chamber may use one or more fans operate by any mechanism capable to do it, such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic or electro mechanic.

In another illustrative embodiment, the fan inside of said fan-assisted combustion chamber can be replaced for one or more fans, and can be used any type of fan such as axial fan, centrifugal fan, cross flow fan, impellers, propellers, or any revolving vane or vanes used to produce turbulence, ventilation, exhaust, cooling or vacuum.

While the subject of the invention offers several advantages in the contest of all rocket and grenade launcher commercially available, the principles of the invention can be adapted to any kind of launcher such as Paintball markers, Paintball cannons, Airsoft guns, potato guns or any other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as a non-limiting example only, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a right side view of a short fuel cell, with its disposable metering valve.

FIG. 2 shows a right side view of a tall fuel cell, with a metering valve attached and ready to use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a short fuel cell.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of a short size nail gun fuel cell.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of an embodiment of a rocket and grenade launcher.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the embodiment of a rocket and grenade launcher.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the embodiment of a rocket and grenade launcher.

FIG. 8 is a left side cross-sectional view of embodiment of rocket and grenade launcher loaded with a foam rocket on idle position.

FIG. 9 is a left side cross-sectional view of embodiment of rocket and grenade launcher with the trigger on the middle of its course;

FIG. 10 is a left side cross-sectional view of embodiment of rocket and grenade launcher with the trigger on the end of its course;

FIG. 11 is a front side perspective view of a main valve body.

FIG. 12 is a back side perspective view of a main valve body.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of main valve body with all the parts that goes attached to it.

FIG. 14 is another angle of exploded view on FIG. 13 and showing the same parts.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a grenade shell with locking pins, and o-ring groves.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a grenade shell showing 3 pins used to connect and lock the grenade shell into muzzle of the launcher.

FIG. 17 is a perspective side view of the grenade shell

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a grenade shell loaded with hundreds of BBs.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a grenade shell loaded with a seven small paintballs and two .68 caliber paintballs.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a grenade shell loaded with five .68 caliber paintballs.

FIG. 21 is perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 showing the slots provided on the main body to connect a grenade shell.

FIG. 22 another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 showing how to insert the grenade shell on the main body.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 showing the grenade shell connected and locked on the main body.

FIG. 24 is an illustrative view of an embodiment of a rocket and grenade launcher with the grenade shell connected.

FIG. 25 is another angle of an illustrative view of the embodiment of FIG. 24 showing the grenade shell attached and locked on the launcher.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 24 showing how the grenade shell seals the combustion chamber area, with the o-rings on it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the cordless nailer fuel cell as described on U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944 to Nikolich and commercially available on hardware stores. The companies like Paslode, Hitachi, Max USA, Tyrex, Ramset, Duo-Fast, Porter Cable and others, are selling this cordless nailer fuel cell in two sizes. The short one with about 0.64 oz and the tall one with about 1.32 oz. The short bottle dimensions are about 1.28″×4″ and the tall can is about 1.28″×6.6″ plus the metering valve. As they have different sizes of cordless nailers, they also have different metering valves to dispense the right amount of fuel for each cordless nailer.

The tall red fuel cell will dispense the full amount of fuel (1.32 oz) in 1.200 shots, the tall yellow fuel cell will dispense the full amount of fuel (1.32 oz) in 2.400 shots, and the short yellow fuel cell will dispense the full amount of fuel (0.64 oz) in 1.200 shots. Available commercially they have red, yellow, gray, orange metering valves and couple sizes of cans. In the embodiment of a FIG. 5 is just a non-limiting example where I use the tall red fuel, but for each embodiment, I will use an appropriated combination of size of the can and metering valve available on the market, and for some embodiments, I will order from the fuel cell factories a different size of fuel cell and a custom made metering valve to provide the right amount of fuel to each embodiment.

To easy understand the illustrative and non-limiting example of a rocket and grenade launcher show on FIG. 24, we first need to understand how the fuel cell and its metering valve works.

FIG. 1 shows that a metering valve 115 has a stem 115A which a metered amount of combustible fluid came out every time that the stem 115A is pressed against a solid object. To inject another metered amount of fuel, we need to release the said stem and press it again. This valve 115 provides the same amount of fuel every time. As it has just a stem 115A on valve 115 to dispense the stream of combustible fluid, all we need to connect the fuel cell on the chamber's area 163 (FIG. 8) is a round cavity 115B (FIG. 6) on the main body 105 (FIG. 8) with a small hole connecting it with the combustion chamber, so when the valve stem is pressed on this cavity, the stream of combustible fluid goes through the small hole in the cavity to inside of the combustion chamber area 163 (FIG. 8).

FIG. 2 shows a illustrative view of a said tall fuel cell with the metering valve 15 attached and ready to use, and as the fuel cell 114 always will be used with its metering valve 115, in this application I will use the term “fuel cell” or “cordless nailer fuel cell” as a combination of fuel supply plus a metering valve already connected as shown on FIG. 2. FIG. 3, FIG. 4 shows another perspective view of the fuel cell.

FIG. 5 shows how to install the fuel cell on the embodiment of FIG. 24. Turning the fuel cell housing cap 101 by one quarter of turn and pulling it out to have access to the fuel cell housing 2, after that the fuel cell 114 is inserted on the fuel cell housing and at the end of it, has a fuel inlet 115B to fit a fuel cell stem. To attach the fuel cell stem on this cavity we need first pull up the fuel cell release lever 103 which press the fuel cell down to keep the fuel cell stem always on the fuel inlet 115B by a fuel cell spring 17 showed on FIG. 9 after that the operator can release the fuel cell release lever 103 and replace the fuel cell housing cap 101 on it pushing inside of the housing 102 and turn one quarter of turn to lock.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the embodiment of a rocket and grenade launcher show on FIG. 24 and FIG. 25. To easy understand the principals of the invention on this illustrative and non-limiting embodiment. I first need to show the grenade shell that is used on it.

FIG. 15 shows a grenade shell 137 with two groves 138 to install o-rings, and three pins 139,140,141. Those pins 139,140,141 are used to lock the grenade on the launcher FIG. 23 and to do so, the operator inserts the grenade shell 137 into the muzzle of the launcher and turn clock wise until the pin 139,140,141 align with the slots 107 on the body 105 of the launcher allowing to push the grenade shell 137 into the launcher until the pins 139,140,141 gets to end of slots 107, at this position it can be turned clockwise some more, locking the shell 137 on the main body 105.

To provide more safety on this embodiment of FIG. 24, I design a spring mechanism comprised of: a grenade safety body 108, a safety piston 133 and a spring 132 (FIG. 26) which the function is to push the grenade shell 137 out of the launcher muzzle when it is not properly locked on the slots 107. when the operator pushes the grenade to the end of slots 107 one of those pins 139, 140, 141 which on FIG. 26 is the pin 139 pushes the piston 133 compressing the spring 132 which stays compressed until the grenade is unlocked and the spring 132 pushes the piston 133 forward pushing the grenade shell 137 out of the slots 107 through the pin 139.

FIG. 16 shows the front view of the grenade shell 137 and pins 139, 140 and 141 used to lock the grenade on the launcher, FIG. 17 shows a left side view of the grenade shell 137. FIG. 18 for illustrative purpose only shows a cross sectional view of the grenade shell 137 loaded with a hundred or hundreds of bbs 158 in this sample the user needs to use a piece of paper, cotton, or any other light material 157 to hold the bbs inside of shell 137. FIG. 19 for illustrative purpose only shows a cross sectional view of the grenade shell 137 loaded with two .68 caliber paintballs 159 and seven .43 caliber paintballs 160 and FIG. 20 for illustrative purpose only shows a cross sectional view of the grenade shell 137 loaded with 5 paintballs 159. In the embodiment of FIG. 24, all the parts can be made of metal, plastic, glass fiber, carbon fiber or any other reinforced or non-reinforced composite material or any combination of those, for example we may built a metal main body with a layer of fiber glass or any other heat insulator on the outside, or it can have a non metal main body with a metal sleeve inside, in another example we may apply a layer of PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) inside of a main body or even glue a PTFE film inside of main body to low the coefficient of friction when it is launching rockets. FIG. 5 shows a main body 5, a fuel housing cap 101 which the function is to close the fuel cell housing 102 and to keep the fuel cell 114 on place. It can be removed to place or to replace a fuel cell on its housing by turning ¼ of turn and pulling it out, the same way it can be put back by pushing it inside of a fuel cell housing 102 and turning ¼ of turn to lock it on its idle position.

FIG. 5 also shows a fuel cell housing back cap. 104. A main handle 111 which provide a protection for the trigger, support for an electronic lock switch 112, and supports a hand grip 113, the picatinny rail 131 to allow the user to install compatible accessories on it, in this example of embodiment it is using vertical handle 109 to provide extra support and control of the launcher, the main body back cap 6 is locked into the main body 105 by a back cap pin 119.

FIG. 5 also shows the grenade shell security mechanism 108 which has a piston and a spring inside, when the operator is loading the grenade shell on the muzzle of the launcher, it helps to make sure that the grenade shell is properly locked on slots 107, if it is not locked, the security mechanism will push it out of the launcher, showing to the operator that the grenade shell is not properly locked. FIG. 6 is a left side view of the rocket and grenade launcher embodiment and shows all the main external components as already described on FIG. 24.

FIG. 7 shows a left side cross section view of an embodiment of FIG. 24, where we can see most of the internal and external components.

FIG. 8 shows that the launcher has a main valve 130 which is open and closed by pressing or releasing the valve actuator 143 which is connected on the main valve back plate 124 and to a main valve seal 125.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of the main valve used on this embodiment which shows the main valve body 130 and all parts that is mounted on it. The fan 120 is connected to a motor shaft extension 145 which is connected to a electric motor 122 which is inserted on the main valve body 130 and it is screwed on place by screws 153,154. The main valve back plate 125 is screwed on two main valve rods 148, 149 which hold the main valve seal 125 on place. These two rods 148, 149 are mounted on the main valve body 130 through the holes which have on the back part of it a cavity to install two main valve springs 151, 152 and it is connected to a main valve actuator 143 by screws 155, 156. The function of these two springs are to close the valve when the trigger 110 is moved from its idle position as shown on FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 shows a valve switch 150 which is activated every time the valve is closed, when the actuator 143 is released, the valve switch 150 is also released. The main valve body 130 as show on FIG. 11 has some inlet ports 172 that go through its body, allowing the passage of air from the back part of the launcher to inside of the chamber. When the trigger 110 is on idle position, it pushes the main valve actuator 130, the main valve back plate 124 and main valve seal 125 forward, allowing the air to flow through the main valve body 130 and through holes on the main valve seal 125 and finally through the valve black plate 124.

In this embodiment I use on the main valve body 130 an electrical motor 122 powered by batteries 128. This electrical motor is controlled by an Electronic controller 127. The valve switch 150 installed on main valve body 130 informs the controller when the main valve is open or closed, and it drives a fan 120 which in this embodiment is used to generate some turbulence when mixing air and fuel, and after the combustion occur, to expels the by-products, cool the chamber down and draw fresh air from the back of the launcher through the main valve 130. As shown on FIG. 8 the trigger 110 is a long lever which goes from the handle 111, through the main body and it is hold by a trigger pin 136 on the fuel cell housing 102, it is also connected on fuel injection lever 116 and on fuel cell release lever 103. The trigger 110 is kept on idle position by the main spring 129 installed on main handle 111 which on this position is pushing the main valve actuator 143 forward keeping the main valve 130 open.

The method to launch a projectile on this embodiment follows this sequence. Load a grenade shell 137 or a foam rocket 142 to close the chamber area 163; start pulling the trigger 110 so the main valve actuator 143 on the main valve body 130 is released closing the main valve; sealing the combustion chamber 163, and activate the main valve switch 150 which inform the electronic controller 127 to start the fan 120 to generate turbulence in the chamber area 163; waiting for the fuel from the fuel cell 114. The fuel cell injection lever 116 is linked to the trigger 110 and when the operator pulls it to a middle course position, it pushes the metering valve 115 down through the fuel cell release lever 103 and a metered amount of fuel is injected on the back of the fan 120 inside of chamber area 163.

The combustible is mixed with fresh air on the chamber area 163 by the turbulence generated by said fan 120 and when the trigger 110 is pulled to the end of its course as shown on FIG. 10 the trigger switch 118 is activated, which inform the electronic controller 127 to generate a spark or the spark plug 123 and ignite the fuel on the chamber area 163 which generate a pulse of pressure and propels the projectile 142 out of the launcher. In this situation it has the front side of the chamber area 163 open because we don't have a projectile blocking it anymore as shown FIG. 10, but the main valve 130 still closed not allowing the fan 120 to move air through the main valve 130 to scavenge the chamber area 163. When the trigger 110 is released as shown on FIG. 8 the main valve actuator 43 is pushed forward opening the main valve 130 and deactivating the valve switch 150 which informs the electronic controller to keep the fan 120 working for a predetermined time, to scavenge the combustion by-products, cool the chamber 163 and draw fresh air for the next combustion. After this time the electronic controller 127 shuts the fan 120 off and the launcher is ready for the next launching.

In another illustrative embodiment, the fuel cell housing 102 will be located on the back side of the launcher sometimes inside of a buttstock on FIG. 27 for illustrative purpose only we have a launcher with a buttstock 165, a fuel cell 114 a metering valve 115 and the injection mechanism 167 which is pushed by a piston 166 lifting the fuel cell 114 as shown of FIG. 27A. The small electric motor is inside of the back cap 134 and a fan 120 is used to assist the chamber 163.

In another illustrative embodiment show on FIG. 28 we have the fuel cell housing 102 located inside of handle 111, it may has a square or a round chamber 163 with one or more electrical motors and one or more fans 120 on this illustration we have a embodiment of a paintball gun with a barrel 161, a paintball inlet 162 a battery set 128 electronic controller 127 and High voltage coil 126.

In another embodiment, it may has the fuel cell housing 102 located on the lower portion of the launcher in front of the handle 111 aligned or not aligned with. The illustration of FIG. 29 shows an example of this embodiment where we may use one or more electrical motors 122 and one or more fans 120 to assist the chamber 163.

Reference numerals used throughout the detailed description and the drawings correspond to the following elements:

Fuel cell housing cap            101
Fuel cell housing                102
Fuel cell release lever          103
Fuel cell housing back cap       104
Main body                        105
Main body back cap               106
Slots                            107
Grenade safety body              108
Vertical handle                  109
Trigger                          110
Main handle                      111
Electronic lock switch           112
Hand grip                        113
Fuel cell                        114
Metering valve                   115
Metering valve stem              115A
Fuel inlet                       115B
Fuel injection lever             116
Fuel cell spring                 117
Trigger switch                   118
Back cap pin                     119
Fan                              120
Main valve O-rings               121
Motor                            122
Spark plug                       123
Main valve back plate            124
Main valve seal                  125
High voltage coil                126
Electronic controller            127
Batteries                        128
Main spring                      129
Main valve body                  130
Picatinny rail                   131
Spring                           132
Safety piston                    133
Back cap                         134
Trigger Knob                     135
Trigger pin                      136
Grenade shell body               137
Grenade shell o-rings            138
Grenade shell pin                139
Grenade shell pin                140
Grenade shell pin                141
Foam Rocket                      142
Main valve actuator              143
Fan Screw                        144
Motor shaft extension            145
Back plate screw                 146
Back plate screw                 147
Main valve rod                   148
Main valve rod                   149
Valve switch                     150
Main valve spring                151
Main valve spring                152
Screw                            153
Screw                            154
Screw                            155
Screw                            156
Light material                   157
BBs                              158
0.68 caliber paintball           159
0.43 caliber paintball           160
Barrel of FIG. 28                161
Paintball inlet                  162
Combustion chamber area          163
Valve embodiment of FIG. 27      164
Buttstock                        165
Charge piston of embodiment of FIG. 27 166
Fuel injector of embodiment of FIG. 27 167
Fuel cell housing cap on FIG. 29 168
Valve on embodiment of FIG. 29   169
Launching area                   170
Chamber grill                    171

The Figures are just illustrative and non-limiting examples of some embodiments that a Cordless nailer fuel cell can be used to provide combustible material to a fan-assisted combustion chamber allowing building many different projectile launchers.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the invention and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for launching a projectile using a cordless nailer fuel cell and the metering valve provided with, comprising: A main body including a combustion area, a launching area, a fuel cell housing, a fan-assisted combustion chamber, main valve means controlling the air flow into said chamber and the exhausting of gases of combustion from said combustion chamber, means to provide fuel to said fan-assisted combustion chamber igniting means to ignite the fuel to launching a projectile, trigger control means, and a fuel cell release lever.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the fuel cell housing is located close to said combustion chamber.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said fan-assisted combustion chamber includes at least one fan or at least one rigid or flexible vane and means to operate same, to create of gas transport, turbulence or change of pressure inside of said chamber.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the main valve means includes a main valve body with inlet ports and a main valve seal that closes off said combustion chamber during combustion and open said ports to permit scavenging of said combustion chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the main valve means includes at least one switch to inform its status.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the means for providing fuel into said combustion chamber includes the cordless nailer fuel cell and said metering valve to introduce a predetermined quantity of fuel into said combustion chamber.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the means to providing fuel into said combustion chamber includes said fuel cell installed in said housing, said metering valve connected to said fuel cell, and said fuel cell release lever surrounding at least part of fuel cell and constructed and arranged to move same, said release lever defining a depending portion adapted to be contacted by mechanic means to move said fuel cell and operate said valve to introduce a metered amount of fuel into the combustion chamber.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the trigger control means operates said main valve to control air flow inside of said combustion chamber.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said trigger control mean includes at least one electronic switch to control a high voltage coil to provide a high voltage to said spark plug to ignite the fuel in said combustion chamber.

10. An apparatus for launching foam rockets and projectiles previously loaded in muzzle loading grenade shells using a cordless nailer fuel cell and the metering valve provided with, comprising: A main body including a combustion area, a launching area, a fuel cell housing, main valve means controlling the flow of air into said chamber and the exhausting of the gases of combustion from said combustion chamber, a fan-assisted combustion chamber formed within said main body having said main valve as one wall, and said grenade shell or said rocket as another wall, means to provide fuel to said combustion chamber and ignite same for launching the projectile, trigger control means, a fuel cell release lever, trigger with fuel cell injector lever, and a connection means for grenade shells.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the fuel cell housing is attached to said main body, close to said combustion chamber.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, in which said fan-assisted combustion chamber includes at least one fan or at least one rigid or flexible vane and controls therefor to operate same, to create of gas transport, turbulence or change of pressure inside of said chamber.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the main valve means includes a main valve body with inlet ports and a main valve seal that closes off said combustion chamber during combustion and open said ports to permit scavenging of said combustion chamber.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the main valve means includes at least one switch to inform its status.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the means for providing fuel into said combustion chamber includes the cordless nailer fuel cell and said metering valve to introduce a predetermined quantity of fuel into said combustion chamber.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the means to providing fuel into said combustion chamber includes said fuel cell installed in said housing, said metering valve connected to said fuel cell, and said fuel cell release lever surrounding at least part of fuel cell constructed and arranged to move same, said release lever defining a depending portion adapted to be contacted by the fuel injector lever to move said fuel cell and operate said valve to introduce a metered amount of fuel into the combustion chamber.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the trigger control means operates said main valve to control air flow inside of said combustion chamber.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, in which said trigger control mean includes at least one electronic switch to control a high voltage coil to provide a high voltage to said spark plug to ignite the fuel in said combustion chamber.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, in which The connecting means to connect and lock said grenade shell on muzzle of said main body and a security means to eject the grenade shell when it is not properly locked into said main body.

20. A method for launching a projectile from a projectile launcher using a cordless nailer fuel cell and the metering valve supplied with, to supply combustible material inside of a fan-assisted combustion chamber, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) Loading a projectile on the launching area;

(b) Closing off and sealing the chamber;

(c) Starting at least one fan inside of the chamber to cause some turbulence;

(d) Operating the fuel cell metering valve to inject the metered amount of fuel inside of said combustion chamber which has to have the appropriate volume to work with the amount of fuel that the fuel cell in use provides;

(e) Waiting a predetermined time while the combustible and air are mixed by the fan means;

(f) Generating a spark on a spark plug inside of the chamber, which ignites the mixture and propels the projectile out of the launcher;

(g) Opening the chamber;

(h) Keeping the fan working for predetermined time;

(i) Waiting until the gases resultants of combustion are expelled;

(j) Waiting until the chamber and launching area cool down;

(k) Drawing fresh air within the chamber;

(l) Turning the fan off.