Pneumatic Device for the Insertion of Discontinuous Reinforcement in Dry Fiber Preforms

pVi has developed a novel electropneumatic paintball gun, the Shocker+, which is currently marketed exclusively through SmartParts of Latrobe, PA. Several features of the Shocker+ are pending before the US Patent and Trademark Office. pVi has initiated development of a second generation pneumatic gun technology. Our electronically controlled and pneumatically actuated gun technology has several advantages over traditional paintball guns and nail guns. With the Shocker+ we have demonstrated the ability to consistently propel a projectile with a variety of propellant gases (C02, N2, and compressed air), at unusually low operating pressures (below 170 psig), at a repetition rate in excess of 10 Hz. Our SBIR development plans include direct digital control, and development of a composite nail chamber loading subsystem. The current Shocker+ technology relies on hybrid digital/analog electronics. Our electronic control over the dynamics of the firing sequence allows us to apply virtually any pressure profile to a projectile, and allows us to gently accelerate a composite nail into dry fiber preforms using only the force required to achieve insertion without buckling the nail. Our gun can be driven by simple digital electronics for automated manufacturing applications. BENEFITS: This project will allow pVi to develop as an R&D firm to support needs. pVi's will use the basic technology from this SBIR Phase I proposal to commercialize (1) a new nail gun for the defense and commercial composites joining market, (2) a second generation paintball gun, and (3) a new nail gun to compete in the construction tool market, currently dominated by Japanese firms.