Pressure sensing in paintball markers

Abstract

There is disclosed a paintball marker of a type having a pneumatic system ( 8 ) integrated into the framework ( 1 ) of the marker for the delivery of a pressurised gas supply through a regulator ( 15 ) to a drive system ( 26/27 ) for firing a paintball. The marker includes at least one pressure sensor ( 21 ) disposed in a manner and position to measure the operating gas pressure at a selected location within the marker.

1 . A paintball marker of a type having an pneumatic system for delivery of a supply of pressurised gas through a regulator to a drive system for firing a paintball wherein said marker includes at least one pressure sensor or transducer disposed at a position to measure an operating gas pressure at a selected location within said marker. 
     
     
         2 . The paintball marker as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one pressure sensor or transducer is located downstream of the regulator. 
     
     
         3 . The paintball marker as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said at least one pressure sensor or transducer is located upstream of said drive system. 
     
     
         4 . The paintball marker as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said at least one sensor or transducer is adapted to measure both static pressure and dynamic behaviour of both said regulator and a firing valve. 
     
     
         5 . The paintball marker as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said at least one pressure sensor or transducer is located in a manifold. 
     
     
         6 . The paintball marker as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said at least one pressure sensor or transducer is mounted and sealed by means of a sensor board in communication with a control board and OLED or LCD display module. 
     
     
         7 . The paintball marker as claimed in  claim 1  wherein there are first and second regulators, a first output from said first regulator being delivered to said drive system for firing a paintball and a second output from said second regulator being delivered to a solenoid valve for controlling said drive system and first and second pressure sensors or transducers for measuring said first and second outputs. 
     
     
         8 . A method of measuring or monitoring the operation of a paintball marker of a type having an pneumatic system for delivery of a supply of pressurised gas through a regulator to a drive system for firing a paintball and at least one pressure sensor or transducer located downstream of said regulator and upstream of said drive system, said method including the step of measuring by said at least one pressure sensor or transducer static and dynamic pressure profiles of said pressurised gas during operation of said marker and comparing said profiles with other operating data including signals send and received by a control board. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said method includes a further step of drawing conclusions regarding the flow of a firing valve and the operational effectiveness of said regulator after the step of comparing said profiles with other operating data including signals sent and received by a control board. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said dynamic pressure profiles include a rate of change of a pressure drop to provide an indication of the air flow in a downstream load. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said dynamic pressure profiles include a pressure drop minimum value for correlation with a downstream load and regulator performance. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said dynamic pressure profiles include a pressure drop response time whereby a time taken between a signal and an observed pressure drop is an indication of a pneumatic load performance. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said dynamic pressure profiles include a recovery rate of pressure change to provide an indication of regulator performance. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said dynamic pressure profiles include a pre-shot pressure and a post-shot pressure whereby the difference therebetween is an indication of regulator consistency