New Hydraulic Trigger Mechanism Being Studied

[Ed Hall]

The principle:

I've got design plans for a new trigger system for competitive guns in the works. Basically, it operates by metering a fluid through a proportioned jet in a manner to control the speed in which it allows firing. The benefits for such a device are numerous, starting with the inability to jerk the shot. Think of it; no matter how hard you yank, the gun won't fire until the fluid moves through the jet. You can literally, apply full force to the trigger and then just hang on until the shot happens. By then you should be able to recover from that "NOW" mentality and regain the composure to let the sights float over your aiming area.

The workings:

Two fluid reservoirs (cylinders), with a metering jet/valve between, house two piston configurations. The first piston is connected to a drive rod, which contacts a stop behind the trigger. The second piston rests against a spring. As actuating pressure is applied to the trigger, the drive rod (connected to the primary piston) is pushed into the primary cylinder. This causes that fluid volume to flow through the jet at a fixed rate, moving the fluid from the first cylinder into the second. This rate, determined by the orifice size and fluid viscosity, controls the trigger velocity, in turn, controlling the delay before the trigger actuates the firing portion of the system. The fluid flowing into the secondary cylinder compresses a "return" spring via that piston. The jet/valve is a one-way metering system that allows for a fixed flow in the positive (firing) direction, and a "dump" flow in the reverse direction when the trigger pressure is relaxed. The dump flow is driven by the return spring in the secondary cylinder and allowed by increased flow throught the jet/valve.

A diagram can be seen at http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/HyTrigger.jpg.

With new molecular EDM (Electron Discharge Machining) techniques, the full system should be able to fit within most already existing triggers, although jet/valve and/or fluid replacement might be difficult at the home maintenance level, due to the miniature tools and equipment involved.

Will this mechanism become the wave of the future? Only the clientele can determine that, but the potential is there.

As always, all comments are always welcome...

Take Care,
Ed Hall
http://www.airforceshooting.org/
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/

[Fred]

The benefits for such a device are numerous, starting with the inability to jerk the shot. Think of it; no matter how hard you yank, the gun won't fire until the fluid moves through the jet. You can literally, apply full force to the trigger and then just hang on until the shot happens. By then you should be able to recover from that "NOW" mentality and regain the composure to let the sights float over your aiming area.

Ed,

This is brilliant. Suddenly it all becomes clear: far from being desireable, short lock time is something to be avoided. In fact, the longer the lock time, the better. But couldn't this goal be achieved with less engineering simply by going back to matchlocks? I suppose they might be somewhat of a disadvantage in rapid fire, but they would be ideal for free pistol. In any case, I'm sure we all look forward to the first implementations of your invention.

Regards,
FredB

[Steve Swartz]

Ed:

I lost your email (and most of my saved/archived files). Please contact me at leslieswartz@verizon.net if you want to discuss this . . .

. . . and Fred, you should know by now that there exists a "radical fringe" out here =8^) that does indeed believe that while "consistent lock time" is critical, "short lock time*" is pretty much irrelevant!

Steve

*within reason; match and flint locks are somewhat outside of "reasonably short" (not that improtant) as well as being inconsistent (very very important)

[Fred]

. . . and Fred, you should know by now that there exists a "radical fringe" out here =8^) that does indeed believe that while "consistent lock time" is critical, "short lock time*" is pretty much irrelevant!

Steve,

I guess my April Fool tone was unclear; I was agreeing with the "radical fringe". Ed's post is truly a new way of looking at the lock time issue, although I suspect April Fool may be at work there as well.

FredB

[pgfaini]

Ed:


*within reason; match and flint locks are somewhat outside of "reasonably short" (not that improtant) as well as being inconsistent (very very important)

As Steve wrote, matchlocks are very inconsistent. But their successor, the wheellock, has all the features we've been searching for, in a free pistol, anyway.

The lock time would be immensely variable, not only could the spring tension and let-off rates be adjusted at a match, but the gear ratios could be varied by changing the ratio between the driving(spring motor) and the driven (spark wheel) gear. “Yip” could be a thing of the past.

Ignition would be vastly improved by the use of modern metallic “flints” in place of the old natural, but unreliable, flint, quartz, or novaculite.

Not only would there be an immediate monetary savings by not needing brass casings, in these days of inflated metals prices, but think of the benefit to the planet, by the reduction of greenhouse gasses the production of this now unnecessary alloy would have otherwise produced. Ergo, no need to purchase “Carbon Credits” from Al Gore.

And speaking of gasses, think of the reduction of lead pollution in the range, with the need for lead styphnate primers gone. Another savings, by the downsizing of the equipment needed to move and heat the air to keep the range safe.

Finally, this type of action, by the need to load powder and bullet from the muzzle, and wind the spring, would go far to slow down those of us who can’t seem to pace ourselves to use the full two hours allotted.

Paul

[jhmartin]

The engineer in me cannot pass on this:

With new molecular EDM (Electron Discharge Machining) techniques, the full system should be able to fit within most already existing triggers, although jet/valve and/or fluid replacement might be difficult at the home maintenance level, due to the miniature tools and equipment involved.

A fully electronic trigger with a random delay (programmable of course via your blue-tooth phone or i-pod) would be much simpler

[Steve Swartz]

And with black powder Free Pistols, the whole two hour thing begins to make sense . . .


Steve