Induction drive mechanism for a paintball loader
US8312871B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 9, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41B11/53
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electronically controlled, brushless DC, electromagnetic induction drive apparatus for use in a paintball marker active loader capable of directly driving the feeder element in the active loader while providing user selectable torque transfer capability and rotational speed whether used to continuously or intermittently rotate the loader feeder element. A plurality of selectively polarity reversible electromagnets are disposed in the loader housing and act to move a plurality of magnetic drive elements disposed on the rotating feed cone to rotate the feed cone and cause paintballs to be fed into the paintball marker via a feed tube. A controller linked to the marker firing sequence manages the sequential polarity changes of the electro-magnets to cause the feed cone to rotate in response to movement of paintballs in the feed tube. The spatial relationship between the drive electromagnets and the driven magnetic elements is user adjustable to enable variation in the torque transfer of the drive apparatus to suit specific paintball characteristics.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.