AirForce Air Cannons- How it works.

Empty Filling Full Discharging

At the heart of AirForce Airblasting System is the AirForce Air Cannon assembly. It is easily installed in wood, metal, and concrete structures using several different mounting procedures developed by PNEUMAT. As with any airblasting system, proper placement and installation of the shells is essential to effective operation of the AirForce System. LADCO will install systems for you or can supply complete and detailed instructions for installation using your personnel. LADCO can also furnish and install a variety of discharge accessories and fittings to ensure the most effective compressed airblast characteristics in a wide variety of materials.

EMPTY
The AirForce Air Cannon assembly is designed for use with plant air (50-125 PSI). The assembly consists of a low-pressure air receiver which serves as the storage volume for a fixed quantity of compressed air; a shooting valve for transferring the air charge: and a discharge tube which is inserted into the compacted material to direct the airflow. Usually, the receiver is left charged with plant air to prevent the stored material from entering the system.

FILLING
A three-way valve operates the AirForce Air Cannon assembly. The valve has a port to charge the receiver with plant air and a port to exhaust the shooting valve to atmosphere. In charging, the air flows to the area behind the piston, forcing the piston forward against its seat and closing the discharge port. At the same time, air flows through a charging port in the piston and fills the receiver.

FULL
When the receiver is filled to supply pressure, the unit is ready to be discharged.

DISCHARGING
When the AirForce Air Cannon is discharged, the inlet line to the shooting valve is vented to atmosphere through the three-wav valve. This actuates the quick-exhaust valve, quickly venting the air pressure behind the piston. This creates a pressure differential across the piston which forces it back from the discharge opening. The compressed air contained in the receiver blasts through the discharge tube into the clogged material. The entire cycle can be repeated on command as many times as necessary. The quick-exhaust valve is used to reduce the size of the three-wav valve and to permit it to be remotely mounted from the shooting valve

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