Valve
The area where the gas is metered to provide a measured amount to
fire the paintmarker. Most leaks can be traced to the valve as it is the
area where the most number of seals and some intricate moving parts.
The valve assembly has a hole to receive gas from the power source and a
hole (sealed by a cup seal until the moment of firing) where the gas
escapes to propel the paintball.
(L)PLacement of valve (R)Photo of a valve assembly
Valve Body
That which encases the valve mechanism, usually reserved for a valve
system that can be removed as a separate assembly.
Valve Chamber
The hollow area where a small amount of gas sits ready to be
released upon firing the marker. The chamber is essential as its size
directly effects the marker's performance and without a valve chamber,
the marker would not use the gas as efficiency.
Valve Spring
The spring which usually holds some type of cup seal against the hole
intended for the transmission of the gas to fire the paintball. The valve
spring also affects velocity as its strength determines how long the valve
remains open thus send more or less gas to fire the paintball.
The smaller springs are valve springs, the larger springs are hammer springs.
Velocity
The speed of a projectile. In this case the paintball. The velocity is
directly associated with the marker, in paintball jargon, rather than the
projectile. A marker is said to be shooting at "such-and-such" a velocity,
when in reality, it is the ball that is at that velocity. It is generally
understood that players are actually referring to the velocity of the
projectile.
Velocity Adjuster
A device that can alter the velocity of the marker. It can wither
effect the hammer spring, valve spring or restrict gas flow.
Venting
Holes drilled in a spiral pattern into a barrel, to prevent blow by. The
holes do not have to be in a spiral pattern, in fact they could be haphazard
in arrangement, however it is more aesthetically appealing to spiral them.
Venturi Bolt
A bolt with many smaller holes, rather than one large one, designed to
turn the initial slam of the gas hitting the paintball to a well dispersed
push. Venturi bolt usually prevents the occurrence of balls being broken
by the gas that is meant to propel them. It is also believed to prevent the
gas from creating small "tornadoes" behind the ball, this destabilizing it.
The jury is still out on that one.
Note multiple holes.
Vertical Feed
Most direct feeds are set at an angle from the body of a marker. The vertical feed sticks straight up from the top of the marker. This improves feeding of the paintballs and eliminates the necessity of an elbow.
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All of the articles in the "virtual book" Durty Dan's Paintball Information Services are free to use for webpages, school projects, reference and to promote paintball to players and the non-playing public. Credit for the source of the information should be included in the bibliography or references page.
© Durty Dan Enterprises 2000. All rights reserved. All works contained herein are under copyright of the author Durty Dan. While the Terms of Use are broad they do not include the right to republish this work in any publication (hardcopy or electronic) for the purposes of personal financial gain.
