Operational Highlights Of the Eclipse Geo
Here you will find detailed technical explanations of some of the design innovations that have gone into the New Eclipse Geo. In developing the Eclipse Geo we isolated key weak-points of existing designs of spool valve based markers and sought to find intelligent design solutions to overcome those issues.
Supply Isolation Mechanisms (SIMs) – A means for isolating the gas supply to the firing/dump chamber during the firing cycle.
In order to achieve the best gas efficiency in the widest range of conditions and circumstances it has long been recognised that spool-valve based markers operate best when the supply of gases to the firing/dump chamber is isolated during the time that the bolt is in the firing position. This prevents the free-flow of air from the supply (tank), through the firing/dump chamber, and out of the barrel during the cycle. This free-flow of air is one of the largest contributing factor of poor efficiency in any marker that does not posses a Supply Isolation Mechanism. As such, a Supply Isolation Mechanism is a must-have for any Spool valve based marker that is hoping to produce decent efficiency figures.
However, all current spool-valve based markers that utilise a Supply Isolation Mechanism use an elaborate and often over-complicated series of seals and stems in and around the bolt assembly/drivetrain in order to cut the gas supply to the firing/dump chamber when the bolt is in the firing position. Incorporating this mechanism into the bolt assembly/drive train has one major drawback:
An increase in number of Dynamic Seals in the Bolt Assembly/Drivetrain.
So what are dynamic seals and how do they affect the performance of a marker?
Dynamic Seals – A dynamic seal is characterized by relative motion between a sealing surface and a seal. In a paintball marker a dynamic seal either moves, or has a part moving over it, during the cyclic operation of the gun, whilst being required to produce a gas-tight seal during all, or part of, the firing cycle.
These are o-rings and seals that are subject to wear and tear during each cycle of the marker.
Most current spool-valve markers have a high number of dynamic seals. This is particularly true in ones that have some form of Supply Isolation Mechanism built into the bolt assembly/drivetrain.
For example:
DM8 = 6 x Dynamic Seals
PM8 = 6 x Dynamic Seals
Shocker w/HE Bolt = 7 x Dynamic Seals
Droid = 8 x Dynamic Seals
(Bolt-in-Breech seal not included in this comparison)
By comparison the New Eclipse Geo has only 3 Dynamic Seals in the entire bolt assembly.
So what negative effects does a large number of Dynamic Seals create?
Here are some:
Friction - More dynamic seals means more friction in the bolt assembly/drivetrain.
Failure – More seals in the system mean more potential areas for leaks and failures.
Stiction – More dynamic seals means increased stiction in the system which can cause FSDO (First Shot Drop Off) and poor performance.
Maintenance – More regular and extensive maintenance. More seals to keep lubricated. More parts to remove, clean, lubricate and re-assemble during regular maintenance.
The fewer dynamic seals in the bolt system, the less of an issue any of the above become.
Eclipse ISCIS (Integrated Solenoid Controlled Isolation System) Valve
So how have Eclipse got around this problem? Well, the New Eclipse Geo solves this problem in a new and unique way. To start with, the Supply Isolation mechanism (SIMs) has been completely removed from the bolt assembly/drivetrain, drastically reducing the number of internal components and seals in the bolt assembly. Then, by working in close partnership with one of the USAs largest family-owned pneumatic companies, Eclipse have developed the ISCIS (Integrated Solenoid Controlled Isolation System) custom-built solenoid valve that not only functions to cycle the bolt mechanism like any other electro-pneumatic marker, but also to electronically control the distribution of air to fill and isolate the firing/dump chamber during every cycle. By utilizing the same technology that is used in industrial solenoid valves designed to operate over tens-of-millions-of-cycles without maintenance, the Eclipse Geo solenoid valve not only provides the function for incredibly high bolt cycle speeds, but also the function for a flawlessly simple Supply Isolation Mechanism. And because the same ISCIS valve that controls the bolt actuation also controls the flow of gases to the firing/dump chamber, it means the firing, isolation and filling of the cycle will always be perfectly synchronous. This is an incredibly simple solenoid valve assembly that has been configured to supply gases at the required pressures and required flows to operate in this unique layout. It is the simplicity of the concept and the execution that ensure the long-term performance and reliability of the design.
With the SIMs now removed from the bolt assembly/drivetrain, and the ISCIS valve controlling the flow distribution into the valve chamber, it leaves the internals of the body as simple and uncluttered as possible.
One ISCIS Valve. Check
One Moving internal component, the bolt. Check
Three Dynamic Bolt seals. Check
Bolt Assembly – When designing something to be as efficient, reliable, and user-friendly as possible it is often key to make things as simple as possible. With the removal of the SIMs mechanism from the bolt assembly it allows the bolt mechanism to be simplified to its most basic components. That simplification then allows efforts to concentrated on making those few parts out of the very highest quality materials, machined and finished to the very highest quality.
There are 3 basic components to the Geo Bolt assembly:
The Can – This sits inside the Geo body and has only one real purpose, and that is to retain the front dynamic seal. This is the o-ring that seals around the front portion of the bolt. It can be removed without tools in order to replace the seal, and the design means that perfect concentric alignment of the other internal parts is always guaranteed.
The Prop Shaft – This is the part that screws into the back of the body with or without the use of tools. It self-centres itself into the body and the Can to ensure perfect alignment with the other internal components, and carries the main firing/dump chamber seal. It also contains the VVC, Variable Volume Chamber (see below)
The SC Bolt – The only dynamic part of the assembly. The bolt is manufactured from 7000-Series aluminium and industrial hard anodized. Why? Because the bolt has 2 intrinsically important sealing surfaces. One external diameter at the front of the bolt that seals against the dynamic seal in the Can, and one internal bore at the rear of the bolt that seals against the main seal on the Poppet. Given that this component is the only reciprocating part of the assembly, and that it is exposed to the areas that can be easily contaminated with foreign debris (dirt, sand, grit, etc) it is sensible to make it as durable, yet as light as possible.
Quick and Simple Maintenance - Because of the simplicity of this system it means that the Geos bolt removal can be accomplished in under 6 seconds, and that regular cleaning and maintenance can be completed in under a minute. Further more, the complete bolt and firing assembly can be removed, cleaned, all o-rings, bumpers and seals replace, lubricated and then re-assembled in less than two and a half minutes. Try that on a marker that has its SIMS integrated into the bolt assembly!
Variable Volume Chamber (VVC) – Large Volume with Lower Pressure or Smaller volume with Higher Pressure? That is the normal question with this type of marker. Most manufacturers fix the internal volume of their firing chamber leaving the user with only the option of adjusting the pressure used to fill the firing chamber as a means of adjusting velocity.
On the Eclipse Geo an additional adjustment parameter has been added for the users benefit. The VVC or Variable Volume Chamber mechanism allows the user, with a turn of a hex key, to finely adjust the volume of the Geos firing chamber. As such, small adjustments to the operating pressure and firing chamber volumes can be made in order to determine the final velocity of the paintball being fired.
