Eric Harrell | Mechanical Engineering

Objective: Design and build an apparatus that is capable of launching a water balloon and hitting a target 40 yards away.

Design:  The water balloon launcher consisted of a 50 gallon air tank capable of holding 150psi of compressed air, a 4 inch PVC pipe barrel, and six 1 inch sprinkler valves.  The sprinkler valves were controlled by six independent time delay circuits to allow for gradual pressure release which would allow for gradual acceleration of the water balloon.

Results:  By adjusting the angle of the air cannon and the air pressure, the cannon was able to consistently hit the target.