Remote-controlled valves functioning by percussion

In a valve functioning by percussion, mounted on a container of fluid under pressure, utilizing a closure diaphragm adapted to be perforated by a striker member in order to release the pressurised fluid, said striker member being mounted in a body closed by a cover and secured to said container, an improvement which comprises a tubular guide member mounted on the cover, extending inside the body and presenting a bore in which is slidably mounted a control rod connected by a releasable connector means to an operating cable for movement thereby from a non-operate position into an operating position in which said connector means releases to allow escape of said cable, said guide member being provided with an external cylindrical portion on which is slidably mounted a percussion member that drives a striker member and is subjected to the preload action of a main spring in abutment against the cover, said tubular guide member comprising radial housings, a plurality of balls captively retained each within a corresponding one of said radial housings, each ball being normally held, under the action of said spring, in a locked position of abutting engagement against a conical portion of said percussion member and against a given diameter section of said control rod to thereby lock the percussion member against movement by said spring and thus prevent the striker member from perforating said closure diaphragm, each ball being moveable in the corresponding radial housing in response to the arrival of the control rod at said operating position, into an unlocked position of abutting engagement against a reduced diameter section of the control rod, each ball when in said unlocked position releasing said percussion member for movement by said spring to drive said striker member into a position perforating said closure diaphragm.