Patent Application
20180372435
Implementations described herein generally relate to gas operating systems for weapon systems, and more specifically to a direct gas impingement system used on semi-automatic and/or full-automatic weapon systems, such as the AR15, M16, and M4 weapon systems.
The AR15, M16, and M4 weapon systems were originally designed to operate with a traditional direct gas impingement (DGI) system. The DGI system uses gases generated from the fired cartridge to operate the weapons action. Gases from the fired cartridge are tapped from a gas port in the barrel and directed back through a “gas tube” into the bolt carrier key and bolt carrier, pressurizing a small chamber between the rear of the bolt and the bolt carrier. Expanding gases drive the bolt carrier to the rear, unlocking the bolt from a barrel extension allowing the bolt and carrier to move to the rear and cycle the action of the weapon.
For the weapon to operate correctly and reliably, the action components of the AR15, M16, and M4 weapon systems should be kept well lubricated, specifically the bolt and bolt carrier components, to avoid malfunctions. Due to the way traditional DGI systems operate, a DGI system delivers heat and carbon from each fired cartridge back into the action of the weapon, most notability the bolt and bolt carrier and the inside of the upper receiver. The heat builds up quickly when the rifle is quickly fired fast in full-automatic mode or semi-automatic mode. The heat and carbon dries out the lubrication used on the action to keep the action operating, which requires adding more lubrication to maintain the weapons reliability. This process leads to the action of the weapon becoming “gummed up” or stuck and can lead to malfunctions. This repeated adding of lubrication to keep the weapon operational also attracts dust and dirt from desert type environments which can also lead to more frequent malfunctions. The rapid heat buildup from this design also has a negative impact on the weapons parts, contributing to early parts failure.
The traditional DGI system used in the AR15, M16, and M4 weapon systems was effective but very inefficient, and is a “leaky” and wasteful design, requiring much more of the propellant gasses to operate the weapon than what are actually needed. The traditional DGI system's “open design” contributes to its overheating and fouling of the weapons action. The area of the system where this is most apparent is the rear of the gas tube and the carrier key located on top of the bolt carrier. The carrier key slides over the rear of the gas tube and rests there until the weapon is fired. When the weapon is fired the carrier moves to the rear as the system is pressurized. As the bolt carrier moves to the rear the carrier key retracts from the gas tube and the carrier continues moving rearward approximately three inches to cycle the action. Pressurized gases from the fired cartridge continue to flow out of the gas tube even after the carrier key has separated from the rear of the gas tube, depositing hot dirty carbon laden gasses into the upper receiver of the weapon until the bolt carrier is again moved forward by the operating spring and the carrier key covers the exposed rear of the gas tube and the action closes. Pressurized gases from the fired cartridge continue to flow out the rear of the gas tube the entire time it is not covered by the carrier key.
The gas chamber of the traditional DGI system is made up of the rear of the bolt and back inside of the bolt carrier. The front of this chamber that is the rear of the bolt has three gas rings on a journal that forms a tight seal and contains the gases, the rear of the gas chamber formed by the bolt carrier has an open channel that the back or tail of the bolt sits in, there is a large gap in this location between the tail of the bolt and the bolt carrier channel, it is not sealed with gas rings like the front of the chamber. This open space allows the pressurized gases to flow freely out the back of the bolt carrier. This “loose fit open design” allows propellant gases to escape out of the rear of the carrier depositing hot, dirty propellant gasses into the upper receiver, contributing to fouling of the action and weapon malfunctions.
These negative effects of the traditional DGI system have led to development of many different designs of gas piston systems for the AR15, M16, and M4 weapon systems. Most of these gas piston systems work in basically the same way, in that they use the tapped gas from a gas port in the barrel to pressurize the system in the same manner the traditional DGI system does. The pressurized gas goes into a small chamber at or near the gas port on the barrel near the front of the weapon, the gas then pressurizes a piston that actuates an operating rod or push rod that pushes the bolt carrier to the rear of the weapon unlocking the bolt and cycling the weapon. Gas piston systems keep the hot and dirty propellant gasses from the fired cartridge at the gas block located out on the barrel and away from the action and operating parts of the weapon. This keeps the weapon cleaner and cooler which increases reliability, reduces maintenance, and reduces heat induced fatigue of parts.
Drawbacks associated with gas piston systems include increased weight and cost, and in some cases reduced accuracy due to the parts connected to the barrel. An additional drawback of a gas piston actuated weapon system is the “carrier tilt” induced by the system. The operating rod of the gas piston system “pushes” on the front of the carrier key or push pad” mounted on top of the front of the bolt carrier. When the bolt carrier is pushed from this location, it induces a “tilting” or “rotating” force, pushing the rear of the carrier down and knocking it out of alignment with the receiver extension and jamming the weapon. To resolve this issue the rear of the carrier is machined with a “beveled” bottom so that it deflects back up into alignment with the receiver extension and will then move rearward back into the receiver extension to allow for normal cycling of the weapon. This solution does allow the weapon to cycle using a gas piston design, but this momentary “tilt” out of alignment happens when the bolt is unlocking from the barrel extension and causes uneven wear on the back of the bolt lugs where they contact the lugs on the barrel extension, leading to uneven wear and potential earlier lug failure. The traditional DGI system does not have this “carrier tilt” issue because it operates with a “pressurized in-line” balanced style system, but still suffers from the drawbacks discussed above.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved gas operating system that is more efficient, cleaner discharging, and having more consistent cycling than traditional direct gas impingement system used in weapon systems.
Implementations described herein generally relate to gas operating systems for weapon systems, and more specifically to a direct gas impingement system used on semi-automatic and/or full-automatic weapon systems, such as the AR15, M16, and M4 weapon systems. In one or more embodiments, the gas operating system includes a gas channel carrier rail and a bolt carrier group. The gas channel carrier rail contains a main gas channel disposed between an inlet end an outlet end, where the outlet end is flared to have a larger diameter than the inlet end. A slot is formed in the outlet end and extends along the main gas channel. The bolt carrier group contains a carrier assembly, a bolt assembly, and a gas channel carrier guide, where the bolt assembly is at least partially contained within the carrier assembly. The gas channel carrier guide is disposed on the carrier assembly, extends through the slot, and is at least partially disposed into the gas channel carrier rail.
In other embodiments, the gas operating system includes a gas channel carrier rail, a bolt carrier group, and a gas chamber disposed in the bolt carrier group. The gas channel carrier rail contains a main gas channel disposed between an inlet end an outlet end, where the outlet end includes a slot extending along the main gas channel. The bolt carrier group contains a carrier assembly, a bolt assembly, and a gas channel carrier guide, where the bolt assembly is at least partially contained within the carrier assembly. The gas channel carrier guide is disposed on the carrier assembly, extends through the slot, and is at least partially disposed into the gas channel carrier rail, and wherein the gas channel carrier guide comprises a secondary gas channel extending therethrough. The gas chamber is in fluid communication with the main gas channel via the secondary gas channel and is formed between the carrier assembly, the bolt assembly, and two gas seals.
In some embodiments, an upper receiver assembly for a weapon system can include an upper receiver comprising a barrel, a gas block fluidly coupled to the barrel, and a gas operating system fluidly coupled to the gas block, where the gas operating system is described and discussed herein.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to implementations, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical implementations of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective implementations.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the Figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one implementation may be beneficially incorporated in other implementations without further recitation.
Implementations described herein generally relate to gas operating systems for weapon systems, and more specifically to a direct gas impingement system used on automatic and/or semi-automatic weapon systems, such as the AR15, M16, and M4 weapon systems.
The gas channel carrier rail 120 extends through an adjustable tensioner 110 that is attached to and passes through an opening 102 passing through a wall of the upper receiver 104 of the firearm, as depicted in
In one or more embodiments, the adjustable tensioner 110 is a two-piece member which includes interlocking components 112a, 112b, which are installed from opposite sides of the wall of the upper receiver 104 so to engage one another. In such an embodiment, each of the two pieces include tapered surfaces which engage one another to form an interference fit. Each of the two pieces include a base portion for contacting outer (and opposite) surfaces of the upper receiver front wall. In one example, each of the two components 112a and 112b of the adjustable tensioner 110 are positioned concentrically with respect to one another. In some examples, the adjustable tensioner 110 is a grommet having two or more segments or portions, such as components 112a and 112b. As shown in
The inlet end 124 of the gas channel carrier rail 120 is configured to couple to a gas block 103 disposed on a barrel 101 of the weapon system, as depicted in
The gas block 103 can be any gas block that meets or exceeds U.S. military specifications for the M16 or M4 weapon systems or any gas block used in the AR15 weapon system. The gas block 103 attached to the barrel 101 that directs the expanding gases from the gas port 105 in the barrel 101 into the inlet end 124 of the gas channel carrier rail 120. The gas channel carrier rail 120 may attach to the gas block 103 with a pin or screw. The gas block 103 may be any height or profile (e.g., low or high profile gas blocks) to accommodate the gas channel carrier rail 120 with straight line profile or a bent or curved profile.
The gas channel carrier rail 120 also contains a slot 125 (depicted in
The bolt carrier group 140 contains a carrier assembly 150, a bolt assembly 170, and a gas channel carrier guide 180. The bolt assembly 170 is at least partially contained within the carrier assembly 150. The bolt assembly 170 and the carrier assembly 150 are axial to one another. A bolt head 171 of the bolt assembly 170 extends from the carrier assembly 150.
The gas channel carrier guide 180 is disposed on a carrier body 151 of the carrier assembly 150. In one or more embodiments, the gas channel carrier guide 180 and the carrier body 151 are monolithic, as such, are formed or otherwise produced as a single unit having a one piece design. In other embodiments, the gas channel carrier guide 180 and the carrier body 151 are separate parts that are fastened or combined together. For example, one, two, three, or more fasteners can be used to couple the gas channel carrier guide 180 and the carrier body 151 together. In one example, the gas channel carrier guide 180 and the carrier body 151 are coupled together with two bolts that pass through the gas channel carrier guide 180 and into threaded holes in the carrier body 151 and are each staked at the gas channel carrier guide 180. In other examples, the gas channel carrier guide 180 and the carrier body 151 are welded together. Each of the gas channel carrier guide 180 and the carrier body 151 can be made of or contain one or more metals, such as steel, stainless steel, titanium, or alloys thereof.
The gas channel carrier guide 180 contains a secondary gas channel 182 passing therethrough. The secondary gas channel 182 is disposed between and in fluid communication with the main gas channel 122 and an interior (e.g., gas chamber 152) of the bolt carrier group 140. The gas channel carrier guide 180 contains a lower segment 184 and an upper segment 186. The lower segment 184 is coupled to the carrier assembly 150. The upper segment 186 extends through the slot 125 and is at least partially disposed into the gas channel carrier rail 120. The gas channel carrier guide 180 contains an inlet port 188 and an outlet port 189. The inlet port 188 is in fluid communication with and coupled to the main gas channel 122 and the outlet port 189 is in fluid communication with and coupled to the carrier body 151 of the bolt carrier group 140. The secondary gas channel 182 extends from the inlet port 188 to the outlet port 189 and to the interior of the bolt carrier group 140, such as into the gas chamber 152. In one or more embodiments, the gas channel carrier guide 180 can include a gas tube or guide that is hollow or has a passageway in the center with the secondary gas channel 182 that passes from the top center at the inlet port 188, through the neck of the guide, out of the bottom at the outlet port 189, and into the carrier body 151 and into the gas chamber 152.
The outlet end 126 of the gas channel carrier rail 120 contains one or more baffles 130 within the main gas channel 122, as depicted in
The gas chamber 152 is formed or otherwise disposed within the interior of the bolt carrier group 140. The gas chamber 152 is in fluid communication with the main gas channel 122 via the secondary gas channel 182 disposed in the gas channel carrier guide 180. The gas chamber 152 is formed between the carrier assembly 150, the bolt assembly 170, and two or more gas seals 176, 178 therebetween. The two gas seals 176, 178 can include a first gas seal 176 and a second gas seal 178. The first gas seal 176 is contained on a journal or gas collar 172 disposed on the bolt assembly 170. The gas collar 172 can include one or more recesses or grooves 173 for containing one or more gas seals 176. The bolt assembly 170 has a bolt tail 174 that can include one or more recesses or grooves 175 for containing one or more gas seals 178. Alternatively, the boat tail 174 on the bolt assembly 170 does not have a recess or groove and therefore the second gas seal 178 can be contained directly on the surface of the bolt tail 174. Each of the gas seals 176, 178 can independently be or include 1, 2, 3, 4, or more rings, seals, gaskets, O-rings, or other devices used for gas sealing between two or more surfaces. In some examples, each of the gas seals 176, 178 can independently be metallic gas rings that meet or exceed U.S. military specifications for the M16 or M4 weapon systems. In one or more examples, the first gas seal 176 contains three metallic gas rings and the second gas seal 178 contains three metallic gas rings. In one or more embodiments, the bolt assembly 170 can be a bolt assembly that meets or exceeds U.S. military specifications for the M16 or M4 weapon systems, but has been modified by adding the second gas seal 178 on the bolt tail 174 and/or optionally modifying forming the recess or groove 175 on the bolt tail 174.
In
Although not shown in the Figures or described in the written description, the bolt carrier group 140 includes all other parts and components contained in a bolt carrier group that meets or exceeds U.S. military specifications for the M16 or M4 weapon systems. For example, exemplary parts or components used on or in the bolt carrier group 140 can be or include, but is not limited to, a firing pin, a firing pin retaining pin, a cam pin, an extractor, an ejector, all pins and springs used with the extractor and the ejector, and/or any combination thereof. In one or more embodiments, each of the gas channel carrier rail 120, the gas channel carrier guide 180, the carrier body 151, the bolt assembly 170, or any parts or portions thereof can independently have a coating or no coating. The coating can be or include an anodizing coating, a parkerized coating, a phosphate coating (e.g., manganese phosphate), a nitride coating, a boride coating, a nickel coating (e.g., nickel boride or nickel nitride), a chromium coating, alloys thereof, or any combination thereof.
A portion of the outlet end 126 of the gas channel carrier rail 120 has the slot 125, that can have an open “C” shape (
At this time, the bullet has exited the barrel 101 (
Additionally, the bolt assembly 170 has moved relatively forward in the carrier assembly 150 and opened the exhaust ports 107 in the right side of the carrier assembly 150 and the propellant gases are discharged through the exhaust ports 107. After the bullet has exited the muzzle and the pressure in the system drops, the exhaust ports 107 open and the pressurized gases are being vented out of the action. The pressurized gases are vented out of the action through the right side of the carrier assembly 150 before the front of the gas channel carrier guide 180 passes the slot 125 in the bottom of the gas channel carrier rail 120 when stroking rearward, thus keeping the gases contained in the system 100. At this point only residual unpressurized gases are present in the system 100, minimizing any gases from entering the other parts of the action. The bolt carrier group 140 is then forced back forward by the operating of buffer spring until the action is closed and the bolt head 171 is locked into the barrel extension and the weapon is ready to be fired again.
In one or more embodiments, an upper receiver assembly for one or more weapon systems is provided and can include the upper receiver 104, the barrel 101, and the gas block 103, as depicted in
Assembly:
The gas channel carrier rail 120 is installed in the upper receiver of the firearm and attached to the gas block at the front of the barrel. The gas channel carrier rail 120 extends from the gas block on the barrel, through the adjustable tensioner 110 and the upper receiver front wall, to just inside the rear of the upper receiver. The charging handle 190 is installed in the same manner as a standard DPI system (e.g., meets military specifications for the M16 or M4 weapon systems) such that the alignment tabs 193 on each side of the charging handle 190 are aligned with the cut outs in the upper receiver and lowered into place. The slot 194 allows the charging handle 190 to pass over the rear portion of the gas channel carrier rail 120 when installed in the upper receiver.
Once the charging handle 190 is installed, the gas channel carrier guide 180 attached to the bolt carrier is inserted into the rear of the gas channel carrier rail 120; the bolt carrier group 140 can then be pushed forward to the closed position.
DGI System Operation:
The gas operating system 100, as described and discussed here, is pressurized via a gas block attached to the barrel. The pressurized propellant gas travels rearward through the gas channel carrier rail 120 and into the gas channel carrier guide 180 through the inlet port 188 in the gas channel carrier rail 120 that are in alignment with the main gas channel 122 on the gas channel carrier guide 180, and into the gas chamber 152 formed in the rear of the bolt carrier group 140. Once pressurized, the action unlocks and, the expanding propellant gases force the carrier assembly 150 to the rear unlocking the bolt head 171 on the bolt assembly 170 from the barrel extension (not shown) allowing the bolt carrier group 140 to move rearward and operate the action of the weapon.
In addition, in contrast to the piston systems described above, the individual parts of the action of the gas operating system 100 are designed to operate with the “balanced in-line” operation of the pressurized gas chamber at the rear of the bolt and carrier. This “balanced in-line” system does not induce any offset or out of alignment forces on the bolt and bolt carrier and allows for a smooth operation of the weapon.
Once the bolt carrier group 140 has moved rearward completely to unlock the bolt from the barrel extension, the front gas rings 176 on the carrier assembly 150 have moved forward of the exhaust ports 107 on the right side of the carrier assembly 150, opening the exhaust ports 107 and allowing the propellant gases to be discharged out through the exhaust ports 107. In such a manner, propellant gas is directed through the exhaust port 107 in the gas operating system 100, rather than permitting exhausted propellant gas from escaping through the rear of the bolt carrier and into the action, as occurs with traditional DGI systems. The bolt carrier group 140 continues rearward until the operating or buffer spring is fully compressed, the compressed buffer spring then forces the bolt carrier group 140 forward and closes the action, with the bolt carrier group 140 locking the bolt head 171 into the barrel extension and the weapon is ready to be fired again.
Benefits of the Direct Gas Impingement (DGI), Gas Operating System 100:
The gas operating system 100 maintains the balanced “in-line” pressurized chamber design that utilizes the expanding gases from the fired cartridge to operate the weapon and contains the gases in a “closed” system that minimizes exposure of the operating parts of the weapon to the hot carbon laden gases that overheat and foul the weapon's action.
The closed system of the gas operating system 100 requires less amount (e.g., volume) of propellant gas to operate than the traditional DGI system because the gas operating system 100 is more efficient, therefore allowing the use of a smaller diameter gas port in the barrel from which the gases are obtained. Because the system requires less volume to operate, less heat and carbon fouling is directed into the system with each shot fired, this results in a cleaner and cooler operating system compared to the traditional DGI system.
The gas operating system 100, as described and discussed herein, is a closed design that keeps the gases that are required to operate the action in a “sealed channel” from the time they enter the system at the gas port in the barrel, until they are discharged out through the right side of the bolt carrier, minimizing exposure of the other components of the weapons action to the propellant gases.
While the foregoing is directed to implementations of the disclosure, other and further implementations may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. All documents described herein are incorporated by reference herein, including any priority documents and/or testing procedures to the extent they are not inconsistent with this text. As is apparent from the foregoing general description and the specific embodiments, while forms of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is not intended that the present disclosure be limited thereby. Likewise, the term “comprising” is considered synonymous with the term “including” for purposes of United States law. Likewise whenever a composition, an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting essentially of,” “consisting of”, “selected from the group of consisting of,” or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element, or elements and vice versa.
Certain embodiments and features have been described using a set of numerical upper limits and a set of numerical lower limits. It should be appreciated that ranges including the combination of any two values, e.g., the combination of any lower value with any upper value, the combination of any two lower values, and/or the combination of any two upper values are contemplated unless otherwise indicated. Certain lower limits, upper limits and ranges appear in one or more claims below.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62518166 | Jun 2017 | US |
