BACKGROUND/SUMMARY
Field
Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to firearm suppressors, and more particularly to employing a vacuum barrier chamber in a firearm suppressor.
Background
Firearms utilize pressurized gases to accelerate a projectile, such as a bullet, from the breech of the barrel to the muzzle, where the projectile exits the firearm. Firearm suppressors are attached to the muzzle of a firearm to inhibit the flow of the pressurized gases exiting the muzzle of the firearm. Such gases exiting the muzzle of the firearm are produced by the ignition of gun powder releasing stored energy within the charge to accelerate the projectile through the barrel and out of the muzzle. Rifles are typically designed to operate at higher pressures than pistols or revolvers. The gases exiting the muzzle result in audible noise called report. During normal use, a firearm suppressor reduces the noise level of the report, by allowing for reduction of gas pressure and heat transfer within the suppressor as the projectile passes through the suppressor.
Firearm suppressors are mechanical devices that contain a through-hole to allow the passage of the projectile, and cause pressure loss about the device by expansion and contraction of gases, projectile pathway geometry or dimensions, and diversion of gas flow.
However, the inventor herein has found potential issues with such devices. For example, excessive heat build-up may occur in the components of a suppressor, during use, which may cause a burn hazard to the operator or other material in contact with the device, for some time after use. Also, as a firearm discharges, the barrel may vibrate, resulting in sound resonance, which may transfer through the components of a suppressor attached to the muzzle.
In one embodiment, the issues described above may be addressed by a suppressor, comprising: a vacuum barrier chamber, threaded muzzle adapter, back sound baffle bushing, directional sound baffles, middle sound baffle bushings, and end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal. In this way, gases flowing through the suppressor may be captured by the chambers formed by the directional sound baffles, while sound resonance and heat build-up are retained within the interior walls of the vacuum barrier chamber. As a result, sound waves and heat are not transmitted to the outer wall of the vacuum barrier chamber, and sound and burn hazard reduction provided by the suppressor may be increased.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce, in simplified form, a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the subject matter. Furthermore, the disclosed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.
DESCRIPTION
Brief Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 shows a cutaway view of the side of a suppressor including a vacuum barrier chamber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
FIG. 2 shows a directional sound baffle
FIG. 3 shows a top view of the front end of the suppressor from FIG. 1
FIG. 4 shows a perspective of the threaded muzzle adapter
FIG. 5 shows a perspective of a middle sound baffle bushing
FIG. 6 shows a top view of the vacuum barrier chamber
FIG. 7 shows a perspective of the back sound baffle bushing
FIG. 8 shows a perspective of the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal
FIG. 9 shows a back view of the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal
The above drawings are approximately to scale, although other relative dimensions may be used, if desired. The drawings may depict components directly touching one another and in direct contact with one another and/or adjacent to one another, although such positional relationships may be modified, if desired. Further, the drawings may show components spaced away from one another without intervening components therebetween, although such relationships, again, could be modified, if desired.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An example firearm suppressor including a vacuum barrier chamber is described herein. The following description relates to various embodiments of the firearm suppressor as well as methods of manufacturing and using the device. Potential advantages of one or more of the example approaches described herein relate to reducing sound emissions of the firearm and reducing heat transfer from the inner components to the outer surface of the firearm suppressor.
The firearm suppressor with vacuum barrier chamber may be coupled to a firearm, as described with regard to FIG. 1. The firearm suppressor with vacuum barrier chamber may include a sound baffle assembly as shown by FIG. 1. Embodiments of the suppressor include a vacuum barrier chamber, as shown by FIGS. 1 and 6, configured to inhibit sound resonance and heat transfer from the inner components to the outer surfaces. The vacuum barrier chamber may contain gases, such as combustion gases generated by the firearm, within the inner walls of the vacuum barrier chamber. By containing the gases within the inner walls of the vacuum barrier chamber, the gas pressure at the muzzle of the firearm may be reduced, as the gases flow about the directional sound baffles, and an ability of the suppressor to reduce sound emissions of the firearm may be increased, as well as an ability to contain heat within the suppressor without transfer to outer surfaces may be increased.
Configuring the suppressor to include the vacuum barrier chamber may provide the suppressor with significant sound reduction gains and heat resistance gains. The vacuum barrier chamber encases the internal components of the suppressor, and is arranged parallel to the muzzle of the firearm so that the projectile and gases flow through the length of the suppressor, during conditions in which the suppressor is coupled to the firearm. Pressurized gases do not contact the outer surface of the vacuum barrier chamber, due to the vacuum cavity separating the inner wall from the outer wall, thus reducing sound transfer from the inner components to the outer wall. Additionally, the vacuum barrier chamber contains no measurable matter within the vacuum cavity formed by the inner wall and outer wall, once sealed by the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal, which reduces heat transfer from the inner wall to the outer wall.
FIG. 1 shows the relative positioning of various components of the suppressor assembly. FIGS. 2-9 show distinct features of the various components of the suppressor assembly. Components shown directly contacting each other, or directly coupled, may be referred to as directly contacting, or directly coupled, at least in one example. Similarly, components shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example.
Elements shown above/below one another, at opposite sides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may be referred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or point of the element may be referred to as “top” of the component, and a bottommost element or point of the element may be referred to as “bottom” of the component, in at least one example. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may be relative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describe positioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As an example, shapes of the elements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having those shapes, such as being triangular, straight, helical, curved, planar, rounded, spiral, angled, etc. . . . . Further, an element shown within another element or shown outside of another element may be referred as such, in one example. For the purpose of discussion, FIGS. 1-9 will be described collectively.
Referring to FIG. 1, a cutaway view of the side of an example suppressor 100, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure is shown. The cutaway view of the suppressor 100 is shown to illustrate the overall shape of the suppressor and positioning of internal components. As shown in the figure, the suppressor 100 comprises a vacuum barrier chamber 101, a threaded muzzle adapter 102 at the back end, directional sound baffles 103, middle sound baffle bushings 104 between each sound baffle and lining the interior edge of the inner wall of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, a back sound baffle bushing 105 at the back of the back directional sound baffle 103 and lining the interior edge of the inner wall of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, and an end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106. The vacuum barrier chamber 101 contains the vacuum cavity 110, between the inner wall and outer wall. The suppressor 100 of FIG. 1 comprises a threaded muzzle adapter 102 wherethrough a projectile, such as a bullet, may pass through, continue through the sound baffle assembly 107, and exit through the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106.
The back end of the suppressor 100 contains the threaded muzzle adapter 102, which has an opening 108 sufficiently large enough to permit passage of a portion of a firearm barrel, where the suppressor 100 may attach via the interlacing threads 109, or other connection device muzzle adapter design. For example, the threads inside of the threaded muzzle adapter may be configured to engage counterpart threads on the firearm barrel. Threads are depicted for attaching the suppressor to the firearm in this embodiment, however, other methods of attachment may be used. For example, lugs, external threads on flash hiders or muzzle brakes, pawls, collets, cross-bolts, clamps, notches, or combinations thereof may be used.
Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the directional sound baffle 103 is shown. The directional sound baffle 103 has an angular edge 201 protruding toward the front or back of the suppressor 100 depending on which position the directional sound baffle 103 is located relative to the next or previous baffle, resulting in different volume capacity from one chamber to the next, within the suppressor 100. The outside diameter of the directional sound baffle 103 is the same as the inner surface diameter of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, or 0.9 inches. The projectile hole 202 in the center of the directional sound baffle 103 is sufficiently large enough to permit unobstructed passage of the projectile, such as a bullet, but not excessively large enough to allow excess gases to escape the suppressor 100, according to the size of the projectile. The projectile hole 202 in each directional sound baffle 103 may be varied in size between one and another to allow for pressurized gas flow to be further interrupted within the chambers of the sound baffle assembly 107. Also, the shape of the projectile hole 202 on the center of the directional sound baffle 103 may vary. For example, the projectile hole 202 may be triangular or square on one or more of the directional sound baffles 103.
Referring to FIG. 3, a top view of the front end of the suppressor 100 is shown. The position of the vacuum port 301 located at the forward end on top of the outer wall of the vacuum barrier chamber 101 is displayed. The vacuum port 301 is also located underneath of the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106, once placed under a vacuum and assembled. The size, shape, and position of the vacuum port 301 may vary. For example, the vacuum port 301 may be cut as a square or triangle, with a width of 0.15 inches rather than 0.10 inches, as illustrated. The vacuum port is depicted for applying the vacuum in this embodiment, however other vacuum preparation methods may be used. For example, the vacuum port may have a valve attached, which would permit a vacuum line to attach and prepare the vacuum cavity.
Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective of the threaded muzzle adapter 102 is shown. FIG. 4 shows the forward end of the threaded muzzle adapter 102, where the threaded end of a barrel of a firearm attaches to the suppressor 100 by interlacing threads 109 along the inner surface of the threaded muzzle adapter 102. As the firearm is discharged, the projectile exits the muzzle, along with pressurized gases, and passes through the suppressor 100 coupled to the firearm by the threaded muzzle adapter 102. The forward end of the threaded muzzle adapter is shaped to form an angular surface 111 from the outside edge to the inner surface by cutting away material according to the illustration. The back end of the threaded muzzle adapter 102 contains a rim 112 with an outside diameter matching the outside diameter of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, or 1 inch, as illustrated. The diameter of the forward end of the threaded muzzle adapter 102, which fits into the vacuum barrier chamber 101, is the same dimension as the inner surface diameter of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, or 0.9 inches.
Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective of a middle sound baffle bushing 104 is shown. FIG. 5 shows the forward end of a middle sound baffle bushing 104, which fits between each directional sound baffle 103 within the suppressor. The outside diameter of a middle sound baffle bushing 104 is the same as the inner surface diameter of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, or 0.9 inches. The middle sound baffle bushings 104 retain the directional sound baffles 103 within the suppressor 100, forming part of the sound baffle assembly 107. The length of the middle sound baffle bushing 104 is 1 inch. The length of the middle sound baffle bushing 104 may vary according to the number of directional sound baffles 103 utilized in the suppressor 100.
Referring to FIG. 6 a top view of the vacuum barrier chamber 101 is shown. FIG. 6 shows the forward end of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, with the vacuum port 301 exposed on the top outer surface near the front end. The vacuum port 301 is located 0.225 inches from the forward edge of the top of the vacuum barrier chamber 101. The outside diameter of the vacuum barrier chamber 101 is 1 inch, and the inside diameter is 0.9 inches. The length of the vacuum barrier chamber 101 is 6 inches. The length, inside diameter, and outside diameter of the vacuum barrier chamber 101 may vary based on the size of the projectile, such as a bullet, or firearm type, such as rifle, pistol, or revolver, which the suppressor 100 is purposed.
Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective of the back sound baffle bushing 105 is shown. FIG. 7 shows the forward end of the back sound baffle bushing 105, which fits to the back of the backmost directional sound baffle 103, and between the back directional sound baffle 103 and threaded muzzle adapter 102. The outside diameter of the back sound baffle bushing 105 is the same as the inside diameter of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, or 0.9 inches. The back sound baffle bushing 105 retains the position of the sound baffle assembly 107 relative to the front edge 111 of the threaded muzzle adapter 102, within the suppressor 100. The length of the back sound baffle bushing 105 is 0.8 inches. The length of the back sound baffle bushing 105 may vary based on the number of directional sound baffles 103 or the size and features of the threaded muzzle adapter 102 or alternative muzzle adapter features or designs conforming to various firearm barrel attachment methods.
Referring to FIG. 8, a perspective of the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106 is shown. FIG. 8 shows the backward end of the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106, which attaches on to the forward end of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, after the internal components of the suppressor 100 have been installed into the vacuum barrier chamber 101, and have been placed in a vacuum. The end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106 securely fits over the vacuum port 301 located at the top of the vacuum barrier chamber 101 near the forward end. The inside diameter of the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106 is the same as the outside diameter of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, or 1 inch. The outside diameter of the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106 is 1.1 inches. The inside and outside diameter of the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106 may vary based upon the dimensions of the vacuum barrier chamber 101 or materials used to manufacture the components.
Referring to FIG. 9, a back view of the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106 is shown. FIG. 9 shows the back side of the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106, which contains the projectile exit hole 113 for the projectile, such as a bullet, to exit the suppressor 100. The projectile exit hole 113 is sufficiently large enough for the size of the projectile, such as a bullet, to pass through unobstructed. The size of the projectile exit hole 113 may vary depending on the size of the projectile, such as a bullet, which the firearm that the suppressor 100 is coupled to requires for normal operation.
Referring to assembly of the suppressor 100 with vacuum barrier chamber 101, the threaded muzzle adapter 102 is attached to the back of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, as displayed in FIG. 1. The directional sound baffles 103 are arranged according to the position displayed in FIG. 1, so that the protruding angular edge 201 of the directional sound baffle 103 alternates from forward facing to backward facing, with the middle sound baffle bushings 104 attached between each of the directional sound baffles 103, and the back sound baffle bushing 105 attached to the back of the backmost directional sound baffle 103, forming the sound baffle assembly 107. The sound baffle assembly 107 is attached to the inside of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, as displayed in FIG. 1. The partially assembled suppressor 100 is placed in a vacuum, along with the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106, and the end cap/vacuum barrier chamber seal 106 is attached to the front of the vacuum barrier chamber 101, sealing the vacuum port 301 on the top of the forward end of the vacuum barrier chamber 101. All attached parts should be welded or otherwise permanently attached, including the sound baffle assembly 107 within the vacuum barrier chamber 101.
The angled front surface 111 of the front face of the threaded muzzle adapter 102 is exemplary and not limiting. Also, the angle of the protruding edge 201 of the directional sound baffle 103 is exemplary and not limiting. In some embodiments, the angle of the front surface 111 of the threaded muzzle adapter 102 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 may be 90 degrees or 135 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of the protruding edge 201 of the directional sound baffle 103 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 may range between 45 degrees and 90 degrees in measure.
It will be understood that the figures are provided solely for illustrative purposes and the embodiments described are not to be viewed in a limiting sense. It is further understood that the firearm suppressor described and illustrated herein represents only example embodiments. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and additions can be made to such firearm suppressor without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. For example, the firearm suppressor could be constructed from steel or another rigid and durable material not described, as well as be surface treated with a nitride or other surface treatment for increased durability and useful life.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and then proceed with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding the plural of said elements or steps, unless such an exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present subject matter are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments, “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. The terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-language equivalents to the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including best mode, and also to enable a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods.
It will be appreciated that the configurations and/or approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various features, functions, acts, and/or properties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.
Patent Application
20240175654
