FIREARM SUPPRESSOR WITH PROGRESSIVE ROTATION BAFFLE ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A firearm suppressor includes a first section along an axis; a second section along the axis downstream of the first section, the second section having a second section twist rate; a third section along the axis downstream of the second section, the third section having a third section twist rate, the third section twist rate greater than the second section twist rate; and a fourth section along the axis downstream of the third section, the fourth section having a fourth section twist rate, the fourth section twist rate greater than the third section twist rate.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Disclosure Ser. No. 63/380,702 filed Oct. 24, 2022.

The present disclosure relates to a firearm suppressor, and more specifically, to a progressive rotation baffle stack configuration.

The discharge of a firearm causes gases to be produced through rapid, confined burning of a propellant that accelerates a projectile which generates noise and a muzzle flash. A suppressor reduces a firearm's muzzle flash and acoustic output by slowing escaping gases when a firearm is discharged. Suppressors typically include one or more expansion chambers within a tubular body that surround the projectile path to decelerate and cool the escaping gases. These expansion chambers are divided by baffles, with several expansion chambers along the length of the tubular body. Suppressors can be a detachable accessory for attachment to a muzzle or can be integral to the barrel of a firearm.

Although effective in reducing sound and muzzle flash, suppressors may, however, increase the back pressure of the gas in the barrel which may influence the firearm's operation and reduce the service life thereof.

SUMMARY

A firearm suppressor according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first section along an axis; a second section along the axis downstream of the first section, the second section comprises a multiple of second section baffles, each of the multiple of second section baffles comprising a cross-sectional geometry that is twisted around the axis at a second section twist rate; a third section along the axis downstream of the second section, the third section comprises a multiple of third section baffles, each of the multiple of third section baffles comprising a cross-sectional geometry that is twisted around the axis at a third section twist rate, the third section twist rate greater than the second section twist rate; and a fourth section along the axis downstream of the third section, the fourth section comprises a multiple of fourth section baffles, each of the multiple of fourth section baffles comprising a cross-sectional geometry that is twisted around the axis at a fourth section twist rate, the fourth section twist rate greater than the third section twist rate.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the second section twist rate is a 30 degree twist rate and the cross-sectional geometry is triangular.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the third section twist rate is a 23 degree twist rate and the cross-sectional geometry is triangular.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the fourth section twist rate is a 15 degree twist rate and the cross-sectional geometry is triangular.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the second section twist rate is a 30 degree twist rate, the third section twist rate is a 23 degree twist rate, and the fourth section twist rate is a 15 degree twist rate and the cross-sectional geometry is triangular.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the first section is a blast chamber.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the third section twist rate is 80%-70% of the second section twist rate.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the fourth section twist rate is 70%-60% of the third section twist rate.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the third section twist rate is 80%-70% of the second section twist rate, and the fourth section twist rate is 70%-60% of the third section twist rate.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the second section twist rate is a 30 degree twist rate, the third section twist rate is a 23 degree twist rate, and the fourth section twist rate is a 15 degree twist rate.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that a length of the third section is greater than a length of the second section, and a length of the fourth section is less than the length of the third section.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the length of the third section is about 115% the length of the second section, and the length of the fourth section is about 52% of the length of the third section.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the third section twist rate is 80%-70% of the second section twist rate, and the fourth section twist rate is 70%-60% of the third section twist rate.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the second section twist rate is a 30 degree twist rate, the third section twist rate is a 23 degree twist rate, and the fourth section twist rate is a 15 degree twist rate.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the first section is a blast chamber.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the first section, the second section, the third section, and the fourth section are additively manufactured in an integral manner with a body.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that a muzzle end of the fourth section is frustoconical.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that each of the baffles in the second section, the third section, and the fourth section comprise three apertures that define three spiral paths from the second section to the muzzle end of the fourth section.

A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure includes that the apertures in each of the three spiral paths decrease in size from the second section to the muzzle end of the fourth section, the apertures in the second section, are larger than the apertures in the third section, which are larger than the apertures in the fourth section.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that however the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a phantom perspective view of a firearm suppressor according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a firearm suppressor according to one non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2 of a baffle arrangement for a firearm suppressor according to one non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an attachment end view of a firearm suppressor according to one non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a muzzle end view of a firearm suppressor according to one non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a baffle arrangement for a firearm suppressor according to one non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a baffle arrangement for a firearm suppressor from a muzzle end.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a baffle arrangement for a firearm suppressor from an attachment end.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an example baffle.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the example baffle taken along line J-J in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the example baffle of FIG. 9 from an attachment end.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the example baffle of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the example baffle of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the example baffle of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the example baffle of FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the baffle arrangement showing a first aperture path.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the baffle arrangement showing a second aperture path.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the baffle arrangement showing a third aperture path.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the baffle arrangement.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the example baffle taken along line K-K in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal partial phantom view of the baffle arrangement showing an exhaust slit and flow path from an inner flow path to an outer radial flow path.

FIG. 22 is a lateral and partial longitudinal sectional view of the baffle arrangement.

FIG. 23 is an expanded longitudinal partial phantom view of the baffle arrangement of FIG. 21 showing the exhaust slit and flow path from the inner flow path to the outer radial flow path.

FIG. 24 is a muzzle end view for a firearm suppressor according to one non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line B -B in FIG. 24 of the firearm suppressor.

FIG. 26 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 24 of the firearm suppressor.

FIG. 27 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 24 of the firearm suppressor.

FIG. 28 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. 24 of the firearm suppressor.

FIG. 29 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line F-F in FIG. 24 of the firearm suppressor.

FIG. 30 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line G-G in FIG. 24 of the firearm suppressor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a firearm suppressor 10 with a progressive rotation baffle arrangement 12 within a body 14 along an axis Z. The body 14 may be cylindrical with flats 16 arranged around an attachment end 18 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) opposite a muzzle end 20 (FIG. 5).

Although the progressive rotation baffle arrangement 12 is separately described with respect to the body 14, the suppressor 10 in the disclosed embodiment may be additively manufactured such that although various components are identified and described separately, such components may be manufactured in a unitary manner via additive manufacturing. It should be appreciated that, as defined herein, “additive manufacturing” processes include, but are not limited to, selective laser melting (SLM), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Powder-Bed Electron Beam Melting (EBM), Electron Beam Free Form Fabrication (EBF3), Laser Engineered Net Shape (LENS) and others. Although particular additive manufacturing processes are disclosed, those skilled in the art of manufacturing will recognize that any other suitable rapid manufacturing methods using layer-by-layer construction or additive fabrication can alternatively be used.

The additive manufacturing process sequentially builds-up layers of atomized alloy and/or ceramic powder material that include but are not limited to, steel alloys, stainless steel alloys, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, aluminum alloys and others in atomized powder material form. Nickel alloys may have specific benefit for parts that operate in high temperature environments, such as, for example, firearm suppressors. In one embodiment, a particular material may be Inconel 718.

The additive manufacturing process fabricates or “grows” components using three-dimensional information, for example a three-dimensional computer model. The three-dimensional information is converted into a plurality of slices, each slice defining a cross section of the component for a predetermined height of the slice. The additive manufactured component is essentially “grown” slice-by-slice, or layer-by-layer, until finished. Each layer has an example size between about 0.0005-0.001 inches (0.0127-0.0254 mm). The additive manufacturing process facilitates manufacture of the relatively complex internal passage geometry to minimize assembly details, gun-drilling, and multi-component construction.

With reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the progressive rotation baffle arrangement 12 in the disclosed embodiment, includes a first section 30, a second section 32, a third section 34 and a fourth section 36 as defined from the firearm attachment end 18 to the muzzle end 20. Although particular sections are defined in this disclosed embodiment, it should be appreciated that various additional sections may alternatively or additionally provided to for example, accommodate different calibers, lengths, weights, and/or desired decibel levels, etc.

The first section 30 may be referred to as a blast chamber that does not otherwise include baffles such as those in the second section 32, the third section 34, and the fourth section 36. The first section 30 may include an attachment section 50 that is attached to a barrel of the firearm via, for example, threads such as ½-28 threads or a quick detach type coupling. The attachment section 50 may be at least partially supported by legs 52 which extend therefrom into contact with the body 14. The legs 52 may also operate to disrupt the blast from the firearm muzzle within the first section 30 and provide support for the body 14 within the blast chamber.

In the disclosed embodiment, the second section 32 has a 30 degree twist rate, the third section 34 has a 23 degree twist rate, and the fourth section 36 has a 15 degree twist rate. In this disclosed embodiment, the third section 34 twist rate is 80%-70% of the second section 32 twist rate, and the fourth section 36 twist rate is 70%-60% of the third section 34 twist rate.

In this disclosed embodiment, the first section 30 is about 1.9 inches in length, the second section 32 is about 2.0 inches in length, the third section 34 is about 2.3 inches in length, and the fourth section 36 is about 1.2 inches in length for a total overall length of about 7.5 inches by about 1.5 inches diameter.

In this disclosed embodiment, the first section 30 is about 25% of the total in suppressor length, the second section 32 is about 27% of the total in suppressor length, the third section 34 is about 31% of the total in suppressor length, and the fourth section 36 is about 16% of the total in suppressor length. In this embodiment, the third section 34 length is about 115% of the second section 32 length, and the fourth section 36 length is about 52% of the third section 34 length. That is, the third section 34 length is greater than the length of the second section 32 length, and the fourth section 36 length is less than the length of the third section 34 length.

Each of the baffles 60 (example baffle shown in FIG. 9-15) in the respective second section 32, third section 34, and fourth section 36 have a progressively increasing rotational twist rate. Although the particular example baffle shown in FIG. 9-15 is from the third section 34, it should be appreciated that the general geometric configuration applies to each section with but a change to the twist rate and spacing. The baffles 60 in the second section 32 may also include legs 62 to disrupt the blast within the second section 32 and provide support for the body 14 such as in the first section 30.

Each of the baffles 60 includes three apertures 64. The apertures 64 may be circular, oval, or of other shapes. The apertures 64 may decrease in size from the attachment end 18 to the muzzle end 20. That is, the apertures 64 in the second section 32, are larger than those in the third section 34, which are larger than those in the fourth section 36.

The apertures 64 may define three spiral paths S1, S2, and S3 (FIGS. 16, 17, and 18) from the second section 32 at the attachment end 18 to the muzzle end 20. The apertures 64, correspond to a triangular cross-sectional geometry 70 of each baffle (FIG. 19), to permit the radial chambers thereof to communicate. The paths S1, S2, and S3 also rotate about the boreline in three dimensions to mitigate blowback from the suppressor 10. That is, the paths S1, S2, and S3 allow the initial gas pressure in the suppressor 10 to be at least partially dissipated over the entire volume of the suppressor 10, which decreases the blowback pressure substantially as soon as the first chamber is pressurized by the propellant gases.

With reference to FIG. 20, one representational baffle 60 from the second section 32 (FIG. 19) is shown to illustrate the triangular cross-sectional geometry 70 thereof. The triangular cross-sectional geometry 70 is twisted around a boreline 72 (also shown in FIG. 9-15) to form chambers that radially surround the boreline 72. The boreline 72 is the axis Z upon which the projectile travels. The triangular cross-sectional geometry 70 is formed from three (3) walls 74, 76, 78 that form an equilateral triangle. From a midpoint of each wall 74, 76, 78, a radial wall 80, 82, 84 extends toward the boreline 72. The walls 74, 76, 78 and the radial walls 80, 82, 84 of the triangular cross-sectional geometry 70 is that which defines the progressively increasing rotational twist rate in the second section 32, the third section 34, and the fourth section 36.

The muzzle end 90 (FIG. 15) of each baffle 60 forms a frustoconical surface 92 (FIG. 10) which interfaces with the walls 74, 76, 78 and the radial walls 80, 82, 84. That is, the walls 74, 76, 78 and the radial walls 80, 82, 84 interface with the frustoconical surface 92 of the baffle directly forward, or downstream, thereof. It should be appreciated that the baffles 60 need not be individual components but are additively manufactured in an integral manner with the body 14. The muzzle end 90 of the final baffle in the fourth section 36 forms a frustoconical end 94 (FIG. 5) of the suppressor 10.

With reference to FIG. 21, the progressive rotation baffle arrangement 12 of the suppressor 10 forms a propellant gas blast chamber 100, an inner flow path 110, and an outer radial flow path 120. The blast chamber 100 is in fluid communication with a firearm muzzle (not shown) and is in fluid communication with the inner flow path 110 and the outer radial flow path 120. In the disclosed embodiment, a set of three (3) relief slits 130 are present in each baffle 60 to correspond with the triangular cross-sectional geometry 70 (FIG. 22).

In operation, the propellant gas first enters the blast chamber 100 by way of the firearm muzzle (not shown). The blast chamber 100 permits initial expansion of the propellant gas. The inner flow path 110 is in fluid communication with the outer radial flow path 120 through a plurality of relief slits 130 (FIG. 22). The inner flow path 110 and the outer radial flow path 120 rotate about the boreline in three dimensions. The outer radial flow path 120 are all interconnected via the apertures 64 (FIG. 24-30). The relief slits 130 exhaust into the outer radial pathways which are all interconnected via the apertures 64 and ultimately exit through the smallest endmost apertures 64 that form three spiral paths S1, S2, and S3 that end in the frustoconical muzzle end 20 (FIG. 5). This geometry allows far greater surface area for energy transfer than would have been available in a traditional baffle design.

Although the different non-limiting embodiments have specific illustrated components, the embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.

The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Various non-limiting embodiments are disclosed herein, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that various modifications and variations in light of the above teachings will fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is therefore to be appreciated that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described. For that reason the appended claims should be studied to determine true scope and content.

Claims

1. A firearm suppressor, comprising: a first section along an axis;a second section along the axis downstream of the first section, the second section comprises a multiple of second section baffles, each of the multiple of second section baffles comprising a cross-sectional geometry that is twisted around the axis at a second section twist rate;a third section along the axis downstream of the second section, the third section comprises a multiple of third section baffles, each of the multiple of third section baffles comprising a cross-sectional geometry that is twisted around the axis at a third section twist rate, the third section twist rate greater than the second section twist rate; anda fourth section along the axis downstream of the third section, the fourth section comprises a multiple of fourth section baffles, each of the multiple of fourth section baffles comprising a cross-sectional geometry that is twisted around the axis at a fourth section twist rate, the fourth section twist rate greater than the third section twist rate.

2. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 1, wherein the second section twist rate is a 30 degree twist rate and the cross-sectional geometry is triangular.

3. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 1, wherein the third section twist rate is a 23 degree twist rate and the cross-sectional geometry is triangular. 4. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 1, wherein the fourth section twist rate is a 15 degree twist rate and the cross-sectional geometry is triangular.

5. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 1, wherein the second section twist rate is a 30 degree twist rate, the third section twist rate is a 23 degree twist rate, and the fourth section twist rate is a 15 degree twist rate and the cross-sectional geometry is triangular.

6. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 5, wherein the first section is a blast chamber. 7. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 1, wherein the third section twist rate is 80%-70% of the second section twist rate.

8. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 1, wherein the fourth section twist rate is 70%-60% of the third section twist rate.

9. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 1, wherein the third section twist rate is 80%-70% of the second section twist rate, and the fourth section twist rate is 70%-60% of the third section twist rate.

10. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 9, wherein the second section twist rate is a 30 degree twist rate, the third section twist rate is a 23 degree twist rate, and the fourth section twist rate is a 15 degree twist rate.

11. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 1, wherein a length of the third section is greater than a length of the second section, and a length of the fourth section is less than the length of the third section.

12. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 11, wherein the length of the third section is about 115% the length of the second section, and the length of the fourth section is about 52% of the length of the third section.

13. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 12, wherein the third section twist rate is 80%-70% of the second section twist rate, and the fourth section twist rate is 70%-60% of the third section twist rate.

14. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 13, wherein the second section twist rate is a 30 degree twist rate, the third section twist rate is a 23 degree twist rate, and the fourth section twist rate is a 15 degree twist rate.

15. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 14, wherein the first section is a blast chamber.

16. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 15, wherein the first section, the second section, the third section, and the fourth section are additively manufactured in an integral manner with a body.

17. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 15, wherein a muzzle end of the fourth section is frustoconical.

18. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 17, wherein each of the baffles in the second section, the third section, and the fourth section comprise three apertures that define three spiral paths from the second section to the muzzle end of the fourth section.

19. The firearm suppressor as recited in claim 18, wherein the apertures in each of the three spiral paths decrease in size from the second section to the muzzle end of the fourth section, the apertures in the second section, are larger than the apertures in the third section, which are larger than the apertures in the fourth section.