Firearm Suppressor

Abstract

A suppressor includes baffles with geometry and spacing minimizing sound level in the human hearing range, and overlapping tapers on consecutive elements replacing welds. The geometry includes conical baffles with approach angles between 153.7 and 163.7 degrees and at least one inch separation. The suppressor is assembled by compressing the elements between threaded end caps, thus expending the overlapping tappers against the interior of a suppressor tube to center and align the baffles. The suppressor may be attached to a rifle using a quick disconnect mount which includes an adapter fixed to the rifle barrel and having an “L” shaped slot with a first leg parallel to the barrel and a second leg turned greater than 90 degrees towards the front of the adapter. A post in the suppressor engaged the slot and a spring biases the suppressor forward and holds the post at the end of the turned leg.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates firearm sound suppressors and in particular to a suppressor for automatic weapons.[0002]Firearms are often used in situations where the very loud sounds resulting from firing the weapons may both give away the position of the shooter or, especially indoors, temporarily deafen the shooter and others nearby. In a combat situation, giving away a shooters position may result in receiving hostile fire. Even temporary deafening may prevent communication between team members and prevent the shooter from hearing danger signs.[0003]Many known suppressors are available, but suffer from various deficiencies. Many do not reduce sound levels sufficiently.[0004]When used on automatic weapons, suppressor temperature may build quickly. Bullets are commonly constructed of jacketed lead. The lead softens quickly with temperature and melts at 621 degrees Fahrenheit which is a problem in known suppressors made of stainless steel and other m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a firearm suppressor reducing sound level in the human hearing frequency range. The suppressor includes a minimum of three tapered baffles having tapered cones pointing towards the barrel and having interior angles of between 16.3 degrees and 26.3 degrees, and preferably about 21.3 degree, which present an approach angle of between 153.7 degrees and 163.7 degrees, and preferably about 158.7 degrees, to sound waves. The approach angle combined with a separation between consecutive cones of at least one inch, and preferably about 1.25 inches, creates an acoustical dampening which attenuates the sound waves when a supersonic rifle bullet is fired. The combination of separation and approach angle causes the sound waves to reflect back upon each other as they travel outward along the taper to the outer edge of the taper, and then reflect inward, cancelling following sound waves and creating a quieter report in the human frequency range. Although the sound pressure level (measured in dB) is within 0.2 dB of a comparable suppressor, the perceived sound level is approximately 4 dB quieter in the human frequency range compared to known suppressors. Experiments have shown that the approach angle between 153.7 degrees and 163.7 degrees provides good results in the human frequency range.

[0007]In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic rifle suppressor design including pressed together overlapping tapered surfaces between consecutive baffles. The overlapping surfaces replace welds used in suppressor designs. The baffles in the baffle stack meet at the cooperating tapered surfaces and form seals as the tapers are pressed together by tightening end caps. As the end cap is tightened, the tapers wedge together on consecutive baffles as female tapers are pushed into male tapers forming expanded rings pressing against an outer suppressor tube creating a seal and holding the baffles parallel and aligned preventing any loss of accuracy. Cylindrical portions of the baffles overlap with the outer suppressor tube to form a double wall which allows the suppressor to withstand pressure which can reach 15,000 Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) during sustained full auto fire. The use of overlapping tapers avoids distortions caused by the heat of welding as well as additional machining processes required to correct for welding distortion, and eliminates the risk of welds cracking and overall failure due to rupturing. The overlapping tapers also expand and contract with heat and retain their ability to seal under numerous heat cycles unlike welds which will only survive a number of heat cycles before failing. The overlapping tapers also reduce assembly time for production and allow the suppressor to be disassembled so it can be cleaned and i

Problems solved by technology

Firearms are often used in situations where the very loud sounds resulting from firing the weapons may both give away the position of the shooter or, especially indoors, temporarily deafen the shooter and others nearby.

In a combat situation, giving away a shooters position may result in receiving hostile fire.

Many known suppressors are available, but suffer from various deficiencies.

Many do not reduce sound levels sufficiently.

The l

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