Rapid-change variable density cartridge suppressor

Abstract

A firearm suppressor comprising a tube defining a passage, a mount connected at the rear of the tube and configured to connect to a firearm; the tube including at least one porous baffle defining a central bore and formed of a porous material defining a multitude of gas passages throughout the porous baffle. The method of claim 1 including a plurality of porous baffles, The method of claim 2 wherein the porous baffles have different porosity characteristics. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous baffle is removable from the tube. The method of claim 1 including a conventional solid baffle without porosity. The method of claim 1 including a kit of replacement porous baffles. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one porous baffle comprises an insert frame received in the tube and defining the central bore, and the frame defining at least a receptacle aperture removably receiving an insert formed of the porous material. The method of claim 7 wherein the insert is threadably connected to the frame. The method of claim 7 including a plurality of interests. The method of claim 7 wherein the insert is a cylindrical body, The method of claim 7 wherein the insert is formed of the porous material and includes a non-porous threaded portion. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is formed of metal. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is sintered. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is formed of granules connected to each other. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is formed of particles connected to each other. 1 wherein the porous material is sponge. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is foam.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 63 / 761,938, filed on Feb. 22, 2025, entitled “RAPID-CHANGE VARIABLE METAL DENSITY CARTRIDGE SUPPRESSOR”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to firearms, namely noise suppression devices.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[0003] State of the art manufacturing techniques utilize additive manufacturing, or 3D Printing, to create monolithic suppressors that are superior in strength. Furthermore, some utilize additive manufacturing to create a latticework of metal porous foam, which significantly reduces sound signature due to rapid cooling of hot gasses via exposure to increased surface area. Also, the gasses can be selectively redirected, utilizing this additive porous manufacturing technique.

[0004] Unfortunately, a significant flaw in the concept of monolithic porous foam suppressors is the build-up of metal, carbon, and other particulates that compound after each firing of a round. It is extremely difficult and time consuming to restore a “loaded” - (dirty) suppressor to proper shooting condition. It may take hours or days to clean one of these types of clogged suppressors, and restoration to near-new condition is unlikely (if not impossible) due to the monolithic nature of the system. Monolithic suppressors, especially monolithic porous suppressors, require specialty chemicals and inordinate amounts of time, and may be out of service during emergencies or critical situations. Furthermore, the porosity they are printed with is fixed, and cannot be changed for the life of the suppressor.

[0005] The above disadvantages are addressed by a firearm suppressor comprising a tube defining a passage, a mount connected at the rear of the tube and configured to connect to a firearm; the tube including at least one porous baffle defining a central bore and formed of a porous material defining a multitude of gas passages throughout the porous baffle. The method of claim 1 including a plurality of porous baffles, The method of claim 2 wherein the porous baffles have different porosity characteristics. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous baffle is removable from the tube. The method of claim 1 including a conventional solid baffle without porosity. The method of claim 1 including a kit of replacement porous baffles. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one porous baffle comprises an insert frame received in the tube and defining the central bore, and the frame defining at least a receptacle aperture removably receiving an insert formed of the porous material. The method of claim 7 wherein the insert is threadably connected to the frame. The method of claim 7 including a plurality of interests. The method of claim 7 wherein the insert is a cylindrical body, The method of claim 7 wherein the insert is formed of the porous material and includes a non-porous threaded portion. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is formed of metal. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is sintered. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is formed of granules connected to each other. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is formed of particles connected to each other. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is sponge. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is foam.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. A-1 is a depiction of the concept of metal foam disk or plug type cartridges that are inserted inside a firearm suppressor.

[0007] FIG. A-2 is a depiction of embodiments, including a screw-in metal foam plug and a metal foam disk.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a suppressor body with a metal foam disk cartridge that can be inserted.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a metal foam disk cartridge inside the suppressor body.

[0010] FIG. 3 is the inside of a suppressor which has been designed to accommodate a plurality of metal foam plug-type cartridges.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a solid or metal foam cap that can be placed over the plug-type metal foam cartridge(s) either as a drop-in or mechanically fastened system.

[0012] FIG. 5 is an assembly of one type of system with metal foam plugs and a metal foam cap.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a different angle of FIG. 5. The black is the suppressor body.

[0014] FIG. 7 is one embodiment where the cartridges of similar or different densities are stacked on top of one another with one or more variable density cartridge disks at the distal (bullet exit) end of the suppressor.

[0015] FIG. 8 is one method of attaching one or more variable density cartridges to a plate that is inserted into the suppressor body.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a rotated view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 (backside of assembled plate containing one or more variable density cartridges).

[0018] FIG. 11 is an embodiment of a variable density cartridge.

[0019] FIG. 12 is an embodiment of a plate to accept one or more variable density cartridges.

[0020] FIG. 13 is one embodiment of a variable density cartridge disk to be used alone, in plurality, and / or in conjunction with other style variable density cartridges such as threaded plugs.

[0021] FIG. 14 is an external and internal view of a typical system with a traditional blast chamber closest to the muzzle end, then traditional baffles, then variable density rapid change cartridges in the form of plugs, then variable density rapid change cartridges in the form of disks, then a traditional end cap at the distal end to hold everything in place.

[0022] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] The present disclosure relates to noise suppression devices, and more particularly noise suppression devices used in conjunction with firearms.

[0024] The concept of porous metal has been around for many decades. It has been used for years to oxygenate wine when decanted, and in aerospace and other applications where factors such as weight and surface area are of concern. What is different in this disclosure is a plurality of variable density cartridges that can be inserted into a monolithic or non-monolithic suppressor designed to accept them. The suppressor can be tuned to a desired performance, and it does not have to be out of service while the porous cartridges are being cleaned. They can be swapped out in seconds.

[0025] The disclosure allows for the best attributes of monolithic printing, but solves the problem of suppressor “loading”, where the suppressor’s monolithic nature causes it to be out of action due to prolonged cleaning schedules. It also allows the user to tune the suppressor to specific usage, by varying the densities of the metal foam cartridges that are inserted. If an extraordinarily quiet shot is required – such as a hostage situation – a metal foam cartridge may be installed that is extremely quiet but requires cleaning after only one or two shots. Alternatively, it may be acceptable for duty and training to utilize a cartridge (or cartridges) that have sufficient noise suppression but may not need cleaning for several thousand rounds.

[0026] With the variable density metal foam cartridge system, an owner can not only choose his / her density and tune the suppressor, but the suppressor can be in continuous use with a rapid swap of metal foam cartridge inserts. Normally, a monolithic suppressor that loads up with carbon and debris from shooting must sit for hours or days while it soaks to get clean. This new cartridge method allows a quick-change of variable density cartridges, so no shooting time is missed or compromised with a dirty and / or clogged suppressor. One or more cartridges can be soaking in cleaner, while fresh ones are installed for continuous use. Alternatively, if cost allows, the cartridges may be disposable, allowing for a near limitless lifetime for the suppressor itself.

[0027] Commonly available reticulated (open cell) metal foam can be customized in size, shape, configuration and material for optimal performance and durability inside the suppressor.

[0028] The suppressor must be printed or manufactured specifically for these cartridges. Cartridges can be threaded or drop-in. There can be a distal cap that holds them in place. There can be other materials fused to the cartridges to hold them in place such as welding, brazing or printing material at one end and machining threads for attachment. The cartridges can be placed not only in the distal end of the suppressor, but they can also be placed at the muzzle end or even inserted through the side of the suppressor for selective venting. These can be sold in a kit with various densities and various materials, or a combination of materials. If inexpensive enough, these cartridges can be disposable.

[0029] FIG. A-1 depicts the concept of metal foam disk or plug type cartridges that are inserted inside a firearm suppressor via threads, drop-in, twist lock, etc. The inside of the suppressor is designed to accommodate these metal foam cartridges. Cartridges allow for various or pluralities of densities of perforations to “tune” the suppressor. The cartridge may be a printed foam wafer type design with slots for threading into a suppressor or may alternatively be dropped in. Threads of the inserts may be fine or coarse akin to those of a boat gas cap. The suppressor may include a sleeve inside for accommodating one or more cartridges. A threaded cap allows access to the cartridges.

[0030] FIG. A-2 depicts embodiments, including a screw-in metal foam plug and a metal foam disk. The cartridge or cartridges include but are not limited to screw-in or twist lock securement methods. The cartridge or cartridges may be made of the same or different materials as the threads. Materials for making a cartridge may be printed or purchased from commercial materials. A cartridge may be inserted through either end of the suppressor housing or from another external direction. The suppressor may have at least one distal end may have holes for inserting cartridges. The cartridges may be multiple thin or thick plates of similar appearance to a meat grinder.

[0031] FIG. 1 depicts a suppressor body with a metal foam disk cartridge that can be inserted. The cartridge may be layered or used in conjunction with plug style cartridges. The cartridge may be threaded or covered with a metal screw cap.

[0032] FIG. 2 depicts a metal foam disk cartridge inside the suppressor body. The metal disk style cartridge may be dropped in or screwed-into the suppressor body.

[0033] FIG. 3 depicts the inside of a suppressor which has been designed to accommodate a plurality of metal foam plug-type cartridges. The embodiment shown has a suppressor body with an embodiment of a cartridge receptacle for metal foam cartridges, which may be threaded or not threaded.

[0034] FIG. 4 depicts a solid or metal foam cap that can be placed over the plug-type metal foam cartridge(s) either as a drop-in or mechanically fastened system. The cap or disk cartridge is placed below the cap with a cartridge inserted into a receptacle of the cap within the suppressor body.

[0035] FIG. 5 depicts an assembly of one type of system with metal foam plugs and a metal foam cap. The suppressor body houses a cartridge receptacle that may be printed or machined, containing metal foam cartridges in this embodiment, and with an endmost cartridge being a suppressor cap that is threaded in this embodiment and being solid or foam, machine or printed, with a distal end hole.

[0036] FIG. 6 depicts a different angle of FIG. 5. The black is the suppressor body.

[0037] FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment where the cartridges of similar or different densities are stacked on top of one another with one or more variable density cartridge disks at the distal (bullet exit) end of the suppressor.

[0038] FIG. 8 depicts one method of attaching one or more variable density cartridges to a plate that is inserted into the suppressor body.

[0039] FIG. 9 depicts a cross-section view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7.

[0040] FIG. 10 depicts a rotated view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 (backside of assembled plate containing one or more variable density cartridges).

[0041] FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of a variable density cartridge.

[0042] FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of a plate to accept one or more variable density cartridges.

[0043] FIG. 13 depicts one embodiment of a variable density cartridge disk to be used alone, in plurality, and / or in conjunction with other style variable density cartridges such as threaded plugs.

[0044] FIG. 14 depicts an external and internal view of a typical system with a traditional blast chamber closest to the muzzle end, then traditional baffles, then variable density rapid change cartridges in the form of plugs, then variable density rapid change cartridges in the form of disks, then a traditional end cap at the distal end to hold everything in place.

[0045] FIG. 15 depicts an exploded view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14.

Claims

1. A firearm suppressor comprising: a tube defining a passage;a mount connected at the rear of the tube and configured to connect to a firearm;the tube including at least one porous baffle defining a central bore and formed of a porous material defining a multitude of gas passages throughout the porous baffle.

2. The method of claim 1 including a plurality of porous baffles.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the porous baffles have different porosity characteristics.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous baffle is removable from the tube.

5. The method of claim 1 including a conventional solid baffle without porosity.

6. The method of claim 1 including a kit of replacement porous baffles.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one porous baffle comprises an insert frame received in the tube and defining the central bore, and the frame defining at least a receptacle aperture removably receiving an insert formed of the porous material.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the insert is threadably connected to the frame.

9. The method of claim 7 including a plurality of interests.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the insert is a cylindrical body11. The method of claim 7 wherein the insert is formed of the porous material and includes a non-porous threaded portion.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is formed of metal.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is sintered.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is formed of granules connected to each other.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is formed of particles connected to each other.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is sponge.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the porous material is foam.

Images