Blast Mitigation Device With Angled Venting Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flash suppressors do not effectively cool or disperse propellant gases before they exit the muzzle, resulting in inadequate muzzle flash reduction.
Innovation Solution
The proposed blast mitigation device features a collar with venting apertures and a blast shield with radial and angled venting apertures, which diverts propellant gases away from the shooter, reducing side blast and concussion, and includes a quick attach/detach lever system for easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional flash suppressor is used, then the device structure is simple, but the propellant gases are not sufficiently cooled or dispersed resulting in inadequate muzzle flash reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The flash suppressor is divided into multiple functional sections: a body portion with first vent holes for initial gas dispersion, a collar portion with second vent holes for additional dispersion, and a blast shield with third vent holes for final gas cooling and direction control. This segmentation allows progressive cooling and dispersal of propellant gases, effectively reducing muzzle flash intensity while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds spatial dimensionality to gas dispersion by arranging vent holes in multiple directions and planes across different components (body, collar, blast shield). The angled vent holes in the blast shield specifically direct gases at oblique angles, creating three-dimensional gas flow patterns that enhance cooling efficiency and flash suppression beyond traditional single-plane designs
2Device complexity
If propellant gases are not diverted, then the device structure is simpler, but side blast and concussion are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The collar portion acts as an intermediary component between the body and blast shield, providing additional vent holes that further disperse propellant gases before they reach the blast shield. This intermediate stage of gas management reduces the intensity and directionality of gases that would otherwise contribute to side blast and concussion, while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the device provide different functions: the body portion handles initial gas escape, the collar portion provides intermediate dispersion, and the blast shield with angled holes provides final directional control and cooling. This local differentiation of functions allows effective side blast reduction through targeted gas management at each stage
3Ease of operation
If a quick attach/detach lever system is added, then ease of installation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever system incorporates spring biasing that automatically engages locking notches when the device is properly assembled on the muzzle. The levers self-lock into place without requiring additional fastening steps, and can be released by simply actuating the levers. This self-service mechanism provides quick attach/detach capability while minimizing the complexity of the mounting system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides improved muzzle flash suppression, reduces muzzle rise, and can be easily retrofitted to existing flash suppressors, effectively dispersing propellant gases to minimize visible flash and recoil.
Implementation Method 1
a collar with venting apertures and a blast shield with radial and angled venting apertures, which diverts propellant gases away from the shooter, reducing side blast and concussion
Implementation Method 2
features a collar with venting apertures and a blast shield with radial and angled venting apertures, which diverts propellant gases away from the shooter
Implementation Method 3
The levers are spring biased and each lever is required to be depressed in order for the blast mitigation device to be removed from the muzzle device or collar
Data Source
AI summary
A blast mitigation device that includes a collar having a central collar aperture formed therethrough and having one or more collar venting apertures and one or more locking notches; and a blast shield having one or more levers, one or more blast shield venting apertures, and a collar receiving recess, wherein each lever is pivotable for releasable engagement with a corresponding locking notch and wherein when at least a portion of the collar is appropriately received within the collar receiving recess, each collar venting aperture is aligned with each blast shield venting aperture.