Breech Plug with Diverging Nozzle for Consistent Projectile Seating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inline muzzle-loading firearms face challenges in achieving consistent projectile placement and energy delivery due to the variability in loading loose powder, leading to inaccuracies and repeatability issues.

Innovation Solution

A modified breech plug with a diverging propulsion gas nozzle and a channel to communicate propulsion gases from a pre-packaged blank powder cartridge, ensuring the projectile is consistently seated at a predetermined location within the barrel, and an elastomeric O-ring gas seal for improved sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If loose powder is used for muzzle loading, then the firearm can be loaded from the muzzle end, but the projectile placement and energy delivery become inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading processVSAvoidprojectile placement consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the loading system into separate components: a breech plug assembly that remains fixed in the barrel and removable powder cartridges that are pre-measured and pre-packaged. This segmentation allows the powder and projectile to be loaded separately through the muzzle, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring consistent powder charge and projectile placement through the precision-engineered breech plug geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The breech plug acts as an intermediary component between the powder charge and the projectile. It includes a powder cup that receives pre-measured powder cartridges and a conical surface that guides and positions the projectile consistently. This intermediary structure eliminates the variability associated with direct muzzle loading while maintaining the external appearance and loading procedure of traditional muzzle loaders

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If pre-packaged powder cartridges are used, then loading becomes quicker and cleaner, but the firearm requires a modified breech plug structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading speedVSAvoidbreech plug structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The breech plug assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it contains the powder cup for receiving cartridges, provides the conical guiding surface for projectile placement, creates the seal against the barrel, and incorporates the ignition system. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be multiple separate components into a single integrated unit, reducing overall device complexity while enabling pre-packaged cartridge operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The design nests the removable powder cartridge inside the fixed breech plug structure. The cartridge fits into the powder cup cavity of the breech plug, which itself is installed in the barrel. This nesting arrangement allows the complex breech plug structure to be built around a simple removable cartridge, making the complexity contained and manageable rather than distributed throughout the loading system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If conventional muzzle loading methods are used, then the firearm structure remains simple, but measurement errors and inaccuracies increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirearm structureVSAvoidpowder measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The powder is pre-measured and pre-packaged into cartridges before loading. This preliminary action of measuring and packaging the powder in advance eliminates the need for field measurement and packing operations, thereby removing the source of measurement errors and inaccuracies while keeping the firearm structure itself relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution provides a cleaner, quicker, and more accurate loading experience, allowing the conversion of conventional muzzle-loading firearms into equivalent pre-charged pneumatic guns or crossbows, with enhanced energy delivery and reduced measurement errors, improving the firearm's accuracy and repeatability.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomeric O-ring gas seal for improved sealing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A channel may extend from the aperture to the diverging nozzle and may be configured to communicate propulsion gases from the cartridge to the end portion of the diverging nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow through channel:

Implementation Method 3

The distal end may be configured with a diverging propulsion gas nozzle, and may have an end portion configured to contact a projectile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas expansion and propulsion:

Implementation Method 4

a pre-packaged blank powder cartridge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS11340039B2Cartridge breech plug for inline muzzle loading firearm

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 POSADA ESTEBAN GONZALEZ

AI summary

A breech plug for inline muzzle loading firearms configured to use a blank powder cartridge loaded from the breech end, rather than powder loaded from the muzzle, and configured to place the projectile in substantially the same location in the barrel as if powder had been loaded from the muzzle end.