Cross-Flow Suppressor Structure for Low Back Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firearms, particularly machine guns and semi-automatic rifles, face challenges in reducing both audible and visible signatures while maintaining shooting performance, with suppressors often causing back pressure and gas flow issues that can be hazardous to operators.
Innovation Solution
A suppressor design with a baffle stack and outer housing that divides gas flow into inner and outer volumes, using vanes and conduits to create a sinuous path and reduce back pressure, combined with a flash hider to minimize visible signature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a suppressor is used to reduce audible and visible signatures, then the firearm's signature is reduced, but back pressure and gas flow issues increase causing hazardous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The suppressor is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) separated by baffles, with each chamber handling gas flow independently. This segmentation allows controlled expansion and direction of gases, reducing back pressure while maintaining signature suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radial gas flow paths perpendicular to the axial direction, using ports in the baffles to redirect gases from axial to radial movement. This dimensional change creates a tortuous path that reduces back pressure while maintaining effective gas containment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If gas flow is restricted to reduce audible signature, then sound attenuation improves, but back pressure increases creating hazardous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple chambers with individual baffles segment the gas flow path, allowing progressive expansion and pressure reduction at each stage while maintaining overall flow restriction for sound attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
Radial ports in the baffles redirect gas flow from axial to radial directions, creating a three-dimensional tortuous path that increases flow length without proportionally increasing back pressure, thereby reducing audible signature while managing pressure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a tortuous gas flow path is created to reduce signature, then audible and visible signatures are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tortuous path is achieved through segmented chambers and baffles rather than a single complex structure, making the system modular and easier to manufacture while achieving the desired gas flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The tortuous path is created by combining axial and radial flow components through ported baffles, achieving complexity through simple geometric arrangements rather than intricate structures.
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 suppressor effectively reduces audible and visible signatures while minimizing back pressure, ensuring safe operation by directing gases through a tortuous path and reducing high-pressure gas flow into the firearm's receiver.
Implementation Method 1
directing gases through a tortuous path and reducing high-pressure gas flow into the firearm's receiver
Implementation Method 2
A suppressor is a muzzle accessory that reduces the audible report of the firearm by slowing the expansion and release of pressurized gases from the barrel
Implementation Method 3
Visible flash can also be reduced by controlling the expansion of gases leaving the barrel as well as by controlling how muzzle gasses mix with ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
A suppressor for a firearm has a tubular housing extending along a bore axis from a proximal end to a distal end. A baffle stack within the hollow tubular housing extends along the bore axis and includes a tubular baffle wall with a plurality of baffle structures connected to an inside of the tubular baffle wall. The suppressor defines an inner volume inside of the tubular baffle wall and an outer volume between the tubular baffle wall and the hollow tubular housing. Flow-directing structures in the outer volume include pairs of diverging vanes and pairs of converging vanes. A conduit between adjacent baffle structures defines a gas flow pathway in a radially outer portion of the inner volume and defines an opening located between the adjacent baffle structures to direct gas flow across the bore axis.