Firearm Suppressor Baffle Cup Venting and Sealing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firearm suppressors do not effectively minimize the 'first round pop' phenomenon, which results in a loud report due to the large air mass present in the suppressor, and there is a need for designs that enhance suppression performance while minimizing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The suppressor design features a series of baffle cups with varying chamber lengths and a unique vent passage configuration, including a conical baffle wall and flange portion with a skew-angled vent passage, which directs blast gas to absorb energy and reduce the report, and a cylindrical spacer wall with an annular recess to enhance sealing and reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional suppressor designs are used, then the basic suppression function is provided, but the first round pop phenomenon occurs resulting in loud report
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the excess air mass from the suppressor chamber before firing by incorporating a vent passage that allows air to escape. This is achieved by forming a vent hole through the baffle cup wall, positioned to allow air removal while maintaining suppression function during actual firing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-venting air from the suppressor chamber before the round is fired. The vent passage is designed to allow air to escape during the loading or pre-firing state, eliminating the large air mass that would otherwise cause first round pop, while the vent is subsequently closed or blocked during actual firing to maintain suppression.
2Reliability
If uniform chamber lengths are used in baffle cups, then manufacturing is simplified, but suppression performance is reduced due to inefficient energy distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the chamber lengths of different baffle cups to create different expansion volumes at different locations along the suppressor. This non-uniform design optimizes energy distribution and suppression performance at each stage, with longer chambers providing greater expansion space for blast gas dissipation.
3Strength
If solid baffle cup walls are used, then structural strength is maintained, but weight increases and manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates porosity by forming an annular recess into the baffle cup wall, creating a cavity structure that reduces material usage and weight. The recess is positioned to maintain structural integrity while providing weight reduction and potential air venting functionality.
4Reliability
If conventional baffle cup designs are used, then assembly is straightforward, but sealing effectiveness is insufficient leading to gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sealing mechanism by providing sealing surfaces on the baffle cups that engage with adjacent components. The sealing surfaces are positioned at the interfaces between baffle cups and end caps or adjacent baffle cups, creating effective seals without requiring complex sealing systems.
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 design effectively reduces the report of fired rounds by distributing energy through the varying chamber lengths and vent passage configuration, while the annular recess and sealing surfaces minimize weight and maintain a secure assembly, enhancing suppression performance and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
directs blast gas to absorb energy and reduce the report
Implementation Method 2
The externally threaded proximal end segment of the spacer wall of one of the plurality of proximal baffle cups is threadably received in the internally threaded segment of the receptacle portion of the muzzle mount
Data Source
AI summary
A firearm suppressor includes a muzzle mount; blast, intermediate and distal baffle cups; a distal end cap; and a shroud. The muzzle mount, baffle cups, and end cap thread together at threaded interfaces. Each baffle cup has an externally threaded proximal segment threadably received in the proximally adjacent component. The distal baffle cup has an externally threaded distal segment received in the end cap. The components are shaped and arranged to form sealed interfaces upstream of the threaded interfaces along the flow path of gas through the suppressor. The baffle cups include baffle walls defining chambers sized and arranged to limit first round pop. The baffle walls define vent passages extending along axes oriented at skew angles with respect to the axes of the baffle cups. A distal baffle cup includes an annular recess for reducing the weight of the suppressor adjacent the distal end.