Firearm Sound Suppressor with Particle Detention and Co-Linear Gas Flow
Solution Overview
Problem
Firearm sound suppressors increase backpressure and cause muzzle flip due to the suspension of solid propellant particles, leading to adverse effects on firearm operation and accuracy, and existing methods either require increased size and weight or consumable ablative media.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize particle motion physics and fluid flow dynamics to detain solid propellant particles within a sound suppressor, allowing them to burn and convert to gas while minimizing turbulence and backpressure, with a design that directs gas flow co-linearly with the bullet pathway to reduce asymmetrical forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If solid propellant particles are suspended in gas-solid suspension to increase burning time, then sound suppression is improved, but backpressure increases and muzzle flip occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The suppressor is divided into multiple chambers with different functions: a first chamber for initial gas expansion and particle suspension, and a second chamber for particle detention and burning. This segmentation allows the system to separate the functions of sound suppression and particle combustion, reducing backpressure while maintaining burning time.
Solution Approach 2:
Solid propellant particles are extracted from the main gas flow path and detained in a separate second chamber. This extraction removes the source of backpressure and muzzle flip from the primary bullet pathway, allowing gases to flow co-linearly with the bullet while particles burn in isolation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cross-sectional area of bullet pathway hole in baffles is decreased to increase turbulence and particle suspension, then sound suppression is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making individual baffles more complex with smaller holes, the invention segments the suppressor into two chambers: a first chamber with simple baffles for initial expansion, and a second chamber for particle detention. This achieves the same sound suppression effect with simpler individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-chamber design to a multi-chamber design, adding a dimensional aspect to the flow path. This allows particles to be suspended in the first chamber and then detained in the second chamber, achieving better sound suppression without increasing baffle complexity.
3Device complexity
If sequential processing is used where gases and particles move through chambers together, then device simplicity is maintained, but backpressure increases due to particle suspension
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into two distinct chambers with different flow characteristics. The first chamber allows sequential processing with simple baffles, while the second chamber provides a separate path for particle detention and burning, reducing backpressure by separating particles from the main gas flow.
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 solution effectively reduces sound and flash while minimizing backpressure and muzzle movement, maintaining bullet stability and accuracy without the need for increased size, weight, or consumable media, by separating and burning solid propellant particles within the suppressor.
Implementation Method 1
detaining solid unburned propellant particles to burn within a suppressor
Implementation Method 2
Gases expanding as the gas-solid suspension progresses through these holes into subsequent chambers generate turbulence which helps to maintain the propellant particles in suspension and facilitates the suspension of propellant particles not in suspension
Implementation Method 3
Gases expanding as the gas-solid suspension progresses through these holes into subsequent chambers generate turbulence which helps to maintain the propellant particles in suspension and facilitates the suspension of propellant particles not in suspension. This turbulence reduces the rate of flow of the gas-solid suspension providing additional time
Data Source
AI summary
A method of firearm sound and flash suppression, and a device to facilitate that method, by preventing a plurality of solid propellant particles from suspending, and separating solid propellant particles from suspension, within a plurality of gases ejected from a firearm muzzle. The method comprises temporarily detaining the solid propellant particles to burn within the device while allowing gases to flow through and exit the device with minimal turbulence and resistance. The method and the device allow the bullet to move away from the propellant solids and gases, thereby minimizing the effects of asymmetrical forces produced by the propellant solids and gases. The device comprises a plurality of features that are organized in a manner to direct the flow of gases exiting said device in a direction co-linear to the path of the bullet.