Flash Hider Tine Geometry for Muzzle Flash Suppression
Solution Overview
Problem
Firearms produce significant flash when fired, which can reveal the shooter's location, posing a safety risk, especially for infantry soldiers, as existing solutions do not adequately address the reduction of both primary and secondary flash.
Innovation Solution
A flash hider with a cylindrical design featuring a central hole, interior threads for attachment to a firearm barrel, and three tapered tines that expand and mix hot combustion gases with cooler air, preventing re-ignition by causing the gases to tumble and swirl, thereby reducing the flash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional flash hider designs are used, then some flash reduction is achieved, but both primary and secondary flash are not adequately reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flash hider is segmented into three distinct functional zones: a central bore for primary flash control, an intermediate section with cooling features, and a tapered outlet section for secondary flash control. This segmentation allows each zone to address specific aspects of flash reduction, achieving comprehensive suppression of both primary and secondary flash simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The flash hider utilizes parameter changes in the combustion gases through controlled expansion and cooling. The intermediate section increases gas volume and decreases temperature, while the tapered outlet section further expands and cools the gases before exit. These parameter changes prevent re-ignition and reduce secondary flash intensity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the flash hider cools combustion gases rapidly to prevent re-ignition, then secondary flash is reduced, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling features are applied locally rather than uniformly throughout the flash hider. The intermediate section contains specific cooling elements positioned where they are most effective for preventing re-ignition, while other sections maintain simpler geometries. This localized approach achieves the cooling function without requiring complex structures throughout the entire device
Solution Approach 2:
The flash hider controls combustion gases by transitioning them from one-dimensional axial flow in the central bore to three-dimensional expansion in the intermediate and outlet sections. This dimensional change allows the gases to cool through volumetric expansion without requiring complex cooling mechanisms, achieving secondary flash reduction through geometric transformation rather than mechanical complexity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the flash hider conceals primary flash from all but end views, then shooter location is better protected, but the device length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flash hider utilizes the dynamic expansion of combustion gases to control primary flash visibility. As gases expand through the intermediate and outlet sections, their volume increases and temperature decreases, causing the primary flash to dissipate and become less visible from side angles. This dynamic process achieves flash concealment without requiring excessive length, as the flash suppression occurs naturally through the expansion process
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 flash hider effectively diminishes secondary flash and helps conceal the primary flash from all but end views, enhancing the shooter's safety by minimizing visible muzzle flash.
Implementation Method 1
as they move toward the second end, are urged to expand in a direction radially away from the centerline of the center bore by a 45-degree flared entrance formed in the central bore and which opens into the three gaps in the flash hider wall
Implementation Method 2
The lateral faces of each tine carry at least one step to cause these exiting gases to tumble and swirl together, mixing with cooler air in the vicinity of, but external to, the flash hider
Data Source
AI summary
A flash hider has a central bore for receiving the barrel of a firearm at one end and three tapered tines at the opposing end with a gap formed between each pair of adjacent tines. Just past the muzzle-seat in the central bore is a flared entrance leading to the gaps thereby allowing hot air and combustion gases to expand radially through the gaps between the tines, thereby cooling the hot air and gases. The lateral faces of the tines are stepped to cause turbulent mixing of the cooler air surrounding the flash hider with the exiting gases so as to further expand and cool in order to prevent re-ignition and thereby reduce secondary flash. Long tines help to hide all but direct viewing of primary flash.