Gas Block Mounted to Upper Receiver for Firearm Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas-operated firearms experience barrel vibrations due to gas block movement, affecting aiming accuracy, and existing solutions fail to effectively neutralize these vibrations or account for thermal expansion, leading to loosening of joints and reduced mechanism stability.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic upper receiver with a tightly bound gas block, allowing relative movement between the barrel and gas block, and an optional support element to reduce vibrations and thermal expansion impacts, while maintaining a rigid fixation to prevent rotation and improve stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the gas block is rigidly fixed to the barrel, then the gas block stability is improved, but the barrel vibrations increase due to gas block movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fixation system into separate components: the gas block is fixed to the upper receiver rather than the barrel, with a support element providing additional connection. This segmentation allows the gas block to be stable while preventing direct transmission of vibrations to the barrel, resolving the contradiction between gas block stability and barrel vibration reduction.
2Manufacturing precision
If the gas block is rigidly fixed to the upper receiver, then the aiming accuracy is improved, but the thermal expansion causes curvature in the gas block or barrel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support element with a sliding connection for the barrel, allowing dynamic movement between the barrel and gas block. This dynamic connection accommodates thermal expansion and contraction, preventing curvature while maintaining aiming accuracy through the rigid gas block fixation to the upper receiver.
3Temperature
If the gas block is loosely connected to the upper receiver, then the thermal expansion is accommodated, but the gas block movement affects barrel accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The support element acts as an intermediary between the gas block and the barrel. It provides a sliding connection that allows thermal expansion accommodation while maintaining a stable gas block position relative to the upper receiver, thus preserving aiming accuracy. The support element mediates between the conflicting requirements of thermal accommodation and vibration reduction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If modular magazine wells are used, then the adaptability is improved, but the joint loosening occurs due to gaps and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the magazine well and trigger house into a single integrated assembly that is permanently affixed to the upper receiver. This eliminates the separate pin-and-aperture connection system, removing gaps and wear issues while maintaining adaptability through the modular design of the integrated assembly.
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
Significantly reduces barrel vibrations and thermal expansion effects, enhancing aiming accuracy and stability by using the upper receiver as a dampening element and providing a secure connection between the gas block, barrel, and support element.
Implementation Method 1
the upper receiver serves as a dampening element for the gas block vibrations during shooting
Implementation Method 2
the barrel to slide within the support element
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, to automatic or semiautomatic firearms. In a first embodiment, the gas block of the firearm is tightly bound with the upper receiver rather than the barrel, and the receiver serves as a dampening element for gas block vibrations during shooting such that the impact on the barrel is significantly reduced. Fasteners and barrel nuts are used to rigidly position the gas block relative to the upper receiver to best reduce the impact on the barrel. In another embodiment the gas block is attached both to the upper receiver and to the barrel using a support element. Such fixation of the gas block prevents rotation of the firearm and further decreases vibrations of the barrel. In yet another embodiment, the firearm fits interchangeable magazine wells to change the caliber of the firearm.