Harmonic Barrel Dampener Using Elastomeric Material

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sniper rifles and high-accuracy guns face accuracy decreases due to perturbations caused by acoustic disturbances during firing, which current methods attempt to mitigate through mechanical balancing or counterweighting, requiring iterative adjustments for each barrel and ammunition type.

Innovation Solution

A harmonic barrel dampener system using an elastomeric or acoustic dampening material, such as a polysulfide compound, encases a significant portion of the barrel to absorb vibrational and heat anomalies, reducing variability without the need for iterative tensioning or counterbalancing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If mechanical balancing or counterweighting devices are used to reduce acoustic disturbances, then accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases and iterative adjustments are required for each barrel and ammunition type

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical balancing systems with a passive acoustic dampening system using elastomeric material. Instead of using movable counterweights or spring systems that require mechanical adjustment, the invention uses viscoelastic material that passively absorbs acoustic disturbances through material damping properties, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components and iterative field adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric material acts as an intermediary between the barrel and the acoustic disturbances. The material is positioned to absorb and dampen acoustic waves before they can cause perturbations to the projectile trajectory, serving as a mediator that protects the projectile from harmful acoustic effects without requiring direct mechanical intervention with the barrel itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If mechanical balancing or counterweighting devices are used to reduce acoustic disturbances, then accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to iterative adjustments required

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccuracyVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical balancing systems with a passive acoustic dampening system using elastomeric material. Instead of using movable counterweights or spring systems that require mechanical adjustment, the invention uses viscoelastic material that passively absorbs acoustic disturbances through material damping properties, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components and iterative field adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If traditional barrel systems are used without acoustic dampening, then device complexity is reduced, but accuracy deteriorates due to perturbations from acoustic disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidaccuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric material acts as an intermediary between the barrel and the acoustic disturbances. The material is positioned to absorb and dampen acoustic waves before they can cause perturbations to the projectile trajectory, serving as a mediator that protects the projectile from harmful acoustic effects without requiring direct mechanical intervention with the barrel itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful acoustic disturbances into beneficial damping effects by using elastomeric material that absorbs the acoustic energy. The acoustic waves that would normally cause harmful perturbations are transformed into vibrational energy within the dampening material, which is then dissipated as heat, effectively converting the harmful acoustic field into a benign thermal effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 improves accuracy and repeatability by reducing mean radial dispersion, with average improvements of 28-100% across tested rifles, and decreases maximum external barrel temperature by 34%, enhancing the firearm's performance and soldier survivability.

Implementation Method 1

a harmonic barrel dampener 20 comprises an outer portion 22 that substantially encases or enwraps a significant portion of barrel 30, and optionally includes within its lumen an elastomeric or acoustic dampening material 40 to encase or substantially enwrap a substantial portion of the length of the barrel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

acoustic dampening material 40 to encase or substantially enwrap a substantial portion of the length of the barrel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 3

decreases maximum external barrel temperature by 34%

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8312663B2System and method for improving performance of a weapon barrel

Publication Date: 2012.11.20 DREADNOUGHT TECH

AI summary

A harmonic barrel dampener operable to increase the accuracy of a weapon having a barrel. According to at least one embodiment, a harmonic barrel dampener comprises an outer portion that substantially encases or enwraps a significant portion of barrel, and wherein the harmonic barrel dampener further comprises at least one acoustic dampening material contained between the outer portion and a weapon's barrel, resulting in improved accuracy of projectiles fired from the weapon.