Integral Suppressor Baffles With Quick-Connect Alignment Lock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current suppressor manufacturing techniques, such as selective metal melting (SMM) and laser metal sintering (LMS), face challenges like inaccurate baffle positioning, time-consuming assembly, weight issues, and inefficiencies in gas expansion control due to material support and heat stress problems, leading to incomplete seals and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using SMM techniques to form suppressors with baffles integrally attached to the housing, optimizing baffle angles between 10° to 85° to improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce assembly complexities, and employing a quick connect system with a muzzle brake for enhanced gas control and reduced noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If selective metal melting (SMM) techniques are used to manufacture suppressors, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but baffle positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the baffle and housing into a single integrally formed component using SMM technology. The baffle is formed as an integral part of the housing wall, eliminating the need for separate baffle components and their assembly. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high manufacturing efficiency while achieving precise baffle positioning through the intrinsic accuracy of the additive manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the suppressor into functionally integrated zones within the housing structure. By forming baffles as integral extensions of the housing with specific geometric features (such as angled surfaces and chamber definitions), the design achieves precise positioning through the manufacturing process itself rather than through separate component assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional assembly methods are used to attach baffles to housing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the baffle attachment function with the housing structure itself. The baffle is manufactured as an integral part of the housing through SMM, eliminating separate assembly steps. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of manufacture through a single-step additive process while reducing assembly time to zero for the baffle-housing connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the baffle positioning and attachment actions during the manufacturing process itself. By forming the baffle as an integral feature of the housing during additive manufacturing, the positioning and attachment are accomplished preliminarily, eliminating subsequent assembly operations and reducing total assembly time.
3Strength
If baffles are formed with support material in SMM, then structural stability during manufacturing is improved, but final product weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the support material after the additive manufacturing process is complete. The support structures used during SMM manufacturing are temporary fixtures that are fully removable, leaving only the functional suppressor components. This resolves the contradiction by providing structural stability during manufacturing through support material that is subsequently removed, preventing weight increase in the final product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the support material after manufacturing is complete. The support structures serve their purpose during the additive manufacturing process and are then removed, allowing the final suppressor to achieve its intended weight without permanent support material. This resolves the contradiction between manufacturing stability and final product weight.
4Strength
If high heat is applied during SMM process, then material fusion is improved, but heat stress and distortion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic, layer-by-layer heating cycles during the additive manufacturing process. Instead of applying high heat continuously, the SMM process deposits and fuses material in incremental layers with controlled heating cycles. This resolves the contradiction by achieving adequate material fusion through repeated, controlled thermal exposure while minimizing cumulative heat stress and distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters during the manufacturing process by using controlled, incremental heating rather than high-temperature continuous heating. The SMM process uses lower temperatures applied in repeated cycles appropriate for each layer deposition, optimizing fusion quality while reducing heat stress and distortion in the final product.
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
This approach results in a more durable, lightweight suppressor with improved noise reduction and gas control, reducing the risk of baffle strike and misalignment, while simplifying the manufacturing process and enhancing user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a selective metal melting technique, the method including: depositing a feed material onto a substrate; melting the feed material to form part of the suppressor
Implementation Method 2
laser metal sintering (LMS), are three dimensional printing technique that can be used to manufacture different types of products, from a metal powder feed material
Data Source
AI summary
A suppressor having a body and a first connector half coupled to the body, wherein the first connector half includes a first component that includes at least one channel and a first surface; and wherein the body provides a second surface, wherein a gap between the first surface and the second surface defines at least one track; wherein the gun includes a second connector half comprising at least one protrusion, wherein the protrusion and channel have corresponding shapes that allow the protrusion to be inserted through the channel and into alignment with the track, wherein the first component may be rotated with respect to the protrusion and the body to bring the protrusion out of alignment with the channel so that the first and second surfaces clamp the protrusion to thereby secure the first connector half and second connector half with respect to each other.