Service Weapon Training Barrel Conversion With Tool-Free Collet Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conversion kits for replacing service barrels with sub-caliber barrels to fire reduced energy training cartridges often alter the weight and balance of the weapon and require tools for installation, which can be lost or misplaced.

Innovation Solution

A conversion kit featuring a barrel support with a double tapered bore and a collet system, utilizing a collet nut to securely attach a barrel sleeve without tools, maintaining the weapon's balance and allowing tool-free installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a clamping device is affixed to the muzzle end of a barrel sleeve, then the barrel sleeve is securely held in place, but the weight and balance of the weapon are altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarrel sleeve retentionVSAvoidweapon weight and balance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The collet is a split cylindrical structure that fits inside the barrel support, and the barrel sleeve fits inside the collet. When the collet nut is tightened, the collet contracts around the barrel sleeve, creating a nested arrangement that secures the barrel sleeve without adding external clamping devices to the muzzle end, thereby maintaining the weapon's original weight and balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The collet acts as an intermediary component between the barrel support and the barrel sleeve. Instead of directly affixing a clamping device to the muzzle end, the collet mediates the connection by contracting around the barrel sleeve when the collet nut is tightened, providing secure retention while avoiding direct attachment at the muzzle end that would alter weight and balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a tool is used to install and remove the clamping device, then the barrel sleeve can be securely attached, but the tool may be easily lost or misplaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarrel sleeve attachment securityVSAvoidtool-free operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion kit is designed to be self-sufficient with all necessary components integrated into the assembly. The collet nut threads directly into the barrel support and can be tightened by hand or with simple finger pressure to secure the barrel sleeve, eliminating the need for separate installation tools that could be lost or misplaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The collet, barrel support, and collet nut are merged into a single integrated assembly where the collet nut serves both as a fastening mechanism and as the means of installation. The threads on the collet nut engage with corresponding threads in the barrel support, combining the fastening function and installation function into one component that requires no external tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple clamping device is used, then the conversion kit is easy to manufacture, but the installation and removal process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion kit manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidinstallation and removal speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion kit is segmented into distinct functional components: the barrel support with integrated threaded bore, the split collet with gripping interior surface, and the collet nut with external threads. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple processes, while the threaded connection between components enables rapid assembly and disassembly by simply rotating the collet nut, greatly improving installation and removal speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 kit maintains the weapon's weight and balance while enabling tool-free installation and removal of the sub-caliber barrel, reducing manufacturing costs and minimizing the risk of lost tools.

Implementation Method 1

The collet nut urges the shoulder toward the first tapered section thereby causing an inner diameter of the gripping portion to reduce and grip the barrel sleeve at a first clamping point. The collet nut also urges the sleeve portion into the second tapered section causing an inner diameter of the shoulder portion to reduce and grip the barrel sleeve at a second clamping point.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS12372321B2Conversion kit for replacing a barrel on a service weapon with a training barrel to fire reduced energy training rounds

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 GENERAL DYNAMICS ORDANCE & TACTICAL SYST

AI summary

A conversion kit for installation into weapon to replace the service barrel with a sub-caliber barrel for firing reduced energy training cartridges. The conversion kit includes a barrel sleeve, a barrel support and a collet disposed between in the barrel support for fixedly securing the barrel sleeve therein. The collet is disposed in a double tapered bore formed in the barrel support for fixedly securing the barrel sleeve at both ends of the collet into the barrel support. A flash hider, which has been removed from the service barrel, is threadably received in the barrel support and functions as a collet nut for clamping the collet onto the barrel sleeve.