Ultrasonic Firearm Barrel Cleaning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firearm barrel cleaning methods are labor-intensive, difficult to perform, and often incomplete, as they rely on manual manipulation of cleaning patches and rods, which can be challenging due to the presence of rifling and may not effectively remove stubborn fouling like copper residue, and pose disposal issues with toxic solvents.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic cleaning system that selectively cycles a stream of cleaning fluid through the barrel, inducing cavitation with an ultrasonic transducer to effectively clean the interior surfaces, including rifling, while sealing the muzzle end and using a pump for fluid circulation and filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual cleaning patches and rods are used to clean the barrel, then cleaning can be performed with simple equipment, but the cleaning process is extremely difficult to manipulate and may cause the patch to become lodged or packed within the barrel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning operations with an automated ultrasonic cleaning system. The ultrasonic transducer generates high-frequency vibrations that create cavitation bubbles in the cleaning fluid, which automatically clean the barrel interior without requiring manual manipulation of patches or rods through the rifling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is designed to perform cleaning operations autonomously. The pump circulates cleaning fluid through the barrel, the ultrasonic transducer activates to clean the surfaces, and the system automatically cycles through cleaning phases without requiring the operator to manually manipulate cleaning tools through the barrel.
2Device complexity
If conventional cleaning methods are used with cleaning patches and solvents, then cleaning can be performed with simple tools, but the dirty patches contain toxic solvents and lead requiring difficult disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The system recycles the cleaning fluid through a filtration system that captures and removes lead particles and other contaminants. The filtered fluid is then reused in subsequent cleaning cycles, eliminating the need to dispose of toxic patches and solvents while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a hydraulic pump to circulate cleaning fluid through the barrel and a filtration system to remove contaminants. This closed-loop hydraulic system replaces the open disposal method of conventional cleaning, capturing harmful substances for reuse rather than requiring disposal of toxic materials.
3Reliability
If repeated manual cleaning with patches and bore brushes is performed to fully clean the rifling, then thorough cleaning may be achieved, but the process requires up to an hour or more of repeated manual cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic transducer generates high-frequency mechanical vibrations in the cleaning fluid, creating cavitation bubbles that implode against the barrel surfaces including the rifling. This intense localized cleaning action thoroughly removes fouling from complex geometries much faster than manual brushing, reducing cleaning time from over an hour to a few minutes while ensuring complete cleanliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the cleaning process by using ultrasonic frequencies and cavitation rather than manual mechanical action. The cleaning fluid is circulated under pressure and activated at ultrasonic frequencies, creating a fundamentally different cleaning mechanism that is both faster and more thorough than conventional manual methods.
4Reliability
If strong solvents are used to remove copper fouling from the barrel, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the solvents can damage the barrel itself
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic cavitation acts as an intermediary cleaning mechanism that removes fouling without requiring harsh chemical solvents. The cavitation bubbles provide the mechanical energy needed to dislodge copper and other residues from the barrel surfaces, including the rifling, while the cleaning fluid serves as a gentle carrier that does not damage the steel barrel.
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 system significantly reduces cleaning time and ensures thorough barrel cleaning, avoiding manual manipulation difficulties and potential damage to the firearm, while safely managing toxic residues through recirculation and filtration.
Implementation Method 1
activates an ultrasonic transducer to induce cavitation within the cleaning fluid in the barrel for ultrasonic cleaning of the interior of the barrel
Implementation Method 2
activates an ultrasonic transducer to induce cavitation within the cleaning fluid in the barrel for ultrasonic cleaning
Implementation Method 3
A pump selectively circulates the cleaning fluid through the receiver assembly, the barrel, and out through the hose connector of the cap structure
Data Source
AI summary
The firearm barrel cleaning system selectively cycles a stream of ultrasonic cleaning fluid through the barrel of a firearm, and further selectively ultrasonically induces cavitation within the cleaning fluid in the barrel for ultrasonic cleaning. The firearm barrel cleaning system includes a receiver assembly having a first end adapted for receiving the stream of cleaning fluid and a second end is adapted for insertion into the firearm receiver and sealing against a first end of the barrel to eject the stream of cleaning fluid into the barrel. A cap structure, having an outlet hose connector is clamped over the muzzle end of the barrel of the firearm. A pump selectively circulates the cleaning fluid through the receiver assembly, the barrel and out through the cap structure. An ultrasonic transducer is mounted on the receiver assembly for selectively inducing cavitation in the cleaning fluid.